Sledding Fun

This afternoon, Cooper and Mommy went sledding on the big hill across from Bradford High School with Steven, Rebecca, Sara, Auntie Tina, and Uncle Glen.  This was the first time going and wow was it a hike to get there...not to mention how deep the snow was!

 But the good news is that we got there and the sleds that we had were fast.  But most of all we all had some good laughs and lots of smiles to share!!

A Snowy Surprise!

Last night we were driving past the big snow hill on 39th Avenue and talking about how we can go sledding there after we get some snow.  Little did we know that we would be waking up to 10.5 inches of snow the next morning.  It was such a surprise that we had to go shovel out an area for Buster because he wasn't sure where to go...and he had to go!  Cooper and Mommy were outside from 7:30 until 9:30 playing and shoveling out the drive way.  Cooper found a comfy chair, but when Daddy opened the door Buster escaped and got him.  

 Attack of the Puppy!

 Now we can go sledding Mom!

Merry Christmas!

 On Christmas Eve Morning, we started off by opening gifts from just our family.  Cooper was excited to find his snowball maker and Brewer got a Mr. Potato Head.  Mommy got a new cookie jar and Daddy got an I-Pod.  Then we went over to Gg and Papa's for the traditional Christmas Eve Celebration.  Daddy helped with the frying of all the food and Mommy helped get the pasta dishes ready with all of the Aunts.  Brewer and Cooper had fun playing with Rebecca and Steven, but wished that Conner would have been there too!  After dinner we did our gift exchange and we found more presents to open!  Brewer is liking this!!!  When we got home Brewer fell asleep right away, but Cooper was too excited for what Santa might be bringing!!!

 We woke up Christmas morning to find that Santa had stopped by our house during the evening.  At first, Cooper wasn't sure because he didn't have anything under our tree.  But we figured that because Mommy and Daddy were out on the couch, that he didn't want to wake anyone up, so he set everything by the stockings.  Brewer found a train set, and Daddy found fun new jammies.  Mommy found coco butter and Cooper found a new sled and a game and case for his Leapster!  We were very lucky to have Santa stop by us!!!

 Brewer and Cooper gave Grandma and Mr. Steve their Christmas presents while they opened theirs.  Then Grandma, Mr. Steve, and Grandma and Grandpa Beck enjoyed our morning brunch with us.  Mommy made the stuffed French Toast that Daddy has been wanting. 

 For the first time, we stayed in our jammies until way past lunch time, but we got dressed in time to go to Grandpa and Nana's for the Rognstad's Christmas.  We received good news that Rob and Julie are expecting their new little one in July and we can't wait to meet him/her!!!  After dinner, we opened yet another pile of presents!  Brewer got a sit and spin that he is in love with at the moment and Cooper found more Bakugan's to add to the collection...it's a good thing Brewer got him another case to hold all of the new ones too! 

 And just when you think we should be done...we have two more Christmas's to go!!!  We hope that everyone found the magic of the Christmas Season in your hearts and shared its joy.  We are blessed with the family and friends that we have to share.  Thank you to each and everyone of you!!  Merry Christmas!

Monkey Joe's

Today, we went to Monkey Joe's with Steven and Rebecca!  This was their first time going and they had a blast playing with us.  Rebecca made sure Brewer was safe at all times and together they even went down the big slide together!

Cooper had fun running around with Steven as they would race through the obstacle course together.   

Steven also made sure Brewer was safe at all times, taking him down the big slide too! 

Thanks for coming to Monkey Joe's with us!!!

Cookie Monster

After a good meal, we always ask the kids if they would like a cookie for dessert, or Brewer kindly reminds us with..."I want Santa Claus Cookie."  Which in his definition means hand over the Santa Claus Cookie Container before I scream!  So with the Cookie Container in hand, he inspects each and every cookie...

Touches each one... 

Sometimes even takes a sample bite... 

 Before deciding on the perfect cookie!

And yes, we put out a fresh plate for our guests!

Cookie Baking

 This past weekend was our 6th annual Cookie Baking weekend.  All together we made ten different kinds of cookies, including dipped pretzels.  Gg was in charge of the dry ingredients, Grandma was in charge of the mixing, and I focused on the timing of the cookies.  Gg was a little too clean at the end, so I patted some flour on her cheeks and nose!  She had a great laugh!

 Grandma made the cutout on Saturday night and then on Sunday after Church, we went back over to decorate and finish the final five cookies.

This was Brewer's first year at decorating, and he did a great job!  The smell of the cookies baking and cooling in the back room filled the house with memories and hungry tummies...

Thanksgiving Weekend

 On Wednesday night, we made our way to Uncle John's and Auntie Andrea's for Thanksgiving weekend.  It rained all the way there, but that was ok because we were going to have lots of fun, no matter what!  

