Taste of Summer

School was out spring break style this week.  We intended on our first major vaca as a family until we realized the price tag..... with Ava probably not going to remember much of the venture we decided to hold off and hang out in the backyard.  Though nothing comparable the sandy beach, the weather was amazing.  Flip flops were flippin.. we even got out the sprinkler one day!
The kids even let us  SLEEP IN.  Monday will be a rude awakening for this mama. 

We put in GORGEOUS hickory floors... love

Kale turned his tractor into a garbage truck and spent a good 25 minutes "working".  Notice the broom. It is duct taped to the arm rest of the seat and serves as the "hydraulic arm" used for grabbing and dumping the big green garbage cans. ;)

Kale spends on average 1 hour per day in his sandbox.  Preferably AvaLESS.  His sandbox can become a construction site or farm ground in a matter of seconds and believe me when I say he is busy working (complete with sound effects).  Sad to think that one day he won't be interested in this any more.  I really can not imagine that. Really strange to think that is a Kale that I do not even know yet?  What will he do for fun that doesn't involve trucks, tractors or "workerman' dress up clothes.  So, today we had a sandbox photo shoot.  He agreed to this as long as i didn't "get in the way" or "interrupt him while he is backing up and big truck load.  A construction site is a dangerous area."

We took Kale and Ava to the Shrine Circus this morning.  It was really kind of a disappointment.  LAME!  Was it always this way!?!??  I remember it being so exciting?!?!?   Then, of course, the announcers had to keep showing/insisting that EVERYONE buy a light up, 20 dollar, piece of junk sword.  Luckily, Kale, who has been saving to buy a 46 dollar excavator (it takes a long time to earn that much at 25 cents a job ;)), has realized that money has a value and didn't want to waste it on the junk (after a little explanation and a snow cone to smooth it over). And Ava could have cared less.  But, seriously, why do they have to pull those stunts?  Regardless this kids enjoyed it.  Joe and I made it tolerable with our own commentary throughout the "unbelievable and worlds greatest" stunts the class act "Enrique"  had to impress us with ;)

We have been thinking a lot about Great Grandpa Goeken lately and praying that he will continue to get his strength back after not feeling well and a 2 week long hospital stay.  It's such a weird feeling for me to think that he is not bouncing back from this easily.  He has always been on the go.  I know that this is just driving him crazy not to be able to go about things the way he knows.  There are lawns to be mowed and field work to get ready for!  We love you Grandpa and Get well!

Me (4ish) and Grandpa and Shannon (7ish)

Pinterest!

We made valentine's special this year by making our own cards (thank you pinterest!).  Here's what they looked like....

Then we cut a little slit on the top and bottom of his hand and stuck in a sucker.  It looked just like he was holding it.  Super cute!  And Kale was quite happy with the way they turned out!

Ava, of course, had to get in on the photo shoot.



She didn't get the whole "hold your hand out" part.  She just said "CHEEEESE!" We thought that was "sweet" enough :)!

We celebrated that little stinker's 2nd birthday butterfly style.  She wore her sassy purple tutu and her purple butterfly wings (thank you dollar tree) and looked like a butterfly princess.  She definitely did not go without, that is for sure.  We were happy family play that day.  So glad Jake could represent the Schippers... poor Will was under the weather.
Ava, like her brother, was so bashful while we sang to her!  Where do my kids get the shyness from?????
Stubborn behavior has GOT to be from Joe ;)..... but shy???


Yummy!...and cute cake!

 Ava brings so much more to this family... She has to be the queen of faces (silly, serious, don't bug me, you're crazy, and busted).  She is loud, ornery, sweet, strong willed and a goof ball.  Her vocabulary is growing everyday but here are few of her favorite phrases..
"Look at me!"
"That's MINE"
"Where Kale go?"
"No."
"Drake, down!"
"Go outside. Ava (but she say something more like Iya) coat."
"Eat more bite"

We love watching her learn.  She amazes us with everything she knows.  And the girl doesn't miss ANYTHING.  She wants in on everything. "too"  "too"  Monkey see. Monkey do.  She can hold her own.  Kale has taken a few hits to the back when she's mad.  Luckily, he doesn't hit back... well, there was one spanking incident Kale thought he would handle but we won't get into that one :).  For the most part big bro tolerates her "two"ness although, he provokes some of the "two"ness as well.  Can't imagine that one now can you?
We have been spending time with friends down here trying to beat the winter drag (even tho this winter has been amazing!).  We will be sad to see our neighbors move here in the next couple days. But happy for them- I know we will see them again!  Kale loves his little buddy Maylee like a sister so it will be a hard day.  We've been discussing them moving for awhile now and I just don't think he realizes that he REALLY won't be able to see her much.  They will have to play via "skype" :)
We've got a couple home projects lined up for carpenter Joe next month!  We will see if we can make it through without any injuries or the need for...marriage counseling ;)  Home improvement projects ALWAYs bring out the best in both of us so it should be pretty intense... pictures to come!
Until then,  Go Iowa State! and bring on the spring weather!

 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!

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.

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!

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!

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!!!!!!!