Sioux City Art Museum

Because we have a few days off around the holidays we are trying to do things with the kids we can't usually do.  

The day after Christmas we took the kids to a movie in the theater.  Bennett & Marie had a great time eating popcorn and watching the movie. Bennett did better than we imagined and we hope to do this again soon!

 

Another activity is the Art Center here in Sioux City.  It is free to the public and there is a hands-on kids area, too.

Both kids loved the activities available to them in the kids area.

 Marie and Bennett both love horses - especially Marie.  The museum had many exhibits with photos of horses and even a statue of a horse. Surprisingly, the kids enjoyed walking around the entire museum viewing the photos, paintings, and sculptures.

 

After the museum we went to the Palmer's Candy Store where the kids picked out some yummy treats.

We have been enjoying our time off together as a family and hope to fit a few more fun things in by the new year!

Mueting Christmas

 On Christmas Eve we traveled to Spencer to celebrate Christmas with the Mueting side of the family.  After Mass we walked out to a beautiful light snow and headed back to Grammy & Papa's house for some presents, pictures, and snacks.

 Liz made photo props this year and we had fun posing with them.

After some caroling, Marie & Bennett opened a few gifts.

 Bennett was in love with his new basketball hoop - it will be a big hit this winter when it's too cold to play outside.

 On Christmas morning after Marie FINALLY woke up, we were surprised with the gifts from Santa. 

Marie received her precious Fiona dress and Bennett found a stuffed turtle. 

The kids were so thankful that Santa read the note we left him at our house telling him where we were staying Christmas Eve.

 After lunch, playing, and resting, we headed out for some sledding and walking.

 Marie and Bennett didn't have to do much walking.

 The lighting was so pretty and Gus was pretty cooperative so I just had to share some of this shots of him. He is such a cute boy.

Running so fast to catch up to the kids.

 Papa couldn't join us on the walk as he was home with his foot up.  He had surgery a few weeks ago so the kids spent lots of time cuddling with him.

We had such a wonderful Christmas and once again are so thankful for time with family.

Our Family Christmas

 We celebrated our family Christmas at home on Sunday & Monday night.

We opened presents under the tree on Sunday night and the kids were finished in about 10 minutes - it's amazing how quickly they can rip those gifts open!

They spent all night playing with their new toys with the big hits being a new tent for the basement, a tool belt and tools for Bennett, a Sophia the First necklace and puzzles for Marie.

 The big surprise was our Disney World trip reveal and the iPad. 

Marie is so excited to go to Disney in February!

Bennett doesn't get it now but he really likes watching Mickey so I am sure he will love the trip too.

 We finished the night eating snowman cookies with hot cocoa.

Christmas Take One: Van Beek Celebration

 

On Saturday we got to spend all day playing, opening presents, eating, laughing, and having fun in Sheldon with the Van Beek side.

"Smile girls!" resulted in the above picture....really Alissa & Marie?

Snapping the annual photo in front of the tree was not as easy as previous years...Bennett & Anneke had better things to do.

 But we did end up getting a decent photo with Grandma. 

 Marie and Bennett were so thrilled with all their presents...Marie was particularly in love with her unicorn whom she has named 'Jessica.' She also put on her new Rapunzel pajamas right away and wore them the rest of the day and to bed.

 Bennett is loving his new books, cars, and tractors. 

He also thought the hunting vest for Dad was a great gift!

 Here is miss Anneke being a silly goose with Aunt Keri.  Bennett and Anneke had fun playing together and fighting over the same toy most of the day.

 Along with all the kiddos came all the dogs.  

They played most of the day so they were ready for some chow!

Bennett was supervising...once again his clothes were off - not sure why this always happens to him.

We had a great day celebrating Christmas with the whole family and are so thankful for the good times, presents, goodies, and safe travels.

Santa and a Sugar High

In a matter of just a few hours we have accomplished many things here in the Mueting household:

Santa - check!

Christmas Cookies - Check!

1st batch of almond bark covered goodness - Check!

And now we are exhausted.

We visited Santa's House in Sioux City where we ate a cookie, made a craft, and visited the big guy.

Bennett wasn't so sure about Santa so Dad had to jump in the picture as well. Marie hopped right on his lap and proceeded to ask for a Fiona Dress (from Shrek) and she is pretty sure Bennett whispered into Santa's ear asking for a stuffed turtle.

 

 After Church on Saturday night we baked and decorated Christmas cookies. Marie was such a big helper this year - she rolled the dough, cut cookies out, and decorated more than her share.  

This was such a change from previous years and we are definitely appreciating her help!

 

Bennett also helped...eat sprinkles, frost his hair, and frost one little gingerbread man cookie over and over eating all the frosting off of it every time.

 

 

 Needless to say we needed baths and a little floor mopping after all that decorating. 

Finally, on Sunday while Andy was working, the kids and I made chocolate covered peanut clusters. We switched it up this year and made it with the honey roasted peanuts - we HIGHLY recommend this switch...so yummy!

Marie again was such a big helper!  She stirred like crazy until every peanut was covered.  She told me that her arm was hurting from all the stirring!

 

  Somehow Bennett just ended up eating through this baking activity again...hmm, I think there is a pattern here!

Although the weekend was a busy one it was definitely great - it feels so good to heat up your home with baking during the holiday season especially with your children there to help you. 

We also watched a few Christmas movies and played games. 

Christmas is coming so quickly...Now we just have to finish our shopping!

To Aberdeen We Go...

On Friday we packed up in the frigid weather and drove somewhere even colder...crazy I know.  However, we had a big trip planned to Aberdeen, SD to see Beckett Edward - the newest addition to our friends Eddie & Jess.

The kids travel pretty well actually - as long as we have plenty of snacks, movies, books, and stops along the way. Gus made the trip with us, too. He by far is the best traveler out of the 3...what a good boy.

We had so much fun visiting the Dickes Family!  

We stayed up late Friday night opening presents and watching Christmas movies. The kids were attached to each other and played all night until they were exhausted.

Beckett received lots and lots of cuddle time with all of us. He is such a good baby and very content - even while tolerating Bennett poking at him.

 

On Saturday we continued our tradition of decorating gingerbread houses and we even fit in the new movie, "Frozen" with the older two at the theater.  

 

What a great weekend - thanks again Eddie & Jess!