Cheers to warm weather!

I have a lot of work to do so... time to blog! Finally, after days and days of bitter cold, the weather is beautiful! We have been keeping very busy but ready to move that busyness outdoors instead of being cooped up!
We went to church today for the first time in weeks! It is not very often that we go to church and aren't moved to tears but this sermon was especially good (from what I heard of it, ava took some behavior management during church today). I have no idea why we miss (I am going to blame it on the cold!)
Kale had his last basketball game last week. He improved so much from day 1 until now that I was sad it was over so soon, felt like we were just getting in the groove! Here he is taking a shot! Check out that form that we worked on in the garage. Nana and Papa got him a basketball hoop but it is too big for the garage and its way too cold to go outside. We improvised, a diaper box nailed to the wall of the garage!

Kale would go outside no matter what the temp. So there were a few days we couldn't take anymore and bundled him up and sent him out. Poor Ava, she thinks she is missing out on the fun... and Drake...he hates the cold so he would rather watch from indoors!

Can't believe we are planning our sweet baby girl's first birthday party! Pink Polka dot party it is! This year has been the fastest year of my life....where did it go? I think the older you get, the faster time goes. Why is that?
Ava is picking up on some adorable tricks that we can't wait to for her to show off at her party (blowing kisses, saying "puppy", patting her belly and WALKING!)
Kale is reading more and more everyday. I am trying to stay out of "teacher mode" as much as I can. It's kind of a dance. I don't want him to feel like he is "working" but I can tell that he has the skills to take off in reading...BUT...he's a little bit stubborn (shocker, huh?) and doesn't always WANT to do it. So, amongst our "dances" I have found that I can get him to do things when he feels like he is getting to avoid bedtime. So we have been having what I call "power hour" right before bed ;)! Whatever works!
We are looking forward to the warm temps this week (might have to bust out the shorts is going to be above freezing)!

Separation!

I spent the week in Florida for school at a conference. It was fun, interesting.. but of course hard to be away! It took a week to write sub plans and line up home plans! Phew, there is a reason I am NEVER gone! :) It felt so strange to only have to feed, dress and care for myself!!
We had the help of Nolan and Clare, Dorothy, and my parents to stay with the kids while Joe was at work. I LOVED hearing the funny stories of what Kale had to say. Missed those funny conversations while I was gone. Deb, Jerry, Katie and Landyn came down to spend the weekend with Joe and the kids. Ava had yet another ear infection just before I left so I was feeling bad that Joe might be up a lot with her. Turns out she slept 7-7 most every night I was gone! Turkey, she usually sleeps 7-5 enjoys some milk then goes back to bed until 7. How nice of her not to make daddy get up at 5! Thanks to everyone who helped us out!
Kale had basketball on Sunday. His first big game. It had been just clinic up until now. Let's just say he choked! I have a feeling we have a perfectionist on our hands. He wasn't into the warm ups off the bat and then when he got going in the game he missed a shot, got embarrassed, and was done! *sigh* Oh well, the competitive side of me wants to kick and scream but he's only 4 so deep breath Brook...let it go.

Ava turned 11 Months! Tried to get a picture of her...this is about how it went!






Accomplishments:
She can take two little steps by herself
Cruises around all furniture
Climbs on top of ANYTHING possible
TWO bottom teeth
We think she might be saying Drake...confirmation on that yet to come. Joe thought I was crazy to even think she might be saying that but he too witnessed her petting him and saying what could be interpreted as "Drake" hmmmm?
Starting to trade the bottle for a sippy, so far, so good!

Joe had to work Friday night and then he took a night off to get together with some college buddies here in DesMoines. So...the kids and I headed back to Northwest Iowa for Landyn and Katie's baby shower. The road report before we left was iffy but I thought for sure people were just over reacting..umm no. Roads were clear, vision was 20/20 until all of the sudden we couldn't see a thing! Scary! If I would have been alone I think I might have cried. Kale was watching a movie and hadn't noticed my nervousness until we pretty much were creeping along. Then he became well aware of my white knuckles. I think the snow flying at the windows contributed to him dry heaving in the back....just what we needed and I had visions of being lost and stranded with two kids in the middle of no where. Did I mention my kids rarely sleep in the care?!?...Needless to say, if there is snow in the forecast... I won't be going anywhere for awhile!

