Singing at the Laabs Family Christmas

Janet had some very enthusiastic new participants in the Christmas carols sing along at the Laabs family Christmas this year.  Veda popped to attention immediately and Adele wasn't far behind.  Veda also shared her sign language to Silent Night that she recently learned in church choir.

Adele

Adele is going through a phase... well several phases. She changes her clothes 10 times a day. Will scream and throw a fit if you try to put pants on her because "pants aren't beautiful". So she just cycles through all of her leggings, tights, dresses and skirts and I do laundry every day - over and over. Why would I wash all her outfits? Because she has taken a step back in potty training and walks around wet most of the day. Frustrating but just hoping we get it figured out before she goes to College.

This is what Adele wants to wear to bed tonight - she put this on after her bath. I might even let her wear the shoes to bed if she can stay dry until lights out. Doubtful.

Bull's Birthday Dinner

We celebrated Bull's 70th with crab legs! YUM! Then for dessert we had banana split ice cream cake that Veda made with only a little help from Mom (Adele did the sprinkles).

                     

Archives

Going through old photo files from Ryan's visit this summer. Backyard fun, St. Louis Park, MN community parade and Father's Day celebration in Clear Lake with the Laabs and Sayres.

Happy Times

I think it's appropriate that Adele is wearing a helmet. One of the perks of living in the Midwest. Our children wouldn't get to enjoy pile jumping if we had stayed in California.

Homework

Veda has a daily assignment. Her homework for this day was to line up everyone in her family from tallest to shortest.

Power Tools

Nothing like a little drill action to get everyone's attention.

Iowa Football

Chris drove down to Iowa City from Madison so we could enjoy our Hawkeye/Badger rivalry at Kinnick. We are thinking of making it an annual event. Luckily Kimmy was going and had a couple extra tickets so we got to sit with her and her belly;)

Eating it Up

Adele's special treat these days is hot chocolate from Starbucks. I think she just likes going there because all the customers tell her how cute she is;)

Pretty Big Deal

Veda was the student of the month for October for her classroom. This is not a designation that all children get. She earned it and got to go onstage to receive her award in front of everyone at the all school assembly.

Girls Night

A few weeks ago Todd was out of town for our weekly Tuesday night date. I kept the babysitter and we made it into a girls night at George and The Dragon. They have a library of books for the kids so its always a crowd favorite. Ava and Veda were thrilled that we let them go to the bathroom all by themselves even though the bathrooms were all the way on the other side of the restaurant and out of our view. I was feeling pretty good about it until Ava came running around the corner of the packed restaurant by herself yelling (did I mention she was YELLING) that Veda needed me to wipe her because she had diarrhea. The other customers were thoroughly entertained by this exchange. I went to check on her and of course the bathrooms are unisex so there sits Veda in an unlocked restroom in a crowded restaurant waiting for me. Good thing I found her first. She did not have diarrhea by the way and we had to have a talk about the importance of locking the door behind her.

Street Games

We went for ice cream in downtown Linden Hills days before it turned cold in Minneapolis. Creative Kids Stuff is a popular toy store down the street. They know how to rein in their customers...

Garage Baseball

Gotta get creative to entertain all the kids on Thanksgiving day.  Some garage baseball.  Grandpa Gary as the pitcher and Adele as the Cleanup hitter.

Ry's Birthday Dinner - In September

Smack Shack Happy Hour. Can't beat it.

Oh Well!

Bull came to visit this summer and Adele was so excited that she peed on his lap. 'Sorry bout that'

New Friends

End of summer party with our new neighborhood friends. Veda starting Kindergarten has opened us up to new social circles and plenty of fun.

Lessons Learned

Do NOT touch hot lightbulbs

Race Support

The Twin Cities Marathon (Oct 6th) route is just a few blocks from our house so we hung out at the 8 mile mark to give our support (and high fives)!

Running Just As Fast As I Can

 October 5th - Medronic 10k - Twin Cities Marathon weekend. With Nicole and Anne.

October 26th (freezing!). Monster Dash Half Marathon with Nicole. 2 Hours 7Minutes and 30 Seconds.

Didi times 2?

I was organizing photos on my computer and Adele was watching over my shoulder. When I got to this one she asked me why there were TWO Didis!? A little Cyclone/Hawkeye love with Didi and her sister Darlene.

Road Trip to Madison

The cousins had a great time last weekend in Madison.  The 4 hour road trip wasn't too bad (and definitely worth it once we got there).  Veda loved reading books to the 'little kids' and Winston and little Hud had a great time sharing toys and wreaking havoc (with a little down time checking out the neighbors mowing lawn - a shared passion).  Good times had by all.

1/2 Way to Madison - Buying Cheese at a Rest Stop 

Story time with Veda...Hop on Pop

Lawnmower Enthusiasts

Just helpin a brother out.... 

What if...Chubs was a girl... :)