Monday, December 26, 2011

There is no place like home for the Holidays

If you love being with your children and family, the Christmas season gives you many reasons to enjoy being together.  I am also so thankful that Christ chose to come to earth as a child to bring love and salvation. 
First, we started with Christmas cookies made at the hospital that I work at.  The kids each decorated six with daddy while I went to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission with girlfriends.  Eva saw Santa and reported that she was not scared this year.

 Luke had a Christmas concert at church and one at school.  He was a little afraid, but sang and did the motions for the first time this year.  It was so cute when he would be singing the songs in the back seat.
 My sister and I went to visit Grandy.  He took us out to lunch with our kids for Christmas.  I ordered the Grandy special just like usual.
 Eva, Aaron, Andrew, and Ethan were all playing in the crib.  It is fun to see how Eva can bring out the kid in her older cousins.

We usually do some outdoor activity on December 24th so we went for a walk down State Street and walked to the Capitol.
 Of course we had to stop at the Badger store to get the fourth generation ready to go to Madison.

 Next, on to the coffee shop.  We ordered a few hot chocolates, one chocolate milk, one vanilla steamer, and one regular coffee.
Here is the bottom 5 feet of the 36 foot tall Christmas tree at the Capitol.

 My mom picked out Eva's dress and it just so happens that they look very similar.
 This is the least crazy pose from the Christmas Eve shots, I did not include all the others. 

Christmas morning with a few more presents.


 Jackie and Uncle Riley playing an intense game of Trouble.
 I got Luke some head phones so instead of complaining about things being loud (shows, parades, water parks, malls, etc.)  he could put these on.  He really likes them.  Today I have found that he puts them on when I want him to do things and he says he can't hear me.  Very smart, they are currently out of his reach.
I find that I enjoy the new toys just as much as the kids.  I really like Eva's new doll, dance outfit, and new kitchen that is currently under construction.  Luke loves his new Kumon books, the book of "How Big is it?" Lego table, board for his match box cars, erector set, transformers, among others.
Christmas Day with Dave's family, Dave is taking the picture of course.

Fall Family Photos

Our friend Pam Strohl has been taking our family pictures since Luke was one (http://strohlie.blogspot.com or www.psphoto.org).  This year we headed out to Cedarburg and Pam did a fantastic job once again.  She is very good at capturing the love we feel about our kids.  Thanks Pam.  Luke and Eva, We love you so much and cherish every moment with you.  You have so much fun playing together and are good friends. 






















Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011



 This is our Thanksgiving post party on Saturday.  (The pictures are not in chronological order.) 

Eze and Chez back at Thanksgiving.

 Grandie 97.5 years old with all the grandchildren on our side.
 Turkey number two with two watchful mini chefs.

 Dave's family here with a beautiful Thanksgiving meal.
Eva 3, Abby 2, Bailey 2 are getting rides from Uncle Bill on the cart.
 The guys watched the kids so the women could shop on Black Friday and they are all watching Curious George.
This is a new purchase for Eva.  The 3T coat from the rummage sale that she was to wear this season is way too big so I bought her a 3T that fit her well.
 Jackie and Riley keeping the kids table entertained.
All the kids were mesmerised by the DVD, "Towel Folding 101."  We made a bunny and a swan.
 The kids didn't want to leave.  They played so well.  Here Luke and Jake are reading to each other.