Little Picasso

Winston's Work of Art

Painting Games at Home Depot

Always a great Saturday morning adventure at the Home Depot.  Pretty awesome thing they do for the kids.  This week they made their own Tic Tac Toe kits.

Snow Gazing

Jay Z Concert with Friends

Awkward Family Photos, Bloody Marys and Garage Baseball

A few flash back photos from a couple months ago, catching up on some blog photos.  This was one of the outtakes for the Didi and Papi's Christmas card.  

Xmas in Iowa City

We had a pretty fantastic visit to Iowa City. Yuko made her first visit to Iowa City, we got to spend an evening with good friends at the Simcox's and the Baldes' clan came over for our traditional Christmas celebration. Nana did another excellent job decorating the house with insane detail, Ryan captured the festivities on his camera and Bull kept the kids fed and happy.

Scratching Lotto Tickets - Adele was the big winner - $38! We were smart and wasted it on more lotto tickets!

 Winston the barista. He made Uncle Ryan 101 cups of espresso and Ry couldn't get to sleep for several days;)

 Fist pump for the Living Sand! It was a pretty big hit and still is;) Note Adele's princess dress which she wanted every day for the following two weeks.

 Gifts from Yuko!

 And Bull made the mistake of taking a break on the floor - Winston saw his chance and pounced.

 Adele is such a goofball.

 Yuko and Winston watching the snow blower action from inside. Winston was pretty excited about the "bower" until Bull turned it on - then he preferred to stay a safe distance away.

Christmas in review...

A few photos from my phone...

Veda loved decorating the tree this year. She remembers the ornaments from two years ago (we didn't have a tree last year because we were in the middle of the move) and gets excited to tell the stories of where they came from. I have to remember to write all the details on each one or I forget - good thing I have Veda to remind me;) Her most special ornament this year was a little bird that she picked up when we were on a Mommy/Daughter date in November at George and the Dragon - we were shopping at Patina next store and she had to have it.

First annual xmas homemade ice cream. Was a Strawberry Success with this little number that Diane picked up at a garage sale!

 Veda looking like she's 16 in her Christmas Eve outfit before church.

 Sometimes they love each other - looking pretty cute on Christmas Eve. Adele's on her best behavior because she knows Santa can turn the sled around at any moment;)

Electric candles for the wee ones at Christmas Eve service - BRILLIANT!

On the Farm with Dennis and Cheryl

While we were playing with the girls in California after Christmas Winston was paying a visit to Uncle Dennis and Aunt Cheryl on the farm in Mt. Vernon. He still talks about the tractor, cows and the cat and loves to look at these pictures. Thank you Dennis and Cheryl for making his day!

Look Who's Two!

Our big boy had a big day! He got this super cool car that he can only drive a few feet in any direction because our house is too small and there is way too much snow outside;) He also got a hot wheels monster truck track that Adele picked out for him and a rescue helicopter from Veda. Veda was feeling so sisterly that she made him a birthday picture and slid it under his door while he was napping.

He had his two year well visit yesterday. Weighing in at 30 lbs. (50%). He is 35 inches tall (75 to 90%) and has a head circumference of 75 to 90%. He received two shots and didn't shed a tear - tough boy;) Everyone got ice cream to celebrate the vaccinations!

Happy Birthday Papi

For the second year in a row we met up halfway between Clear Lake and MSP to celebrate Gary's big day. What a difference a year makes - last year seemed like a picnic with the three kids - this year - with Adele giving up naps and Winston on the heels of turning two - it was a bit challenging.

It's been a big year for Gary and there is sure to be another great one ahead! Live it up Papi! We Love You!