Catching up...again!

What a wild month December was!  We had a blast spending time with family, hosting parties and being a part of the local tour of homes.


We started off the holiday season by cutting down our own Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.  It was close to 15 feet tall!  This is a picture of Drew watering it after we put it up. I don't have a picture of it completely decorated, but it was neat!!  We were part of the tour of homes this year, so we had everything all decorated before the calendar ever changed to December!

 Drew had a rough month of time outs.  I think the anticipation of Christmas got the better of him.  I thought this picture was cute because Bode decided to serve the term with Drew in time out and Drew didn't like it very much!

 Drew had a Christmas concert at school on the 20th.  They did a reader's theater of If You Take a Mouse to the Movies. The preschoolers acted it out, and my fifth graders did the reading.  It was really cute!

 The preschoolers sang at the end, and yes, my son was the crow. He sang his little heart out.  It was adorable!

 This was the funniest part.  He took a bow after every song, and I believe he was the only one to do so!

 We got our first snow storm on the 21st, so the boys watched their daddy plow the driveway with the four wheeler.

 This is from the Christmas party at my aunt and uncle's on the 22nd.  The boys got the chance to meet some of my family they have never seen before.

 This is Drew playing with my cousin Matt who lives in Seattle.

 Bode all ready to go on Christmas Eve!

 All of the cousins on Christmas Eve.  Bode 1, Alex 11, Taylor 7, Mackenzie 4 and Drew 3

 Drew got the #1 thing on his Christmas list, a camo jeep!

 Drew and Papa Doug with the Sponge Bob ball that Drew bought for Papa.

 Bode and his new cheesy smile.

 Drew finally got to play outside in the snow the other day with our neighbor girls and his best friends, Morgan and Rachel.  He asks me every day if I can text his friends!

 Bode didn't get to go out and play, but he liked watching from the window!

Drew and the girls built a fort, and Drew thought it was the coolest thing ever!!

It has been a busy, but very fun month. We feel really blessed to have such wonderful friends and family to spend time with.  Today is the last day of 2012, and we can't wait to see what is in store for us in 2013!



O-Town Octoberfest Fun!

 Uncle Danny and Aunt Kelsey came home to Ottumwa this weekend, so we went to visit too.  We had a great time spending time with them and Grandma and Grandpa.  This first picture is from today when we stopped in Hudson to see Papa Mark and Grandma Jan on our way home.  Drew  had a great time helping Papa haul logs, rake and fill up the leaf bag. 

 I think this picture is absolutely precious!

 Wild man jumping into the leaf pile that he raked!

 Drew's highlight of Ottumwa was the Octoberfest parade.  He got to be in it with the RJ float.  He rode on the Ranger with Matt, Jocylen and Kinleigh.  He didn't stop talking about it all day!

 Bode, Grandma and I watched from the curb.  It was absolutely FREEZING!!!

Drew always likes it when Grandma Bonnie comes over.  This picture is kind of dark, but she is feeding him icecream so he can keep watching Wipeout on t.v.  Too sweet!!

 I have a picture of Drew in this exact same outfit, and in almost the exact same pose when he was Bode's age!

 Aunt Kelsey playing Candyland with Drew.  Bode is trying to give them a few pointers while sitting on the board!

 Bode in disguise

 Bode loved to climb on the horse by himself and go for a ride.  Drew would occasionally sneak in behind him.  This did not make Bode very happy!

Bode loved Sprocket.  (My mom and dad's crazy Jack Russell for those of you who don't know him.)  He loves dogs and wanted Grandma to let Spricky out of prison to play.

We were so glad to see Danny and Kelsey and everyone else again.  We had a great time, and we can't wait to go back and visit again.  We know that Grandma and Grandpa miss us while we're gone, and we miss them too!

Apple Orchards

 We visited the apple orchards in Gays Mills, WI last weekend.   This is something we do every year with Joe's parents.  It is always a blast! This year we went up on Saturday for the Apple Days celebration and visited the orchards, the carnival and craft show.  The weather was absolutely amazing, and I think everyone had a great time!!

 The boys did really well in the backseat together.  I couldn't resist this picture of Bode with headphones on!  Too cute!

 Bode liked being able to touch Drew in the back, and they spent time tickling each other!

 Drew had a blast at the carnival, and I think almost everyone got to ride a ride or two with him.  Bode even got to go on one!

 Bode Crockett and his new hat.  He loved it and left it on for quite awhile!

 All four boys swinging down by the river in Prarie Du Chien.

 On the way home on Sunday, we stopped at Pike's Peak for a picnic lunch.  We had never been there before, but we will definately go back again.  It was absolutely beautiful.  These last pictures are all from there.  I like the one above of the boys especially because Drew is balancing a stick on his head! :)

It was great to get away for a weekend and enjoy one another and God's creation.  We are looking forward to spending time with Grandma Karen, Papa Doug, Dan Dan and Kelsey and a few others in Ottumwa this weekend too!  Happy fall to everyone!

Bode's 1st Birthday!

 My baby turned one on August 22nd!  The year went by VERY quickly.  It seems like just yesterday my ankles were about to burst and we were moving into to our new house with only one child.  We are so glad everything looks completely different this August 22nd!  We have two children now, my ankles aren't swollen and we've been enjoying life for the last 12 months!  This first picture is from Bode's actual birthday, which was on a Wednesday.  Drew gave him a present to open before school.  It was a nerf basketball.  I think Drew picked this out so Bode will stop playing with his! 

 We gave Bode a cupcake for dessert after dinner on his birthday.  He loved it!

 Grandma Jan made the cakes for Bode's party on Saturday.  I thought they turned out absolutely adorable!

 Bode enjoying his cake at his party on Saturday.  We had a great time with friends and family.  Thanks to all of you for coming and for the wonderful gifts!

The little prince sitting in front of all of his wonderful gifts!