December was busy...

 Bebe "retired" and the university had a very nice party we were all able to attend.

We hosted Christmas Eve in our new house...

with chili on the stove, the first fire in our fireplace and falling snow outside.

Things were pretty cozy.

 We hosted Christmas morning with the grandparents. It was one of Ben's best Christmases ever. He loved everything about it and ripped open his gifts with so much gusto and excitement. Every gift was "WOWWWWW a Star Wars Guy!!!!" or "WOWWWWW a t-shirt!!!" He loved giving gifts as well this year, so that was nice to see.

We also went to Uncle and Auntie's for lunch where Miss Mags was pretty excited.

Excited to say "hi" to her favorite Joe, that is! "Where's Joe, hiiiiii, Joe!!"

This happens every five minutes, or so.

She'll be embarrassed about that some day...

It's hard to leave your new toys, even for one second for a potty break.

It's best to bring them into the bathroom.

Winter Party at School

Little did I know that "parent volunteer" would mean making the treats, organizing the craft and game for the school party. But we had a great time and I'm glad I could help before the baby arrives!

Thankfully Ben was all healthy and ready to celebrate with his classmates (he had a touch of the unspeakable sickness I hate earlier in the week - ugh).

Currant Cookies & First Snow

We made our annual currant cookies last weekend. Ben loved it and was really involved in the baking this year. Notice our new cookie cutters (thanks L&J - LOVE THEM!!!)? Yes, they are Star Wars - how awesome is that?! We also had our first snow... it's beginning to look like Christmas!!

Breakfast with Santa (and two Grandmas)

We had such a nice morning with Bebe and Bubba for Breakfast with Santa. There were tons of activities that Ben loved - Shrinky Dink ornaments, letter-writing to Santa, face painting, cookie decorating, etc. He wasn't shy around Santa at all and was chatting it up with him for quite a bit. He also spoke to Mrs. Claus and told me afterwards, "Mom, that was Santa's girl!!"

Piano Man-

Thankfully we had room for our piano in our new house. It's only been in "storage" at Bubba & Grampy's for nine years!!!! It seems that Ben is going to take after his Daddy musically (although, let's not forget, I did ROCK the clarinet in 6th grade band). Ben definitely has an ear for music and playing songs - Joe is even teaching him "Jingle Bells" for Christmas.

Hank the Cowdog & Native American Headband

Ben got these chapter books in the mail from our friends Stuart and Linny in California. He was VERY excited to get mail and has been carrying the books all around "reading" them. We read the first chapter, and will see how long his attention lasts. He's really into reading and spelling these days. He wants to know what letter every word starts with. I think we'll have a reader pretty soon! I need to post his Christmas list... he spent about 45 minutes writing it.

Ben made this at school for Thanksgiving. Love it!

More school-

Ben and his buddy Brayden shucking corn.

This month they were examining fall and the changing seasons.  

Playing in the motor sensory room.

Ben bossing the other kids around... just kidding! They were working on patterns.

We think it's pretty cool Ben's preschool won the Early Childhood Program of the Year for the entire state! Hopefully his education won't go down the tubes in kindergarten next year since we moved to an inferior district... ha, ha! I had to get  ONE DIG in before he starts kindergarten.

We're in our new house, it's a crazy mess... but life is good. The baby is kicking like crazy and Ben got to feel "his baby" moving for the first time this morning. He was pretty impressed and said "that's not you moving, mommy!!"

27 Weeks & We're Moving!

Oh yeah... I'm pregnant! We almost forget with all the excitement of packing and getting ready to move. I think when I was pregnant with Ben we took a photo every week... and this time around, might be my first pregnancy pic. Oh well, life has been busy! I'm thankful I feel great and everything has been going well... so-far-so-good! Can you tell Ben is excited to be a big brother?! Keep your fingers crossed for us that everything continues to go well! As Auntie M would say "calm waters!"

Here's where we're moving on Friday! It suits us, right? We always welcome friends and family... especially friends from UP NORTH (hint, hint!). Keep your fingers crossed for us with the house, too. It's been a pretty stressful deal... we can't wait until Friday when everything is finalized.

