Splish Splash

The weekends go too fast for us. We packed a lot in over the weekend. Family adventures included date night for John and I on Friday. It was a much needed night out for us. Thanks to Jessy for staying late with the kids. She makes life easy for us. We are so thankful to have her as part of our family. Saturday brought swimming at Lifetime with the kids. Hope had a blast and loved playing in the water. Jack got a little spooked but warmed up after awhile. The big lesson John and I learned is that swimming and being at the pool with the kids is definitely a two person job. We spent Saturday evening with some friends and their two little ones. It was good to catch up with them and to give the kids an opportunity to play with other small kids. January is long month to be cooped up inside so it's fun to be out of the house and on the go. 

Splashing around

I'm loving this big chair hanging with my friend Sela. 

Never a dull moment with Jack on the move.
You just can't blink.  He's a fast little bugger. 

We're hard at work making dinner for everyone. 

Come on....let me outside to play!                                              

I really think Frisco could use a buddy outside. 

We're 11 Months!

It's hard to believe we've been a family of four for 11 months already. Hope and Jack are very busy little people. There is so much to explore at home and so many new things to learn about. They are figuring out how to pull on stools, chairs and drawers, how to push buttons and push over block towers. They're babbling a lot and imitating everything. They are on the go all the time when they are awake which is loads of fun. Here is quick glimpse of what they've been up to the past couple of weeks.

I'm pretty cute at 11 months

Looking handsome at the 11 month mark

I'm not quite sure how to make this go with my feet so I'll rely on Hope to push me .

Cool tower! Looks like we should push it right over.

We love the tub!

I'm just going to see if Frisco is really sleeping.

The weather was so nice on Saturday we got to go for a walk with Mom.

Yum! Our first outing for ice-cream was a fun treat.

I like ice-cream so much, I think I'd like to feed myself please. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to Everyone!!! We had an absolute wonderful first Christmas with Hope and Jack. We were in the Quad Cities celebrating with both the Luth family and the Stichnoth family. Our visit was action packed and included time with family, friends and even a short trip to Chicago to see the Bradburys.  What a whirlwind it was. The kids managed numerous family get togethers, large meals, treats and toys with very few naps and no major meltdowns. They did awesome and proved to be quite flexible while we were away. I'm certain they are going to be endurance athletes. They were spoiled by grandparents, aunts, uncles and even a cousin or two. It truly was a magical holiday and we were thankful we were able to celebrate with family.

A Pre-Christmas Play - We're just getting warmed up for the festivities on our cars

Christmas Eve with the Luths

A Rocking Moose from Grandfather Sir and Lulu

Presents! Peekaboo is the most fun with you

It's Burley Time! We can't wait for a ride with Mom and Dad.

Santa's Elves

Christmas with the Stichnoths & VenHorsts

Giggles with Mimi

I'm Done!

Me Too!

Hanging out with Uncle James at the First Church of Groove

I'm pretty certain I can walk myself to that box

Bedtime with Aunt Jane

Happy Joe's Night

The Divas

What??? Another set of twins? Fun with the Bradbury Family

                                     

Holiday Happenings

We've been celebrating Christmas already. Over the weekend we celebrated with our good friend Jennabeth. She brought some wonderful treasures with her. The kids are starting to figure out that presents are meant to be unwrapped. We're not quite sure which they like better, the actual gifts inside or the wrapping paper. Last night we celebrated with Jessy and her husband Trevor. The kids love their gift from her. She brought an activity table that sings, talks, reads, lights up and even speaks Spanish. They've been busy playing with it all day. I got an early holiday gift today....a snow day from work. I've been at home all day playing with kids, hanging out in my sweats and napping on the couch. HEAVEN!!!

Here are some fun pictures from our holiday celebrations and a few pics of the new tricks the kids are learning.

Let me out! (Good thing Dad put up a gate)

We found the corks and they are yummy.

Christmas with Jennabeth (a.k.a Nanny J)

Wow, this paper is awesome!

Do your ears hang low? This dog's ears flip and flop and move like wild. 

Scooting the bar stools across the floor isn't as easy to do with Dad sitting on one.

We're just going to check out these stairs. 

Christmas with Jessy

This is so fun! Thank you Jessy!

Life & Log Cabin Living

Life never slows down and is so full. Over the weekend we had a super fun adventure to Truman Lake. It's about an hour and a half south of Kansas City. We were so fortunate to spend the day with our friends Phil and Mary Alice Neal. They are in the process of building a log home that sits on a beautiful piece of land near the lake. They are surrounded by trees and trails where we'll be able to enjoy some good nature hikes and campfires when spring comes. Currently they are living in a transitional home that Mary Alice has decorated to the hilt with holiday treasures. It was so festive and extremely relaxing to be there sharing some time with them. The kids had a ball and settled into log cabin living quite nicely.

A couple of other highlights from the week included getting a special package from Aunt Jane. She knit beautiful stockings for Hope & Jack. We were excited to add TWO stockings next to ours this year. John's good friend from childhood, Matt Mihm came to visit the kids. Matt has been full of suggestions for gear we need to have in order to survive life with kids. We seem to be taking his advice on some things......the swagger wagon, car seats and a new camera are just a few.

I like these new toys at the cabin

Dr. Neal Sir, I really like your hat!

I can't wait to see the treasure Mary Alice wrapped for me

This cabin is SO relaxing! I'm quite comfy here on Mary Alice's lap

Feels like Christmas

After a road trip, it's time to stir up some trouble (or tackle it)

Honest, I didn't touch it!

Our very own stockings! 

I think I've found a new dance partner. Sorry Dad!

Next time Mr. Mihm, I'll be sure to wear my little horse so we match.