We started the month of December with celebrating London's 3rd Birthday. She had a "My Little Pony" themed party and we had a lot of friends and family celebrate with us. We all had a great time!
London with her "My Little Pony" cake.
Yay for being 3 years old!
Amber, John and London after the party had finished.
We also celebrated at Chuck E Cheeses on her actual birthday. She had a great time eating pizza and playing games and so did we!
Riding the horse at Chuck E Cheeses.
A few weekends later we made sure to go to the Janesville Rotary Gardens for their yearly holiday light show. We enjoyed a very nice evening outside looking at the fresh snowfall and holiday lights.
Amber and London on the huge Rotary Botanical Gardens Chair.
One of the many light show displays.
John and Amber at the holiday light show.
The next day we headed to Williams Tree Farm to look at the animals, take a wagon ride and select a wreath for our front door. It was a bit cold that day, but we enjoyed our time there as we always do.
Amber, John and London enjoying our sunny but chilly wagon ride at Williams Tree Farm.
The next day Amber headed to Milwaukee to meet up with her friend from high school that was home for a visit. Amanda lives in New York now and they don't get together too often. It was nice to have breakfast and talk for hours. I think the waitress was ready to get rid of us!
Amber and Amanda at Cafe Benelux for brunch.
The next day we took London to see Santa Claus and pick up a few last minute gifts. Although she had been shy in years past she was not shy this year! She sat on Santa's lap and told him that she wanted a Baby Sister and a doctor kit for Christmas...she got the doctor kit. Good job Santa!
London with Santa.
A few days later we were caught up in an elaborate plan to surprise Amber's Grandma Betty. One of Amber's cousins from Germany had gotten an internship in New York and had been living and working there since September. Matthias wanted to surprise Grandma Betty by coming to her house for his Christmas holiday. He flew into Milwaukee and we brought him to Janesville and Stevens Point before going to Appleton to completely surprise Grandma Betty. She was shocked and warned us that we could have given her a heart attack! It was great to have Matthias spend time in Wisconsin for Christmas break. We're so blessed to have amazing family on the other side of the world!
Matthias and John heading home from the Milwaukee airport.
The next day all four of us (John, Amber, Matthias and London) headed up to Stevens Point for Festivus and Christmas Eve celebrations with John's extended family. Festivus was wonderful as usual. It's always nice to enjoy a yummy dinner, have a few drinks and catch up with friends. This year was especially fun because we were able to share that tradition with Matthias. On Christmas Eve we visited a cheese factory near Stevens Point and attended church. We had a nice meal, played card games and drank some gluhwein prepared by Matthias. On Christmas morning we opened presents and had breakfast before heading to Appleton to surprise Grandma Betty.
John, Amber and London before Festivus.
Official Festivus pose.
John, Amber and Matthias before Festivus.
Our Okray family before Christmas Eve Church Service.
Many of the extended Okray family before Christmas Eve Church Service.
Our Okray family with Matthias before Christmas Eve Church Service.
Matthias making German gluhwein after dinner. Yummy!
London opening presents on Christmas morning.
The day after the big surprise for Grandma Betty we were able to have Amber's extended family all together to celebrate. We had good food, drinks, played card games, and opened presents. We even got to watch a Packer game together (it was the worst loss of the season, but we were all together). I love Christmastime!
Amber's extended family after Christmas.
Grandma Betty and Matthias.
Grandma Betty, London and Riley.
Diane, Steve, John and Matthias hoping for a Packer win...
The next day Amber, John and Matthias went to Green Bay to see the newly renovated Packer Hall of Fame. It was awesome! Unfortunately we couldn't stay too long because a winter storm was heading our way. After we got back to Grandma Betty's we made old fashions and played cards the rest of the evening. Nothing better on a snowy Wisconsin night!
Matthias and John trying to figure out how high they can vertically jump.
John and Amber hanging out with some of the Lombardi trophies in the trophy room.
Amber and Matthias at the BIG Lombardi trophy at Lambeau.
The day after the big snow storm we headed back to Janesville for a night before having to say goodbye to Matthias. Amber took him to the airport in Milwaukee, but made sure to have lunch at TGI Friday's inside of Miller Park first. It was so fun to have him here! Until next time!
Matthias having lunch at TGI Friday's inside of Miller Park.
The next day we headed back up to Stevens Point to spend New Years Eve celebrating the wedding of Mike and Laura. It was a beautiful wedding and such an awesome way to spend the new year. Happy 2016!
Amber and John at Mike and Laura's Wedding Reception on New Years Eve.
Happy 2016!
While we were in Stevens Point John's sister Melissa and family were also in town so London got to spend some time hanging out with her cousins which she loved. They also celebrated the new year with noise makers and crowns!
Aaron, London and Justin hanging out after breakfast on New Years Day.
Thankfully the month of January was a bit more calm than the month of December. John and Amber went to see "Newsies" in Milwaukee on January 8th and had dinner with Adam and Becky before the show. London got to have a girls night with Auntie Michelle while John and Amber were gone. London had another parent observation and Auntie Michelle was able to come and get a sneak peak of her dancing skills. Amber had another paint night, this time with her co-workers, and John had his Glen Erin holiday party. Overall it was a nice change of pace to our crazy month of December.
London is excited to show off her skills.
London excited for mommy, daddy and Auntie Michelle to be at parent observation.
Melissa and Amber's Paint Night creations.
The month of February was a bit more exciting. We started off the month with our Music Girls Family Weekend! We went to Three Bears Lodge in Warrens, WI like we did last year and had a great weekend of playing, swimming, eating, drinking and talking. I am so glad that we have this tradition and that our kids get along so well (most of the time). It's awesome to think that maybe someday they will be life-long friends.
The kids (Canaan (not excited about picture taking), Lucas, Vivi, Solomon, Jacob, London and Aidan)
The Music Girls - Amie, Amber, Cristina and Mallory (minus Justine)
Enjoying the water park!
We're the Three Bears!
The next weekend we headed up to Green Bay to see Disney on Ice with Grandma Diane, Papa Steve, Daniel, Laura, Jada and Maddie. It was awesome! Such a great Christmas gift!
London and Amber excited to Disney on Ice.
Silly girl before the show.
Grand Finale. Great performance!
London, Maddie and Jada at Pizza Ranch after the show.
After we got home from Appleton/Green Bay London insisted on baking a cake for Lambeau since his birthday is Valentine's Day. We convinced her that Lambeau liked cookie/brownie bars better and as long as we sang to him and she helped blow out his candle all was good!
Happy 11th Birthday Lambeau!
The next weekend we headed to Madison to play on the huge swingsets at Play 'N Wisconsin with friends Sue, Jerry, Will and Allison. Auntie Michelle and Jonelle met us there too. We also had lunch at AJ Bombers and since it was a warm February day we went to the Henry Vilas Zoo for a bit.
Swinging and jumping at Play 'N Wisconsin.
London and Auntie Michelle at the Henry Vilas Zoo.
We ended the month of February with a visit to Stevens Point. Amber and John attended a surprise birthday party and we all went to the Stevens Point Children's Museum.
London performing at the Children's Museum.
Petting lizards at the Children's Museum.
That's all for now. Our Spring 2016 Blog should be up soon! Until then...Go Pack Go!
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