Impromptu Get-away

We had plans to go to Joe and Bobbi's house in Chippewa Saturday afternoon. Well, Friday afternoon Dan thought it would be fun to go to the waterpark in Eau Claire and stay overnight, heading to his bothers on Saturday. I was a little reluctant due to my very pregnant state, but I am glad we did. The kids had a blast. We stayed at the Metropolis, which has an indoor waterpark and a huge arcade connected. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from swimming, but here are a few from the arcade. Bumper cars and mini bowling were the highlights.

Snow Day!

Lauren's preschool was cancelled today due to the icy roads. I have been waiting all year for a snow day, there is just some excitement about them. Of course Lauren could care less, I had to explain to her why she didn't have school and she was worried about what she would miss! Luckily it was a very warm day so we headed outside during Luca's nap. We got a lot accomplished: snowman, snow fort, snow angels, sidewalks shoveled, and van vacuumed!

Skating

I took the girls ice skating for the first time, and they loved it! Ella did great on her double blades, and Lauren figured out her hockey skates pretty quickly. By the time we left, both were skating on their own. They are already begging to go back, and Lauren wants me to show her how fast I can go! Too bad my skates are still at my parents house... If that tells you how long it has been since I've been on the ice!

Christmas Programs

We have had a couple Christmas programs this year.  It started off with the Sunday School program.  Both Lauren and Ella were in it, Ella in the front row on the end and Lauren behind her to the right.  They did great, singing the songs and doing the actions.  It is crazy how shy these girls can be, but up on stage in front of a church full of people and they are fine.  Ella got a little crazy twirling in her dress, and apparently when she tries to sing REALLY loud, her tongue comes out of her mouth... it was pretty cute actually.  You will see this in the second video.

 

 After the program, downstairs in the church basement.  Luca let Lauren hold him like a baby, that doesn't happen often anymore:)

 

 

 

 Next Lauren had her preschool program.  Again, she did great.

Sorry about the camera movement in this next one... I believe I was trying to wrangle Luca who escaped to the middle aisle!

 

 

Lauren's Dance Performance

Because it is difficult to watch Lauren's weekly dance class (there is only one small viewing window, with lots of eager parents), her teacher plans a few performances throughout the year where we are invited inside the room.  For Christmas she danced to Frosty the Snowman, and they were allowed to wear festive clothes rather than their standard leotards. 

Lots of Updates



Well, I realize I have really neglected this blog, but here is my attempt at getting us back up-to-date.  Usually I would devote a separate post to each of these subjects, but time is not going to allow that!  So, since last time, Luca had a birthday and started to walk!  He has now moved on from walking to running, which makes life pretty hectic.  He is our wanderer, not caring whether we are in sight or not.  We realized this while we were at the pumpkin patch.  It wasn't real busy there, so we thought we would just watch and see how far he decided to wander.  Well, he never looked back and actually went back into the petting zoo barn before Dan decided to retrieve him. 

 

 Lauren started 4-year-old preschool.  We decided to keep her in the Christian preschool she attended last year rather than put her in 4-K.  She loves it there, and has the same teacher and many of the same classmates as last year.  As far as curriculum and hours, it is pretty comparable to 4-K.  She goes 4 days a week, for three hours each morning.

 Lauren also started dance this year!  She is doing very well and insists she likes it just as much as gymnastics when we try to make her choose.  Eventually she will have to pick one or the other, but for now she can enjoy both.  Tuesdays are very busy as we go right from dance to gymnastics practice.

 Ella had her 3rd Birthday!  She is turning into such a big girl.  Every time she eats she asks if she looks bigger, because she is determined to grow up to be like Lauren so that she can do everything Lauren can!

 One thing she can do now is gymnastics!  She started the parent-tot class at the gym in September and LOVES it!  I love the one-on-one time with her.  With three children, I don't get to do much with them individually.  So on Wednesday mornings we leave Luca with Grandma, and drop Lauren off at school.  Then we usually grab a coffee and hot chocolate and do some grocery shopping before gymnastics!

Lastly, we took a family vacation to Disney World!  I will devote a separate post to that because I captured some pretty sweet photos of the girls with princesses, and also some fun times with their cousins!

First Haircut



Luca had his first haircut about a week before his first birthday.  I was putting it off, knowing he would look like such a big boy, but now looking back at pictures, I can see he definitely needed it! Our friend Jackie came over to the house to cut his and Dan's hair, and he sat so nice for her.  I think it helped that we also gave him his first sucker to distract him!

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