Christmas in Pictures

Christmas was a full-on adventure this year! It was divided into three celebrations. First being at home with Grandpa Saari, Uncle David, Noah and the 5 of us! Then we traveled up North to Grandma and Grandpa O's house to share Christmas Eve/Day with them as well as the Gunderson crew and Great-Grandma Burton! After the hoopla in Talmoon - we had to head back home where we found that Santa had visited as well as Grandma and Grandpa Burak! I don't think the kids minded having three rounds of gifts... but I think the rest of us were pretty Christmased out!

*You'll have to bear with me... this is a loooooong post...there are A LOT of pictures.

The Saari Tree - 2010

Our annual tradition of baking & decorating

cut-out cookies!:

Christmas

Part I:

Noah... the goober

Please take a close look at this one...

Notice the tongues??

Like father, like son.

Brady has perfected the "present pose"

Caleb's first, "everyone has these", gift.

Deerskin choppers...

and so it begins.

Maija was a constant stream of

"OH BOY's!" "OH MY's!" and "WOW's!!!"

Hee hee hee....

The sneaky Mommy strikes again!

here is the real present:

Yep. That's a skateboard...

I see ER visits and limbs in casts in our future.

Christmas

Part II:

You must understand Brett's LOVE (SERIOUS love)

for the China Buffet in Grand Rapids

for you to understand the humor in this gift!

Poor Noah.

He had the tummy flu when we arrived...

SNUGGIES!

Mom & Dad each received a Snuggie this year.

They sparked a very entertaining conversation

about the unlimited possibilities

of future Snuggie products.

That Santa is so clever!

Grandma & Grandpa's new Wii

was thoroughly tested!

The Tuttle Treasure Box!

Thanks to Manda, Damon & Asher

for all the super fun stuff!

There was even time for a little ice fishing!

Christmas

Part III:

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!

Fairwell 2010

As 2010 comes to a close, I find myself feeling grateful for another year filled with good times and lots of memories. We had no major health issues, no ER visits, or traumatic events...all of which I am doubly grateful for! I am hopeful for a new year to begin... and the endless possibilities it brings. I'm not much for making resolutions, but I do have a lot of optimism that 2011 will have good things in store for everyone! HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Here are my picks for the top 10 events in 2010 for the Saari crew:
* * *in no particular order

--- Uncle David returned safely home from his 2nd tour of duty in Afghanistan

--- Bon Jovi concert with my hubby

--- Family trip to Brainerd before school started

--- The Villeneuve/Swanson Wedding Weekend Extravaganza

--- Easter in Hermantown/Thanksgiving in Milaca/Christmas in Talmoon

--- Caleb turns 9! Brady turns 6! Maija turns 2!

--- A new swing set for the Saari kids

--- Trick-or-Treating/Halloween Party with G-ma & G-pa O.

--- 30th birthday surprise for Sarah

--- Christmas Tree Hunt 2010

* sorry, I gotta make it 11!!!

--- Road Trip Weekend with Charity



I hope 2011 brings you all much joy, good health and happiness!

I have to admit...

As much as I dislike the new snow, cold temps and readjusting to bundling up the kids in multi-layers just to run to the store... I am totally shifting into Christmas mode. Although, for me, it cannot happen before Thanksgiving... as I feel that poor Thanksgiving doesn't get its deserved recognition amongst the holiday hoopla. I blame department stores, malls, etc. For instance... Target/Wal-Mart go from advertising Halloween straight into Christmas. You know, BLACK FRIDAY is SUCH a BIG DEAL. And so, Thanksgiving tends to get left out. So, I try to do my part to make sure the Saari crew takes the time to celebrate Thanksgiving before the Christmas decorations even make their way out of the garage. That being said, I also have to admit I am totally guilty of wanting to go get our HUGE-GANTIC Christmas tree today... but alas, it will wait until next weekend, as that is our Daddy's rule... "Not til December!" I can't wait for this week to go by! I'm so excited to make our now 2nd annual trek to Perham to cut our very own 13 ft. tree. The thought of all those lights, tons of ornaments, and the final "ooohhh, aaahhhh" moment make me giddy!! :) Even though to get it accomplished I will need to bring in the ladder...and will have to anchor the tree into the wall...and will have to fill our new, custom made, steel tree stand with about 5 gallons of water... it will ALL be worth it!



So anyway, we had a lovely Thanksgiving... Turkey and all the trimmings. Family. Games. Movies. It was great! Thank you to this often forgotten holiday!



AND NOW ONTO CHRISTMAS!!! I admit... it really is my favorite!

Seriously

Ok.

I'm a Minnesota girl at heart...

I'm WELL aware that it snows here.

It's just that the first real snowfall

this year had to be

M A J O R.

We're talking a good 8 or 9 inches (so far)

it's still falling...

It's ridiculous.

Can't we just ease into this winter stuff?

Can't it wait just a little longer?

Of course not.

This is the scene from our patio door.

What's that?

LOVELY, you say??

Please have your eyes (and sanity) checked.

Immediately.