And the Winner is....

Mike and I went to a Cookie Exchange Party (which is actually more of a competition), they give prizes for best tasting, most unique and best presentation. Mike took home the prize for best presentation. The project started with my idea of snowball cookies pasted on rice krispie treats shaped like a snowman. It wasn't working out and Mike came up with a better idea of a ski hill. We bought the meringue cookies and Mike made the ski hill (he used the rice krispie treats) and I came up with the Dots Skiers. We certainly had a good time putting it together and the kids were so excited to find out we won.

Here are the kids decorating their gingerbread house...not too much of the candy is left on the house and what is left has finally hardened so they are no longer interested in sneaking some pieces off.

Thank You God

....for answering Parker's prayer and sending more snow. After school on Monday he was throwing snowballs at me and I was throwing them at him too when we were driving in the car he said "Dear God, Please send more snow so my mom and I can throw snowballs. Amen." He was super excited yesterday to build a snowman.

Little Lambs Christmas Program

Ready to go the Little Lambs Christmas program with our friends. Everyone looked so beautiful and handsome!

Daddy and Gabe ready to watch the show.

Parker was Joseph, and Lorna (friend of ours) was Mary. The kids all did great, Parker had no stage fright and waved at Mom and Dad off and on throughout the show, then he and Lorna had to walk across the stage and sit in the stable, once they were there they were talking and at one point Parker was holding baby Jesus...he then put him in the bed. Iris was really serious when she went in and never did wave to us (now as I'm writing, it is probably because her glasses are missing and she couldn't see us), she did the best job singing all of the songs and doing the motions. They had a man dressed in a lamb costume with a strange voice, Mike and I were waiting for Iris to run off the stage screaming, her eyes never left him while he was on stage. And saving the best for last, Tia (she's in the purple dress in the corner of the picture) she had a funny look on her face and her hands propping up her cheeks and elbows on her knees most of the show, except for when she started picking her nose, it was hysterical, we were all laughing so hard, tears were coming out of my eyes. She then stood up, still picking her nose and then used both hands to pick both nostrils...it was never ending, everytime we looked back over at her she was still picking her nose, finally she stopped and started doing the motions of the songs. On the way home she proudly announced "I tooted" so we reminded her that young ladies shouldn't do that or pick there nose. I will laugh for days remembering that!

Santa and Soccer

Parker, Iris and Tia watched in amazement as Santa rode in on the Firetruck and lit the tree. He must have thought Iris was very special because he pulled her on his lap when he saw she was frightened of him and then he called over Parker and Tia too...Iris was so excited to come home and tell me she got to sit on Santa's lap. Then she tells me she was mad she didn't get to talk to Mrs. Claus.

Playgroup now consists of organized activities, here the kids are playing soccer in the basement with Coach Dan.

Here they are after soccer, eating a well earned dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, the kids were more interested in the Parade than getting their picture taken. They enjoyed eating Turkey and since they made Turkeys at school and read about them in books they started making the connection that the meat was actually a Turkey.

Sleeping with his Glo-worm.

Loving his exer-saucer and so happy. He is getting close to sitting on his own too!

4 months old!

Here we are with our friends, all of the big brothers and sisters are glad to have their own baby ...it is so cute how proud they are and how they brag to each other about their baby brother.

Gabe proudly wearing his Falcons jersey...courtesy of Uncle Matt and Aunt Nichole 5 years ago (Parker looked just as cute in it).

Here we are, 4 months old: weighing in at 16lbs 13 oz and 25 1/2" long. (Parker and Iris weighed the same at 4 mos. and were 26"). Gabe did great getting his shots --didn't even cry on the first one... he was pretty fussy last night and didn't sleep too well.

Getting Big

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Gabe is growing so quickly. He is really noticing the kids and enjoying watching them. He is also reaching and playing with his toys.

Halloween Costumes

Here we are before heading out to Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 25th), Parker's original costume was a magician...he wore Superman for his Halloween party at school and trick or treating.

Our playgroup now consists of organized activities (somewhat less chaotic). Here we are at Splatters (art class) where we had our art class and Halloween party --the moms loved it (I think the kids had fun too ---who doesn't like cookie decorating --and eating).

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin carving

Gabe doesn't like his costume and Tia doesn't know what to think of Daddy

Parker and Iris are ready to strut their stuff!

Cool Tricks

Stuck in traffic, Parker couldn't do his headstands like he would like to so he came up with another game, balancing shoes on his head...he might have gone higher if he had more feet.

How many can we fit into one tub? Lots of fun with our friends.

Finally I got the cutest pout on camera, it makes me laugh every time and then he stops doing it by the time I get the camera.

The Biggest Chair

Enjoying Hot Chocolate at a very cold Pumpkin Festival in Grafton, WI....we saw our first snowflakes of the season.

12 weeks old and loves to smile and coo.

We went to Milwaukee for the kids long Columbus day weekend. The best part for them was swimming at the pool in the hotel. We went to Mader's for dinner and the kids loved the big chair.

Dressed for school

Dressed for school, and goofing off as usual.

Here we are at the fire truck that came to visit at our block party.

Getting so big and enjoying his toys!

Apples and Pumpkins

Here we are at the apple orchard....it was a little rainy so we didn't get to pick them off the trees but we still really enjoyed the apple donuts!

Our friend Maddie (Steve and Mel's daughter) came to visit, the kids enjoyed playing with their old toys just as much as Maddie did...look out Gabe they might not share.

Here we are at the Morton Arboretum, we really enjoyed painting the pumpkins too!

2 months

Gabe is 2 months already! He weighed 13lbs, 6.6oz. (86th percentile) and was 23 1/2" long (75th percentile). His head size is in the 50th percentile. He had to have 3 shots and the rotovirus vaccine by mouth so he has had a sad day, with sore thighs.

Iris started gymnastics on Monday, here she is proudly showing off her new leotard.

Parker started soccer on Saturday, he's not to sure about team sports...we are working on teaching him to be more aggressive.

Here they are on Saturday morning, the girls head to dance class the same time Parker heads to soccer.