It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

....and we are so very excited!!! Last Monday after work, we ordered pizzas and my brother and sister came over. We had a picture appointment to get pictures of the three of us together for my parents for Christmas. They turned out beautiful and I think my mom will probably cry! It ended up being a rough night with my princess puking a few times.

Needless to say, she stayed home with daddy on Tuesday and got to have chicken noodle soup, popsicles, and play memory and candyland. She put another rough night in on Tuesday night, but was better in the morning.

We had family Christmas card pictures Wednesday afternoon and I absolutely love our card and family photos, but unfortunately, we didn't get any decent ones of the kids together. (Connor cried and fussed during the whole session)

Mike had a test for a potential job up north in our hometown on Thursday, so he took Connor with him to his parents' house after we had pictures done. I pray to God that he gets called for an interview very soon. He is a math genius, so hopefully his skills will help him get the job.

Friday after work, Bel and I drove to meet him and Connor at his parents' house. My mother-in-law and I did some last minute shopping and I ended up finding a few more books and a Dora movie.

Saturday, we went to my mom's and baked lots of cookies again. At work on Monday, we are having a Christmas potluck, so my mom made a nice little tray for me to bring with all the stuff we made. Later that night, we wrapped presents for hours. Bella liked pressing the tape down, putting the gift tags on, and putting the presents under the tree. She sure is my little helper!

Today was her Christmas program at Church. She was an angel and a sheep. We promised her a barbie and to go to lunch at pizza hut if she did a good job and cooperated. She did an amazing job and didn't want it to be over :) There was even a little donkey costume for Connor, so he liked to stand in the middle of the church and look cute ;) I am so glad that I got some cute pictures of this great experience.

Bella is 3 !!!!!!!

I had a short work week for the first week of December, thanks to my sweet little girl's 3rd birthday :) On Thursday morning when she woke up, she saw that her "elf on the shelf" had put three pink candles on her birthday donut. She was in awe! She had her three year portraits in the afternoon, and poor thing wasn't feeling the greatest, but we still got some cute shots. While we were waiting for pictures, we headed over to build-a-bear. Of course she picked out a pink unicorn. (yes, everything HAS to be pink) She named her "Little Pony" and had a blast giving her "a bath." Then she wanted a happy meal, so we went to the food court and the kids had McDonalds. I am not a fan of fast food other than taco bell, so this is considered a treat ;)

Both kids napped for a bit when we got home, and then I brought out the cake I made for her and her 21 year candle. For supper we went to Olive Garden because that is her favorite place to eat. I am pretty sure she had a fantastic birthday!

Friday, I left work early because we had tickets to the Polar Express train ride! We got the kids (and us) in jammies and drove to Green Bay. It was such a neat experience and we hope to do it again when Connor is a bit older. Bella loved going to the "North Pole" on the train and seeing Santa afterwards. Both kids had so much fun!

Since my inlaws had to be out of town for the weekend, we decided to have my family get together with us and celebrate Bella's birthday. We had a princess party for her and it was alot of fun with alot of presents! My mom made her the princess cake. I thought it was so neat and so sweet of her to spend 9 hours making it special :) She got alot of games, so we had a blast playing hungry hungry hippos, candy land, and chutes and ladders! For each birthday, my mom makes a cut-out cookie of the number of their birthdate. It's still so hard and bittersweet to hear "THREE YEARS OLD!"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Monday, December 7th, we decorated our tiny little tree. Since we aren't here for Christmas, we had a tiny one cut. Connor undecorates it anyway, so we are glad it's not big and can fall on him.

Wednesday, we were supposed to have our family Christmas pictures taken but I cancelled due to a snow storm. So glad I did, because we had a nice day lounging around in our jammies. Bella and I made her first gingerbread house but I forgot to put my memory card in my camera when I was taking pictures! :(

Friday, we headed to my parents' as usual. Mike headed to camp since deer season is just about finished and we made another gingerbread house. My mom definately has more talent than I do at this ;) Saturday morning, my friend Mandy came over with her husband and kids for a quick visit since they happened to be in town. Bella made gingerbread cookies with grammy and played with her buddy, Madison. Later that afternoon, we went outside to play in the snow.

Sunday, after she got back from church, we went to grandma Fran's for the day. The kids played and read books, and then after supper, we headed back home.

