Christmas 2010!

Breakfast with Santa:

Our first trip to see Santa this year was half way successful. We went to "Breakfast with Santa" at a local restaurant in town and both of the kids were really excited! Emma got already and even had a picture colored perfectly in the lines to give to him. Tal, I think, just wanted the pancakes! As we stood in line and as we got closer to our visit with Santa, Tal was having nothing with the jolly guys in the chair! Emma was different. She ran to him, threw her arms around him and handed him her picture. She was so fun!

This is as close as Tal would get to Santa.

And actually, later on, we went into St. Louis for a fabulous lunch with Matt's family and guess who showed up? Santa and the Mrs.

How lucky is that?! Breakfast and Lunch with Santa!!

Company Christmas Party:

We were treated to another fun filled Christmas Wonderland in the shop! Fun games, Santa, and of course the EFP Express! Grandma Beckstrand was there too! I guess I didn't get a picture of her though. Sorry Mom!

I think she peeked!

Who knew Tal would like this game?!

This year they also brought in a String Trio. They sounded beautiful. When they started playing Tal went over and stood right in front to listen. And he just stood there. For 10 mins. We'd go pull him away, but he'd end up right back over there. I don't know. Maybe a clue to his future in music!!

Christmas Eve Music Program

We all dressed up in our best for the Music Program at the church on Christmas Eve. It was a wonderful night. (Tal is on a "Cars" fetish. He carries the movie around with him everywhere)

Christmas Day

We had a super wonderful Christmas this year. Especially because it SNOWED!!! That's the first year since we've been here that we've had a white Christmas. I think that was a present for me!!!

Meet White Chocolate! She didn't last very long, but she sure looked adorable!

Here is our Gingerbread House for this year! We LOVE making these. Fun tradition with Grandma.

Cousin #2!

Matt's brother Nate and his wife Jasmine had their baby. Tanner is here! He is the cutest baby and cousin ever!! We love him. Tal is ready to teach him all he needs to know!!

Tal!

Ever since Emma started school, I've been able to spend some really fun alone time with Tal. He is such a little dude, and SO different then his big sis! It's fun to see his funny personality evolve everyday. He's become a really good little helper too.

He'll fall asleep everywhere!

His new favorite job is to bring in the firewood. He's kind of an animal. You should see this kid can work. He helps Matt unload huge truck fulls of wood and then brings them in. He loves it. "Two wood!"

Tal and Steve enjoying some frosting before Joy School. Every Tuesday a group of mom's who have kids Tal's age rotate homes and have a fun morning of Joy School.

He is learning so much. He knows all of this ABC's and his numbers, and his favorite song is"Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" (he asks to sing it every week in nursery. For some reason that one is not in the Primary Song Book, haha)! He's such a fun little guy!

Meet Fat Bob!

I think Matt and his brother have hit their mid-life crisis a little early. This is Fat Bob. Having one in my house has confirmed all my preconceived notions. These motorcycles are a complete ego driven vehicle. They walk around like they've got this big secret parked out front and if you want to know what it is just follow them outside. And they drive them with this "You can't touch this" look on their faces. They play dress-up! Apparently the "costume" is just as vital to the correct function and driving ability as the ego is! Actually, I think the outfit provides the ego, I don't know...but I'm pretty sure it at least helps!

He tries to share the ego by letting each of us dress-up with him!

(Truthfully, I have yet to take a ride. I really don't care for it, but I love dress-up!!)
The front:
And of course the back:
Hells Angels have nothing on this!!!

Like father like son!

Matt is a big reader. I've never known him not to be reading. Books or a newspaper, he's always got something. When he's in his element we call it "Newspaper Mode!" He can't hear or do anything until he's done!

He thinks you should read to learn something, so our bookshelves are lined with all kinds of History books, Church books and anything non-fiction; except one fiction book did slip in. "Angels and Demons" which he read every day and was in every picture we took while we were in Hawaii 7 years ago!

Before you can borrow one of his books you have to go through the "How-to-open-and-hold-my-books-properly" course!! He very serious about his books. Tal is learning from the Master!!!