There is no such think as unlucky Friday the 13th for this family. After all, in 2010 in the early morning of Friday, August 13th we welcomed Miss Echo into our family. And life has never been the same!

The baby of the family has officially hit a milestone. 5 is the age when she can start going to Home Depot for the monthly wood working craft (Just not September as we double booked ourselves that Saturday! oops!), she is of age to really join our classroom… and according to her – big enough to no longer have her cone in a cup at McDonald’s (the jury is out on that one when mommy had to eat a portion of her birthday cone in order to save the birthday outfit).

Anyway, the birthday DAY… Daddy spoiled her with birthday tiny toast (french toast cut into small pieces).

Grandma called all the way from Canada!

Miss Echo had her photos taken (with Trinity) at the flower garden outside the library.

While there she ALSO had her first present (from Gammie)… a unicorn… which brought a HUGE smile!

We had her actual birthday party on the Sunday following with Aunty Judy, Uncle Jim and Cousin Robbie. She helped pick out her own colours (blue) and her own cake (Olaf!) on her birthday when we were out running errands. Small and intimate and perfect. Though the poor thing took TWO MINUTES to blow her candles out… she kept blowing up. I was sure she would hyperventilate and pass out into her cake.

Talk about excitement, family, presents…

AND a battery for her inherited Barbie Car! Thanks Nana and Baba…

Definitely a 5th birthday to remember for Miss Echo. Now for the extra pictures to enjoy… Note the amazing batgirl bear from Aunty Holly, Uncle James and Cousin Jimmie! 

Merry Christmas (belatedly) to you and yours! As usual I am behind on my reporting but I am making a real try to catch up… just you watch, November will spontaneously pop up one of these days! And then you will be in the know again!

Anyway… Christmas Day for the Reinsch-Johnson clan. It was a different one from our previous ones here in Minnesota. First off because we really did not have extended family beyond Nana and Baba here for the day or eve. In the previous years Christmas Eve was our time with Ken’s Uncle Moose, Aunt Colleen and their two kids. But this has been a rough year for Moose (Paul) and while he is on the mend they were really not able to come over for the traditional Ukrainian meal of potato soup and perogies. It was probably for the best as this December has been one of illness for the family. So many yucky colds! But thank goodness we were assured that he is better and home again.

Of course we DID enjoy our meal… and the company was wonderful as was.

That evening we did put out our cookies and milk for Santa. In our new pj’s.

Echo and Ken spread Reindeer Food out on the lawn since we went to bed without a speck of snow to be seen really.

Christmas Day was just the household and it was wonderful. We did not manage to Skype with Gammie as she was having issues on her end but we did text back and forth and take some pictures of the openings.

Amazingly enough with two countries and multiple states we did not have any duplicate gifts this year! Each and every one was well received and I can honestly say I have not seen the kids happier.

We had calls with both sets of grandparents… Alberta and South Carolina. As well as a lovely chat with My brother James and his wife Holly… well mostly Holly. Even a peek in on Cousin Jimmie.

Dinner was a delicious turkey and trimmings thanks to the hard work of Nana and Baba. But for the most part after the excitement of the great toy opening it was a nice, quiet and relaxed day.

Enjoy the overflow!!

December 10

It has become a tradition, three years and counting, to go to Macy’s in the city and see the display there and visit Santa. This is our third year doing so and the first where Echo really stopped and took everything in… AND sat with Santa WILLINGLY.

As always, we dressed in our best and the kids took pictures in front of the tree. The girls were so pleased to have the opportunity to wear this year’s Christmas dresses for the first time. Last year they wore matching, this year Trinity opted to wear one of her “big girl” dresses and Echo enjoyed shopping around, finally settling on one of the Sam’s Club dresses we saw while out grocery shopping.

So grown up. Thank to Grandma Anna for the dress! Last of the ones we brought with us when we moved!

She especially loved the little sweater over top!

Emanuel

Zander

And Gavin!

The display was much the same as last year but we noticed a few things we hadn’t noticed before… sleeping and hiding cats… Rudolph’s nose glowing behind a stable door… Echo ran back and forth looking at everything.

With Mrs. Claus

In order of age.

After the display it was a relatively short wait to get in to see Santa. I was amazed that Echo was more than willing to sit in his lap. The kids were VERY clear about what they wanted and it was smiles all round.

Our camera

The official photo we chose.

After Santa was done we went into his gift shop to write a little personal note to Santa.

And then the other yearly tradition – lunch at Culver’s!

FROZEN CUSTARD

This is also the second year in a row that Baba was working but we had a blast, our 7 and Nana. Now enjoy the extra photos!

They are growing up so quickly!

Trinity is in love with taking pics with her mom… for now.

The littles.

Zander and Echo

Zander and Gavin

Daddy and his boys.