 Our Thanksgiving was an adventure all by itself.  The fryer started to leak, so we had to figure out how we were going to cook this huge turkey and fast, because our tummies were getting hungry.  The butterfly method works and the turkey was the best that we have ever had!  We were thankful for all of our family and friends, and memories that we shared this past year!

 On Friday, we went to the Children's Museum in downtown Madison.  The kids had a blast!  

 They had a section for children under 5 that had little hiding places, slides, and tunnels!  

And an art area, where the kids were in charge!  Making mosaics with magnetics on lighted tables,

and painting on the big picture windows before squirting it with water and wiping it clean!

Gabby, Cooper, Grandma, Auntie Kris and Auntie Andrea made awesome sock puppets together.  We had a great time with one another!  But one thing was for sure....

naptime was the best on Saturday afternoon when we got home!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Brewer and his Neb

Brewer started up his Nebulizer treatments in hopes that we can kick this cough good-bye.  It has been keeping him up and is starting to show signs of settling into his lungs...yucky!  So up in the rocking chair, with his gookers, froggy, blanket and mask, Brewer did his treatment all by himself!  He is getting way too big!

Just A Few of My Favorite Things

Brewer was having a tough evening and there were just a few things that he found comfort in.  His mommy, his gookers, and his froggies.  Yes, that would be two frog banks that he decided to carry where ever he went.  At one point they were full, but we emptied them, so he would not drop them on his toes!

Grandparents Day

Friday, November 5th was Grandparent's Day at Pleasant Prairie Elementary.  Mrs. Kornder asked all of the Kindergartner's to make up a poster all about their Grandparents.  While we were working on ours, we asked Cooper what he liked to do with his Grandparents and this is what his response was:

    I like to go swimming in Grandpa's pool!

I like it when Nana makes me warm sweaters, mittens and hats to keep me warm!

I like it when Grandma takes me to Mr. Steve's so I can play on the tractors!

I like it when Grandpa takes me to the movies!

I like it when Grandma makes me cookies!

Grandma and Grandpa were able to join Cooper in his class for a little performance and to see what his classroom was all about!  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for coming!

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween from our family to yours!  We hope that you too had a spooky night of trick or treating!

Pumpkin Carving

Cooper and Daddy were in charge of carving the pumpkins this year.  Daddy went outside, brought one in and said here you go.  Cooper said "No way they stink!"  "You do it"  So they argued awhile on this and Cooper finally won...well sort of.  Daddy took the top of and did the scraping of the inside.

Then Cooper had to get the guts out in order for Daddy to carve the face onto it.  He did it but at an arms length away!

 












Little by little he got a little braver...

Until finally the sweatshirt came off and he got into getting the guts out!

The inside smell of a pumpkin has never been his favorite!

Who ME?

We just got home from work, and like usual, Brewer was not too happy with us because we were not going for a walk right then and there.  So he went into the living room, to what we thought anyways, to play.  We knew we were wrong when we heard an "oh, oh!" from Cooper followed by a "MOM...DAD...I didn't do it...BREWER DID!"
















Brewer found the bottle of fish food and decided to feed the fish the whole bottle of food.  It looked like a snow globe of fish food when we got into the living room!

And we were wondering what we were going to be doing this evening!!!!  Daddy had fish tank duty!

Brewer's Boo-Boo

Last Friday night, we were getting ready to go to Family Night at Pleasant Prairie School, and the boys were up on our bed.  Brewer decided to look over the edge and fell landing right on his head.  Here is a picture of his bump...this picture does not do it justice.  It is about a half dollar in diameter and about 1/2 inch high.  Then on top of his bump, he got another bump when he "attack"ed his brother landing on the same spot.  And then again on Saturday morning, Brewer and Cooper were running in circles when one switched directions and the two collided once again....in the same spot.  Really, we do watch these two!!!

Family Hayride

We went over to the tree farm on 85th Street, where they have been advertising Carmel Apples and hayrides.  For something different, we gave them a try.  We had a great hayride out into their tree farm, which went all the way out to Hwy 165.  Grandma and Grandpa Beck came along, and they took this family picture of us...thank you! 

PS.  The Carmel Apples are to die for...yummy!

Brewer went to see Dr. Gerlach on Friday for his two year check up.  He weighed in at 28 pounds and is 35 inches tall.  Dr. Gerlach was impressed with his speech and his overall growth.  She said that his height growth has tapered off, but his weight is continuing to grow.  After he had two shots, she said he doesn't need to come back until next year...like that will happen!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

I see a two year old smiling at me! Today was Brewer's Birthday Party! Grandma Maria, Grandpa and Nana, Grandma and Grandpa, Great Grandma Rognstad, Papa and Gg, Auntie Sue and Nicole stopped by to help us celebrate Brewer's birthday! We had all of the colors of Brown Bears friends and animals of all sorts around for us to see.

Our Birthday cake was an amazing 3D Brown Bear and he was just as yummy to eat! Thank you Ms. Kim!

