Christmas at the Otto's

Wow what a wild long weekend! What I thought would be a fast 2 days but instead it ended up being 4. No not a bad thing but long.

Christmas Eve - Church and to Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Dave home! Lots of fun but a late night, yes our party girl stayed up till 3:00 am with a 45 minute nap around 11 pm.

Ok lets shake this -- my daddy taught me to do that!

Look what I got -- haha Hannah B.

Christmas Day - morning came way too early for 3 of us. Cody on the other hand was up at 8 and ready to open gifts we held him off till 9 am when we woke our little Princess up. Payten was not so sure of opening gifts she needed a break for a bottle half way through gift opening. Cody enjoyed it of course. Santa brought Cody a TV (I can't believe that man I never had a TV hahaha) and Payten got a Little People Playhouse with a SUV with Mom and Baby. After our Christmas we went to my parents to celebrate. Payten got a baby doll and was so excited to get her baby out.

Payten and Santa's Gift

Cody and Santa's Gift

My babies in front of the tree


Let me help brother.

Saturday - off to Zimmerman Christmas after dad had a snow mobile day trip. So you may ask what did the kids and Sarah do, you guessed it we headed into Mankato and went to McDonald's.

Dad with his new snowmobile and Brent

Sunday - we went to Great Grandma Roberts home. Then a little skating at night for mom and for the boys then went on the snow mobile again.

I was trying so hard to get a four generations picture but there was always someone not looking at the camera -- Me, Payten, Grandma Roberts and Grandma (better known as Nana or my mom)

All of the Great Grandchildren (that were at my grandparents Kyle and Kevin are missing) and Hannah B.

Now you may ask what are you doing for the new year!!!! Well dad is off hunting and the kids and mom are heading to the lake. Yes we are having the first annual Barnlund Clan New Years Eve. What are you going to do at the lake in the dead of the winter with all of this snow. I know that you are asking yourself that question. What else would we do ---- build an ICE RINK!!!! I'm super excited :) We'll have lots of fun I'm sure.

Did I tell what I got for Christmas .... A new Camera!!! Lots of pictures are to come of our great weekend I promise!

Twas' the night before Christmas....

Twas' the night before Christmas.... Too much snow to go to Great Grandma's so we are stuck in town. With one crappy kid and the other being so helpful we are making biscuits and gravy for brunch. Naps will happen sooner then later today. Off to church then to Grandma and Grandpa Otto's to celebrate. When we arrive home, hopefully before Santa comes to town. Children will be tucked in to bed, so the visions of sugar plums can dance in their heads! Then to wake up to see who was naughty or nice in the Otto home this year. Off to Grandma and Grandpa Barnlund's to celebrate with more family. If the weather continues to hold out we may venture to New Ulm for one last celebration.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. With a detailed report this weekend of our wonderful days ahead.

Guess What...

Can you believe that Cody is a double digit kido! As a mom I can't believe that he is already 10 were does the time go? We are had our family birthday party on Saturday. It will be fun to watch Payten, seeing if she will try to help her big brother or not. She even had to get her big brother a gift, she has been chasing him down the hall when he gets home from school. Cody has a little shadow if he likes it or not he's got one!

On Thursday she found a present (and of course not hers)! Up to this point she has just been looking at them and touching them. But on Thursday I heard the "rip"! Too cute she just looked up at me and smiled.

Johnson Girls Annual Christmas Baking

Annual Christmas baking started 5 years ago. We started the first year just on a Saturday after skating school and finishing up on Sunday, less then 24 hours. Well 5 years in we have learned a lot! This year we started Thursday at 4:30 and finished up on Saturday at 6:00 pm. The only 2 things that haven't changed is we pick our date in November for the following year (yes we had 2010 date picked before 2009 happened) and its at my house.


We started this year on Thursday night with the list of things we needed in hand a way we went to Walmart and then to Cubs to finish up the special things we couldn't get at Walmart. Including over 3 pounds of pecans.

My kitchen table after shopping!



Payten getting her first baking lesson from Laura, next year Payten can help!


After making 15 different recipes we had fun putting all of our tins together!

PS a quick hockey update: Cody scored another goal for his team during the Sunday game. Cold rink in Waseca but another fun game for Payten and I to watch.

Snow Day!!!!

Some pictures from our snow day last Wednesday!

Cody and Payten are playing with the Fisher Price Bus that was Cody's when he was little. I have many pictures of him riding on top of the bus like it is a scooter. So that's how he loves to play with it and Payten. On our snow day he had her lay on her tummy on the top and he pulled her around.

Payten wanted so badly to go out and play with Cody in the snow. Not sure how many times he asked for her to come out and play too, but mean mom said no way.

Quick update!!

Last weekend we went to Brezzy Point for a hockey tournament! Trav goes with 3 of his friends every year during labor day weekend. So he had lots of fun showing us the places they have stayed and visit when they are up there. As for hockey the boys played awesome on Friday night even though they lost 2 to 5 to Lakeville South. The next game, well that didn't go as well, the boys just didn't seem to play together so that left us to play Sleepy Eye for our last game of the weekend. We ended up winning 6 to 1, with Cody scoring the last goal of the game. So for Cody's score card it would read 2 goals and 2 assists.


Payten is a busy girl. Her 6th tooth has cut through and she can take around 6 steps before she decides that she is still quicker if she crawls. So fun!


I told you she is a busy little girl this isn't the first time she has played with TP so know worries if you come to our house and have to look high and low for the TP its there, just not where it should be.


