Making LEFSE!

I was fortunate enough to get invited to make lefse this afternoon with a good friend of mine, Maren, and her sister. It was my first time making it with a real lefse griddle. It took about 3 hours I think but it was all fun. I learned a lot from Maren's father's wife, Betty. She is a pro and has been making lefse for many years.

Lefse is a traditional Norwegian snack and I LOVE it. Mark knows not to bother eating it at home since he doesn't appreciate it the way I do. You should never waste good lefse. My parents have honed their skills and make excellent lefse. I love it when they bring me fresh lefse when they visit. Can you tell that I love lefse????

I got to bring some home with me. It's already gone. :-)

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

M&Ms for Santa

Since we had no cookies for Santa in the house, we convinced Peder that Santa also liked M&Ms and candy canes with water to wash it down. It worked and they were all gone by Christmas morning....

Christmas Eve at Our House

Peder LOVES putting presents under the tree. I don't know how many times he's been over there these past few days.


Peder even made some beautiful cards for the grandparents. Here are two pictures of one of them. They are three-dimensional!


All of Caroline's Christmas gifts from Mommy, Daddy and Peder, were Peder's old toys that we hadn't taken out yet. She was very excited about them. She stopped after opening the first one. I guess she figured one gift was enough. That won't last, I'm sure... :-)

Daddy -- Help!

Our Little Santa

Caroline put on this Santa hat and I just had to take some pictures. This one is my favorite. She loves when I take out the camera and says "cheese!" She actually cries when I stop and put the camera away.

Building a (small) snowman

Peder got his wish after school today and helped build a snowman with Sam, one of Caroline's sitter's daughters. He was so excited. Caroline enjoyed touching the snow but that was it.

It Snowed!

It snowed today! That's big news here in Dallas. Peder did not have school this morning so I took a half day and brought him to school at 10:00. He really wanted to play in the snow but couldn't. These pictures were actually taken around my school where I work, about a mile from our house. But at our house, there wasn't any snow. Very strange. At Peder's school there was nothing either so he didn't get a chance to play outside in it at recess.

Anyway it was fun to see and the kids at my school loved it. It reminded me of the winters in Chicago growing up.

New Christmas Ornament

I went to my annual church circle ornament exchange (despite the icy weather). This might be our 7th or 8th year of doing it. I always get a cute or beautiful ornament. It's ALWAYS a fun time. My friend, Maren, happened to bring this one and I got it! Cute, huh?

All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!

Peder lost his other front tooth on Wednesday (at church choir of all places) and now has his two top teeth coming out. He's starting to look like a big kid now! Not sure if I like that....

Today during the church service, the children performed the annual Christmas program. Peder graduated from a stable animal to a shepherd! And he had a speaking part! Grandma helped make several shepherd's outfits (thanks, Mom). The program was probably the best ever and the kids were wonderful.

Peder and Caroline having fun

Peder still enjoys building things with his K'Nex. Here is one of his latest creations. A truck for his "Tots" that he got at Sonic. We made many trips to Sonic for Kid's meals in order to get these prized possessions.








Caroline had some fun with a musical snowman and her teapot. She thinks it looks great! Uncle Larry even wrote a song for her:
(guess which tune)


I'm a little teapot
upside down
On top of a snow-man
there I am
Caroline put me there
Just today
If it makes her happy
Here I'll stay.
If you want to drink tea
Talk to her
She'll have to think about it
and get back to you
I'm pretty happy
where I am
It's much cooler than
on the stove
Caroline and Snowman
are my friends
This time of year
the fun never ends
I'm a little teapot
Not too tall
Merry Merry Christmas
one and all!

Fall is Finally Here in Texas

The trees in our neighborhood look beautiful right now. This is my favorite time of the year, especially in Texas.

Decorating for Christmas

It's been a challenge preparing for Christmas today. Caroline wants to help
too, but she's really not capable. Then there's Peder who wants to put
EVERYTHING up. He was very excited when we uncovered the Santa hat and has been wearing that most of the afternoon. He's truly in the holiday spirit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner (minus Caroline who was sleeping). Our wonderful family friend, Nina, joined us. We had all the fixings and two delicious pies my mother made. Oh, and I can't forget the lefse! I think I've eaten most of it...

Thanksgiving at School

Peder was an Indian for school today. They had a special Thanksgiving lunch. Daddy was nice enough to build a feather headband. It included using a drill (I didn't ask). The end product was good for Peder and it lasted the day at school! He wore his Adventure Guides vest to complete the outfit.

Look Who's Talking!!

Caroline entertained us with this monologue this evening...

Peder's All about Me Poster!

At Peder's school, each student throughout the year has to make an "All About Me" poster. He selected the posterboard and got some Transformer stickers. Then he added many pictures. He was very particular about which ones he wanted. For example, he wanted a picture of him when he turned 1 year old. He has a huge area devoted to Transformers, because, after all, it is all about him. I had to explain to Peder that he has other important parts of his life, such as family and church. Luckily, Mommy and Daddy made on the poster and so did sister, Caroline.

Someone lost a tooth!

Peder lost one of his front teeth tonight!!



He knows who the Tooth Fairy is but still wants the $$.

Cute pictures of the kids

My brother is visiting and got many cute pictures of Caroline and Peder. Here are just a few...