Thursday, December 29, 2011

More Christmas Preparations!

As Christmas got closer, Berkley was very excited about it all. We talked a lot about Santa...the toys she wanted him to bring...she loved having the Christmas lights on the tree - and driving around to see outdoor lights! With little snow this year (I'm not complaining!), we haven't had a ton of snowman building time...but we did our best on a few occasions.

Berkley is doing so great at school, graduating to the next "older kid" room as of the beginning of the year! It's exciting, but sad at the same time - she was doing really well and loved her teacher Ms Michelle in her prior room. It's a small enough center though, I'm sure they'll still get opportunities to spend time together. She's been experimenting with using the big girl potty and typically goes at least a couple times a week - either at school or at home. We're not pushing anything at this point, and letting her take the lead, which seems to be working so far!

Berkley has also started talking about her "baby sister" and knows she is inside Mommy. Of course it's hard to know how much she really grasps, but the first time I asked her who was inside me (pointing at my tummy), and she said "baby sister"...it was the sweetest thing ever!

Here are more pictures from the weeks of Christmas prep and fun times in December!
Our decorated tree!

Playing in her new dishwasher box "house"


On our way to see Santa at Mom's work holiday breakfast!

Happily telling Santa she wants "toys" for Christmas

Still happy...but then Santa wanted to give her a high-five...and we LOST it :)

Helping roll out pizza dough

Chillin' with Bailey

Riding her bike with Daddy

A rare day where we actually had snow for a few hours in the morning



See the tiny snowman (middle right side of the photo)? That's about as big as we could get him with the little snow :)

Cookie baking!

Berkley and I went to Aunt Amy's in LaCrosse, WI the week before Christmas to bake some Christmas cookies! Berkley and her cousin Gianna love playing together and it was a great day!










Post cookies...and possibly a bit too much sugar ;)

Video of Berkley and Gianna sharing what they want for Christmas!

Christmas Tree (and recent videos)!

Thanksgiving weekend we went to a tree farm to get our Christmas tree. Berkley loves to go on "hikes" and despite sleeping up until the moment we got her out of the car - she had fun while were were there!
Getting ready to go to the tree farm




Super excited about her Hello Kitty happy meal toy

Hanging one of her ornaments on the tree (without us showing her what to do...she started before we did!)

Who says stockings arent' meant for the feet?





Berkley taking care of her baby, and eating ice cream (video)!


Helping Daddy install Mommy's Dishwasher (video)!


More helping! Here she is helping test Christmas lights (video)!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Thanksgiving, hunting, and fall fun!

It's been so long since I've posted...not that I haven't been taking pictures of course! Things are going good here - Berkley changes EVERY DAY - saying pretty much anything we say, wanting to help with everything, and just being so cute! We've even "gone" on the potty a few times, both at school and at home! We found out just before Thanksgiving that our new baby arriving in April will be a girl!! We've been doing a lot of talking about sisters and taking are of babies...just trying to get Berkley used to the idea! I'm still feeling good - just minor aches that go along with getting bigger every day :)

Here are pictures from November!!


Berkley discovered where the halloween candy was. Here she is trying to eat through the Reese's PB Cup, wrapper and all!

She still hasn't gotten over her love for lemons...

Anyone need a cat? We're up to 10 outside at the moment...



A happy daddy after getting his deer opening day




Giving the chickens a treat


Hanging with Daddy in the "man-cave" (a.k.a. future great room)

Thanksgiving Day at G&G Weber's




Finally getting used to Great-Great Auntie Kate...even sitting on her lap for a bit!

Looking cute with cousin Gianna on Thanksgiving Friday



Whoa...both clearly ready to be done with pictures :)

More trophies, Friday evening after Thanksgiving