Santa really did come

Natalie's countdown to Christmas was in the beginning of December. She put an ornament up on her tree calendar every morning. Yeah, some mornings there were 2 or 3 put up, but I course corrected to keep her on track. This picture was taken on Christmas Eve after her tree was filled up. That night we set out some cookies. Was Santa really coming?

On Christmas morning, Natalie looked at the tree in amazement. Santa really did come!
Natalie loved opening all the gifts...Michael's gifts, Josh's gifts, my gifts, and of course, her own gifts. Michael attempted to open some gifts, but he much more enjoyed climbing over and around the paper and boxes. Below is a picture of Natalie and Michael sitting on Michael's new sofa.
At noon, we switched over to birthday celebration mode. Natalie turned 3 years old! Josh and I still cannot believe she is 3 already. Time really does fly by. We called folks on our cell phones (that had speakers) and they helped sing happy birthday to Natalie.
She was absolutely delighted to open more presents. She was even more excited to stay in her pajamas all day. As a matter of fact, everyone stayed in their pajamas all day.
Our holiday travel plans were cancelled so her are a few pictures of how we spent the next few days. Hanging out....gosh, I wish I could bend like this still....
We spent time playing in the snow. Michael got a new sled for Christmas. This sled holds him in so that he doesn't face plant into the snow over the side....not like that ever happened.

We hope you are also enjoying your holidays!

Enjoying this time of year

It's Santa!!!!

We spent an afternoon walking in the skyways of downtown Minneapolis. This led to many adventures. Natalie and Michael got to sit on Santa's lap at Macys! Natalie didn't say much, she just looked at him in amazement. Michael, on the other hand, wasn't impressed with the big red guy. While we were downtown, we walked through "A Day in the Life of an Elf" on the 8th floor of Macys. Attached below are pictures of the big Christmas tree in the skyway and one of the elf murals at Macys.

We went for a sled ride around our neighborhood. Michael and Natalie loved getting pulled in the sled and it was a beautiful day for being outside.
"A Day in the Life of an Elf" (below)
One big Christmas tree
Michael's surgery to get ear tubes went well. He is babbling a lot more because he can hear better. Yeah! He is still getting up 2 to 4 times in the middle of the night, however, he doesn't wake up screaming. It has been 5+ months since our last full night of sleep....I believe there might be one on the horizon. Keep your fingers crossed.

So, while I was updating this blog, I was under the impression that my dear, dear 3 year old was sitting upstairs reading books. She could barely keep her eyes open during lunch. I was giving it about 15 minutes until she couldn't manage to hold her eyelids open anymore. Well, in order to keep herself awake, she decided to lock herself into our room with my make-up. Let me tell ya, she stayed awake. The pictures below do not do it justice.....

Natalie was covered in make-up (even under her pajamas). She managed to smear make-up on our bedspread, the mirror, the door, the footstool, the window, and multiple areas of the carpet. Needless to say, Santa will be getting a phone call from us.

Josh couldn't keep a straight face. I, on the other hand, was very disappointed because Natalie knows better. I am off to steam clean our carpet. I hope you are also enjoying your Sunday afternoon.

In your loudest, deepest voice....

say...

"MIKEY OF THE FROZEN TUNDRA."

Now, is this what you picture?

Mikey of the frozen tundra got new boots this weekend because his feet are growing so fast. Those big feet have helped him learn to walk. He is officially walking ! Yeah Michael! He has a big week coming up. On Wednesday he is having a small surgery to get ear tubes. We are hoping for a big change. We are hoping for some full nights of sleep and a pain-free Michael.

Michael is a very good at decorating trees (see below).

Michael and Natalie have "Wrestle Match Savage" on most Saturday and Sunday mornings. Natalie wins most matches and Michael gets pushed, shoved, and tossed to the floor numerous times. It simply amazes me because Michael is smiling the whole time. He loves every bit of attention from Natalie (good and bad). Michael wins a few matches when he gets a good hold of her hair. I quietly chuckle when this happens. The day will come sooner than later and Michael will hold his own against Natalie.

Natalie spent the weekend at Grammi Barb's house. We are anxiously awaiting her return. she loves her time with cousin Lizzie and Grammi Barb. Her days are filled with playing, more playing, and yes, more playing. It is pretty rough on her.

The founding members of the Red Car Club....

Happy Halloween!

