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!

Luke's Christmas Program

 Singing with his class, see how many girls there are!!

 Enjoying some yummy Christmas cookies

Lukie's last day of preschool before winter break was his Sugarplum Soiree.  The 3 year olds performed 5 different songs for us, one cuter than the next.  Afterward we had some delicious cookies and then headed out.  It was precious and I'm so glad both Blake and I were able to go!

Chicago Wolves Game

The boys rocking out to the music

 Luke with his headphones on, this was the only way we could stay in the arena, he is still so sensitive to loud noises

 

To kick off the beginning of winter break, we went with the Geers to a Chicago Wolves game.  The boys are members of "Skates Kids Club" so their tickets were free!  The kids had a GREAT time there although the beginning was rough with the fireworks.  Tyler, Ryan & Luke are NOT fans of loud noises, we were always on the ready to cover their ears in case they scored!  It was a fun time, can't wait until next year!

Grand Bear Lodge, Starved Rock

 Going down the slide

 Chase & Harriet, the kindergarten class pet

 Ryan & Luke going down the slide

 Luke jumping over the waves

Luke & Ryan with the big guy

A few weeks back our friends the Browns invited both us and the Geers to their parents condo for the weekend.  We went down Friday evening after school and spent 2 nights there.  The kids had a blast the first time we went into the water park.  The wave pool was a huge hit as well as the kiddie pool.  Payton was the lone brave kid to tackle the water slides.  We also went to the arcade & indoor carnival.  We loved watching the Polar Express with the kids too, it was very magical and got us into the Christmas spirit.  The entire weekend was pretty relaxing and enjoyable, so thankful to the Browns for the invite!