Just Because...

Is There Anything Better?

Is there anything better than banana bread still warm from the oven? Well, according to a certain 23-month-old it tastes better with Chex Mix on top!

Seriously... sometimes you jut have to laugh:)

Guess what Ella did...

What is so significant about Ella lying on her tummy?

Well, nothing, except that she started like this!

That is right, our little munchkin can roll from her back to her tummy!

Weekend Fun

Last weekend was spent visiting with family, and doing what we girls do best... shopping! We weren't going to let five kids get in the way of our favorite pastime, so we loaded them up and headed to Mall of America! I know many would say we are crazy, but the kids were wonderful and we had a good excuse to justify a sit-down meal at Rainforest Cafe. On Sunday grandma and grandpa took Lauren and Leyton outside to feed the chickens, see the cows, and go sledding! Grandpa even got out the gator, and Lauren had a blast. Thanks to Aunt Kelly for maneuvering the double stroller all day Saturday, thanks to Becky for the pics, and thanks to mom and dad for making Lauren's weekend great- she is still begging for "grandpa to go vroom."

Yes, Lauren enjoyed her meal:)
And yes, that J.Crew bag IS Lauren's... she made out big time now that she fits into CrewCuts!

Four Months!

This little peanut is four months old! I can hardly believe it, don't know where the time is going! We had her well-child visit today and everything looked great. Ella is 11lb. 13oz. and 24.5in. long. That is 50th percentile for height and 10th for weight. Just to compare (because I can't help it!), Lauren was 14lb. 7oz. and 26in. at this age. She is smiling, laughing, cooing, gurgling, and imitating now. Dan taught her to blow spit bubbles which is her new favorite pastime! She is also reaching out for toys and bringing things to her mouth. Still not sleeping very well at night, she eats every 2-3 hours. We are hoping this changes before our vacation or no one will offer to help out again!

Bath Time!

Somebody likes her baths... and looks pretty cute all wrapped up too!

Finally a place to sit!

I had been feeling super guilty that Lauren didn't have a table and chairs set. Every time she wants to color I have to sit on the wood floor with her, and then get out the magic eraser to clean up where she misses the paper. Needless to say, we hide the crayons and only get them out upon her request! Well now she finally has her own place to sit and color, do puzzles, play tea party, etc. I have been searching for the perfect set for some time, and I am SO happy with my decision! I think Lauren is too- she had to try out each seat as I put them together! The set is a little big, but I figured she would grow into it, rather than having to replace a smaller toddler table in another year. Here is the happy camper, sporting a new Gap hat that came in the mail today, and enjoying a snack at her table! Looks like she needs some friends to join her:)

Go-Pack-Go (or NOT)!

Yesterday we hosted the weekly Packer party, and while the game had a lot of ups and downs, it sure kept us interested. Angie, Gary, and Leah were here along with Dusty and Evan, Casey and Mark, and Tony. The kids had a great time with Lauren's kitchen, dollhouse, and of course the jumpy in the basement! Dan blew this up last week for Lauren hoping it would keep her busy while he runs on the treadmill, problem is she wants you to stand and watch the whole time!

Ella's first time as a cheerleader:) Check out those socks!

Lauren and Evan

Jammies and hugs before Leah left

Who's Who?

Sorry but I just had to! When Ella was wearing this outfit I remembered it being one of the first smiling pictures I got of Lauren, so I had to try to duplicate! What do you think? Click on comments to find out. I think it is pretty easy, but I see Ella everyday!

Santa finally made an appearance!

We were so busy last weekend with all of the different family Christmases, so Santa decided to wait until we had more time to enjoy ourselves. He finally arrived Thursday morning and it was definitely worth the wait! It was really nice to not have to rush through Christmas morning, and Lauren had plenty of time to test out all of her new toys.

Our stockings patiently waiting to be filled...

The piles of gifts Santa brought!

Lauren finding her stocking (notice she is still a bit tired and clinging to blankie)!

Looking a bit tired, but willing to step up to the task of unwrapping gifts!

Checking out her very own chapstick! She LOVES to find my chapstick and use it so Santa decided she could have her own. Bubbilicious flavored, and still hasn't attempted to eat it!

Enjoying a sweet treat from her stocking!Ella buried in her gifts- Lauren was a great helper, unwrapping each of Ella's gifts and showing them to her.

Lauren teasing Mischa with her treats.

Petting the life-size "Moo." It is seriously bigger than Mischa and Lauren is obsessed! (So is her father to be honest). Thanks Aunt Becky for the great find:)

Playing with her new dollhouse.

Another Christmas Post!

Another Christmas post, and this isn't the last one! The Saturday after Christmas we got together with the Krumm's and had the biggest Christmas party yet! Lauren and Ella met some second cousins, and lots of Great Aunts and Uncles! We also had a gingerbread house competition where each family made their own house... boy did it get competitive!

Ella with Great-Grandma Krumm

The McNamara's working hard on their simple, yet elegant design.
Lauren is at the end of the table shouting orders with grandma! Okay, I know they don't look that interested...

The finished house!

All of the winning designs... Grandma Krumm was supposed to judge, but in the end she said it was too difficult to choose a winner. So we all felt like winners:)

Susie with the newest addition, Maggie Jane.

Family Picture

Lauren showing off her big airport from Amy Krumm.

Leyton flirting with the ladies.

Aunt Amy holding Ella.

After the celebration we headed to mom and dad's where the kids played all night, I talked and talked with my sisters, and the guys helped dad put the barn cleaner in. Here Grace is running the computer and everyone is lined up watching the Wiggles.

Pat and Terri with Ella

They brought Leyton this huge fish!

So Lucy, Lauren, and Leyton decided to go for a ride:)