Baby Calorie Burner

They did take a snack break, which was good because an I.V. would probably have been necassary with all the energy that was expended during the 2 plus hour romp around the gymnastics gym.  The kids built forts, swung, jump, rolled, wrestled, laughed, etc.  Evidently Molly told her dad that she was not getting married to a boy at school and that she would consider Jonas or Max.  I have not followed up to see how that went.  Planting the seed early.  Its always nice to lose yourself a little in watching the world through the eyes of kids that are just cranking it out and having fun.

Jonas Climber

It was a cold day at Garner Park so the boys figured they would climb the trees to cut out the wind.   Ben  is looking up at a squirrel high in the tree...no wait is that a squirrel?

Actually it turned out to be Jonas (follow the tree up to see him up there). He climbed up, hung out, and came back down.  Who needs monkey bars?

Mom's 30 something Bday

Mom opening some presents

The Boys made a couple of picture windows.  Jonas digitally created all the pictures.

It was a little chilly, but we enjoyed a hike at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center.

Fresh off blowing out the candles...you can clearly see that Mom is thirty-something.  You  have to add the small candles to the 'big 30' candle.

Jonas and Niles have been working on a birthday celebration video for their Mom.  Usually we don't put these up on the blog, but Jonas wanted to share it.  It's a beast, around 10 minutes...but if it is your birthday it is a pretty enjoyable 10 minutes.

Sledding with Ben, Cory, & Aunt Ashley

It was a cold day at Hoyt park, but we decided to give it a go anyway.  Niles would have none of it.  I even popped a whole grocery bag full of popcorn for him to eat in the shelter, but he decided to voice his concern for being cold by crying.  Should have figured that.  The big boys had a lot of fun though.  So I ended up driving around the parking lot in circles why Ben, Cory, Jay, and Ashley finished up sledding in to the trees.  I got a few questions as to why I was driving around in circles in the parking lot from the little sledders, couldn't give them an answer that would satisfy them.  When we got home we finished off the popcorn and had some hot chocolate.

Crib Reading of Carl and Winter Vilas Zoo

Hanging out at the zoo...the kids pulled Mom around the zoo the whole time.  The zoo in the winter seems as if it is your backyard, it is such a great asset to the community.   Earlier in the day Jonas hopped into Niles's crib and read him a 'Carl the dog' story (video).  Welcome 2012!

Holiday Photo Slideshow 2011

Holiday related pictures from Christmas 2011.  The kids were really psyched up and enjoyed all the giving and receiving of gifts.  Lots of great times and memories created with family and friends.

Olbrich Gardens Holiday Trains

Jonas, as usual, had his flying wings on. You can see him start to get excited than pump his arms/wings until he is flying high. Needless to say this excitement reaction is quite contagious as Niles does this on a much smaller scale when he is excited. Niles usually just kinda flicks his wrists really fast, so he hasn't taken flight yet.

Bogart, Boys, Packers, and Reading?

Tug o war with Bogart.

Jonas getting his passengers ready for a rocket ship ride.

Friends over for dinner.

New baby Wheeler, Niles was well versed in what to do since he has been taking care of his baby so well at home.

Packers = Popcorn  In the only time that Niles really gets his brain fried from watching tv  he also gets to eat popcorn with his Dad and brother.

Jonas wanted to create a chamber where he can rest.  I told him it looked like a coffin, he asked what that was and I  played it as a 'Special box that people go into."

Niles was reading Henry and Mudge...sorta.  he definitely is picking out all sorts of things and actions from books and associating them across contexts.  The best part of the video is his mobster laugh after making an observation.  If you get a chance you can hear the laugh, after that it is more of him being silly.