The Bemis Buzz: Minnesota Christmas!

Ice fishing, illegally (in Joe's words highly encouraged?) chopping down a Christmas tree from state land, a visit from Santa on Christmas eve at Grandma Kermode's place, fish fries, leaving the beer on the porch to keep it cool (but not for too long) must be Christmas up in the frozen tundra of Minnesota. We had a great time! Carlie met all sorts of family that she hadn't yet met and we enjoyed meeting all the new cousins and reconnecting with family and friends!

Joe and his brother Mike went out to the woods to find the perfect tree. They were looking carefully for just the right tree but all the ones that were small enough to fit in the house were just too sparse and not quite right. Joe finally found the perfect tree unfortunately, it was way too big. Like a good big brother, he encouraged Mikey to climb to the top of the tree and just chop the top part off for our tree - it was perfect and very Griswaldy!! Joe and his brother were covered in sap for days! Carlie LOVED decorating the tree! She would put up an ornament clap and say "Mama look!!!". She now sings "Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!" whenever she sees anything that resembles a Christmas tree.

Carlie was also a pro-baker and cookie decorator. I was just going to have her decorate the cookies but she really enjoyed rolling out the dough, sprinkling the flour, patting it, using the cookie cutters and watching them bake. She kept saying"Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake" it was neat how quickly she put the song together with the real actions!

Here she is with her little boyfriends Deuce, Luc and Reed (not pictured Geno) - they are Joe's childhood friend TJ's boys and TJ's sister's boys. I was worried that she might be a little timid to play with 4 little boys but she jumped right in there - I guess we'll have no problem getting her to come up to Minnesota with us when she is 16 AAHHHH!

Outside of the fish house on the lake! Don't worry there is a little fireplace in the fish house!

Watching Luc's grandfather reel one in and loving it! She also loved watching little Luc play with the live minnows they were using for bait.

checking out her goodies in her stocking!

With her cousin Melina wearing their new hats from Aunt Kathy on Christmas eve. This was right after Carlie streaked the whole party because she wouldn't put on a diaper or her jammies until we found that hat again!!