Lauren's First Car

On Christmas Day we celebrated with brunch at mom and dad's in New Richmond. The food was wonderful, and Lauren was able to meet her new cousin Maggie for the first time! Of course grandma and grandpa spoiled the grandkids. The pictures below do not even begin to show the great time everyone had! That night we headed back to Rice Lake to celebrate with dinner at the Weimert's.

Grandma giving Lauren her American Girl doll!

Lauren guarding her Cozy Coupe box from Leyton!

Does she look excited over her 1st car???

Ella with her Godparents Joe and Bobbi

Christmas Eve

Uncle Joe and Ella Dan helping Lauren open gifts

Some goodies for Ella

Taking a break from present opening to ride her horse.

Grandma Karen with Lauren and Ella

Trying out the sled

The morning of Christmas Eve brought our first round of many family parties! We went to Dan's parents for breakfast with the immediate family and our first spoiling of gifts. Uncle Joe and Aunt Bobbi gave Lauren an adorable Melissa & Doug rocking horse (which hasn't gotten much rest yet:). Grandma and Grandpa bought Lauren a doll stroller that is always toting multiple dolls, and Aunt Sarah gave Lauren a new sled that she tried out that day! Of course Ella was not forgotten, she also received many nice toys and clothes that you will surely see in future posts. Thanks to all, it was a wonderful Christmas with family!

Season of Giving

"Tis the season of giving, and when Lauren is in charge she gives, and gives, and gives...

Mischa is one lucky pup.

And while on the subject, Ella gives you smiles!

OPERATION BABYSITTER: FAILED

Last night we hired our first babysitter- EVER. I know, Lauren is almost 2 years old, but we just have really never had the need. We bring the kids almost everywhere, and the few times we have wanted some time to ourselves, grandparents or my sisters have helped out. Last night was Dan's company Christmas party, so we decided to hire the nice girl across the street to watch Lauren and Ella. She is 16, a good student, babysits for several other families, and literally lives across the street. She came over on Tuesday night to meet the kids and get some instructions. She admitted she had never watched an infant and toddler at the same time, but after visiting she felt she could handle it and was very excited for Thursday. Well, last night I was feeling great when we left. Lauren went to her right away, didn't cry when we left, and I had nursed Ella right before leaving and she had fallen asleep so she was lying peacefully in her bassinet. It was too easy.

Fast-forward to arriving home after a great dinner. I noticed there was an extra pair of shoes on the rug when we walked in. She met us at the door and I saw her shirt COVERED in dried spit-up. And then I see her mother sitting in the chair holding Ella! She told us that Ella woke up 5 minutes after we left, and she tried to lay her back down several times with no luck. She also said she tried to give Ella her bottle later and she wouldn't drink it. I don't know when her mother came to help, but I hope she didn't stress too long, and I also hope she didn't give up too easily! Dan and I both agree that we are glad she was willing to call and ask for help. And never was I worried about the kids and their safety/happiness... I was just really hoping this worked out so Dan and I could go to a movie sometime!

We've Been Busy!

Wondering what we have been up to? We have been pretty busy the last week- Lauren had to start taking calls for us... Pretty good multi-tasker, huh?Lauren had her first experience with homemade play-doh.

But had a better time making real cookies...

No, that cookie she is eating is NOT cooked! I don't blame her though:)

There was flour EVERYWHERE.
Lauren also got to try out her new snow gear!
And mom took her down the hill on a sled.

Sorry about the picture quality- dad was too cheap to open the window so these are looking through the glass.

And lastly, little Ella is getting really strong so she tried out the Bumbo seat! She also had her first official giggle today! I'm not going to count those earlier "happy squeals" after hearing the real deal today!

Ella's Baptism

Ella was baptized last weekend and we were lucky to have everyone join us afterwards for dinner. Thanks for making the trip to Rice Lake! Ella was beautiful in the dress Grandma Pam bought (Grace, Lucy, and Lauren all wore the same dress). And she was wide awake and didn't mind the water at all during the service. She really is a happy baby when she isn't crying- haha!

She has some crazy smiles!
With her sponsors Joe and Bobbi

Grace and Lucy taking their turn holding Ella

A Bit Overdue

Dan shot a deer this year... his first one since we met a long time ago (too lazy to do the math right now, forgive me!). Anyway, in his defense, he usually hunts a total of two days a year, and has never really wanted one because he prefers beef over venison (shock!). Well this year he promised he was going to get a deer so we could make summer sausage, a favorite of mine, and soon becoming one of Lauren's. So without further ado, here is Dan's deer... I am convinced he shot this opening day due to Lauren's apparel... her festive deer shirt, and the deer pjs she wore to bed on Deer Hunter's Eve!

Ella's First Bottle

Ella took her first bottle last week, and she did great! That is great news for mom and dad... we are already dreaming of a full day of Christmas shopping without kids! Lauren drank a total of about 3 bottles when she was a baby, so this comes as a relief that Ella doesn't seem to mind it.

Farm Days

Lauren, Ella, and I stayed in New Richmond over the weekend while Dan hunted. Lauren had plenty of opportunities to help on the farm. She fed the chickens, gave the calves corn, mixed milk, and poured the kittens their milk. She absolutely LOVES being in the barn- thanks grandma and grandpa for being so patient!

Long Johns

Is there anything cuter...

Than a toddler wearing long johns?

In Celebration of Ella turning Two Months...

She sends everyone smiles:)

A Normal Day

Ella is starting to engage in the world more and more each day. She really enjoys her activity mat and looks quite surprised when her swinging arms connect with a hanging toy! Lauren likes when Ella is lying on the floor like this, and her little head is usually snuggled right up against Ella's.

Ella is also getting plenty of tummy time and she can hold her head up for longer and longer intervals each day.



We finally broke down and brought the swing up from the basement... looks like Ella is happy about this decision! She LOVES the swing. This is actually the first smile I have caught on camera, and I am so bummed because she was awake, just happened to blink at the right (wrong) moment.


And when things seem a little too quiet, I can usually find Lauren hanging out with Mischa. It is so funny the way she cuddles right up to her. Here she was sharing M&Ms from her Halloween loot, other times she is reading Mischa a book or putting beads around Mischa's neck.