It is the annual cookie baking weekend with my sister Laura. We have to plan our date over a year ahead of time so that Laura can get Friday off. So it throws a little wrench into other plans that are happening this weekend too. But I know that everyone will understand, we all love our treats!

Hockey Parents!!

Yes we had our first Hockey Tournament in Huchinson. This year Cody made the Squirt B team for Mankato. He is one of only 5 1st year squirts that made this team. We had two games yesterday, a big eye opener for him playing 2 games in one night. And our 3rd game today. He didn't score any goals close a few times, but had some good passes. No penalty's which I think he was scared about. As parents we learned that at this level things can get pretty intense.

As for little sister she was a trooper. A very good little girl she fell asleep during the 3rd period which was crazy by the end of this period it was 3 - 3. Which sent us into a 5 minute sudden death over time, no goals where scored. Then we went to a shoot out it headed up with us making 2 goals the other team 0 goals. It was pretty cool we ended up with 3rd place in the tournament. Very neat for Cody to have this happen for his first tournament.

Saying Goodbye!

Were saying good bye to our car seat! And not to good reasons of being to big for it. I did all my research before Payten was born which seat would take us to at least 12 months and I got one that is up to 30 pounds. It was perfect!

Until the car accident, for those of you that don't know it wasn't our fault. Just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Did you know that if your car seat has been in an accident when the airbags are deployed they don't want you to use it anymore? :( SO with that said my plan to have her take pictures in the car seat until at least 12 months is no more! Thanks to Scot and Nan for letting us use Talyn's for awhile. We have a lot to figure out including what type of vehicle to buy. At this point we have decided that we will take our time and do all the research we want before we jump into buying anything, so I will drive Peggy's old car for the time being. Thanks

So here are the last of pictures of my peanut in her car seat!!

1 month old

10 months old

I wasn't kidding you when I said she doesn't like her seat.

WHAT a WEEK!!

Its been a long week! Too much is going on I'm in need of a break!

Work was for the most part was quiet for me only working on Thursday and Friday in the schools. This coming week is busier which is good.

Payten turned 10 months old on Friday! Still our little peanut. Last week I took her in to the doctor hoping they would tell me I was just being over protective and her fever was from her tooth. But that's not what we heard -- she had a double ear infection. An ear infection never crossed my mind, Cody had one and when he was 5 or 6, never as an infant.

Yes they are both eating suckers.

10 month picture - and yes she is not a fan of just sitting in here seat!

New 9 month pictures!

Here are just a few of the wonderful pictures we had taken a week ago! Look how big our little girl is getting. Thanks mom and dad for the wonderful backgrounds to take our pictures against:) We have some other photo's to add from the last month too, keep checking back hopefully soon I will have my own snapshots to add soon.

Payten is 9 months

This past week we celebrate Payten's 9 month birthday.


Well where does she stack up against other 9 month little girls:


Weight 14 lbs 7 oz on the 1st percentile
Height 27 1/4 inches on the 47th percentile


So its official we have a little peanut on our hands!


Now you might be asking does she eat -- all the time! She eats whatever you put in front of her.


She has been crawling for 2 months now and is about to take a few steps, she pulls herself up and walks around tables, toys and anything

Were still here!!

So sorry for the lack in up dates this past month! We are still here and will update with lots of great info this week I promise.

SEPT 7th

Ok so here I go with a major catch up since its been forever and a few family members (no names will be mentioned) have reminded me I'm behind.

CODY

Starts 4th grade tomorrow! We have new shoes (that he loves) and a shirt for the 1st day of school. Hockey sign up is Friday and fall hockey will start next weekend (Sept 19th). Other then those milestones not much is going on with him. Besides all the games that him and Princess P play.

DAD

Busy with work. He just got home on Sunday evening from his weekend with the boys golfing. Sounds like they had lots of fun 45 holes on Friday -- I think they are crazy for playing that many holes in one day.

MOM
Will start work tomorrow! This year I have decided that I would let my Para Professional job go and Substitute teach this year. I was fortunate to receive a long term position at Monroe in the Kindergarten till Oct 9th. Then we will see where I go from there.

PAYTEN
I know you are waiting for an update from our Princess.

As my last stated she is on the move, well she is getting very adventures. Pulling herself up on anything that is the right height. Getting into everything and even climbing on things. Silly girl:) Dad got home and started calling her peg leg cause she is pushing as she crawls with her right foot.

Talking well in her own language of course. At night she tends to talk even more like she is telling everyone about her day. And she is so loud when she talks.

Food need I say more she loves food. We went to the state fair and she was going nuts when the 2 of us were sharing a chocolate malt she couldn't get enough. This lady came over to me and asked how old is your little girl my mother and I are trying to figure it out. I'm sure she couldn't believe I was feeding her ice cream. Her favorite treat right now is a freezes her dad and brother can't get away without sharing if she is up. She will eat anything we give her. And loves drinking from her sippy cup.

Daycare we start tomorrow. Dad will drop her off in the morning and I will pick her up. I'm sure it will go great. But I'm a bit nervous when it comes to eating, since she hasn't really had baby food from a jar. Don't worry I packed her some from home just in case she needs it!

Pictures are next!!!

Look what I can do now!

Helping Mom out with the folding.

On the bus to the State Fair - we look like we are tried and our day has just started.

My silly big brother and I.

I have to help Cody with his chores all the time.

Riding my Dad's dog.