Superbowl Weekend!

Here's our little Packer-Backer. She LOVES the Packers & prefers to wear her green & gold over most other clothing. In preparation for the upcoming Superbowl, we had a little "Go Pack!" party for the kids.

Sam & Jonah (the cuties I babysit for) had a blast too... we did some projects & decorated cookies... and did lots of cheering for the Packers!

Superbowl weekend was EXTRA fun because we spent Fri - Sun at a waterpark in Wis Dells!

We joined forces with some great friends with 2 little ones the same ages as Ian & Audrey for a weekend of non-stop fun. Ian & Jack enjoyed the giant whirlpool in the condo.

Audrey mostly enjoyed playing fully clothed & dry - but did get excited about the waterpark after a couple of hours in the water. She really liked the "Lazy Wiver"

These two handsome guys have been buddies since they were 1 year old - they're growing up so fast!

Here's one of the many hugs between Audrey & Benny from the weekend - Audrey just can't get enough of all these cute boys she gets to hang out with.

The "boys" sharing lunch in the condo before gearing up for a 2nd wave of waterpark fun.

The Packers winning the Superbowl shortly after returning home was the icing on the cake. What a great weekend!

Audrey Amelia is TWO!

It's hard to believe our precious little girl is already 2 years old!

We can't imagine our lives without her sweet smile, a house full of dollies, pink sippy cups, quiet storytimes, adorable songs, gentle moments & so many cuddles!

We were fortunate that Grandma Carol & Nana were able to celebrate with us!

I made an angel food cake but apparently you have to make it in loaf pans -- so "Curious George" was sort of sinking ;) Audrey didn't seem to mind - she LOVES George just like her big brother did.

As usual lately, she insisted on wearing her Packer dress.

Here are some of the awesome gifts she got to open - a tea set, 2 doll high chairs, lots of doll food and a pink armchair from daddy, mommy & Ian.

Notice Brian (Vikings fan) wore "green" ah-hem ;)

Party "Minnie" Style!

We've been blessed with some amazing friends who came to enjoy a birthday celebration for her as well! Audrey was thrilled with her Minnie/Mickey theme, loved the cake & got to party with 9 adorable little boys & 1 sweet girl :)

It was hard to get candids of all the kids - they usually ran off when they saw the camera! - but here's what I got...

Christmas part TWO!

Christmas morning finally arrived!

Ian only woke up an hour earlier than normal...

This pic is out of order but - what Christmas would be complete w/o daddy trying to put together a toy!?
Audrey was surprised & thrilled with every package that was opened - whether it was for her or Ian - she didn't care.

Ian opened "Wall-E" first - he transforms into a box! This was THE number 1 item on his wish list. Hurray Santa! Ironically, it was the first box he opened at 6am when we said he could only open ONE present until Audrey was awake. He had to wait 2 hours for more gifts & he didn't even mind!

The holiday was so wonderful - health, happiness & gratitude! We're reminded about how fast the kids are growing up... & seeing the holidays through their eyes is priceless. Ian talked a lot about Jesus this year & asked a lot of questions. We're so grateful our kids are growing up understanding that Christmas isn't just about Santa bringing presents. Ian especially became aware of helping other kids & animals in need. We're also beyond grateful for Ian's new school experience after a bad 1st couple of months at a different preschool. He is now thriving after a couple months at his new school - he LOVES it, he's learning & absorbing so much & his confidence level is soaring!

Audrey turns 2 in a couple weeks & G'ma & G'pa Coller won't be in town to celebrate. So... we did an early birthday party the day after Christmas. Nobody could even think of eating more sugar so I made a quiche. Heck, cheese & eggs are Audrey's favorite foods anyway! She loved the candles & made us relight them 3 times - I wonder if she wished for pigtails in 2011? ;)

Before they headed West, we got to see the house all dressed up for the holidays & buried in snow. The kids got some awesome new stuff including a sled they got to try out in G'ma & G'pa's backyard and a "fort making" set! AND Uncle "Packet" was even there!

