Boxed boys.

A sleep study.

Dad says I should remember these kinds of things, so here goes:

The boys have had very specific going-to-sleep habits the past several months. We generally brush teeth, change into pj's, read a few books (Little Blue Truck memorized by now, Elmo Goes to the Potty is a new favorite... who wouldn't love finding the matching pairs of underwear?), then let them read in their cribs for a bit. Then comes the tucking in. Micah wants to be laid down on his back, and have his knit blanket (from Aunt Anna Kit) shaken out and dragged with elaborate slowness over his face, then settled from his chin to toes. He then commences in sort of a horizontal lizardy squirm with his legs, maybe warming them up? No idea. With pacifier installed and other end clipped to his pj's (sort of a monocle chain situation), he is ready to go. Phineas prefers a fluffy hill be made of his knit blanket, with his monkey and elephant blankies arranged artfully on top. If he approves of the design, he will flop very suddenly on top of the hill face first, burrow his arms under the blanket, tuck his knees in with his rump in the air, and wave byebye. On a cold night they will specially request their comforters by pointing and whining.

Ice Castle

Pretty cool thing in Eden Prairie a few weeks ago. Micah was terrified for the first twenty minutes... possibly because of the lights inside the ice? No idea.

Seattle.

Laura went to Seattle for a conference. These are things from there.

The extremely gorgeous Bloedel Reserve, and extremely gorgeous fellow conference goers.

This Rose didn't have her Jack along for the ferry ride, alas.

That's a brain.

That's hardy cyclamen, so jealous.

The lineup.

Lines have been very popular of late. Lines of lincoln logs. Lines of legos. Lines of french fries. And when mom splurges on a box from TJ's, lines of sparkling water. Open with caution.

Moving.

Ways in which this was the worst move ever:

• We left friends and co-workers and family on the east coast:-(.
• There was a blizzard in which 30 INCHES OF SNOW greeted us the day we meant to load our trucks.
• The boys got sick a few days before the move, and infected the large majority of adults that came into contact with them.
• Another snowstorm greeted us in Wisconsin/Minnesota on the way to our final destination.
• Andrew lost his traction in Wisconsin during said storm, and slammed the car into a mile marker, denting the frame, shattering a window, and mysteriously cracking the windshield.
• My parents and Sarah were sick upon arrival in Minnesota.
• Andrew has had to deal with unforeseen stressful work circumstances whilst unpacking.
• My first week of work was the coldest so far this week (according to co-workers... maybe other Minnesotans might disagree).

Ways in which this was the best move ever:

• My job is AMAZING.
• Andrew has an office that's not in our bedroom and a coffee shop and Crossfit nearby in town.
• Sarah's already met two au pairs she thinks she'd like hanging out with. She's also met the Mall of America. 
• Everyone made it here alive and well, cats included. No bodily injuries from Andrew's tango with a mile marker.
• The MN family so far has been so helpful and friendly, looking forward to spending time together.
• We had insurance on the car and don't have anything to pay out of pocket.
• Spring is coming.

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas letter, in case you didn't get it another way... soon to come, complete 2nd year photo album!

Vogels- 2015 synopsis

After much time with two babies and two full time jobs, Laura and Andrew felt it would behoove the family to check around for jobs near grandparents and other family. Doesn’t solve everything, but is certainly helpful. This meant looking for jobs in Minnesota (Laura’s family, parents eventually to move there) and Philadelphia (Andrew’s family). This fall, Laura applied for the position of Adult Education Manager at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and got the job just before Thanksgiving. It’s a fantastic opportunity- it would take a fantastic opportunity to uproot this family and move seventeen hours up north in the dead of winter:-). The Vogels are moving to Minnesota at the end of January, 2016! Andrew continues as consultant at True Tandem and will take his job with him up north. He’s not shedding many tears over the loss of time with clients, but will fly back a few times a year to meet with his team. Micah and Phineas turned one this spring, and have been growing by leaps and bounds. Micah is independent, adventurous, and talkative. Phineas is still a cuddler, very thoughtful about his actions, but likes to be goofy too. They have both been walking since spring, and we’re working on vocabulary- mamam, dada, gat (cat) are solid, but we’ve been working on tons of words in the last month or so… they are getting very observant and clever about copying what we say. Susanne Bergen sadly went back to Germany in early August to begin University, and we were joined by Sarah Jonas, also from Germany. She will be moving with us to Minnesota, and does a great job with the boys- lots of crafts and outdoor playtime. Merry Christmas and a happy new year from the Vogel household- Andrew, Laura, Sarah, Micah, Phineas, and the cats!