Why I should be completely gray by now...

I am so grateful to have two beautiful, active, amazing children. When Ollie was tiny, we would always comment on how energetic he was, and how he was such a boy, always exploring and getting into everything. Then we had this curious, crazy baby girl who is into everything 10 times more than he ever was. My heart skips a beat several times a day as I watch her climb, fall, flip, and almost always land unscathed. Here are a few examples that I have caught on camera...

This would be her flipping into the bathtub. Obviously I didn't know that this was going to happen. She was leaning in to touch the water, and her little feet would be an inch off of the ground, and then she would stand back up. This was the third or fourth time, but instead of her feet going back on the ground, she went in a different direction...

And, after looking shocked for about a second, she went on playing like it was no big deal. That's our Evie!She has finally figured out how to climb into her high chair. And on to the other chairs, and I have found her standing on the table.Just peeking out the window!She LOVES to buckle all buckles.Just peeling an orange; nothing to see here!I really want another orange!One day, she kept climbing the table, and Oliver kept grabbing her ankles trying to pull her off. Give me a heart attack now! At least she sat with him for a minute or two before taking off again.

Christmas at the Dells

After spending the morning with Hillary, D.B. and Colbie, we headed north to the Kalahari in the Wisconsin Dells. We met up with Jon's family there to spend 3 days of water park and indoor playplace fun. We did this trip two years ago also, and had a blast. There is so much to do there, and the kids loved having a few extra days to play with their cousins. The "big kids" also had a fun night out while grandma babysat.

My careful little swimmer. He refused to go on any water slides, and preferred to "swim" in the kiddie lazy river. My other extreme. She LOVED the water slides, and would barrel straight in to the giant wave pool...Her favorite activity: EATING!!!
ShutterbugRide 'em, Elmo!!
Ollie climbing with Alex and Cassie. Alex was so awesome with him; he would boost Oliver up the big climbs.
Cruisin'
Eva and Cassidy in their matching dresses. So cute!
Mini golf. Oliver used his putter more like a hockey stick though.
Ski-ball
Cassie and Alex

Fire it up

Gar is one of the Haug family's old friends, and is usually at all of our Holiday gatherings. He is a firefighter/paramedic in Madison, and invited Jeff, Jon and the kids to the firehouse the day after Christmas. They had such a great time.

Driving the fire truck.Practicing first aid in the ambulance.Future rescue squad!Checking out the hoses and guages.Highlight of the trip: shooting the fire hose!

Playtime!

We really love that my friend Hillary, her husband D.B., and their darling daughter Colbie live in Madison! We get to visit with them every time we go up, and it is so nice for the kids to get to play together. I'm sure sweet little Colbie thinks that Ollie and Evie are a little crazy, but they always have a good time. We headed over to their house on Wednesday morning before heading up to the Dells for some more Christmas fun.

Colbie saying "Mama, who let these two in here??"

Cruising through the tunnel.Go, go, speed racer!Giant bear! "What are you lookin' at??" Seriously, they have the same expression and everything. Annoyed. At the lady who kept snapping pictures.Sibling love!
Giving Molly some love.

Christmas #4: The McConnell's

December 26th we celebrated with Grandma Mac. We had another huge meal, and lots of card playing and fun.

The McConnell fam Cassie and Alex brought their Wii, and there were several Just Dance 3 challenges. Evie was ready to go!
After asking me for a few hours, Alex and Cassie finally got me to play. I won my first round!
Oliver showing Grandma Haug how to play iPad.
Evie and Grandma Mac.

Christmas #3: The Haug Family

Christmas morning we packed up our bags and headed north to Madison. We had our first Christmas up there with the Haug family at Grandma Haug's house.

Annual Christmas picture of all of the grandkids and great-grandkids.Grandma Marie with her grandbabies: Alex, Evie, Ollie and Cassie.Still the only two boys!Eva worn out after a long day.

Christmas Eve

We were able to spend Christmas Eve at home again this year. Santa Claus made an early appearance at our house so the kids could enjoy a day with their new toys before we headed up to Wisconsin.

Putting cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer. Best. Christmas. Ever. Oliver got his Polar Express train that he had been wishing for. He absolutely loved it, and didn't even want to open any of his other presents. He spent the entire day playing with it.
Evie checking out the new play kitchen. They must have been really good this year!

Chef Eva
Evie helping Daddy cook Christmas breakfast.
Mommy got a new iPad for Christmas, but of course, Oliver thought it was his. It was the only thing that got him away from his new train!
Christmas Eve evening, Grandma and Grandpa came over to open presents, and eat some delicious take out from Morton's. After they went home, Mommy went to church to sing at midnight mass while everyone else went to bed for sweet Christmas dreams.

Merry Christmas from the Haugs!

Hope it was wonderful for all of you. Here is our picture with Santa! Yes, a family picture. Oliver refused to go near him, and when I sat Evie on his lap, she burst into tears... We had a great breakfast with Santa at Lilly though, fantastic food, and great times with the Injays!

Jolly Days

Wednesday morning, Marie came down and we headed to the Children's Museum to check out Jolly Days. We had a very fun morning playing at the museum, and Eva passed out before we even left the parking garage!

Giant snow globe in the lobby with the Jolly Days gang in it. Ollie staring at the yule slide. He wouldn't go down it, but of course my little dare devil was trying to dive over the rail so she could slide down. Baking Christmas treats!
Into the oven you go!
Connect 4. Yes, Evie is standing on a table.
Choo choo! Ice fishing. Of course, she always has to do what her brother is doing...
Stretch and scoop!
Ditto!
Washing veggies.
Being couch potatoes with Grandma.
Evie LOVED this jumping alligator on the way out. We have a giraffe that is similar, but it is harder for her to get on and off of. Someone is going to get an alligator surprise for Christmas! Thanks Grandma!
Even Bumblebee was decked out in a hat and scarf, and ready to throw a snowball!