Happy 90th Birthday Grandpa Bob

We are so lucky to have Grandpa Bob in our lives!  I think it is pretty amazing that our kids have 5 great-grandparents in their lives!  Grandma Gladys had a wonderful party to celebrate Grandpa Bob's 90th birthday!  Caroline and Henry have such a special relationship with Grandma Gladys and Grandpa Bob!  We love you!!

It's hard getting a picture where they both are looking or have their hands out of their face :)

2012 in Review

I can't believe this year is over!  We had a great 2012 and am looking forward to what 2013 has in store for us!

January

We started off the new year by celebrating with friends!  This has become a new tradition for us as we stay at a hotel for the New Year.  We just sold our house and are living with my parents as we look for our future home! 

February

We celebrated Riggin's first birthday!  He is the sweetest boy and we are blessed to have him in our family.  He is growing stronger everyday.  Caroline calls him "her Riggins" and is always excited to see him!

March

Baka Dave had his annual Ashling Meadows Easter Egg hunt.  Caroline thinks Baka is the Easter Bunny and we always look forward to the hunt.  She had enough of mommy taking pictures at this point!

April

We went on our last trip as a family of three.  We traveled to Destin, FL.  Caroline saw the ocean for the first time and loved it!  She could play in the sand for hours!  We had a wonderful time!

May

This month we said goodbye to our family dog, Touchdown.  It was very sudden and she is greatly missed!  Caroline still talks about her in doggy heaven.  There was no better dog!

June

We celebrated Caroline's 3rd birthday.  She had the best time jumping in her bouncy castle with friends and family.  Her birthday wish came true too...a new, pink bike!

I traveled to San Diego to see my best friend, Jenny.  We have been the best of friends since 9th grade.  This trip was extra special as we were pregnant (7 weeks apart).  I had such a memorable trip!  I only wish we didn't live so far away!

July

We had a wonderful addition to our family in Sarah.  Jesse and Sarah got married on July 14th.  It was a fun celebration and the perfect day!

August

We welcomed Henry David into our family on August 27.  We are so blessed to have 2 beautiful, healthy kids!  Caroline loves being a big sister!  Henry has been an incredible baby!

September

September was filled with football games and enjoying being home with my two loves!  Caroline was the Junior Princess for Minnetonka's homecoming too!  She loved being the princess for the day and riding in a convertible during the parade!

October

Henry was baptized in October.  It was a wonderful day spent with family!  Caroline enjoyed Halloween and picked out her own costume, a butterfly.  Her only disappointment was when she couldn't fly after putting on her wings!

November

November concluded a great football season!  Minnetonka made it to the dome this year!  My maternity leave came to an end and we started our new normal with returning to work.

December

My family went downtown to celebrate all the winter birthdays and my parents 34th wedding anniversary. 

 

We spent the month getting ready for Christmas, enjoying time with family, wishing time would slow down with our little ones, and enjoying the season through their eyes!

 

We had a wonderful year as a family with the addition of Henry, lots of family time, and wonderful blessings!  I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for our family!





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry is 4 months old!

Oh Henry...you continue to be the BEST baby!!!  Everywhere we go, people comment on how calm, good natured, and happy you are!  You rarely cry, love to be around people, and smile constantly!  People can't believe we have had two awesome babies but it is true! Here is what you are up to lately:

• You go to bed around 7:30 and wake up once to eat.  You were sleeping through the night but this last week you've been getting up at 4 am (growth spurt?!).  You wake up at 6 am to eat and then will sleep until 8 or later.  You are a great sleeper!
• You do not need your swing anymore to go to bed!  We have been putting you in your crib awake but you love to have your little monkey blanket with you!  We put it by your face and you love this!!
• The doctor gave us the go ahead to start oatmeal so we will see how that goes!!  I think you will like it since you are a big eater!
• You are a scheduled baby and have 2 solid naps a day.  Your afternoon nap is longer than the morning nap.  Again, you love to have your monkey blanket by your face!
• You are very close to rolling over!  I hope it happens soon before mommy and daddy go back to work!
• We fall deeper and deeper in love with you every day!  Your sister loves you so much and is always asking if you are ok and wanting to help!  She loves seeing you use all of her old baby toys.  I just know you two will grow up to be the best of buddies!

Christmas with the Nelson's

On Christmas Eve, we were with my immediate family.  We had a wonderful night filled with fondue, opening presents, getting ready for Santa, and enjoying the special time together.  Caroline and Henry were spoiled again!  Caroline got a soccer ball, Cinderella princess dress, clothes, games, movies, and much more!  Henry got some clothes and toys and again enjoyed watching everybody together.  What a wonderful, blessed Christmas it was!!

Aunt Sarah and Henry

This of course was Ashley's idea...I know you are not surprised :)

Ashley's beautiful family

Maybe she'll take after her mommy and love soccer!

Checking to see if Santa and the reindeer ate her cookies and carrots!
 

Christmas with the Stephan's

We celebrated at Baka Terry and Mama Sandy's house for Christmas! We had such a relaxing, enjoyable time with family. Caroline and Henry were spoiled rotten by Baka and Mama...of course they loved every minute of it! Caroline got her own dollhouse with tons of furniture, a make-up kit, princess dolls, and so much more! Henry got a riding toy to use when he is older. He had fun getting held by everyone and taking in his first Christmas! We are so blessed to have a wonderful family!

Our only family picture over Christmas!

She's so excited to see what this big present is!

Aunt Jessica and Henry

Shane and Caroline listening to Mama Sandy read...so sweet!

Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma Siegel with the little ones!

 

Happy Holidays

We continue to stay busy and are enjoying the holiday season.  Caroline went to her first Holidazzle parade last week.  Her Baka Dave loves the Holidazzle parade and they couldn't wait to take her.  Uncle Jesse and Aunt Sarah also went with while I stayed back with Henry.  Our kids are so lucky to have so many people who love them!  She loved the whole thing!!

 

Caroline also went to her first play at Minnetonka High School.  She loves the movie "Annie" so when we heard they were doing a play, we knew we had to take her.  Her great-grandma Gladys joined us with her sister.  It was a great day out and our girl loved every minute of it!

 

Lately...

We have been getting into the Christmas spirit around here!  We woke up to a lot of snow this morning and I don't know who was more excited, Josh or Caroline!  Caroline wanted to go sledding, shovel, and make a snowman today.  We started with helping daddy shovel!  She had so much fun throwing snow up in the air and just being outside. 

 

We also made daddy's favorite cookie together...Wreath cookies!  Anytime we are in the kitchen, she loves to help out!

 

Henry has been a busy boy lately too!  He is just over 3 months old and continues to be the calmest baby around.  He still never cries!!  He is a mover though and is very strong.  He loves to stand up and is trying to sit up when he's laying down.  He watches Caroline whenever she is around...I know they will be the best of buddies!  I can't get over how fast time flies and how quickly they are growing up!  We are truly blessed!