Cascade Weekend

Luke has been studying the map of the runs at Cascade.  He has been planning which chairlift he will take to what run.  He has been comparing Wisconsin hills to the highest chairlift in Europe and the longest run in Europe.  Eva was excited to finally ski for the first time.  She did great and went all the way to the top of the hill on the chairlift.  She had great balance and made it through varying snow conditions really well.  She did cry when she lost her ski on the chair lift.  Everyone watching raced to her rescue and handed her ski up to the next person in line.  Luke was so happy after skiing all the runs he had planned.  He said it was the best day ever.

 We stayed at the Wilderness with all the cousins.  We were able to swim twice a day in addition to the skiing.  The kids favorite part was the outdoor hot tub.  The would run from the 104 degree water to the 3 degree air and watch the seam roll off their body.  Papa called it the Eva Steamer, Luke Steamer, and Boden Steamer.  Eva of course added a twirl and leap every time.

Racing Raptor Wins!

Luke has enjoyed his first year in boy scouts.  He has some really good friends in his den and they have a great time.  Luke helped sand and prepare the car.  He choose the blue paint and helped get it ready.  Dave positioned the wheels and added the weight.  Dave and Luke must have a natural affinity for winning.  Dave was not trying to have Luke win.  In fact he got in car accident and was driving in freezing temperatures with a broken out window and smashed rear door.  He was trying to coordinate repairs and just happened to get the Luke's car done as well.  Luke's car won by a large margin.  He didn't even have anyone come with in 4 miles per hour of his time.  It was like watching the 2014 Superbowl.  Great job daddy and Luke!

Luke's numerical conquest

Luke's ability to concentrate and focus on dot to dots is way above mine.  So far he has completed over 3,000 dots in two posters.  Luke is still always calculating and planning.  He is so thoughtful.  He has also become such a great big brother over the past few months.

Eva's love

Eva is constantly telling us how much she loves us, Luke and Husdson.  She draws this every time she has a blank page.  These pictures are just a small representation of her work.  When I take a shower she will be working on a card and then she gives it to me as soon as I step out of the shower.  She always talks about how much she loves me.  She has a stack of Valentines for everyone that she has been working on the past month.  She puts notes in Daddy's lunch.  She wraps gifts for Dave, Luke and myself.  Below is an example of the notes she put on the garage door while I was at work.  She drew pictures of us so I would be welcomed the first time that I got home.  

This is a note that she puts in her time out space to remind her of everyone she loves.

 She is constantly giving me flowers on my nightstand.

When I put the magnadoodle away it always has a note on it about who she loves.

She is also places pictures on my pillow so I will see them before bed.

This does not include all the notes on Luke's door and all the things she hangs on our kitchen window.  I love her love.

Ice Fishing and Tubing

Luke and Eva loved walking on the ice and wondering what was beneath the ice.  They each caught a fish with Daves help.

Luke and Eva also love their new snow tubes.  They try to break the record for distance every time they go down the hill.  Hudson had a great time watching too.

Christmas 2013

We are very blessed to be able to celebrate with family and enjoy all the traditions of Christmas.  Here are the boys with new soccer hats from London.

 Luke with the tallest building in the world.

Possibly one of Eva's favorite gifts.  She uses these for all reasons and at all times.  She has even packed them to cheer for Luke at his soccer game.

 Bennett is making Hudson smile with putting the bow on his nose.

 Christmas morning we welcomed Sammy and Flower into the Krause family.

 Eva loves her new dress up shoes.

Luke has been asking for a telescope for a very long time.  He finally got what he was asking for.  We will see what we will discover.

 Luke also has been asking for this dot to dot poster for a long time.  He was so excited to open it.

Here is Eva's new microphone for singing and doing karoke.

 Abby, Bailey, and Eva

 The Vandixhorns

 Jake and Luke with Uncle Bill and his new log splitter.

Jingle Bell Time is a Swell Time

We have already gotten to enjoy some of our favorite holiday traditions this December.  The kids and I put up the Christmas tree to surprise Daddy when he got home from church.  We attended Luke's choir concert and Eva's first Junior Kindergarten performance. Luke sang "The Twelve Days of Christmas", "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause", and "Jingle Bell Rock."  Eva sang "I am a little snowflake", "5 little penguins playing in the snow", "We wish you a Merry Christmas," and a few others.  The kids were so proud after their concerts. 
 

Eva and Luke have loved playing in the snow and they have to come and say "Hi" to Hudson with squeals and pats on the window.

 

Eva and Luke made Christmas cookies at my work and made some for Hudson.  They also made the gingerbread houses that they can't wait to eat. 

Each day they are eager to flip the block to count down to Christmas.  Here is says 15 days until Christmas.

Here is Eva after her show by a tree her class decorated.

This picture is after Eva's Christmas performance at church.

 

 

Luke's cub scout den practiced their hand at orthopedics.  Here Luke is casting Anay.  Luke said he broke his arm jumping from the top of a sky scraper when his parachute wouldn't open.  We were glad that he only "broke" his wrist.