Thanksgiving week

After work on Tuesday, we went to the Christmas parade in Appleton on our way to my parents' house for the week. The parade usually has 80,000 people who attend, so needless to say, we could barely see anything.

Thanksgiving Day, we went to the inlaws for our big family meal. Bella was so excited to see her cousins. We had a great time visiting everyone and eating turkey. The younger cousins had their own table set up. After too much turkey, they were tired out so they laid in grandma Fran's bed and watched the 'Santa Buddies' movie. Before dark, the younger cousins wanted to go to the park to feed the deer. Of course my kids eat the apples instead of feeding them to the deer first ;)

Later that night, we went back to my parents' and my mom, me, and the kids did some baking. Both kids love being on the table to help. We made chocolate pretzels with m&m's and they were so yummy. My mom got the kids an 8 foot snowman for the yard but let it be in the living room for the week ;)

Friday morning I went black Friday shopping by myself. I found some cool stuff, and more than I thought I would. The kids are officially done, other than their big gift that I still have to order! They had a relaxing morning with grammy and made some peppermint candycane cookies. Auntie got to come home later that night so we were all excited to see her!

Saturday, we took the kids to have breakfast with Santa and see the reindeer. I was so proud that my little girl wasn't afraid of Santa this year!!! My mom got the kids a special Christmas book that she records each page with her voice. Bella's face was priceless as she opened the book to hear grammy's voice :)

We spent the rest of the day baking. We made truffles and bon bons, and although it was alot of work and big mess, I loved the quality time I got to spend with my mom and sister together. We made homemade pizzas for supper and had a couple of my mom's friends over to eat and hang out. It was a really fun night!

Sunday, Bella and grammy went to church and Sunday school while me and my sister took Connor and went shopping. We picked up Mike after he was done at camp and came back and got ready for my family's Thanksgiving after popps and uncle Sammy came home around noon. Over the week, we played countless games of memory with Bella. She was happy when daddy came home and they could "win the telephones!" The last Thanksgiving supper was yummy!

catch up!

Mike had spent the week of the 9th-13th doing a side job siding a house with his friend Brad and getting a little bit of hunting in at night. My parents got to spend time with Bella and take turns when one of them had to take care of the office. Connor and I were alone the whole week but we had fun. Since he goes to bed early, I was able to get alot of housework and laundry done. I must say, Connor is the worst shopper! We desperately need to get our Christmas outfits planned and bought so after work, we went to gymboree and gap. Saturday morning, Connor and I went to my sister's and my mom and Bella met us there. We did some shopping but the mall was crazy and the kids just weren't happy to be in the stroller. We picked up stuff to make chicken and mashed potatos for lunch and then Sam and Ashley joined us. Around 8pm, although the kids were already in their jammies, we decided to go to Kohls when it wasn't so busy. When we got back, we rented a girl's movie and hung out. Sunday morning, the kids and I headed back home.

Tuesday, the 17th, Mike came back from hunting. Wednesday, we took the kids to the pet store to get a fish. Bella wanted a pink fish and a Little Mermaid fish tank, but the guy who worked there, said the Little Mermaid tank wasn't appropriate for two fish. In the end, we got a pretty purple betta fish and a cool tank. Connor was pretty impressed with all the giant fish tanks and kept running off. On our way home, we discussed names and came up with "Perchy" The kids LOVE their new pet :)

Saturday, the 20th, the kids and I had baking day with my mom. Bella LOVES baking with grammy. I am convinced that she will be a little chef someday ;) We made gingerbread cookies, cherry butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles. They loved sprinkling the pretzels.

Sunday, Bella went to church with grammy. I was beyond excited to hear that she had participated in the children's service and sat with grammy in the Sunday school class. She is also gonna be the sheep in the Christmas play! I am so excited!!! After lunch, we headed over to grandma Fran's. She had a little baking extravaganza with her friends so Bella helped her dip pretzels in chocolate. We had pizza with her and then headed back to my parents' around supper before heading home.

He got a deer!

Bella stayed with Daddy up north until Wednesday last week because he wanted to hunt. Since Connor is such a great sleeper and ready for bed by 8pm, I was able to do many loads of laundry and catch up on cleaning. Bella had a fun time playing in the leaves and the park and hanging out with grandma Fran and Papa Len but I think she missed mommy. Mike shot a six pointer on Wednesday morning, so Bel was excited to get a picture with daddy and his "big buck!" She was so excited to tell me about the deer. She said it was brown with pretty eyes and big!

