Monday, February 13, 2012


 We got about 6 inches of some good snowball snow! So.. inspired by someone I saw using a recycling bin to build an igloo, we busted out a Rubbermaid storage tote and started on our own fort.  We packed the snow in tight and it even got a nice seal of ice from a mist of rain that followed.  Any bets on how long this will be around this spring?
 We celebrated Ava's second birthday!  (I am not calling her a two year old until the 22nd)   Couldn't have had a cuter butterfly of honor!  Kale was told he could not open Ava's presents for her this year-- she gets to do it on her own now.... so look at what a great and serious "helper" kale insisted on being.  AND honestly, I don't know who was more impressed the with the baby doll complete with bathtub/WORKING shower head. :)



Ava covered her face--just like her brother while we sang her happy birthday.  So embarrassed.  I wonder what she wished for....


Thanks to all who helped us celebrate Ava's  birthday.  She is one lucky little girl!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Chit Chats with Ava

At the table:

Ava:  (Burps) nusme
Me: You're excused.
Ava: Beebee bur.
Me: Yes, babies burp. You're right.
Ava: Beebee cy
Me:  They cry too.
Ava: Botta
Me: And then you give them a bottle.
Ava: Wa Daddy?
Me: He took Kale to the bathroom.
Ava: (scrubbing her hands together) wa ands
Me: Yes, he had messy hands so they went to wash them.
Ava (long pause)  Too.
Me:  I love you too Ava.

My lil spitfire #2
This 'good talk' was over before I realized that this was the first full out conversation Ava has ever carried with me.  Other than in her native language, Chinese ;)!  Can't wait to see what comes out of that little mouth from here on out.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Well, Hellllooo winter!!

2012 started out a little shaky but thankfully has since settled.  Ava got the most terrible sounding cold right after Christmas.  Took her to the Dr. 3 times for the common cold because I was convinced it was some thing more.  Fever, wheezy, snotty.  It passed but now I am positive the 24 hr flu bug is so much better than a 2 week cold.  Nothing worse than listening to her toss and cough at night.   Grandpa Walt had a little scare.  Not feeling well.  He stayed in the hospital a couple of nights but is feeling much much better!  Definitely happy about that.

We enjoyed our delay from the wintry weather this year by busting out those bikes Santa delivered.  Kale's new bike is MUCH bigger than his little bike.... It did NOT seem that big in the store..or..uh.. I mean, in Santa's workshop! Phew, close one. After a a couple hours of determination,  He has mastered the whole no training wheel and this new bike goes much too fast for his Momma's comfort.  He had 32 little bruises on his shins that night and I only heard, "Help mom, I'm outta control!" 2 or 3 times. :)  Just another sign he is growing up.


We hit up a Cyclone basketball game.  It was Ava's first.  She LOVES Cy!  She searched for him throughout the whole game (except for when she was to busy devouring her clone cone).  She wanted to "five" Cy.  This made big brother extremely nervous.  He is terrified of anything wearing something covering the face... clowns, Cy, Chuck E Cheese..even Santa..yep, freaks out.  I have told him, Cy is a college kid wearing a costume...that satisfies until he come near our vicinity.   So anyway, near nervous break down when Ava went to "five" him!  I did manage to sneak him a downer so we could get a picture ;).

Ava also made her first trip to the dentist.  After following big bro's lead, she participated like a champ.  Even had a tooth cleaning rather than just a tooth count.   Both have beautiful pearly whites...although maggie simpson may need to be parting with her beloved "plug" after her birthday.  Luckily, our dentist she can have it for awhile longer but it should be gone by 2 1/2.  I am thinking it may not be pretty.  she loves that thing and now has even been particular about which one she likes best... the sea turtle one is the preferred flavor.

Kale was pumped for snowfall so he could try out what he discovered on a youtube video (yes, I know, our son knows how to start the computer, get on the Internet, navigate his way to You Tube and search for farm equipment and toy trucks..sigh, we've created a monster).  Anyway, he was so excited to attach his snow shovel to the front of his powerwheels tractor and move snow.  The plan didn't go nearly has smoothly as he had imagined but he actually did manage to do some good out there.  I swear both of my children are immune to cold, they could go on forever.  So, yes, Ava tried her hand at moving snow as well.  They make quite the team.


Woof!

He only had a few seconds available to take this pic.  He was busy "working".

