On Such a Winter’s Day

Anneke and Rowan, January 2010

Here’s what we’ve been up to lately:

Sewing skills

The kids got some learn-to-sew cards from their Grandma Miller and they’ve been having fun “sewing” with shoe strings.

Zoo 2010

We decided to make an annual tradition of going to the Zoo to celebrate New Year’s, since we’re going to be members again this year (when you live as close as we do, it is SO worth it).  As we were looking at the dolphins the sun came shining into the dolphin tank, illuminating the kids in a strange blue light.

No trip to the zoo would be complete without a visit to Anneke’s beloved seahorses:

Christmas 2009

We had a really great four days of non-stop celebrating up north, at both the Rensenbrinks and the Millers.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!  Or as Rowan would say, Mayor Timmons!

Two-time champion

You may recall last year when Rowan won the annual Star Tribune Employees’ Children’s Turkey Coloring Contest in the 0-4 age group.  Well he’s done it again!  And yes, the pool was reduced to only 4 competitors this year, but he still came out on top!  Way to go, Rowan!

Dashing through the snow

Dr. Anneke

Two videos of our aspiring medical student.  In the first one, she gives her two babies shots, one in the eye and one in the heart. She also bonks her own head a couple times in the process of treating her patients. Rowan whines in the background.

In the second video, Dr. Anneke tells her babies to quit jumping on the bed, then thanks herself for treating them.

Christmas tree time (and potty time)

Time to get a Christmas tree!  We went to a tree farm near Princeton, MN with Grandpa and Grandma Rensenbrink.

This morning when she got up Anneke insisted on laying under the tree for a little while.

In other news, both Anneke and Rowan have been wearing underwear (during the day) for one week!  They are doing GREAT!  All four of us are very proud.

It doesn’t get much more wholesome than this.

Day before Thanksgiving, making gingerbread cookies, drinking hot cocoa, and listening to Bing Crosby. We even made a fire in the fireplace later on!

Anneke wouldn’t eat hers; I finally had to break it apart for her because she couldn’t bear to do it.  Once she finally tasted it, though, she was willing to eat most of it.  That new oven is working great!