The weekend was so nice, with a high of almost seventy degrees! I was kind of feeling sick, so grammy played outside with the kids all day. They rode Connor's little fourwheeler and played in the leaves until they were tired out.

My mom and I attempted to make cakeballs from the famous http://www.bakerella.com/ blog. They were easy to make, but they didn't turn out as pretty as they should. We will try again soon and hope they look prettier. ;)

Halloween

Tuesday, October 27th, I came home from work to a nice supper that was done and waiting for me. I swear, my husband makes the best breaded chicken ever! Then we went to Fleetfarm because Bella is in awe over their Christmas displays. All the lights, Christmas trees, huge blow up decorations, and toys is like a toddler heaven! She has already convinced my parents to buy a giant inflatable snowman for their yard. Daddy got the kids some Christmas lights and hung them in the bedroom while I made some home-made apple cider.

Wednesday, I picked up a half day working at another clinic because the extra Christmas money will be nice. For supper we ordered the jack-o-lantern pizza from papa johns. The kids really loved it and it sure was yummy.

Thursday, was Boo Bash at the children's museum. I have never seen so many kids in my life. It wasn't as fun as we thought but Bella liked the trick-or-treat part of it.

Saturday, my mom carved a couple pumpkins with the kids at her house. She grew two pumpkins for them in the garden, so of course Bella was quick to point out that hers was the big one and Connor's was the little one ;) Then we got them in their costumes and did a little photoshoot in the yard.

Then we went over to grandma and papa Pickett's for trick-or-treating. We started going around the block and although Connor was bundled in his stroller with a blanket, he still got cold so we brought him back to the house and he was amused watching them pass out candy. We made quite the rounds with Bel, who was warm in her monkey costume. After trick-or-treating was done, we met my mom at her friend's house (since the husbands were hunting) and the kids played barbies while we watched a movie and ate candy.

babies and baking

Wednesday, our friends Brent and Krista welcomed a baby boy, Jake into the world!

Yesterday, my brother's best friend, Bret and his girlfriend welcomed a baby girl, Aubree into the world! Bret is like a brother to us and it's pretty neat that his baby girl was born on my brother's 22nd birthday!

Thursday, Mike went on a very well deserved hunting trip with two if his friends. The kids and I had a fun two days before we headed to grammy's on Friday after work.

The weekend was dedicated to baking! Saturday started out with pumpkin cookies. My little chef has quite the time mixing and stirring to her little heart's desire :) Then after naptime, we made the dough for Halloween cut-out cookies. Bella and Connor had a blast making a mess and ended up covered in flour!

Sunday we decorated the cookies and headed out early to stop and see auntie Jenna on our way home. When we arrived home, daddy was waiting with open arms and big hugs :)

doctor, shopping, pumpkins, and parties

On Wednesday, October 7, Connor had his ONE year check up. He has really spiked in height and moved up to the 80th percentile. He's still our skinny boy, at only 21 lbs. 4 oz. He is right on track with milestones, however, so nothing to worry about! He sure is our happy and healthy little man.

Thursday night, Bella and daddy headed north so Connor and I did a little shopping.

Saturday, my mom and Bel came back and we did some more shopping specifically for winter jackets for me and Connor.

Sunday, we shopped some more and in the end, both Connor and I got jackets. Later that evening we had a first birthday party for my friend Mandy's little boy, Ty. The kids had fun playing and were excited to see daddy after the party.

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Wednesday, October 14th, we had a really fun day. Bella had dance class in the morning and daddy loved watching her. In the afternoon we drove to a really cool pumpkin farm. It was a long drive, but Bel was so excited that she hardly slept. We checked out the bakery there and all the apples and pies first and then the kids got to feed the goats. We took a walk through the corn maze, climbed some big tall hay bales, the kids picked out their pumpkin, then stopped in the bakery and shop to browse around. We bought some beerbread mix and then got a caramel apple and hot cider and ate out on the porch before we headed home. We froze but had alot of fun and will go back next year again :)

We made chili and beerbread and carved the pumpkin when we got home. The kids were pretty impressed when the pumpkin was done and lit up.

