Christmas Family Memories

We hosted our largest Christmas family celebration yet. The week was filled with an adult night out for dinner and live music, a dinner out to a Japanese steak house, a visit to church, our first Christmas Eve dinner, sledding, bowling, bonfires, and of course, presents. But most of all it was filled with family time together. It was a special week and we were honored to have our extended family with us!

Pergandes in California

The family went out to Californa on December 7th for our good friend Bill Frank's wedding. Mom and Dad got all dressed up for a fancy affair at the Beverly Hills Hotel while Presley and Canyon stayed with Grandpa and Grammy Liz. We extended our trip in California to celebrate Daddy's 41st birthday. We headed to San Diego where we went to the amazing San Diego Zoo. Afterwards, we met up with Auntie Annie at the famous Hotel Del Coronado. Annie watched the kids while Mommy and Daddy golfed one of their funnest and best rounds ever at Steele Canyon Golf Club. We hung out at the hotel at night and enjoyed great sunsets, bonfires, and live music! It was a very fun adventure!

Life is a bit out of control right now

I realized it's been almost a month since my last update. Mom has been swamped with work. I have been to Toronto and Cincinnati this past month and have only been in the office like 2 days in the last 60. Crazy! As a result, I am behind on everything. I have a couple pictures here from the last month. The first is the kids visit with Santa. He came to Mommy's work for a Christmas breakfast. Canyon asked him for an arcade (a real arcade -- "only 10 or so games") and Presley asked for a Batman T-shirt. Santa will have a hard time trying to manage equality. I've also included a picture from the General Mills corporate jet. It's definitely the way to travel when you have to travel. Easy in, easy out and great great food. More pictures from our trip to LA and San Diego soon!

Busy Week in the Pergande Household

Big week in the Pergande Household. Canyon lost his first tooth. At school, he pulled it forward and twisted it and twisted it until it fell out. He put the tooth under his pillow and the tooth fairy surprised him with a dollar coin! This week, Presley was invited to a Princess Birthday Tea Party. Much to my surprise, our little tomboy was excited to go and get all dressed up -- tiara, dress, shoes, glitter, and all! Glad we got this one captured on film. And this weekend, Auntie from Ohio came for a visit. She surprised the kids with Zippy sweatshirts from University of Akron, lots of activities, and fun treats for the whole family. It was a busy but memorable week.

Not much to update but time to blog

It's been over two weeks and I haven't put in an update. We are in the busy mode of life, work, and activities. I don't have a ton to update you on. I have a couple of pictures of Presley's gymastics, which she loves and Canyon is now in Hockey (with pictures to come). But life is moving ahead and we are blessed to be here, each and every day. Presley made us pancakes this weekend and Canyon decided to show off his Cootie head.

Halloween is Here!

On Halloween Eve, the kids and Mom carved a "cool" pumpkin that we put in our bedrooms at night. How fun! On Halloween, Harry Potter and the Silver Power Ranger had a blast trick or treating through the neighborhood with Mom and Dad. Canyon said, "Mom, I think this is the most candy we've ever gotten, ever!" It was a fun night that ended with a "haunted house" and night cap at our friend's house.

Let the Halloween Parties Begin!

It's Halloween time! The Silver Power Ranger and Harry Potter had their first 2007 Halloween party at Hopkins Early Learning Center. Mom and Dad also got to get in on the Halloween fun as bubble baths for a friend's Halloween party. We didn't have enough white balloons so Ron took all the colored ones. I guess we shouldn't have been surprised but he kept getting asked if he was an Easter basket. We also got asked if we were dartboards (Remember the balloon games at the state and county fairs?). Good idea but a less than average execution :). We still had a ton of fun and going to the bathroom was an adventure!

Mom reminisces with the past

Mom and the kids traveled to Chicago last weekend for her 20 year high school reunion. On the way to Chicago, Mom and the kids stopped in Wildwood, where Mom grew up. We visited the house she was born in, played at Sunset beach, drove down Suicide hill and stopped at Stoplite, the neighbohood store. So much has changed, yet so much has stayed the same. It was nice sharing it with the kids. The reunion was an absolute blast!! I had so much fun catching up with friends from the past. It reminded me of how special our childhood memories are.

Mom and the Kids Update

While Dad was traveling for work, Mom and the kids had fun around the neighborhood. We made "purrrrfect" pancakes, went to the Eden Prairie Fire Department open house, and watched Canyon's last weekend of soccer games. We are sad for the soccer season to be over but are looking forward to winter sports (more gymastics for Presley and hockey for Canyon). We lost internet service for a week and are finally back online.

Canyon's First Field Trip & Sever's Corn Maze

Canyon had his first fieldtrip to the Minnesota Arboretum. Mommy went as a parent chaperone. It was a fun trip where we learned a lot about fungi and saw tons of cool mushrooms. Here's a picture with Canyon in front of the bus with his new friend Max. We've also included pictures from our trip to Severs Corn Farm & Maze. We maneuvered through the Wild West maze, hunting for "Wanted Signs". We also got to ride camels, feed the animals, play in the corn seed pit, and jump through the hay maze (luckily before the rain downpour)!

Ice Skating and Mommy Daughter Playdate

A couple of things in this update. Canyon and Presley have started up with skating lessons at our local community center. Canyon has picked right up where he left off last year but is doing even better with his new skates. And Presley is also doing great, scooting around on the ice, all by herself. Also this past weekend, Canyon had a pool birthday party that he took Dad to. While he was at the party, Presley and Mom went to a local nature center for some fall hiking, some cool craft projects, and playing with some cool animals.