Christmas dessert

Mom made a fancy looking dessert for Christmas.

Magic Reindeer Food

Day before Christmas

The kids are resting before Christmas Eve. Notice all of the babies Adalin lined up, and Roscoe sitting on his perch so he can look out the window.

Snow!

We woke up to snow this morning. The kids were both excited. Aden wants to shovel the driveway after school - he made sure to tell me so that I don't do it without him.

More Addie

Addie has her Christmas concert at Hope on Thursday. She has been singing the songs for us a lot. Here's a sneak peak.

Click HERE for a playlist of Joy to the World plus two more songs.

Also, here is a video from Addie's dance class last week:

Adalin's Christmas bows

Adalin dressed as a Christmas present for school today. The ribbons are a little rough after a long day of playing, but she must have liked them to keep them on so long. She also tried to tape wrapping paper to her shirt this morning but we were able to talk her out of it.

Early December 2011

We just posted quite a few videos on youtube and pictures to picasa.

First up, here is an album showing the kids' Christmas letters to Santa, St Nicks day, and ringing bells for charity at the mall.

Click for photo album...

Early December 2011

Next, here is a youtube playlist of several videos from the past few weeks. Click this LINK to watch all videos in another window. Here's a teaser of one of the videos - Aden wants you all to come check it out.

Bell ringing was Thursday night. Friday night we were back at the mall for Aden's piano show. Here is a LINK to watch all the piano videos in another window. Each of them are also embedded here.

Saturday morning Aden went from piano to basketball for his game at the YMCA. Again, here is the LINK to click to see all four of the videos in another window. We included the money maker here.

The rest of the month doesn't slow down either. Aden has his school Christmas program next Wed night. Addie gets into the act Friday with open house at her dance class (we'll get some video/pics there). Next Sunday they both have their Christmas program at Hope, and on Thursday Addie has her school Christmas program (also at Hope).

We can't wait for the Holidays and seeing everyone soon. G'ma Cherie's return to Wisconsin will be very welcome but we know she is having fun Counting Sheep with Arjen and the fam.

Bob Dylan is a Johnny Popper

Aden has been very interested in music lately. He seems drawn to Brit Rock - really likes Oasis and Coldplay (we showed him Coldplay on youtube as an example of piano music when he started taking lessons). He also ended up liking the Bob Dylan songs we have on the computer. He already knew Forever Young from one of his birthday DVDs, and now especially likes Knockin on Heaven's Door and All Along the Watchtower. He is intrigued that other bands will play versions of someone else's song: Guns n Roses playing Knocking on Heaven's Door, Jimi Hendrix playing All Along the Watchtower, Eric Clapton playing Little Wing and Knocking on Heaven's Door, Eric Clapton writing Badge with George Harrison.


Going further, he has asked if Stevie Wonder or Michael Jackson knew the Beatles and I told him that they have each recorded music and performed with members of the Beatles. I think McCartney, Wonder, and Jackson were all on We Are the World along with a bunch of other people.

So, we're eating at Culvers and he is continuing to ask about all these musicians, and he basically asks the Top Gun question, "So how do you know who the best is?" He answered himself that he thinks Bob Dylan is the best since more people copied him. We talked about influence and he agreed that Bob Dylan must have been very influential. Then he wondered who most other people think is the best. Do they think it is Bob Dylan, too? No, I told him that the most popular answer is probably the Beatles.

You see, Bob Dylan is like a Johnny Popper. It might not have the most features or be shiny and new any more, but everyone remembers it fondly.

Adalin the Hostess

The kids are outside playing with the neighbors. Addie usually plays with a boy named Brady since they are the two youngest. She decided today that she was going to get him a snack, she dragged out the plastic picnic table and got some finger jello and gatorade out of the fridge.

Go Packers!

The Packers looked pretty sharp last night in the 45-7 beatdown of the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

We sat next to an Aaron Rogers lookalike. He probably doesn't have to pay for groceries any more and can park anywhere he wants in GB.

MNF

Pre-game.

Pumpkin Smash and Tree Decorating

Today Tracy planned to put up the Christmas Tree. After helping get decorations out of storage, Tracy had a To-Do list for me and Aden while she and Addie decorated. About halfway through the list was "Pumpkins into the Garbage." Before the Halloween pumpkins ended up in the garbage though, Aden thought maybe we could try smashing one of them. We did, and he liked it. So then he got Addie to come outside and had her help smash the rest of them. They thought it was great.

There goes the neighborhood

Smash 'em Aden!

We should do this every year...

Later on they finished helping Tracy with the Christmas Tree and put up other decorations. They each also decorated their own little tree for their bedroom. Aden & Addie decided that every year we should smash the Halloween pumpkins the same day that we put up the Christmas Tree. What a proud tradition.

Ta Da!

Addie's little Christmas Tree

Aden's little Christmas Tree

Here are some more pictures on Picasa (click the album to view all).

2011 Pumpkin Smash and Tree Decorating

Roscoe Halloween

Just found this picture. Roscoe was a baby for a little while on Halloween. Addie was mad at first that Roscoe had on one of her doll's outfits, but then she liked it when she decided she should rock him and feed him.

Halloween 2011

A few quick pictures of Halloween 2011. The kids Trick-or-Treated in our neighborhood.

