Merry Christmas

We had a great first Christmas at our own home. It was nice to not have to travel, but we did really miss our families.

Even though Eric still would not sit on Santa's lap, he was very much into him this year. Santa called every night on his "shampoo phone" during tubby time to see if Eric had been a good boy. Unfortunately, as much as we thought Santa would be a motivator for good behavior, he seemed to have the opposite effect. However, after calling Santa a few times to tell him to give his toys to another little boy, Eric ceased hitting Pia and Santa decided to come afterall.

For Sophia, this was the year of the wrapping paper and she loved it! We look forward to next year...the year of the boxes. ;O)

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Eric sprinkling Reindeer dust so they knew how to get to our house

Christmas morning seeing what Santa left him

Where did our baby go???

Real Ice!

After months of practicing his skating with his socks on our floors, Eric finally had the opportunity to try it out on real ice. He did awesome! I think all his practicing paid off. He took a number of spills, but was eager to get back up and keep trying. We are curious to see how sore he will be this morning when he gets up.

Either way...I think we have found our new Sunday afternoon activity....at least until Hockey practice starts. ;O)

It's Starting to Look alot like Christmas!

Ringing the bell for Salvation Army

Decorating Cookies

Pia's First Visit with Santa...he really is a scary guy! ;O)


As close as Eric would get...an improvement over last year!

Are we done yet???

The natives getting restless during our Christmas card photo shoot... ;O)

Straight Wisconsin

Diggers!

Firsts

Obsessions

Pickles, pickles, pickles. The kid could live on pickles.
So what could be better than a little pickle sushi!

Wagon Rides

Yummy!!

Sophia turned 6 months a little over a week ago, can you believe it! We had our 6 month visit and she is 27 inches long and 17.6 pounds. We definitely have big kids as she is in the 90th+ percentile. And she has been SO ready for solids. Last week we started rice cereal and have moved on to apple sauce and now sweet potatos. She loves it! Here are a few pictures from her first meal.


Pia's VERY jealous big brother.
I had to take pictures of him while eating too!

Eric "helping" Mom...
looking at this picture, it looks scarier than things really were. ;O)

Happy Halloween

We decided to head back East to Boston for Halloween this year. We had a blast hanging out with our Chucktown friends and the kids were so much fun. Eric's obsession with Star Wars took over this year...it even rubbed off on Owen who decided to be an Ewok. Apparently, Star Wars is making a comeback because we saw quite a few R2D2s, Darth Vaders, Yodas, and Storm Troopers. But no one nearly as cute as our little Princess Pia. ;O) Happy Halloween! Pia during the "pre-party"

The boys trying to negotiate a strategy for sharing the M&Ms

Eric, Audrey, Owen, and Pia

Seriously, does it get any cuter?

Eric's halo is a little crooked

Must not have been p-nut butter cups

Post trick-or-treating, pre sugar high