Brewer got some awesome gifts...a ride on four-wheeler, a bath toy, color book and crayon, a couple of outfits, books, and a bounce house! Life can not get any better for this two year old! Happy Birthday Brew!

Inproper Supervision of Child

On this beautiful Saturday afternoon, Brewer and Buster were playing outside in the backyard like they normally do. It is nothing unusual for the two of them to be out back by themselves since they are completely fenced in by the fence. All is safe.

Daddy is in the kitchen, Mommy is in the living room cleaning for the party and Cooper is helping out by vacuuming the hall and bathroom. Daddy hears an unusual noise. Runs back inside to get the camera to capture this picture of Brewer....playing in the dirt.





The video is priceless, but won't upload at the moment. Brewer went straight to the bathtub from here...

Happy 2nd Birthday Brewer!

Today we had a Mommy and Brewer day to start the celebration of Brewer's Birthday. After we dropped off Cooper at school, we went over to Papa and Gg's house to visit. Brewer had fun eating cereal and playing with the toys. Then we ran a few errands before going home for lunch and rest.
Today was an early release for Cooper too! After we got back to the van, we went to pick out pumpkins at Stein's. Cooper and Brewer had a blast picking out their own pumpkins. Brewer just ran around yelling pumpkins to anyone and everyone present.

Brewer wasn't too sure about blowing out his candle, but let us all know that it was hot. He tried, but he was not blowing strong enough!

He just wanted to know when he could get to his ice cream!

And he was not done, until he said he was done...licking the cup clean!

Happy Birthday Brew!

Character Award

Cooper received a Character Award today in gym class because Ms. Uttech caught him doing good and using his manners! Now his name is placed into a drawing to have lunch with the principal! We are very proud of Mr. Cooper!!

Buster

Our puppy is getting bigger! Daddy took Buster to the vet last Thursday and Buster is now 12.3 pounds! We are thinking that there is a grow button he pushes every time that he goes into his kennel!

Mr. Sun

Brewer has been loving Mr. Sun! Here he is singing Mr. Sun on the way from Crivitz to Green Bay! Okay...so it's more of mom signing than anything:)

Weekend in Green Bay

On September 25th, we made a trip up to Green Bay/Crivitz for Uncle Paul's Memorial Service. The first part of our journey took us up to Crivitz for a Memorial Service up at the cabin of Debbie and Al, who were neighboring to that of Helen and Paul. Cindy and Fred planned a memorable service for their Dad, and then followed through with their parents wishes to be placed in the woods up behind their old home.
There were a lot of memories shared that day. One of them with the Beck family was a little walk to the trailer next to Debbie and Al's, where Karen and Steve had once owned. Here Karen is sitting in the same spot that her Mom once sat for a similar picture. It was fun to listen to Randy, Kris, and Andrea reminisce about what they did remember of their time in Crivitz.


We also found the outhouse with a painted wall on it. The wall is the original wall that Grandma Anderson painted. We are now in the process have making something from this wall (actually John and Andrea are).



After we were done in Crivitz, we drove back to Green Bay and checked into the hotel where we were going to be staying. Then we went over to Gary and Barb's for dinner. Great times with everyone.

We also received good news...Gabby is going to be a big sister!

The End of Summer Weekend

This weekend was Labor Day weekend, aka The Last Weekend of Summer. For us it was a nice and relaxing weekend here at home. Our first intentions was for us to head Up North, but the forecast + traffic was not going to be a good weekend. So we stayed home.

On Saturday, we went to Mick, Melissa, and Hayden's Going Away Party. They are moving to Australia and are leaving in a couple of weeks. It was a very nice gathering of friends and family.

On Sunday, we got a lot of "little stuff" done around the house. Cooper and I took a walk to Piggly Wiggly to get some groceries. On our way there he rode his bicycle with the training wheels raised. He did AMAZING, and went a couple of blocks with out falling. He is doing great. But then at one point he tried stopping and slipped off and caught his stomach on the handle bar. He now sports a nice scratch.

Today, we walked over to the park. Cooper was showing off his pumping on the swings and how high he can get. He even showed me how he can jump off the swings now!

Brewer is so impressed with his knowledge of colors, he could decide if he wanted to swing in the black swing or the blue swing. In the end, he just said, "all done."

Cooper showed off his Superman pose going down the slide. Thank heaven's Brewer did not witness this move...Mr. Monkey-See-Monkey-Do.

Brewer is all smiles going down the slide like a big boy.

Now Brewer is showing off his Superman skills, flying down the slide like a big boy should!

Hang on little brother, we are going down!

Brewer wasn't so interested in taking the pictures. Brewer was more interested in sitting in the puddle of water!

Like I said before, Brewer isn't into getting his picture taken...he just wants this thing to MOVE!



Then we went over to Gg and Papa's for a Labor Day picnic, with lots of yummy food and treats to eat. We ended our weekend by watching Fury Vengeance...lots of giggles and laughter were heard all through out the movie.