Let the Holidays Begin!

Here's Evy coordinating nicely with Grammy's awesome couch and pillows (more great decorating to follow).

Uncle Tyler and Grant put together this Batman thing, although I did hear a lot of "Graaant, are you going to help me?"

Evy particularly enjoyed Grammy's snack mix.

Look at this fancy dining room! We had a delicious meal and fun with poppers.

Evy did so-so on eating her meal...she got an ice cream cone anyways (lactose free!).

On to other things...Ben was very busy this weekend! We HAD to buy a wreath since there were already hooks up for one. We bought a real one from the boy scouts! (and note Teens and Evy in the window)

We bought these lights at Lowe's. Ben made me ask how exactly you hang lights on a stucco house. You use velcro. Yep, never would have thought of that.

Animal prints are in this year. Luckily for Evy, Grammy Mavis has her covered! (no pun intended)

Auntie Teens got out there with the kiddos and made the handsome "snowbaby" pictured below.

Maybe it's really a rodent...not sure...just noticed the ears on top of the head.

Not sure why these two were so happy, I probably bribed them with fruit snacks.

I somehow had the energy to bundle these two up and take them for a walk the other day. As you can tell, they were really excited about it.

What to do when the roads are like skating rinks (we found this out when Grant slid down the back steps)? Put your head through a hole in a box!

Yes! Big brother is at the Curious George show so I finally get the bath to myself (he always hogs the running water)!

Saturday Morning Snow

The word on the street was that we were to get a dumping of snow by the end of the week; hard to believe after several very nice days. Well...it came!

As I looked past the family out playing I cringed at the sight of our snow-covered cars...

Anticipation

Sister waiting to join in.

This shows how wet and heavy the snow is.

We did our job and got the kids outside...time to relax.

Lounging around.

Grant and I went to a concert at his school this morning. He didn't seem to be enjoying it so I asked him why as we were leaving. He said "those songs were too pretty, I like cool songs like rock n' roll." Good thing their weekly music teacher sings "edgier" songs. Afterwards we went to Target to scrounge out some winter wear from what was left over.

Brother & Sister...

It is a lot of fun to watch the brother/sister bond develop!

Had to get a picture of Evy in this "Powered by Milk" t-shirt as we have one of Grant in it. (a gift from Grammy Mavis!)

I think Evy often feels as she looks in this picture, although many times I look over and she looks like his "number one fan."

Grant was really in to flattening our gingerbread cookies tonight.

The world looks good from up here!

In the last couple days Evy has become a champion sitter! She hardly ever topples over anymore, although it is kind of funny when she does... I think she is quite pleased with her new skill. Even Grant noticed and said "look, Evy is sitting!" My only concern...isn't crawling next??

Mother's Day and more...

We have been loving the warmer weather. This past winter seemed particularly long. Grant is still saying "we don't have to put on hats, or boots, or mittens!" every time we get ready to go out. And he has a new stick collection that he is very proud of. Every time he finds a stick in the yard he has to tell us about it. I'm sure he will be very willing to help Grandpa Erickson with stick clean-up.

...and here's a stick now. A typical picture of a 3 year old--obviously trying to run away and insists on holding something found on the ground!

Grammy Mavis found Grant some new Batman p.j.'s! He had so much fun last summer with his "caped" p.j.'s. Now Ben wants a pair too...

Ben joined Grant at school last Friday for "Special Person Day." Grant introduced all his friends and said "this is my daddy."

Who says you can't suck your thumb and balance at the same time?

Looks like they're having challah for snack!

We are very excited to get up to the lake this weekend! One month left til baby comes!

way behind...

Not sure if anyone looks at this thing anymore since I'm so bad at keeping it updated! Here's some of the highlights from our last month...

This is my college friend, Kristen and her new baby Macie. She is adorable and Kristen seems to be loving every minute (good to know that life with 2 kids is survivable!)

This is Grant and Hannah (a friend from Eagan) at the MN zoo. Next time I go to the zoo I'm putting Grant on one of those leashes...

This is Grant at the zoo holding a town meeting.

This is Grant and the Streis' 6 month old baby, Ben. Grant can't wait for all the skin-on-skin contact he will have access to when the baby arrives. (in other words, Grant is VERY touch-feely...don't ever wear a crop top to our house--he loves belly buttons).

If you can't get them to look....make em' laugh!

4 pictures for you

Yikes! I don't know what happened...I woke up one morning looking like THIS! And my book tells me the baby has at least 4 more pounds of growth to go.

Grant wanted to ride in this stroller, rather than the umbroller, because "the baby isn't here yet so I can use this one."

Ben apparently thought it was really nice out yesterday! Grant wasn't allowed to wear shorts and a t-shirt quite yet...

Grant was impressed with Ben's playground skills.

Today we tried to walk around Lake Calhoun but had to turn back because Grant said "I'm cold...I'm having a bad time."

Visit to Granny's

We had a fun visit to Granny's last weekend. She can play and play with Grant--she's great at it! He absolutely loves spending time with her. Here he is having loads of fun with a box...it's so true that the things around the house are the best toys!

Granny is trying hard to get a picture without Grant's thumb in his mouth!

It was a nice day for a walk, although Grant was soaked by the time we got home...

Granny gave Grant a special "animal baby" plate, fork, and spoon that he held on to the whole way home (even during his nap!).