A visit to Chicago

We started heading towards Chicago on Sunday morning. We drove halfway, about 6 hours, and stayed at a hotel in Rochester, MN. We took James swimming again and he didn't seem as scared this time. Monday morning we left for the remaining 6 hours of our drive to Oswego, IL to visit our good friends Ashlee and Glen Schneider. We hadn't seem them since Oct when baby Caleb was only 2 1/2 weeks old. He is growing fast and catching up to James. They are going to be best buds some day. But until they can both walk it will be Corinne and James chasing each other. They spent countless minutes going in circles after each other. It was so much fun to watch. Ashlee and I got to have lunch out and shopping one day, while the guys went to a Bulls game another. New Year's Eve Glen's parents generously offered to babysit the kids so we could go out for a little while. Once everyone was asleep we went out for drinks and dessert from 8-10. We then played games and all rang in the New Year together!

Brrrr... it is really cold outside!!

Keeping busy on the farm

It was too cold to see the cows in the barn this trip, but James kept very busy indoors.

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. We relaxed, watched Shawn and Tatiana open presents in record time, opened our stockings and tried to keep James from eating the wrapping paper. Huge challenge because EVERYTHING goes in his mouth! Robin made a lovely Christmas brunch before we headed to Appleton to spend Christmas afternoon with Todd's dad and Grandma Orpha

Hearing the story of Jesus

Playing his drums from Santa

Todd's dad family is even bigger than his mom's side. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Too accomodate everyone we rent out the community room in Grandma Orpha's assisted living facility. Everyone brings food to share and we sing songs and play bingo for fun prizes. Grandpa Brad gave James his first tricyle. It will be so much fun when James is big enough to ride it.

Christmas Eve

Our annual tradition when we are in SD/MN for Christmas is to spend Christmas Eve with Todd's grandparents and Todd's mothers side of extended family. Robin has 6 siblings all with kids so it was a big group. James was the first great grandchild on this side and his cousin Kayla and husband Matt just welcomed baby Anika Marie on Dec 9th. So now there are 2 great grandchildren. It was so fun getting to hold a newborn. It just makes you realize how fast they really grow. Todd's grandma Rose always makes Oyster stew(Scandinavian tradition) and chicken noodle soup(for those that don't like the Oyster stew), and of course everyone brings goodies to share! We also enjoy a Christmas program in which Todd's grandpa reads the story of Christmas and we listen to Christmas music by all those that play instruments.


Great Grandma Rose and Grandpa Warren

Grandma Robin and Grandpa Steve

The Great Grandchildren - James and Anika

These are a couple of clips from the Christmas program. Todd plays the saxophone in the program every Christmas Eve we are in MN. The second clip is of Todd's Uncle Steve singing "Frosty the Snowman". James wasn't too sure about that part of the evening!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Henson Family