Update on Us

So, even though I am unable to post pictures, I figured I could still bring everyone (yep! all 4 of you out there!) up-to-date on what's been happening around the Saari house! Let's see here.... where did we leave off.... Let's rewind a bit, shall we?!!


*OCTOBER - (sorry, I realize this was 3 months ago...) Uncle David came home for a two week leave from Afghanistan, just in time for the arrival of his baby boy! Noah David Saari was born on Oct. 21st (also my parent's 31st wedding anniversary!).
Three days later we got to celebrate (with ALL the Grandparents!) Brady's 5th birthday! It was a very fun-filled day! Brady had requested a pinata. So, since it was very wet outside, and dark by the time we got around to it, we did the pinata inside. Just in case you were wondering... No, it is not a good idea to do this! Even though nothing was broken (thankfully) We had candy splattered everywhere! The boys thought it was great - and honestly, so did I!


*NOVEMBER - Maija's 1st birthday!!! So hard to believe our girl is one. Gosh. She started out as such a little peanut, and now she's walking, talking, and full of a very sassy and humorous personality!

*Triple birthday celebration at Grandma & Grandpa O's for all those November babies! Along with Miss Maija's first, we had Noah,n who turned 7 this year, and Lauren hit the big #5!!! It was a very fun day with a yet another pinata, (as Noah and Lauren ALSO requested one for their birthdays!!) pizza, cupcakes and gifts! What more do you really need in life?!!

*Along with the triple birthday weekend, we also had Maija baptized! She was very adorable in her ivory sweater dress and matching furry booties! Maija is also very lucky to have four amazing Godparents! Our very good friends, Manda & Damon Tuttle and Jordan & Nikki Osse! It was so special for us to share that very special moment in Maija's life with all of them!


DECEMBER - Proved to be a very exciting month indeed!
*Firstly, it had been Daddy's dream to get a "really big" Christmas tree... so this year he researched local tree farms, and did a little shopping around the tree lots in town... Eventually we decided to make the hour+ drive to Perham, which is east of Detroit Lakes, to visit a tree farm! We went on Matt's birthday and had a really great time searching out our perfect tree, all bundled up, as soft snowflakes fluttered down around us - it really was magical! Well, we finally settled on a "really big" spruce tree. Beautiful, and full, and perfect! In the field, our lovely tree was probably between 16 and 18 ft. tall. Oh yes! BIG tree! Imagine, if you will, my husband, sawing down this massive tree, well only the top 12 or 13 feet... dragging it out to the trail, where the vehicle was parked... looking at me, and saying, "I'll get the bottom, you get the top." and the two of us laughing as we attempted to lift the "really big" and really heavy tree onto the top of the car. Somehow it managed to make it up there! And it made it all the way home. And into the house. And after about an hour of maneuvering, we had it standing (and anchored into the studs of the wall). "AAHHHHH" It was glorious! Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures sometime soon - because it really was a very cool tree. Although, Daddy now has it in his mind, that next year's tree could be even bigger. Afterall, there was a good 3 inches of clearance from the tip of the star to the peak of the ceiling... :)

*On the 14th, I was shocked to receive a text from Manda saying her water had broke and that they were waiting to have a c-section!!! Oh my goodness! You see, Manda was not due until January 13th... although she was hoping that baby boy Tuttle would grace his family with an early arrival in time for Christmas! Well! Indeed she got her wish! Asher John Tuttle was born, December 14th at 8:50 am!!! And even though Mr. Asher was almost 4 weeks early, he weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs. and was 18 inches long!!! SO EXCITING!!!! I was also lucky enough to sneak a visit with Asher and his very proud Mom and Dad just two days after his big surprise arrival! He is absolutely adorable and it was so incredible to see the joy and love he has brought to his Mommy and Daddy!

*Christmas was mostly quiet for us this year. We stayed home, and celebrated with Uncle Matt. We made cut-out cookies, which Uncle Matt helped frost and decorate! We opened gifts and just enjoyed not having to drive out into the first blizzard of the winter!
The Gunderson crew bravely made the trek from Talmoon to Moorhead the day after Christmas, to come visit. We had gotten around 17 inches of snow, but thankfully they made it safely and we had a blast hanging out with all of them! The kids always have fun playing, and it was really fun to watch Micah and Maija walk around and chit-chat with each other!

*And now here we are. Already January. A new year! 2010. Wow.
Our wish for all of you this year is for much fun, laughter, good health, good times spent with family and friends, and many happy memories!