Two-headed post bath monster

Griffin's Program

Sorry for the bad videography, but I wanted to share this clip of Griffin at his Christmas program tonight.  Our little boy is growing up!  Enjoy.

Christmas Tree 2011

Over Thanksgiving "break" this year we were blessed with the stomach flu....  yuck!  We layed low for the weekend, and thankfully neither Len nor I did any puking.  That was not the case with both the kiddos.  Thankfully, neither suffered long!    One weekend later we bundled up to go pick out our tree.  For over 5 years we have gone to Kris Kringle Tree farm to cut down our own tree.  Things have changed a lot out there since the ownership has changed, but the Santa is still the same!  (more on that later!)  This year we were shocked at how many trees they had removed.  It was pretty tough to find a tree.  Unfortunately, it will probably be that way for the next few years as the trees mature a bit.  We love that they let us drive around the farm so the kids can stay warm until we take the "tree picture!"

 Daddy cut it down, while the kids watched from a distance!  Good job, Daddy!  Then it's off to pay and visit Santa.  As you can tell in the picture below, Ainsley still has no love lost on Santa.  This is the best I could do.....

 Griffin, on the other hand, has no problem with Santa!  This is his 5th(!!) picture with this same gentleman! 

 Here is the finished, decorated tree.  For some reason I don't smell the tree as much this year.  :(  That's one of my favorite parts of having a fresh cut tree.

 This is a close up of Griffin's 5th ornament.  How is this my baby's 5th Christmas already?  Grandma Engel started this series for him the year he was born.  It's always a Santa with some candy vehicle.

 This is Ainsley's 3rd ornament.  Her's features a Santa with an animal friend.  This year is an owl!

 I leave you with my favorite reindeer......

 ..... and favorite Santa girl!

Morning play date

Halloween 2011

This year Troy Polamalu and a Steelers cheerleader went the the Halloween on Main event with me.  Both did great..... and unlike the little lamb of last year, the cheerleader was able to (and insisted on) walking like her big brother!!!  :)  

I got some pics of the kids this evening before we went to a couple of houses.... Ainsley really wasn't a fan of Griffin's hair, (Griffin really wasn't either) but it made the costume!!  

Lego Woody @ MOA

Doctor Day

That means shots!  :(

Corn Maze

For some Fall Fun we decided to go check out a corn maze we saw advertised at our favorite ice cream shop, Four Queens, this summer.  About 8 miles south of Waterloo we entered the Cotter Road Corn Maze.  They had a few animals, pumpkins for sale, and a corn maze shaped like Noah's Ark with hidden animals throughout the way.  We started with a picnic lunch and a picture of this cute boy next to Daddy's tire......

The kids were initially a little freaked out by walking within the corn rows, but that eventually went away.  We were able to find all of the animals that were "hidden" in the maze. 

At the exit of the maze was a photo op, which we took!!!

Then we got to check out the animals..... and feed them bread.  Rabbits, a goat, a chicken, and this cow.  (check out that tongue!!!!)

To complete the day, each kiddo picked out a pumpkin which they then helped Daddy push back to the car!

 

Yeah for Fall, and new adventures!!!  :)

Leaf Fun

Today was wonderfully warm, but WINDY.  Therefore, the leaves were coming down like crazy!!!  We have lots of trees in our yard (and so do the neighbors!!), so there were plenty of leaves to pile up.  Ainsley and Griffin "helped" to rake the pile together, and then had a blast jumping in!!

Sunday Afternoon Soccer

This fall we have begun a new adventure for Griffin....  "organized" sports.  Cedar Valley Youth Soccer has a program for under 6 year old kids called Dyno-mites.  This program is designed to introduce kids to soccer.  There are lots of coaches, and the kids are split into groups of 6-8.  They "practice" on Sunday afternoons, and that includes the game, too.  Basically, the kids are learning to dribble and pass, shoot and score.  All the kids wear blue shirts with their names on them.  They are to bring a ball and a water bottle, and wear shin guards.  It's quite cute to see all those kids out there.  Griffin has done a great job....  even though the timing isn't the best for my almost 4 1/2 year old who still naps every day.  We're half way through the "season," which means we have three more sessions this fall.  It will be fun to see what skills he remembers when we begin the spring session after the snow melts!!!

Picture Day...  order form in hand

I don't know what he's doing here..... but isn't he cute?

"Get the Coach" with your ball

Break Time

For some reason they were to throw the ball in the air..... then Griffin covered his head

Dribbling the ball

Not sure what's going on here either....  but interesting action shot

"touch touch"

Looking like a real soccer player... way to use the outside of your foot, Griff!

Go, Griffin, Go!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Miss Ainsley is 2!!!  She is such a joy, and brings wonderful laughter to our home....  she is so SILLY!  She is talking a lot, and wants to do whatever her brother is doing.  Aaron Brummer took some great photos of our little girl...... enjoy!