Snow...Finally!

The boys enjoying their sled ride down the Geers' stairs!

 Out in the backyard rink!

 Lukie out back on the ice rink

Chase being silly

I feel like we've been waiting forever to make this post, it finally snowed!  Right after school we headed out to play.  The boys had a great time sledding and making snowballs with their new snowball makers.  The next day we went out on the ice rink that has been sitting as a pond in our backyard since Thanksgiving!  The ice was finally frozen and ready to skate on.  The boys and the neighbors had a great time breaking in the ice.  Can't wait for more backyard fun!

Chase's Stick & Puck Hockey

I was amazed at how fast Chase has become on skates

Such focus

 Here are the 4 "hockey" players

We had to capture this photo because they were all in their Blackhawks jerseys, each with a different player!

Chase started Level 2 hockey the same night that Luke did.  It is defintely a step up from the last class.  I think he's going to continue to enjoy himself and learn more skills along the way.  We are so proud of him!

Luke starts Little Rockets skating

Starting off very slow...

Taking a break to make snow angels, it's all about having fun!

Being "towed" off the ice!

 All geared up and ready to go

 A rare pic from the first class with both Luke & Ryan standing

 Being taken off

Ryan & Luke after their 1st session

Having watched Chase skate for awhile now, Luke was finally ready to give it a try.  He is in a class with his buddy Ryan, a learn to skate class for 3-5 year olds.  Blake and I were both anxious because if Luke doesn't like something, he's done, there is no going back.  When we saw him struggling on the ice, we thought, oh boy, this is it, he's done.  But he surprised both of us by flashing us his sweet smile and giving us waves all throughout the class.  It helped that Ryan was right there with him.  Can't wait to see what this will bring!

Getting the Beloved Hockey Gear

 Unpacking the gear

 One of my personal favorites, I think he looks so cute!!

 Look at my tough guys!

All geared up, just need some ice!

Both boys are signed up for skating starting in January.  Chase has passed into level 2, which is full pads with sticks and pucks.  Needless to say he is totally excited.  Luke has expressed an interest as well.  He is in a program called Little Rockets where he has to wear full gear as well.  On this day, we gave them all of their equipment, Chase has literally been wearing the pads since he got them...to McDonalds, to library story time, even trying to convince us that he should wear them to sleep.  You think he's excited, or what?!

New Years Eve 2011

 Eating dinner with all of the kids

 Getting ready for the BIG countdown, it was actually only 8:00 but they didn't know that!

 Happy New Year!

For New Years Eve this year we didn't have to travel to Canada to see the Howards!!  They are back in the state and we traveled to their beautiful new home in Green Oaks (near Great America) to ring in the new year with both them and the Ninos.  At first the kids were shy but then they loosened up and had a great time with each other.
The adults enjoyed themselves too.  Liz made a fabulous dinner and the 6 of us ate in peace while the kids played downstairs.  We did a mock countdown, put the kids to bed and had fun talking and playing some games.  Blake and I made it to midnight and as we were heading up to bed, everyone else headed out to the hot tub, boy, are we old!!  In the morning we had another great meal and then headed home.  Thanks for the great start to 2012!

Firezone

 Driving the firetruck

 The 2 firemen, Chase & Anthony

 The 3 firemen

Blake bought a Groupon to Firezone, a kid friendly play area where the kids can climb on fire trucks, go into an ambulance and a house that has you practicing getting out of a house safely if there is a fire.  All of the kids there got to wear fire coats and slide down the fire pole.  It was a fun experience for the boys and it was great to see our pal Anthony again.

Christmas 2011

The kids reaction to seeing their gifts, priceless!

Lukie rocking out on his new guitar

 Chase opening one of his favorite gifts, his "Hockey Guys"

 Blake posing with his Bears Gnome, the gift the boys bought him

 Playing Hockey Guys at the kitchen table

 At Aunt Dana's house, Chase, Casey, Luke & Corey

 Luke and Grandpa Dom (check out the flashlight headband!(

Our Christmas day was a long one but an awesome one, it started at 5:27 when Chase came into our bedroom!  He did lay with us for about 30 minutes before asking if we could go wake up Luke and see if Santa came.  The boys were SO excited, it was awesome. 
After we opened gifts at our house we headed over to Blake's sisters for Christmas Breakfast.  It is a tradition that Blake's family does where we cook eggs, pancakes, bacon and toast for a large crew of Blake's family, it is very nice.  The kids opening their gifts afterward and we headed home. 
My mom and Dom came for dinner.  My mom made a wonderful meal (my favorite!) and we hung out for the remainder of the night.  It was definitely a Merry Christmas in the Rosenberg house.

Christmas Eve

 Leaving out cookies for Santa

 Sprinkling reindeer food

 Or dumping the reindeer food!

 Decorating cookies with Savannah, my cousin Heather's daughter

 Having a great time!

 The tree AFTER the boys went to bed

Even Buddy was good this year

Christmas Eve this year we went to my aunt and uncles house.  Before we left we set out our cookies and milk and left out the reindeer food, just in case we fell asleep in the car on the way home.  We had a great time with my family, I wish we saw them more often.  Our meal was delicious and the boys received some very awesome toys, including the exciting Bey Blades.  The excitement in our house that evening was pretty big, I wasn't sure if the boys were going to fall asleep!

In the Kitchen

 Excited to start making our homemade pizza

 Serious concentration from both boys, they loved this

 Mmm, yummy!

 2 thumbs up!

 Luke approves!

Blake was out for the evening so the boys and I decided to try making homemade pizza.  I was a little nervous since I wasn't very sure how successful we'd be but have no fear, the pizza turned out delicious and the boys were so excited to be helping, especially Chase.  He told me that he might want to be a chef AND a football player when he grows up!





 Mixing the frosting for the cookies

 The boys were very particular about the toppings that went on their cookies

On Christmas Eve the boys and I made some cookies for Santa.  We had a great time mixing up the frosting but even more fun decorating.  The cookies were good to eat, even Santa ate them!