Clifford Day

Derek had a great time at school for Clifford Day and came home wearing fun ears. Apparently there was a nose too that was left behind so D used his hands to show it.

9 month check-up

Will and Nate had their 9 month check up yesterday (a bit late). They are each 13.5 poinds. They are in the less than 5% for their measurements which is consistent for them. They are doing fine developmentally. It was a good appointment. Good job Will and Nate.

Baby bath time

Will and Nate usually love their baths. They kick, wiggle, and giggle. I don't get pics because it is a 2 man job. MIke has given them every bath. I assist with dressing. We have a great system going.

Can you tell who is who? Will is on top.

The 2nd week of school

This was supposed to be the first week of school post but I didn't do it on time. Derek is going to preschool on Mondays and Fridays. He loves it. He loves teachers Jessy and Laurie. He also had Jessy last year. We love his preschool and the way they love our D.

Will and Nate are now going to their child care program on Wednesday. This means D and I have a special morning each week. It is so much fun. We do special things that are hard to do with the littles in tow. D's favorite thing is to ride the fire truck cart at Whole Foods so we have done that both times (did you know that kids get free cookies there as well). Thank you teachers Laurie and Liz for loving our boys. Will and Nate have not shed a tear yet during these mornings! They do seem to be eating their way through the morning but they are happy!

I just love the deer in the headlights look!

The couch minivan

Derek is really into pretend play these days. His new favorite activity is to "drive" in the minivan (or truck) which is the couch with no cushions on it. We usually drive to Starbucks to get chocolate milk and a mocha for Mommy or Daddy. Whose kid is this? The funny part is that Mike or I need to "drive" and D needs a seatbelt too. I must be really buzzing because we drive there at least 10 times a day!

Happy boys

Bumpa's work

Bumpa was really excited to take Derek to his businesss. He knew D would love it as it has so many of his favorite things. Sure enough D loved the pressure washer, the fork lift, and the big scrubber machine. Mr. Kyle came in his UPS truck and let D go in the back too. D's face showed smiles, Bumpa's face showed pure joy.

The turtles

We introduced Derek and MIke to the turtles. Al and I loved them as kids. Apparently they are made for kids and small adults so it was a riot to watch. We all laughed a lot and had fun.

Playing with Geema, Bumpa, and Auntie Alli

While we went and did lots of things in WI, we spent most of our time just playing with Geema, Bumpa, and Auntie Alli. Everyone took off the whole week from work to hang out. We spent lots of time outside. Mike took D around the yard to pick us flowers, D got several rides on Bumpa's lawn mowers, and the babies hung out and snuggled with everyone. It was so nice.

We also ate our share of WI's finest. We had lots of frozen custard, butter burgers, brats, and subs. It was so good--- and good we were only there a week!

John Deere

Bumpa had the great idea to go to the John Deere store. Derek loves John Deere. The store was huge and had combines, tractors, and lots of mowers. D was so excited to sit on them and "drive" them. A very kind salesman came over and gave D lots of catalogues. D was thrilled. For the rest of the week, whoever sat next to D in the car (usually Al) had the job to read to D. We learned lots about tractors.. lots and lots and lots. Mike got D a hat and some toy tractors. The tractors were great for the plane ride home. Now D wants Daddy to have a matching hat. D will be super excited to see all the toy tractors that were Mike's when he was a kid. Mike's Grandpa worked for John Deere in Iowa and MIke has many fun toy tractors he is excited to give D.

Jilly

My college room mate JIll (and family) graciously drove the 3 plus hours to meet us in Madison. We met at the new children's museum which is awesome. Alli came along to help with our troops. We had a great time catching up and D loved the museum. It was fun to watch him paint and play. Of course we only have 1 picture of Jill and I and it is on her camera.

Over the week, I also got to see several other dear friends including MIki, Annie, Kristin, and Jenny. I have no pictures but wonderful memories of our times. It was so nice to see close friends face to face.

Great-Geema!

On Labor Day we had a family party. My Mom's 5 sisters came, 1 brother (of 5), and my Dad's brothers all came. It was the day we were waiting for... Great-Geema got to meet Will and Nate!! It was so special to watch her love on my both. She now has 16 great-grandchildren. It was a great party.

I love the picture of my Aunt Penny with Will and Nate. Penny has just finished her series of chemo and is battling leukemia. She is an amazing fighter.

WI Part 1

After 6 hours of flying time, we FINALLY made it to WI. All the boys were troopers on the plane rides. We brought a DVD player for D but he didn't watch it so there was lots of stickers, coloring, and playing with tractors.

D was very excited to see the baby cows at the farm near the house. He didn't want to touch them just watch them.

Big boy bed

We had planned to move D to a big boy bed after our trip to WI where he will also be sleeping in a big boy bed. Our plans changed. Derek saw the new quilt for his room and was ready to try it out. During lunch yesterday we set up his room and showed him his new bed. He loved it. Unfortunately he loved it so much he didn't nap but he played. The good news is that he was really tired at bedtime. He slept the whole night in his big boy bed and was great. Woo hoo! HIs new quilt has a digger, a bus, a tax, a fire truck, a tractor, and other fun vehicles. I had no idea how much he would love it which is so fun

WE ARE COMING TO WI TOMORROW!! We are so excited.

Elmo and baby bear go on a ride

I almost entitled this one a stroller for 4 but I figured we would get lots of questions... there are only 3 kids! D wanted to take baby bear and Elmo with us on the walk. It was adorable. When we got home, we played with chalk. Mike draws D fun pictures and D "colors" them. Mike is a great artist and always draws fun things. Will and Nate enjoy the scenery from the stroller.