Cassidy's Christmas

Christmas at Art and Linda's with friends Althea and River

Cassidy met two new friends, Althea and River (Art's grandchildren) and had a great time playing with them. 

Cassidy and Althea

Cassidy and River

Portrait of Althea and River I did in charcoal for Art's birthday last year..

Christmas at Home

While opening our presents, I was overflowing with pride.  Each time Cassidy read the label on one of her gifts, she stood up and walked over to the person who gave it to her and said a genuine "thank you" before sitting back down to open it.   EVERY TIME!

Trip to Minnesota to visit the K's

For our first couple days, we stayed at a hotel by the Mall of America to finish up some shopping and enjoy the amusement park there!

Cassidy is not quite tall enough to ride by herself yet, but an adult gets to ride free as a chaperone.

We also enjoyed the hotel pool!  Our vacations are the only time Cassidy gets to swim.  After every vacation I say we need to start swim lessons so she can be in the water more....

After our time at the Mall of America, we drove about an hour north to meet up with the rest of the family.  We all stayed in a hotel for the night to celebrate New Year's (which we did not stay awake for.)

Learning to pass a volleyball already!!!!  I'm so proud!



Cousins Justin and Luke



Cousins Jade and Tristan

Bill, Jasmine, Pam, and Jeff

Tristan

Zoe and Jade



The next day, we all took the train back into Minneapolis for the Viking's game!

Aunt Melanie, Uncle Scott, and cousins Luke and Tristan



Aunt Melanie and cousin Luke



Cassidy and Zoe. 
Cassidy's been making funny faces for the camera lately.

Indulging in a carb heavy, but free, continental breakfast at the hotel ...
 mmm, bagel with cream cheese! 
Haven't had one of those since I was pregnant!



Jasmine, Uncle Bill, Aunt Jen, Zoe, Jade, Tristan, and Aunt Pam



Zoe, Justin, Luke, Evan

Uncle Bill and Zoe

After the Viking's game, we made our way back to Mora for our K family Christmas.

Cassidy had a great time playing with her cousins!  She had a little trouble sharing and we had a few meltdowns with full blown tantrums (one of which was caused by jealousy stemming from cousin Zoe sitting on Mommy's lap!)  But overall, it was a great trip as usual!
Thank you all for Cassidy's gifts!  She loves them all and tells us over and over how her cousins gave them to her!
 And thank you, Grandma and Grandpa, for everything ... we had a wonderful time!