After about 4 and 1/2 hours of driving we made it to my mom and dad's. EVERYONE was ready to be out of the car. Especially me! Shirley, my parents dog even got to enjoy being inside the house for awhile. Ava wasn't so sure of her at first but they quickly became good friends!


Katie's shower was good and Kale was very excited to hold his little cousin again. Here are the cousins! I should have smoothed out Kale's hat head! Oh well!



Rumors of a snowstorm were circulating at the shower and that was starting to make me nervous about the drive home. Its one thing to be driving in the snow alone, another to be driving with precious cargo!

I ended up leaving early Sunday morning to get back in time for Kale's long awaited YMCA basketball practice. He of course had his "basketball clothes" all picked out weeks before. He did great for about the first 15 minutes. 3 and 4 year olds aren't receptive to much "coaching" :). And having to wear the provided green basketball shirt over his under armour basketball shirt he was so pround of, threw him for a loop too!
Kale is also very competitive and becomes easily frustrated when he can't do something perfect.. We are working on that! ugh! So he got mad when he couldn't dribble twice and shoot. When we got home he worked on it in the garage for about a half hour so he could show "Coach John" next week. At least he has some perseverance.





We are starting early getting Ava to say that she is "one!"


And here is her new favorite hiding place! Good thing Kale is a good seeker otherwise we might lose her!

A months worth of updates..

All right so I am behind. But here it goes...

Before leaving for Thanksgiving we "decked the halls". I got lazy and didn't get out everything I normally put up but it looks jolly and that's all that matters! Here are the "elves" decorating!



Notice Kale even got out the orange cones to indicate a worksite was underway!

The good part of having both families from the same area is we always get to celebrate with each side every year! The bad part is that it is VERY rushed! But better then not getting to see everyone! Wouldn't have it any other way! We have a lot to be thankful for and are most thankful for our wonderful families!

My mom had the Goeken Thanksgiving at their house. We had all the great grand kids together so we took advantage of the photo op.


Ava, Kale, Isaac, Abby, Helen, Noah, Kyle, Jake
Abby and Ava show off their big blues!


Since Thanksgiving we have had constant illness at our house. Colds, lots of snot and an ear infection! Joe had the worst barking cough I had ever heard and was even tested for whooping cough! Result= negative. Joe has been wondering how I managed to avoid all symptoms (knock on wood). I attribute it to the flurry of germs I swim in everyday at school.

Our little nephew, Landyn was born on Dec. 9th. We were excited to get up there but didn't think his parents would appreciate us bringing the Petri dish of germs with us to share so we waited until Christmas to meet him. He sure is a cute little squirt!

Ava is 10 Months!!
She weighs about 21 pounds.
Can stand for a little while on her own.
Walks behind push toys and along funiture.
Has become quite the climber!
Has mastered going UP the stairs.
Has added... Bobobobobobob to her baby babbles.
She knows just how to taunt Kale already! (and so it begins :))
And her first pearly white is finally poking through!





Joe didn't have Christmas off this year so we headed up without him. Santa delivered some great toys before we left. Kale was so into Santa this year. It was fun to hear what he had to say about the whole thing. Lots and Lots and Lots of questions. Santa even left us this letter!


Dear Kale and Ava,

You have been very good this year. Keep listening to your mom, dad and teachers!

Kale- I had my top elf, George, work on this very special tractor that he made special just for you. He even made a wagon that hooks behind so that you could pull Ava around when it gets warm again. I have been watching you be a very good big brother. Take care of your little sister! I especially like how you have been not throwing fits when you get frustrated. You are getting to be so big--and your mom and dad’s ears are feeling much better J! Remember, Christmas is the season of giving. Many boys and girls don’t have very many toys to play with. My elves have been working very hard to make sure all the kids have things to play with but I might need to have your help. Is there any toys you could give to kids that don’t have much to play with? See you on NICE list again next year, buddy! Merry Christmas!

