Turning 2 is TIGGERIFFIC

Mommy and Gavin with his "Tigger" cake

Gavin turned 2 Jan 14th. Unfortunately for him he was sick that day! So sick he had to stay home from school. He spent the majority of the day lying on the couch with me. He also missed his big brother soooo much! He kept asking for him over and over again, "Cole buddy?" I don't know what he's going to do when Cole starts kindergarten in the fall!
Yesterday we had a very low key celebration for G's birthday. We had a couple people over and he had a cake and opened his gifts. He loves Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. I found a local baker who made Gavin a wonderful cake in the shape of Tigger's head. It was soo cute, and tasted wonderful! Gavin thought it looked great, but wouldn't even take a bite. We figured that would be the case, since anytime he's had cake in the past he's usually thrown it on the floor! This time he just pushed it away, and said "Full" and spared me the clean up. He did however do a great job blowing out his candles. He had a great day. He stayed up extra late and watched the Packers, we sent him to bed with 11 min left in the 4th quarter, so he was asleep for the big disappointment- maybe next year buddy!

Here is the cake. We got it at Sweet Perfections Bake Shoppe, located in downtown Waukesha. I would reccomend them. I brought in a photo of what I wanted and we got exactly that! http://www.sweetperfections.com

Gavin blowing out his candles

Gavin kissing his new Tumble with me Tigger

Gavin sporting his new helmet from Daddy to go with his new bike.

Gavin and Daddy!

Happy New Year

Happy 2008! I hope this year brings all of us many blessings. My step sister Shannon has inspired me. She is picking a word for the year, something sort of to live by, attain, focus on. Her word is Enjoy. I think my word is going to be INSPIRE. I want to be inspired by others to be a better mom, wife, friend, sister, nurse, person aunt, cook.... I want to help inspire others to be a better mom, frined, sister, nurse, person,...
I had set several goals for myself in 2007, I can happily report that for the most part I think I achieved all of them!
For 2008 however, I am really reaching for the stars... Todd and I want to really make a difference this year. We are always talking about how we need to give more of our time and money to charity. We are always talking about how we want to teach our kids the importance of giving, being charitable and making a difference, and not just with money. This year we are going to try something different. We are currently working on developing a charitable "project" so, to speak. It is still in the works , so you will hear more about it as it develops. I hope the result is that we are able to change someone elses life for the better and in the process enrich ours.
I hope 2008 is a wonderful year for all of you! Talk to you soon!

Santas Here

We were very blessed this year and had a wonderful Christmas. We were able to celebrate it with many family and friends. Todd and I kicked off the season by having a private gift exchange celebration on the 23rd. Todd finally got the Bob Sanders jersey he has been asking for, along with a autographed picture of Bob Sanders after he won the superbowl last year! And for me a beautiful new ring from Tiffany's.

December 24th my parents came into town and we had a small celebration here at the house. My mom's two sisters and their families came, my sister Amber also joined us and we had a really great night. The kids all ran around and played and everyone had a wonderful time.

Everyone cleared out around 10pm and Cole sprinkled some reindeer food out on the lawn, and left cookies and Egg Nog for Santa. He was in a hurry to get to bed (for a change) so, we had no problem getting them tucked in and to sleep!

Then we had the task of getting all the presents back into the house and under the tree, we had been hiding them at our neighbors house!

We were knee deep in Christmas to say the least! The kids got up Christmas morning and had a BLAST! We were very suprised that they actually slept in till about 8am. The kids spent a little over 2 hours opening gifts~ while Mommy, Daddy, Grandma and Papa spent a little over two hours trying to figure out how to get the toys of the packages and then figure out where to put the batteries! For those of you who have kids, you know what I am talking about!

It is somewhat of a tradition in my husbands family to put toothbrushes and toothpaste in everyone's stocking. We have continued with this. Cole and Gavin each got an electric toothbrush for Xmas. Gavin has already ran the batteries dead on his!This package of M&M's is from my father in law to Cole and Gavin. My father in law is somewhat of a M&M conniseur, he has taking Cole and Gavin under his wing and they are currently "in training"!
After the kids finished opening gifts we went Annette's house for a late lunch/dinner. My other sisters and brother were there with their families. Shannon was not able to bring Brady because he was sick with pneumonia, so her husband Doug stayed home with Brady. My parents went out to their home later that night to see them. Cole and Gavin had fun running around playing with their cousins Drew, and Graelen. Baby Finnlee sat content on her Daddies lap. Everyone had fun. Annette had gotten 2 puppies the day before and Gavin was in heaven! We all had a great day!
My parents left the next morning and the kids have kept themselves pretty busy playing with all their new toys. They were so blessed to recieve so much from so many! We have gone through both their rooms and cleaned out toys that don't see as much action these days. We are planning on taking the kids to Children's Hospital and having them donate their toys.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well! See you in the new year!