Ava has been talking more and more.  Most of it, however, is only recognizable to Joe and I (because, we too, are fluent in her very rare dialect of Chinese).  But the cutest phrase she says that I hope never changes in to "real English" is when we plop her in bed at night, or leave to go to work... She yells "Too!" aka, I love you too! Too darned cute.  The other day, Joe fell down the stairs (LOL!! he was fine) but Ava was so concerned, "uh, oh Daddy owie,  Daddy cry."  (no, he didn't cry but he did lay on the couch for a while as I couldn't stop laughing.)  Poor Joe.  Good thing Dr. Ava took care of him.  She has also manages to keep up with Kale racing around the yard.. "I drive. I drive."  and yes she can navigate herself around quite well.  She is just as stubborn as her brother and has started the timeout phase of her life... she can be so delightful sometimes and other times...holy smokes.  She's a pistol.  Wouldn't have it any other way, although life might be a little easy if she weren't so much like her momma.

Life here continues to be good.  So thankful for my babes and my hubby along with our great family and friends.  We will be getting ready to celebrate Ava's 2nd birthday soon..  Butterfly theme it is!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Fun!

Christmas festivities were all a success!  It started last Thursday when Kale had his preschool Christmas program.  He fretted about it for a couple weeks.  He was so anxious about how many moms and dads would be looking at him.  To our surprise, he was Joseph and did wonderfully!  He was so proud of himself!

Santa made an early appearance at our house.  We Skyped him to ask him if he would grant our early request since we would be leaving for NW Iowa.  As it turns out, Santa was very excited about this since he has so many people to deliver to on Christmas Eve!
The kids must have been VERY good this year!  Our living room was FULL of surprises.  I don't know that they were that good, were they??
Turns out a sled is just as good (if not better) inside since there is no snow outside!

Then we headed up to Everly to catch Christmas Eve service at Hope Lutheran.  Mom hosted the Goeken Christmas and EVERYONE was back.  Good times had by all!
All dressed up!
The great grandkid table.
My kids stayed up EXTRA late until had to be forced to bed.  Jake could have went on for a few more hours I think.  He was good entertainment... "I sure did!"

Surprisingly, the kids slept until about 7:30 before we had to get the first party of the day started.  Gifts Galore!

We got the four wheelers on our Black Friday adventure (that will never happen again) but the smiles made the struggle completely worth it.  Christmas is so much fun with kids... they were so delighted :)!  I love finding something and just knowing that they will totally LOVE it!  Can't help but to spoil them a little...oh well!
It was Will's first Christmas!  He was obviously thrilled about his gifts as well ;)

Nana's traditional Hallmark ornament
 Then it was on to the Schueller Christmas for us!  And trust me, we didn't go without there either...

Macie's first Christmas..
Notice the sun glaring in!  Is it really December?? No snow... and extremely nice.  Makes me wonder when the DUMPING of snow will hit!  Plus, it doesn't feel like Christmas without snow!



Landyn checking things out.
We could not have shoved another thing in our car without leaving a kid behind.  It was Christmas all over again as we unpacked the car and the reactions were even better the second time around.  Should have had the video camera rolling.

Thanks to our families and close friends for another wonderful Christmas!  Bring on the New Year!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Break has begun!

Winter break and we spent the afternoon......at the PARK! This weather is so nice.  However, I know I will be putting my foot in my mouth in a month or so...BUT  LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!



Saturday, December 3, 2011

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Trick or Treat!

This years weather was perfect for a gallivant around in costume!  Kale has many costumes around here so he waited until the day of to decided which "workerman" he would be... fireman (after a little guidance away from the plumber he randomly suggested about 10 minutes before go time).  Ava sported the trusty skunk costume.  Kale wore this... remove the bow tie and stick in a hair bow...good to go!




Too cute not to share!
 This year we were invited to our friend Addison's trick or treat birthday party!  Here's the whole crew!


We captured a fierce tiger!
 Around here, everyone asks for a joke when the kids are at the door(we didn't do that in Everly, just a  "trick or treat" did the trick.  So, I quickly prepared Kale with a couple jokes which he was already feeling hesitant and embarrassed to say "trick or treat."   Here's how it went..
Woman:  Happy Halloween
Kale: (hesitantly) Trick or Treat
Woman: What's your joke?
Kale:  (silent)
Woman: Do you have a joke?
Kale:  (pause) Knock. Knock.
Woman:  Who's there?
Kale: (long pause) Orange.
Woman: Orange who?
Kale: (longer pause)  orange...house.



Tricksters still playing pranks.. pretending to "sleep" on the drive home.-- couldn't fool us,
our kids RARELY sleep in the car. Why? I have no idea!

A few of our neighborhood gang.