Minnie Mouse doubled her output from last year.  She covered 10 houses in the neighborhood versus 4 last year.   Some of the houses were "tarey." (Scarey).  However, she had a lot of fun filling everyone's bags full of candy when they came to the door.
Michael was the perfect Tigger.  In this picture, he was coming after me.  I was "tared."
Michael is at a stage of growth in which he is packing on the pounds.  The tigger costume fit with the pudge rolls.
Tigger and Minnie getting excited to go trick or treating.
Josh, Tigger and Minnie hanging out on the front porch.  It was a beautiful evening for trick of treating.

Fall fun...it finally feels like fall (not winter)!

Doesn't this look like fun?   I couldn't resist.   
Backyard fun with leaves.   
Backyard fun with pigtails!
Michael is having so much fun trying to stand.  He wants to be like his big sister so bad.  I really think he says "Nana" for Natalie.   We went into her room this morning to get her out of her bed and he said "nana" right away.   Michael is practicing very hard to stand on his own.  He pulls himself up ...
then he lets go with both hands!  Yeah Michael!  He stays up for quite a few seconds and then puts his hands back.  Then he tries again.  
We you're having a fun fall also!

Snow, football, Sunday oufit, and rice krispies...

Hi there!  Here are some random pictures from the past couple of weeks.   Hopefully you get a good laugh because both Josh and I chuckled during each one of these moments.  

Natalie's choice this morning for Sunday attire ...she is practicing for Halloween.

Michael is really good at putting fist fulls of rice krispies in his mouth, or I should say, he attempts to put fist fulls in his mouth.  I would say 1 out of every 100 rice krispies make it into his mouth (the rest go on the floor).
It snowed yesterday!!!  Natalie ventured out in her pajamas, boots and a vest.   I don't know if she really remembers seeing snow last year, so she explored the snow like it was the first time.   I also chuckled when she saw her breathe a few days ago.  She practically hyper ventilated trying to make lots of smoke out of her mouth.   

Josh had a Monday night Packer party with Natalie and Mikie.   Can you tell who we were cheering for?   

I hope you are doing wonderful and enjoying the change of seasons!

Things are a changin...

We took a good hike through the park.  Natalie walked the whole way.  This is a change from previous excursions.  Nice job Natalie!  In the picture below she is the "line-leader" and she is carrying her "whompin' stick."

Natalie smiled in this picture.  This is also a change from most pictures (-:
Michael now expresses his happiness by clapping.
Michael's sleep habits have changed (for the good)!  He is sleeping from 10pm to 5am straight! Yeah Mikey!   Josh and I feel like different people.
Oh yes, the biggest change....I cut 8 inches off my hair.   

Good stuff...

Some of the latest happenings with the Wiffler crew...   

Michael learned how to pull himself up onto his knees in his crib.  He also got up onto his feet, but he was too quick and I couldn't get a picture.  Michael is also trying very, very hard to crawl.  He can practically do a jazzercise routine on all fours, however, he just hasn't figured out how to put everything together to crawl.  

We had some busy days moving rocks around the back yard.  Natalie supervised the operation while painting pictures.   She is an artist in the making.

During a recent cleaning of the garage, Michael found new freedom on his "bye-bye" chair.  He officially goes "bye-bye" when in it.   There is no stopping him down the driveway.
Natalie had her first swim lesson. Yeah!  She is very skilled however, she is not interested in listening to the teacher.  She would much rather jump off the side hap-hazardly and splash all over. 
Oh "my boy".. here are his 6 month pictures....

We also had a fabulous labor day weekend in LaCrosse.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures.  We spent one morning with the Gartner clan and they have pictures posted on their blog.  Check out the link.    Fun, fun, fun....

Take care!  Love,  Jeanne, Josh, Natalie and Michael

Summer needs to be longer in Minnesota

Josh wishes that summer would last longer because his weeds could grow some more.  I think he has finally conceded that his prized beans are just velvet weeds (Thanks to his Auntie and mom).  He still hasn't pulled the weeds yet.  
Nani and Lizzie want summer to last forever when they are at "Grammi Camp."   They had 2 week long adventures at Grammi Barbs house.   They played hard.  Auntie Amanda and Uncle Eric helped keep them on the go.  
Summer time is the best!  This is when you can take a bath in the pool.    Nani and Lizzie gave Uncle Eric a good washing too!
Cousin Brooke and Nani are outfitted in their summer attire....Hawaiian Hula outfits.    
We fit 8 people in 1 tiny pool.  Now that's summer fun!
Everyone enjoyed riding the Mule at the land. Lizzie enjoyed it so much that she fell asleep. 
Cousin Peo spent the summer afternoon on the land learning how to be a good 'ol Wisconsinite.  He shot a BB gun and sling shot, then proceeded to play with aluminum swords.  Camille, are you proud?  Peo loved it all.