We got to see Nana's house all decked out for the holidays too! Audrey loved getting kisses from Brownie, playing with her new dolls & getting new clothes (just kidding about the clothes - but mommy was excited). Ian was SO excited about his new puppy Play-doh set & awesome Lego set! Lots of fun all around :)

That's a wrap ;)

When Audrey's tired, she's tired. I found her here all tucked in the (clean) laundry pile w/ her new Minnie Mouse. I love that she covers up her dollies too!

Happy Holidays & a happy, healthy 2011 to all!

Creative Outlets

I've found it very flattering to get some cake requests from friends! :)

I'm learning a lot & having fun... here are the latest 2

Frog pond theme with frog smash cake

Dora & friends

The Holiday's Part I

We had breakfast with Santa!

This was the best photo we got & it's GREAT for two reasons: (1) Ian was giving it his all considering how nervous/excited he was and (2) Audrey isn't screaming her head off!

Brian & the kids chatted with Santa... Ian wanted to know where the reindeer were, naturally!
Audrey wasn't so sure about this guy but since he gave her a coloring book, she was happy.

We did see LOTS of her signature "stink eye"

...and when the cookie plate was taken away we got her signature meltdown.

(but she is pretty darn cute even when she's grumpy)

The best part of the weekend? Inspite of a blizzard in our neck of the woods AND major snowfall/freezing rain in MN - the Renneke's were able to visit! We always say that being together with loved ones is the real gift. We're so happy they made the long, snowy drive... safely!

The kids are all growing up so fast!

Ian was beyond thrilled to hang out with his cousins, Aunt Jody & Uncle Scott... and of course with his new presents! Here he is with his new giant Toy Story play-doh set. He was so excited that we found him on the table tearing into it.

Audrey received lots of wonderful items for her beloved dolls. Bitty Baby has never been so clean (new doll tub) and comfortable (new crib)... and filled with fake medicine (new Dr. kit)

I'm sure Grandma Carol is happy to see Audrey carrying on the tradition of enjoying American Girls as much as Hannah used to! It's neat to see the little mommy in her.

We feel so blessed. It was fun for all of us to celebrate Christmas - snowed in - a little bit early.

Thank you for everything guys!

Thankful!

We are particularly thankful this season! We love that the kids are getting old enough now to understand the meaning of the holiday's and talk about what they're thankful for. Ian has been learning all about Thanksgiving at school - here he is beaming with excitement, showing off his school projects and anticipating company! He would be most thrilled if the house was bursting at the seems with all our loved ones. Thankfully we got to see several beloved family members in person... others via Skype... and the rest of you we held in our hearts across the miles.

Uncle Pat was the guest of honor for Ian... it had been a while since we saw him but Ian jumped right in to update Pat on everything. Here they are watching something on his phone.
We got to have a real turkey dinner (complete with baked squash, stuffing, rice pilaf and cupcakes) at Nana's - the kids had a blast & we all left with FULL bellies!

G'ma & G'pa joined us for dinner - we opted for steak this year since it was just us. Everything was delicous! Menu: Steak, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle, corn pudding, stuffing, pumpkin bars & of course pumpkin pie. Audrey tried everything, Ian ate 3 dinner rolls... sounds about right.

We decided to put up the tree a full month early! The kids were SO excited to help. One thing we notice each year is how special the ornaments we've accumulated are. Some are from when Brian & I were little, some mark other memories - the kids' milestones, our wedding and even our beloved Oliver. Ian was thrilled to hang an ornament with Ollie's picture on it - we still talk about him a lot and thankfully we know he's happily enjoying the holidays with his new family.

One thing Audrey was NOT thankful for - new clothes. She's funny about her clothes. Right before I started filming the footage below she was saying, "NO! I non't like em!" as she tossed them into a pile angrily. She's wearing a new outfit today & doing fine :)