Always Sunny Roofing

We had new shingles put on the house a few weeks ago. Aden really liked watching the guys roofing, especially using the nail gun. Aden and Addie watched from Aden's room while listening to music and playing games most of the afternoon.

Tilt-a-Whirl

We had a long day in Appleton and stopped at Tom's Drive-In for dinner as we left town. Hadn't been there before. Food is ok, nothing special. But the booths are great; former Tilt-a-Whirl rides.

In the picture Aden is buried in the book he just got at Borders.

Appleton Childrens Museum

The kids had fun at the Childrens Museum in Appleton today. The do really good with all the exhibits. Adalin especially liked the Baby Hospital area. She wants to take care of her babies Arjen, Preston, and Oliver. And there was a girl  baby there that she diagnosed with "a bad cough" that she carried around a lot. Aden unfortunately really liked the big yellow snake.

Aden Reads to His Cousin

Aden reads a tractor book to Preston.

Fall Fun

Aden and Addie are having fun at Grandma Cherie and Grandpa Wayne's house.

They've been driving their power wheel Gator through the leaves and Aden has been doing skid turns on his pedal car.

Aden's First Tiger Cub Meeting

Here are some pictures and a video of Aden's first Tiger Cub meeting. They did an obstacle course activity at the end of the meeting that he really liked.

Sunset Tower FAIL

We went to Columbia Park in Pipe tonight to play and watch the sunset. There is a ~10 story open-framed lookout tower along the water that we tried to climb. Tracy made it up one flight of stairs ans went back. Aden made it to two flights and almost a third and went back. Addie and I made it to a third flight and went back. Tried again and only got to the third flight again. Last try we made it to the fourth flight..went back again.

The kids had fun at the park afterwards and are eating at Jim & Linda's now.

Happy Birthday Cousin

Happy First Birthday Arjen!!

Hope you are having a wonderful day filled with time with Grandma, yummy cake and lots of gifts! We have been thinking of you all day. Aden and Adalin made you a birthday video message (link below), notice the summer like attire in the video - it is 80 degrees in Wisconsin today! Beautiful day for a birthday, hope it is just as nice in California.

Enjoy being  #1! Love you,

Arden, Tracy, Aden, and Adalin

Bucky Breakfast

Addie must be prepping for victory breakfasts at Mickies Dairy Bar by Camp Randall. No scrambler on the plate though...maybe she can talk Uncle Adam into making one.

Autumn Addie

Addie has been singing this a lot today.

Aden's Glider Bike

Another quick post tonight. Here's a video of Aden riding his "glider" bike. Thanks to Devon and Andrew for telling us about this. We took off his training wheels and pedals so he could focus on balance and knowing when to put his feet down, and then had him glide down the driveway.

Aden was excited to try this once we told him that this is how Cru Jones (see links) learned to ride. The next weekend at Dave and Jean's house he picked up a bike with no training wheels and started riding around!

More Cru Jones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=607eTT2y1ZU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eWLcoDRgvQ&feature=related

Fishing with Grandma

Grandma Cherie took Aden fishing a few weekends ago. He had a good time, and now knows that "fish like to jump when you catch them."

Aden with his catch. Notice Adalin running for cover, or maybe it was to get Mom.

Great big fish!

First time fishing with Grandma

The kids started school and are having fun. Addie started dance class again (now at a new studio), Aden learned to "glide" on a bike one day and then pedal without training wheels 3 days later, and we have Quarry Quest coming up this weekend. I'm sure there's more going on, but it is busy enough doing it...harder to post it online. But the kids really like looking at this site so it is worth it. Like a new kind of family photo album.

Kitty

Tracy just told me this story:

This morning Adalin asked if we could get a baby kitty. I told her that Daddy doesn't like cats and is allergic to them. Addie replied, "Can we get one when Daddy dies?"

Oh, boy. More posts later. Hopefully not so grim. 

Madison Children's Museum

We visited the Madison Children's Museum today. The kids had a lot of fun. Here is one of the pictures.

Jamba!

We took the kids to the Children's Museum in Madison today. We got Jamba Juice afterwards for a snack. Aden decided to try a double Jamba of Orange Express and Orchard Oasis.

Days of Thunder

Aden and his bag of l'il donuts

Aden and I went to the car races in Kaukauna tonight with some other people from Mercury. Aden wasn't so sure about the noise at first, but after a push pop, some l'il donuts, and a bunch of crashes, he said "We can stay here until I fall asleep!"

Thunderdome

Here are some videos of Adalin "playing" with the neighbors and some of their friends. In the first video she is chasing two of them around in the front yard with a foam sword. Actually, her and Brady (the little boy with the other foam sword) might both be chasing the third kid.

Later, the action resumed in the neighbor's back yard. I think Adalin started off trying to use her sword on the soap bubbles the kids were blowing, but she eventually grabbed a 2nd sword and chased everyone around again.

One of the best parts is this exchange at about 0:40 of the second video:

Boy1: "Is she your sister?"
Two Boys in unison: "No!"
Adalin swings two swords at another boy in a red shirt.

Enjoy and Beware!

Washington Island Bike Ride

We took a vacation to Door County for our 10th Anniversary. Took a bike ride today on Washington Island from south end to School House Beach on the north end. Eating at the Waterfront Restaurant in Sister Bay tonight.