December 31: New Year's Eve

My final post of the year.
Dan and I ringing in 2013 at the Improv
comedy club.

December 30: preschool?!

Note to Selves:
Enroll your little girl in preschool in
just a few days.

Really?!

Wow.

Time flies faster when you're watching
someone grow.

December 29: musicians

Brother - Sister Band.

December 28: new wheels

Taking Guy for a walk outside in the new
stroller.
"Now I have a stroller just like yours, Mommy."

December 27: round two

Nora came down with the bug today.
We hadn't left the couch since she woke up (at 9:45)
and a mere two hours later, she fell asleep sitting up while
I was getting a glass of water. 

December 26: digital age

No one is too old to get into the digital age.
Gramma Guenther received her digital picture
frame from Dan and I.  She cried tears
of joy when she found out that it came
pre-loaded with 450 pictures of her family.

Giving is definitely better than receiving.

December 25: merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our couch (and pjs) to yours. 

December 24: santa!

Every child needs a picture of them
crying on Santa's lap. 

December 23: ding dong

Ringing the doorbell at the fire station to
deliver cookies to the fire fighters. 

December 22: caught the bug

Milo came down with the nasty bug that's
been floating around.  Makes him very
snugly. 

December 21: in mama's hat

Playing in the box on hats and mittens
and put my hat on.  Looked super cute
looking up at me.

And no, he's not completely naked.  The
belly just hides the diaper. 

December 20: name tags

These were the reindeer name tags we made
for our cookie exchange.  Made with Nora's
fingerprints.  I think they're adorable!

December 19: first person

The teal scribble is the first time she drew
a person in the "shape of a person".  There
are other marks on top of it but there are
arms and legs sticking straight out of the
head.  Proud mama.

December 18: badge of honor

She got a sticker after getting a flu shot.
She was very nervous but ended up getting
the mist so all was good.
Myles didn't even shed a tear.

December 17: reach high

Made a paper chain together -
twice the size of Nora!

December 16: graduate

Greg received his diploma in mechanical engineering
from Madison today.  Congrats, Greg!

December 15: 30 year old hat

Myles tried on a hat I wore when I was his age.

December 14: goodies

The final product from yesterdays hugs kisses.  

December 13: kisses

I unwrapped a bag of hugs kisses
tonight with two little helpers in anticipation
for tomorrow's baking day.

December 12: fancy pancakes

Special Christmas shaped pancakes for
breakfast this morning.  They were a
big hit.  Nora called them fancy. 

December 11: curiosity

I'm not sure who is more interested in whom.
Myles loved getting "down on the same level" as the
babies we hung out with today- second cousins
Ben (pictured) and Evan.  

December 10:jingle bells

A week later, she's still wearing the
jingle bell bracelet we made.  I think
it's a hit!

December 9: zoo lights

Went here for the second year in a row tonight.

December 8: "hanitizer"

We went shopping for Daddy at
St. Paul's Christmas Shoppe and she picked
out a little something for herself.

December 7: a tree of their own

Still getting some of the "ornaments" together but
their tree will go up for them to decorate more often
to keep them busy and entertained.

December 6: Christmas books

I didn't start on the December 1, but I'm ready
now.  One Christmas book wrapped for
every night from now until Christmas Eve.
(most are from our trip to the library the other day)

December 5: keeping him busy

This is how I've been keeping him busy
while I cook lately.  It's much better than
him whining and pulling at my legs.

December 4: cozy spot

They always say you should pick a cozy spot to read.
While we were looking for Christmas books at the library
today, Myles found himself a cozy spot.

December 3: warm sheets

I loved, and still love, "warm sheets" as I
used to call them, in the winter.  These
are super cute and a set I would totally
buy for Nora.... if she would stay under
her sheets at night!

December 2: chopsticks

Daddy trying to teach Nora chopsticks.

December 1: advent calendar

The advent calendar is hanging from the mantle
with activity cards in each bag.  We're ready to begin!

November 30: not ready to wake up

We put the couch cushions on the floor
to jump on but while we were eating lunch,
Rusty made himself a new home.  

November 29: rolly slide

His favorite at the park today.
Must have gone down at least 10 times
in a row.

November 28: role reversal

Nora hammers away while Myles puts his
creation in the oven.

November 27: snoozing

I went to peek at Myles before bed tonight
and he looked so comfy I just had to
snap a picture.  He was even snoring a bit.
Rest up, Dude.  We've got a lot of playing
to do tomorrow.

November 26: mail call

After watching an episode of Bubble Guppies
about mailing a letter,  we decided to do a
follow up activity and send Mallory
a letter just like they did in the show.

November 24: almost done

Just need to buy more lights for the bushes on the right.

November 23: adult time

Obviously I didn't take this picture but I did take
others today so I make an exception.
We were able to meet up with Alex and Allison
over Thanksgiving.  Always nice to see them.  

November 22: warming bodies and souls

Dan enjoying the fire with two kids
who wanted to be stripped down
(and better moods resulted)

November 21: cards

To save myself time and stress, I decided
to order my cards instead of hand making
them this year.  They've already arrived!
I'm already waaaay ahead of last year
and it feels good.

November 20: Mal Pal

We had Mal over for the first time in a while.
And what else do little girls do but play peek-a-boo
while laying in Myles' crib?!

November 19: budding

It's been so warm outside that our lilac
bush is confused and beginning to bud.

November 18: tiny donor

Our church is raising money to fix the
school's leaky ceiling.  Nora brought
and envelope home.  We talked about it
and she chose to donate some of her
Halloween money.  She was very proud!
So were we.

November 17: last home game

The final home game of the season ended with a
disappointing overtime loss to Ohio State.
Story of the season.

November 16: break

We were having a photo shoot for
our Christmas card this year when
it was time for an exploring break.
Enough posing.

November 15: helping hand

She started getting herself ready and
then tried to help Myles too. What a sweetie.

November 14: vanity

After a failed attempt at stripping and staining our bathroom
vanity, we painted it.  I couldn't be happier.  Looks brand new.

November 13: a dusting

We got the smallest amount of snow last
night but it was enough to make this guy
curious (and his sister quite excited)

November 12: waiting

These kids love their daddy.
Waiting patiently for Daddy to pull into
the driveway.