First Big Snow!

We had our first big snow in the beginning of December (Yes I'm a little off timing here as this should have gone up before a few other posts). Normally I'd say screw it, but Ed took such nice pics of the snow with his fancy camera I just had to share a few :) We ended up getting about 14 inches total. I learned how to snowblow (that is way harder then mowing....who would have thought!). We took Mav in the snow about 3 different times and of course our snow doggy just loved it! Here are a few pics from Ed:

He was SO funny watching go through the snow!!

Snow up to the belly!!

Running towards mom....

And knocking her over

Big Pine in the backyard

Whatcha measuing mom? Up to 9 inches and still going strong!

He's such a "special" dog

It was a fun snow day, and I was SO thankful it was on a weekend so my commute didn't blow!! Can't wait till the next big snowfall! But this time I"ll leave the snowblowing to Ed :)

Christmas 2012

We celebrated Christmas in Minnesota on the 16th. Ed got me the Northface jacket I had been wanting. I got Ed some dvds and clothes he had been wanting. Of course Mav couldn't be left empty-handed, he made out with a large candy cane shaped bone and a new stuffed toy....to de-stuff :) A few pics from around the house for Christmas!

Mav by the tree

Stockings by the chimney

My snowman table!

Mav and his new bone

Mav loves his new toys

In keeping with our tradition of traveling for Christmas.....we headed out to Michigan/Indiana this year! It was a little snowy the day we were supposed to leave so we stayed home that night and relaxed and then got a jump start at 5 am the next day. We ended up making good time and still got to Janet and John's by late afternoon. After 9 hours in the car, Mav was ready to play. Luckily so were Max and Sam! We had a relaxing rest of the day. The next day everyone arrived! There were 10 adults, 2 kids, and 5...yes FIVE dogs. It was crazy, chaotic, and SO much fun! We loved every second we got with our family. Due to the distance between us all we rarely see our nieces so it was so fun to get a few days with them. We went on a long hike with them through all the dunes with all the dogs in tow. It was a perfect idea, when we got home it was nap time for all the pups! The rest of us watched movies, played games, and then Janet had a birthday cake to celebrate Ed's 30th a few days early.

Mav running on the beach

Mallory walking on the Lake Michigan shoreline

Headed towards the Dunes

Mav says "So you're saying you DON'T want me to go for a swim?"

John, Andy, and 4 of the dogs on top of a small dune

The next day was Christmas Eve. We opened gifts in the morning, baked Christmas cookies, played with our new gifts, and eventually headed to Eds Aunt's place to see extended family. While there it was more food and games! We played apples to apples with all the kids...I had my 5 year old niece on my team and let her make all the choices.....somehow this adorable little girl actually won the whole game....twice!!! Maybe I should think like a 5 year old when I play it :) She was so excited to have won both games, it was adorable. Keeping with tradition shortly after dinner, Santa came to the house to give all the kids a gift. I absolutely love this idea and can't wait till Ed and I have kids of our own to do this with.

Mav navigating through all the gifts

The girls gettin ready to pass out gifts

Making Christmas Cookies

Grace's Creation

Mallory working on her Cookies

Cadence passed out on the couch!

Janet's Tree

Grace and Winnie snuggling

4/5 dogs waiting by the treat closet for Grandma :)

Mav and Max playing tug of war

My happy boy in his Christmas collar!

Family Picture of the Geary side....and all 5 dogs!

Les & Nate....guys you look lonely without a dog....hint hint :)

Ed, me and Mav

Courtney, Andy, Mallory, Grace, and Winnie

All the girls!

John, Janet, Max, and Sam

Kyle, Marghi, and Cadence

For Christmas day we drove down to Indiana to see the Collin's side of the family. We played a really fun trivia game that I totally sucked at but it was still fun :) We opened gifts and then had a delicious meal. Shortly after all that Ed and I headed back to Michigan since we had to get up early for the "fun" drive home the next day. We made it back to Michigan in time for a fast walk on the bluff before packing up everything.

The Collins' side of the family

Walkin on the bluff

Look Mom, Polar Bears!! :) Haha

We got out of Michigan early enough on Wednesday that we hit virtually no traffic on the drive home which was great. It was a fantastic Christmas. As always it is always hard only seeing one side of our family for a holiday but we sure enjoyed the family we did get to spend it with :) Can't wait till our next Christmas!!

Holiday Parties and Elf the musical!!

Well got a little behind on the blogging with all the holiday craziness and then Ed's birthday and then Eds surprise birthday party! So I figure I better this updated or I'll never do it :)

Back in December we had the first Christmas party with my new job. It was SO much fun!! They had it at a very nice country club in Edina. They provided free drinks and appetizers for cocktail hour. After we had a delicious meal and amazing chocolatey fudge cake. SO good! Around 11 as the party was wrapping up we went out for an after party. We ended up at Bunny's which was a really fun bar to have a few beers and hang out with my co-workers longer. Here are a few pics from the night:

Some of the nurse's and PNPs

Love these girls

Some of the girls

Having so much fun

Hanging out at Bunnys afterwards

The next day after nursing a slight hangover we met my sister and brother in law in St. Paul for an afternoon showing of Elf the musical. The inside of the Ordway was decorated very Christmasey, it was gorgeous. They had tons of Elf souvenirs so clearly I needed a tshirt that said "santa I know him!" The musical itself was great! They didn't quite stick to the storyline and my two favorite songs from the movie weren't in it (Baby its cold outside and Santa Clause is coming to down) but I still really enjoyed it. Then again, I'm easily amused!! After we took a few pictures then walked down the street to try a new restaurant for dinner. It was really good. I love trying new places! The chili was seriously to die for! We will be going back there sometime soon!!!

Decorations inside....love how festive!!

Ahhh Santa! So cute in the tree

Les and Nate! So So So happy to have them back in Minneapolis

Ed and I after the show

Well I think that's it for tonight! Will try and post about Christmas tomorrow and all of Ed's 30th birthday festivities soon!!!