The weather outside is frightful...

The weather outside is frightful...

But the snow in the tub is delightful!!!

Recipe for fun in the tub:
1. Laundry basket full of fresh snow (filled 3 times with snow from the deck!)
2. Random Toys. The possibilities are endless. We included dinosaurs (that were buried of course), excavators to dig them out, and spoons for digging for buried treasure.
Voila! Instant Fun!

Caleb Turns 4!!

We started out his big day with a present at breakfast. He was thrilled with his new monster truck!

Caleb had requested monkey bread for breakfast. Birthday wish granted!

Caleb was so excited that Grandpa Rog and Grandma Judy came to help celebrate his birthday!

He had requested a cake with monster trucks on top of it. Daddy even helped with the cause by smashing some of his old matchbox cars!!!

Here he is...my 4 year old!!!

When my kids have a birthday I always like to make a little list of their favorites and what they are really into right now. Here is a glimpse into Caleb's life...

Favorite Birthday Activity: The Pinata. I wish I would have shot a video of him going after that pinata. I never knew he could swing a bat like that!!!
Favorite Foods: Mac and Cheese, Corn on the Cob (he requests this all the time), HAM, and all kinds of fruit.
Favorite Video: The monster truck video from the library that we just watched about Big Foot. He says he never wants it to go back to the library.
Favorite Toys: Trucks of all kinds...monster trucks, construction trucks, farm equipment...
Favorite Things to do Outside: Dig in the sandbox, ride his bicycle, help Daddy work in the dirt.
Favorite TV Show: Curious George
Favorite "School" Activities: Putting together puzzles and making artwork. He absolutely loves stickers, paint, markers, and glue!
Favorite Sledding Partner: Chloe. He absolutely adores his older sister!
Favorite Bedtime Stalling Technique: "Mommy, Daddy, let me give you a back rub." It works almost every time!!!
Favorite Item to List for his Christmas List: A Robot that can scratch his back and pick up toys. He's not joking. He thinks this thing should exist...
Favorite Quote: "I'm stronger than Daddy."
Favorite Book: This is a hard one. Most recent favorites from the library have been "The Knight and the Dragon" and "Julius, The Baby of the World". One of his other favorites is "Peter Pan".
Favorite Thing to Say When Asked What he Wants to be When he Grows Up: "Someone who works on old things (mostly speaking about cars and trucks) and makes them new again."
Favorite Thing To Say When He Doesn't Want to Do Something: "I'll do that when I turn 4". We'll see what he says now!!!

We Love You Caleb!! Happy Birthday my December baby!!!

Chloe & Caleb's Latest

Chloe & Caleb are so proud of their cardboard house.

Chloe can obviously write and spell well enough to write a "No Cameron" sign beside the door. I don't think Cameron can read yet...

Chloe can touch her nose with her tongue. Since when has she been able to do this?!?

Costumes & Carving

Our family at the Annual Pumpkin Carving Party. Two dancers, a tiger, Buzz Lightyear, and  nobody really knows what Kyle was!!! He raided the dress up bin 10 minutes prior to the party!!

The kids had a blast!

The Gaulkes. Brent was the winner of the adult costume contest!

The Fishers (minus poor Greg who was sick and couldn't make it)

The Thomas Family (do you sense the pirate/parrot theme??). Cale won the kids' costume contest as a parrot!

The carved pumpkins! The Angry Bird took home the prize.

I couldn't resist...he is just a really cute tiger!

A full length view of Kyle's costume. Yes, he wore a cape, his dutch  pants, and of course his nasty hat. He did not win the costume contest!!!

My new nephew!

 Welcome to the family Braxton John Yepsen!

Soccer Saturdays

It has started. I shuttle Chloe to soccer practice every Tuesday and to soccer games every Saturday. We travel via minivan. It must mean one thing...I'm officially a soccer mom!!

The Green Sea Turtles look FIERCE!!!

Chloe's first game.

Cameron enjoys the games. He loves chasing balls and finding abandoned water bottles!

Chloe definitely gets to do a lot of RUNNING!

"Kick it Chloe!"

What a cute soccer player!

Shaking hands with the "Pink Team".

Chloe's 1st Day of Kindergarten!

 Chloe had her first day of kindergarten earlier this week....at home. Yes, we are homeschooling her this year! We tried to make it extra special for her. We took pictures in front of the tree with her new Dora backpack.

 We had breakfast together with Daddy and I made her favorite....WAFFLES!!

 I displayed some of the books we will be studying. We are using Heart of Dakota curriculum. The Kindergarten year is called Little Hearts For His Glory. We are also using Singapore Math, Explode the Code Phonics and AlphaPhonics, and A Reason For Handwriting.

 The kids wanted to ride to school on their bikes so we took a bike ride before we got started.

 Cameron was excited for the first day of school too (or maybe just the waffles; I'm not sure!)

I can't believe my baby is a Kindergartner! Even though we are homeschooling it is still a BIG milestone for this girl and her Mommy! I know that you will do well Chloe!!