MIM and more

Last year we got Elf on the Shelf for a Christmas gift so this year was our first time using it. We named him Mim (Max, Ivy, Mya) after many many names that the big two kiddos came up with that Chris and I vetoed:) We had a ton of fun with him, despite the fact that we weren't the best "Elf Parents" in the world, but the eventual reminder on my phone helped! We didn't really use it as a behavior tool, but just a fun thing for the kids to do in the morning when they woke up. Here are a few pictures of where that little guy showed up each day! I would usually come out to the living room/kitchen area in the morning and every.single.light would be on so they could see where he was!

The kids have been loving the snow that we got on Thursday. They have gone outside 3+ times each day and THANKFULLY they're getting better and better at getting themselves dressed. Now the problem is that Ivy wants to go out each time too and so I have to deal with a little temper tantrum each time the door closes without her! I've been super impressed with Mya this year...she lasts out there as long as Max which was not the case last year. Chris can hardly wait to get her on the slopes.

A week ago Thursday was Mya's Christmas concert at school. It was a short, but very sweet little Christmas program. We are really going to miss her preschool next year! Between Max and her, this was our 3rd year in a row. Ivy will be there soon enough though I guess. Santa made his annual appearance after the program. You can see Mya's angel wings ar still on:) Wish I would have gotten Ivy in this picture, but she had enough at this point in the evening.




We are headed out tomorrow to celebrate Christmas with both of our families. But not before we get a visit from the big man Santa! We sent him a letter in hopes that he could come to our house a little early. Hopefully he got it!

13 months

Ivy is 13 months today! I've been wanting to post some pictures of her "month" photos from months 1-12 so here goes...in reverse order!

First Snow!

It feels like forever since we've had snow. In fact, I overheard someone at church today say that it has been 277 days since the last snowfall!  I guess that is some sort of a record.  I am not a snow-lover like some other members of my family, but I have to admit, I was pretty excited to see the snow on the ground this morning. I had no idea it was coming so that added to the excitement!

The big kiddos were outside before 9am and it would have been earlier if we would have let them! Thankfully I got their new boots in the mail last week and their snow gear was all set and ready to go. Their little sis was not a happy camper when they went out without her. I need to go dig in the storage bins and see if I can find Mya's snow gear from when she was that age! Next time we'll get all three out there....

Turkey Trot 2012

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family a few weeks ago and time has totally gotten away from me since then! Unfortunately I am not the winner AGAIN this year. Sometime I WILL win this damn race fun family tradition. Tara's fiance Tony won again this year...go figure! 

2012 HUINKER THANKSGIVING TURKEY TROT

Top 10 things to remember

Tony 5:20

CJ 7:18

Pandy 7:23

Tara 8:08
Brian 8:48

Beth 8:53

Max 9:18

Popsicle 10:18

10. 1st 3 to cross the finish line were NOT the Huinker kids.  Apparently we all married/engaged "up"

9. Max started to cry on the last turn as he got passed by Brian and Beth.  He was bummed because he thought he was going to get last, but he bounced right back when he learned that he beat Grandpa Roger!! (12 times his age)

8. Speaking of Grandpa Roger - this was his 1st trot that he participated in - AND RAN THE WHOLE THING!! way to go "popsicle"!!!

7. Poor Gracie had no idea what to expect since last year she was sleeping in the car.  When Grandpa started the countdown at the beginning of the race, everyone pushed off their runners block while Grace stood there in tears not knowing what to do. She stayed back for awhile with Ivy, but eventually warmed up to the idea!!

6. The besties, Mya and Olivia were inseparable during much of the race.  This meant holding hands for nearly 3 laps.  Tara was able to run behind them for a short while, capturing video - and caught Mya telling Olivia "I feel like I'm going to die" on the 3rd lap. That we all did, Mya. I predict these two will have official times next year and it will most likely be the exact same:)

5. Brian was NOT a happy participant when the tradition was tweaked a bit this year.  Instead of running AFTER lunch, we decided to run BEFORE, due to nap schedules.  By him not throwing up on lap 2, we're hopeful he will consider making this a permanent change. 

4. Tony took off running as fast as he could right out of the gate.  Unfortunately for the rest of the runners, he continued at that pace for the 2nd lap, 3rd lap, and the 4th lap as well - never minding the mental torture he put the others through when he lapped them.  

3. Coming off a pretty strict and impressive 1/2 marathon training program, Chris and Amanda both finished with respectable times.  Amanda did get beat by Chris - which I'm thinking will be quite the motivator for next year - but my prediction is that Grandpa "Popsicle" will secretly train all year and blow everyone away.

2. Beth and Tara were proud to finish, enjoyed watching the kids, hated getting lapped, and needed a drink ASAP after the race.

1. In summary, no one threw up, all runners had a smile on their face within 5 minutes of finishing, Grandma "Patski" was a proud supporter/photographer/babysitter/nose-wiper, and we are blessed once again with great memories of the Huinker Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.

..... til next year.

The Crew 2012! 

These two besties ran 3+ laps holding hands:) Pretty much the cutest thing ever!