Christmas cookies!

Sunday was the perfect day for a little Christmas baking!

In the morning we made the trip over to the Northfield Cub to pick up some gluten free sugar cookie mix as well as frosting and sprinkles to decorate.  Hudson also needed to pick up some carrots for the reindeer :)

Before nap we mixed up the cookie dough and went to work with our cookie cutters!  While the kids were napping we let the cookies cool so they would be ready to decorate.  As soon as they woke up we got busy decorating.

Very focused little man :)

Mila wasn't too sure at first.....

So Hudson decided to help her out

Then she decided she would prefer to just eat the cookie :)

Our finished products!

And one giant cookie!

Perfect Sunday Funday with my two little faves <3

The North Pole

Sunday we took a train ride to the North Pole to see Santa Claus on the North Pole Express!

Our excursion started at the St Paul Union Depot.  

Hudson was so excited about going on a train ride!  It also happened to be my older brother's birthday so we had the whole gang together to take the trip. 

Patiently waiting for our train to depart

Love his excitement!

Arriving at the North Pole!

Working on Santa's Sleigh

Who do we see up ahead.......

Santa Claus!!!

Here he comes!  Mila was so cute, she saw him coming, points and says "ho ho ho"

Giving Santa his letter

Mila preferred to observe from afar :)

Such a great experience!  When we arrived back at the train station they had goodie bags for the kids as well as hot chocolate and cookies.  Unfortunately Justin was unable to go as he was in class all weekend but we will for sure do this again next year :)

Mommy & Hudson date night!

Monday night Hudson and I had a little night out, just the two of us :)

I signed us up for a "cooking class" through the Northfield ECFE program.  Such a fun night we had!

Getting ready for our "cooking class"

The first station we went to was how to make a bird feeder

Prepping with peanut butter

Rolling on the bird seed.

Hudson wanted to hang this up outside as soon as we got home.  Unfortunately it was really dark out so I told him we would do it later today.

Next up was making a hot cocoa mix, yum!

Blurry picture because he was jumping up & down ;)

From there we decorated a gingerbread man (or baby as Hudson called it)

Last stop was a gingerbread house.  I think Hudson could have stayed here for hours adding more candy to his house.

We also made a trail mix snack, yum!

Such a fun night with my little man, just the two of us :)

Snack with Santa

Sunday morning we made our annual trip to the MN Zoo for Snack with Santa!  Overall I would say it was a success.  Hudson was really excited about seeing Santa this year and to tell him what he wanted.  He even cooperated for a few pictures first :)

Notice penguin also made the trip

Best family photo we were able to get....

The Zoo holds this in their dining area and they always have an assortment of snack and drinks.  They also have pictures for the kids to color and ornaments to make.  This year we made reindeer ornaments for our tree.

Santa then comes around to each table and just prior to him keeping a volunteer asks for the children's name.  Hudson was a little unsure but he did sit on his lap and tell him that he wanted a tractor with a trailer (of course!).

Mila was not too sure about Santa.  She was not going to sit on his lap so mom had too.

Trying to figure out what's going on....

Another successful year visiting Santa.  

Growing too fast!

I can't believe another year is almost over!  Time is just flying by and it seems to go faster with two kids to keep us occupied :)  We are busy at our house getting ready for Christmas and all the festivities that go with it.  This Sunday we will be making our annual trip to the MN Zoo for Snack with Santa.  We also need to take our family pictures so I can get our holiday cards ordered and mailed.  So much to do :)

A little update on the kids......

This little man is 4 and a half already.

Hudson has been busy this year with preschool!  He is in the older preschool room at daycare with Ms. Bobbi and just loves it.  He has made some really great new friends and he loves to tell us all about his day.  He also started at Hand-in-Hand preschool, going Tuesday and Thursday each week with Ms. Angie.  It is amazing to see how much he has learned over the last 5 months.  He is recognizing letters and numbers.  He can tell you what certain words start with.  He is able to write his own name.  

He still loves his construction equipment and tractors.  He is also really into the LEGO sets, especially the City collection.  This year he wants to be outside all the time.  Whenever shoveling is needed, he is usually out there mowing the snow :)

Miss Mila is now 16 months, she is no longer my baby :(

Currently she is still in the infant room at daycare but they will slowly start transitioning her to the toddler room starting next week.  Though I am sad about this, she is definitely ready to hang out with the big kids.

She definitely keeps us on our toes.  She loves to be independent and do things by herself, which can create a bit of a mess when it comes to eating.  She is starting to talk more and she loves to make animal sounds when we sing Old McDonald has a Farm.  She still loves music and dancing.  She is a busy little girl, constantly on the move!

These two are best buds!  In general they get along really well and Hudson is such an awesome big brother.  Mila loves to follow him around and do whatever he is doing.  

Love them!