Saturday, we had a birthday party for my friend Nicky's litte girl Emma, who turned 3 and then one later for our friends Brad and Melissa, whose little girl, Zoe, turned 1. It was quite the busy day but the kids had alot of fun! Grammy and Peanut made a cool pumpkin cake when we got back.

Sunday, we watched the Packers/Lions game at Brent and Krista's house. They are having a baby girl or boy any day and I am so excited for them!

My birthday

I was so happy to see my Peanut princess on Friday after I got out of work. I missed her so much since Wednesday night. It appears that she had a really fun couple days with grandma Fran and Papa Len. She was really excited to show me her pumpkin cookies and pink cupcakes she made. Grandma Fran sent this pic :

On Saturday I turned 26. I slept in and then opened my presents. My husband and mom know me too well considering I got a snuggy and some really comfortable fuzzy pajamas I had fell in love with at Kohl's, and a giftcard. He took me out for a late supper after he got in from hunting.

On Sunday I was just as lazy. My mom made me a yummy turkey and mashed potatoes lunch with a birthday pumpkin pie. I always ask for pie instead of a birthday cake. I had a really nice birthday weekend :)

Happy 1st birthday, sweet Connor!

Connor, you are one year old today! one year ago today, you were putting me through excruciating pains and feelings of pure joy. You have come so far in the past year. you have been walking for a while, and now, are starting to try to run. Your smile and laugh can light up a room. you shake and bounce your little butt whenever there is music and we just love to watch your dance moves. You love to climb on EVERYTHING..our little monkey. You are a little string bean but eat like a horse. You love being read to and will sit still and "read along." You make the sweetest sounds and look so adorable when you say "hi" or wave byebye. You love to play with your sister and put up with her when she is sassy. You hate to have your diaper changed or to get dressed. You are not a very good shopper because you try to twist yourself out of the cart, even though buckled in, or you escape from the stroller.

YOU are our beautiful little blessing.

Connor woke up to a birthday donut with a candle and big sister got a donut too.

Today grammy came down to spend the day with us for Connor's birthday because daddy went to a job fair quite far away where he graduated college.

In the morning Bella had dance class so grammy and Connor came to watch. It was so fun and Connor just walked around and got right in with the group! Afterwards, we came back for a quick nap for Connor and then when he woke up we headed to Olive Garden for lunch. Everytime we ask Bel where she wants to eat, she says Olive Garden for chicken nuggets and french fries :)

Then we went to monkey joe's for some inflatable bouncey slide fun! The kids had a blast and so did mommy and grammy :)

We had alot of fun for a couple hours and then came home and lit Connor's big birthday candle before grammy and Bella left. It's just mommy and Connor for the rest of the week now.

Connor's 1st birthday photoshoot and party !

Tuesday, Sept. 22, We finished getting odds and ends for Connor's birthday party for the weekend. Wednesday was picture time. His birthday photoshoot was so fun, messy, and adorable! Those are just a couple of my favorites :)

After the photoshoot, daddy and the kids went up north for the rest of the week. They got to hang out with grammy and popps for the night and then hang out with gramma Fran and papa Len, auntie Shannon, and cousins Jake and Ellie, who all came up for the weekend. Sounds like they had alot of fun playing together and at the park. I missed my family but got alot of housework done...(including piles and piles of laundry!)

Friday after work, I headed to my parents and finally got to kiss my babies after a long 2.5 days!! My sister headed up that night so we went shopping for food for Connor's party and then we all made some really cute football cut-out cookies.

Saturday was the day of Connor's 1st Birthday party! I was hoping we could have it inside but thankfully we had beautiful weather, and too many guests to have everyone inside. We had a blast and Connor was slightly spoiled ;) He is wearing his Dallas Cowboys jersey because he ruined his birthday shirt right before the party started :(

After the party we went out for pizza with some friends and had alot of fun visiting some more. We got Connor a four wheeler powerwheel but he had to wait until Sunday to try it out because it had to charge overnight. He loves it and we could hardly take him away from riding it!

On Sunday Connor woke up pretty early so we got him dressed and tried out the fourwheeler. Of course now, big sister wants her turn to ride too. My dad and brother picked apples from the tree so she made applesauce and Bella helped her make an apple pie for grammy's 49th birthday on Monday. Happy birthday mom! We love you.