Ava- I brought you your very favorite foods! My elves, Snowflake and Sprinkle, have been working hard to make that recipe taste just the way you like it.

Merry Christmas to All!
Love,
Santa

P.S. I loved the cookies. The reindeer ate ALL of your carrots. Rudolf ate the most and he tried to eat the bag too! Silly reindeer!




We went to church on Christmas Eve. Ava doesn't typically sleep in the car. So, she went without a afternoon nap. I was wondering how she would hold up at Connie's after church. She was like a happy energizer bunny and was up until MIDNIGHT!! But of course, no sleeping in! She was up and rearing to go by 7:00 the next morning.




We enjoyed Christmas day at the Schueller's. Kale could hardly resist tearing into the mountain of presents he had sorted out from under the tree. Both kids got SPOILED!!! Kale loved meeting his new cousin Landyn. Hopefully we didn't share any germs with him! (ugh!) I found Landyn and baby's first Christmas shirt and was hoping to find Ava one as well. I think people forget that BIG babies are having a their first Christmas too! The shirts only went up to 6 months! That could have been a CUTE picture!



Shannon and her family arrived Christmas night to mom and dads so we opened gifts again there. Our mountain of loot barely fit in the car! Kale, of course, didn't want to leave but was excited to bring all of his new things home. Ava had more fun with the boxes and trying to eat the wrapping paper but she seemed to LOVE everything about her first Christmas!


Kale is outside any chance he can get. Ava wants to be a part of too! Maybe next year Ava!



Merry Christmas Everyone!

9 Months!

Ava Grace, How can you be 9 months already!!!!!!!??

Accomplishments:

Pat-a-cake!
SoOOO BIG!
Stairs (you haven't figured out though that if you turn around you will tumble!)
Turbo Speed crawling!
Pestering your brother by messing up his farm operation :)!
Mamamamamama babbles.
STILL NO TEETH!??

Pumpkin Patch

Our Little Pumpkin!

We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and head out to Howells Pumpkin Patch. We went there last year and Kale had a great time and he did this time as well!

This was my attempt of the sibling photo shot... It isnt getting any easier to get a good one!



This is where he would have stayed the entire time if we let him!



Ava had to sit there a long time and watch Kale pedal around and around! She enjoyed watching as much as Kale did riding!

Pedal Go Carts!


The big hay pile!


Our Pirate Jack-o-Lantern! ARRRRGH!



Fun had by all!

Trick or Treat!

Trick or Treat!

What a busy weekend! The weekend started on Friday. We took the kids to Living History Farms trick or treat! We went with our neighbors. Maylee and Kale had a great time and the little babies thought it was a crock to be all bundled up and along for the ride!
Kale was a wimp about saying trick or treat and probably would have missed out on a lot of candy if I didn't drag him by the hand to say (or whisper) trick or treat! They got to ride on a hay rack pulled by what Jeremy thought were long eared horses but was abruptly corrected by a stranger that "those aren't horses, they are mules!" Duh Jeremy! We also roasted Marshmallows and the kids had a great time!

They were yelling.. "UDDER"

Poor Ava!




After going to bed way too late, Kale got woke up early to go tailgate at the Iowa State game. And the best part was the Cyclones won!! Kale got home just in time to quickly dress in his swat team costume and head out the door. The shyness was not present this time as Kale sprinted from door to door getting way more than his share of Candy.
If you know Kale, you know the more tired he is the crazier he is and yes he was tired! He ran up to a boy dressed in a scream mask and hit him in the face! No idea where that came from! He had a great time with the neighbors. And again poor Ava was all bundled up thinking things were ridiculous! Poor girl! Next year will be more fun for her!
Here is Kale and his favorite neighbor girls Maddie and Maylee! Kale's face shows how wound up he was!


This cute little pumpkin was not a pumpkin for long... so much for the headband!


Happy Halloween!