Happy New Year!

The Naks have been out and about to end one year and begin another.  From train rides, to a balloon drop at the zoo, the museum, to a bowl game party, we've been celebrating.  The girls do miss the Christmas decorations, namely their Nativity scene.  They definitely miss the music, especially singing "stink stank stunk" from the Grinch.

On our trip downtown, the girls made a couple passersby laugh aloud.  After walking throughout the skyways (and taking many escalators) Nina complained, "My knees need a nap, they're tired from all this walking."  When dad stopped at the ATM, Vivian said that she wanted to play that game.  

Someday at Christmas

Whew.  After traveling to Owatonna and Fremont, celebrating with family and friends from all over the country, hanging out with 3 cousin dogs, and opening presents galore, the Naks are now content to be home.    The girls did pretty well in the car, adjusting to changes in routines, and sleeping in different beds.

Lots of hugs!

 

Cousin fun

 

Warm weather and sunshine in Nebraska

Throughout the trip the girls made us laugh (and sigh) with more quotes than we can remember.  Here are a few:  

Vivian when comparing her artwork:  "I'm just a little girl, so I can scribble."

Nina about her latest "sickness":  "I have open-presents-itis.  Can we open more now?"  

Vivian to Nina:  "You're my little buddy."

Keeping busy in the car

The mild weather was nice while it lasted.  We've enjoyed getting out and seeing some of the pretty decorations in the cities we've visited this month.  We're sad to see the single digits return; at least they're positive.

 

Beautiful lights in Omaha

The Holiday Train comes to Saint Paul

 

Checking out the Minneapolis Holiday Market

Photos

Our friend, Amy, worked her magic again and got some great pictures of our semi-cooperative girls.  While they can smile on command, that doesn't ever mean that Vivian will.  They continue to love getting in the spirit of Christmas, although Pip got mad at Frank Sinatra today for taking creative liberties with Rudolph's name.  "It's NOT Rudy, it's Ru-DOLPH!"  Meanwhile, Nina keeps renaming the Elf on the Shelf.  He's been Marwin, Calvin, Speedy, and now Ry-Ry.  It's hard to predict what these two will ever come up with.

 

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time

The Naks are in Christmas mode and enjoying the festivities.  We've had a lot of fun listening and dancing to music, decorating our tree, looking at lights, and, of course, meeting Santa.  Vivian asked Santa for baby toys and specifically wants a rattle; Nina was honest and worried that she hadn't always been good this year.  

 

We were lucky to have Nana with us all week.  The girls got to spend time at the conservatory, library, make Christmas decorations, play games, and do a million other fun things.  The girls have been going through withdrawal now that she's gone and we sure are spoiled to have her come up the week daycare is closed.  

 

Mom and Dad got to go to The New Standard's Holiday Show