Halloween-

This year Ben was Darth "Mader" (he always says Mader and not Vader) for Halloween. He was pretty excited about everything. We had dinner - mummy hot dogs - at Bubba and Grampy's and hit the trick-or-treat scene after we ate. It's booming in their neighborhood. Ben was very independent this year and wanted to go up to the door by himself - last year he wanted us to go with him. He told his joke - "what has 10 wheels and flies? --- a trash truck" --- and thanked almost everyone when they gave him a treat.  He didn't object when we had to do the "candy swap" for peanut-free treats. He still ended up with a ton of loot. Ben also really enjoyed passing out candy this year, I would say he liked that almost as much as the trick-or-treating. It was a fun night!

PJ Day / School Fall Party

Wednesday was Ben's school party - instead of wearing costumes, the kids wore their PJs to school. Ben thought this was about the best thing ever! Several kids from his class performed a play (Ben didn't participate in this, he said he was too shy), read a story and sang a song. Then the class decorated cookies read a Halloween book and had circle time with songs. Joe and I were both able to attend his fall party - Ben thought it was pretty cool that his dad was at school (since I'm usually the one to go). I think he was totally distracted to have Joe there, it was pretty funny!

Thanks Bebe for the "emergency" new PJs - definitely saved him from showing up in his 3T high waters or summer PJs. He LOVES the puppies!!

Let's Go Bears!

It was perfect football weather... so we decided to take in a Bears Game where Daddy & Bebe work. Here's Ben's sign... yes, that's a bear carrying a football.

Missing Pics-

These are from waaaaayyyy back in September, but I just had to post. Plus, Mags, Uncle Tim, gets a little cranky when she doesn't get enough "face time" on Ben's blog.

Apple Picking-

We had another fun field trip with our buds Lis and Jason... apple picking! It was a beautiful day and we ended up with about 40 apples. We've made applesauce, apple crisp and apple pancakes (so far!). Ben is a big helper in the kitchen and likes to cook with me.

BUT, most importantly, the WHOLE REASON why I love apple picking is the KETTLE CORN... and Lis and Jason spoiled us me with a BIG BAG. Mmmmmmm.... everyone needs friends like them!

Also, we ran into our good friends Dillon and Abbie at the apple orchard... such a funny coincidence! I heard Ben say through the trees, "Hey, I see something, it's Miss Lisa!" (Dillon & Abbie's mom) then out comes Dillon. So, the kids got to do a few activities together at the carnival area... such a treat!

Hanging at the Park-

This was the Saturday we spent four hours at the park relaxing and sipping coffee. Joe said it reminded him of being a teenager... no plans, nowhere to go and nothing to do. It was such a nice feeling just hanging out. I'll remember this day when we're cooped up in the house come winter.

School Pics-

 Ben (red shirt) in the "cooking center" making churros with his friends.

 Making record player spin art. He's really into making these...

Ben's teacher e-mails parents every Friday and sends photos of what the kids were up to that week.

We love to get these - school has been such a great experience!

Ben's first school photo. There's something about these photos that make kids look really grown up! So crazy!! I thought it turned out really well... I was a little nervous when he was showing me his "practice smiles."

Happy Birthday Dad / Grandad!

Happy birthday to one heck of a guy... we love you!

PS. - check out these awesome t-shirts auntie made for the grandkids. Soooo cute!

Solo Swim

Here's Ben's first solo swim! This was the first time I've seen his class swim without their teacher and Ben was pretty excited about it. He starts soccer (to win trophies like Uncle Tim) next weekend, and I was going to end the swimming lessons... but I hate to quit when he's making so much progress!

CRASH!!!!!

Ben and I were in a freaky car accident a few weeks ago. Thankfully everyone is a-okay - and Ben even seemed to enjoy it - a total boy! I had a complete WG moment since I went to high school with the cop who helped us after the accident, so nice. But, we had a crazy couple weeks without our car (thanks Bubba for loaning us the PT Cruiser and to our families for so many rides!!). We were wondering if the Passat would be totaled by insurance or not... well it WAS totaled, so, goodbye Passat and...

Hello, Mazda 5! We did our research quickly and bought a new Mazda this weekend. So far we like it - and Maggie and Ben seem to approve! There should be plenty of room for our growing family and our friends, so call us if you need a ride!! Although, I'm still a bit jumpy driving :)

Mommy's B-day Weekend...

We celebrated my birthday at Innsbrook this year (wonder how many b-days I've celebrated there?!). We took a dip in their pool, played with Strobachs at their dock and participated in a Camp Innsbrook craft making mosaic picture frames. I'd say it was a successful birthday... despite the lack of pony rides or magicians.