Happy Holidays!

We took the kids to the Santa Train in Oblong last Sunday. The train pulls up & Santa & a variety of different characters are on board. The characters greet all the kids while you wait in line to get on to see Santa. We waited about 45 minutes. It is really neat except it was very cold. I'm sure kids who love trains would really like it.

Daddy & Ben waiting for the train to arrive.

This was Ava's face after the train pulled up and she saw all the characters. Needless to say she didn't like them. I thought her look was priceless.

Jeff loves this picture

Once again...no caption necessary to explain Ava's feeling about Santa.

How cute are these elves? Thanks for the Christmas outfits Mimmi. Too bad I had already sent off for my Christmas cards to be made. This pic is cuter than the one I used.

As always I apologize for not posting. I must admit I have kind of lost interest in making time to do it. Maybe I will get better but I doubt it.

Halloween

The kids were pirates for Halloween. I guess to be accurate Ava said she was a Pirate Princess. They were so cute. Mimmie (Jeff's Mom) made their costumes again this year. She does an awesome job! Thanks so much Mimmie. Sadly enough though we did very little trick or treating. We only made it to 3 houses because it is really exhausting and the weather was horrible. They also got to go to some houses in Southern Illinois when they were there visiting.

This is how Trick or Treating made me feel.

This is an old picture from when Mimmie took Ava to Build a Bear.

Kids Pictures

At the beginning of October, we went to the pumpkin patch in Johnson City with Mimmie. Jeff's cousin, Amy, came and took some adorable pictures of the kids. Check it out on her PF Photography Blog. She does a great job. Thanks so much Amy!

Time with friends

Lindsey and I haven't seen each other in what seems like decades so we were in serious need of some friend bonding time. She brought the kids over today and we visited & they played. It was a wonderful time.

Ben & Wyatt (or as Ava calls him "Pyatt") posing.

Wyatt swinging

Ava with her Happy Meal

Just as Lindsey & I were discussing that sometimes we feel we have no control, our daughters had taken their pants off & were stomping in the sand & water table & throwing sand. I guess they wanted to prove our point.

Wyatt sitting up so big

Horrible at posting

Sorry I have slacked so much. My computer at home is so slow and that is the last thing I want to take time to do of an evening. Things are going well. Both kids are doing great. Ava has got into the routine of daycare again so that is going good. Ben is of course growing like a weed. He weighs 18 lbs 8 oz now. He ate baby food for the the 1st time Sunday. Green Beans - he loved them. He ate the entire container - and it wasn't the smallest container either. Here are a bunch of random pics.

Green beans for everyone. Ben's were a little different consistency than Ava's.

Ava & Alli had a slumber party last Friday. Jeff built a fire so we could roast hot dogs and marshmallows.

Ben 1st fire at our fire pit.

The daycare took all the kids in the Homecoming parade. I rode the football/cheer float but posed for a pic with Alli & Ava.

Ben looks enormous in this picture. I really don't think he is as big as he looks here. I kept telling them at daycare that he hates a stroller. Of course, he made a liar of me & loved their strollers.

1st Week

I have enjoyed being back at work this week but it has been a trying week. Ava cries when I drop her off and school & when I pick her up. She cries a lot of an evening about anything that doesn't go her way. Basically she is really tired and wants to be in control of everything. Anyway...I'm sure things will get better as she gets used to a routine again. Ben is doing great. He has been sleeping relatively well at night - getting up once for sure sometimes twice but eats and goes right back to sleep.

Here are some pictures from playing outside last weekend that I never got time to post.

Ben's 1st time in the swing. Ava wasn't so sure about this because she LOVES her swing. Might have to get another baby swing.

She decided this was more fun than swinging (a little more work for dad though). Her hair cracked me up in this picture.

1st Day Back

The first day back to school was today. It went great. I was looking forward to going back even though I know I will miss the kids. I had been kind of worried about Ava but she was so excited. She couldn't wait to get there and see her friends and Miss Jamie. We talked about Miss Jamie being the boss and that she had to listen to her. Shockingly enough Ava agreed - she usually thinks she is the boss. When I came to get the kids today Ava did not want to leave. Kids are so funny. Of course, Ben did fine too. He didn't have much to say about it though. Here is a pic from this morning before we left.

Chicago Trip

Jeff and I went to Chicago Thursday, Friday & Saturday. We rode the train and got there Thursday afternoon. While we were there we went to see the Cubs, walked Michigan Avenue, took a double decker bus tour & ate alot. It was a very nice time. I had to laugh - the only thing I bought while shopping was a pair of $12 flip flops from Payless. I don't think I had to go all the way to the big city to get that.

Wrigley Field

On Friday night, we got dressed up and went out for a nice dinner at Morton's Steakhouse. We also took a 30 minute boat ride looking at the Chicago Skyline and then road the horse and carriage around the city.

Dwindling Down

One more day of summer. We plan on spending it being lazy at home. I think I am ready to go back. Since I have been off since April 9th I should be ready. I am looking forward to a routine. I am a little nervous about Ava at daycare. She has always loved it there and never cried a bit but since she hasn't went for more than 4 months I'm afraid things maybe different. But I'm sure Tina & everyone else will make sure she does fine.

Ben went to Riley's yesterday to see the hematologist. And just as I suspected - keep giving the shots for the blood clot. I knew his right leg was visibly still larger so I didn't have my hopes up. We go back in November to do a sonagram. I am keeping my fingers crossed for that.

I posted some pictures from the past few days.

Isn't she styling.

Baby Gage is gonna have to pack on some pounds to catch Ben. Ben weighed 17 lbs 6 oz at appointment on Monday.

Happy 60th Birthday Poppy.
He had a surprise party at Giant City Lodge.

I was afraid Ben was a little small so I thought we should start cereal - haha. He did okay with it.

Swimming at Aunt Martha's

Because of the crazy weather this summer we have not hardly went swimming. Monday was the first day Ben ever went swimming. He really liked it & of course Ava loved it too.

Soaking up some rays - don't worry this was only for a photo & of course he has lots of sunscreen on.

Holding my babies

Think he likes it?

Look at the big girls

Martha & the boys

Happy Birthday Landon!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my nephew Landon. I remember the day he was born like yesterday. He had the biggest hands & feet I have ever seen on a baby.

Landon: 10 days old
Ava: 3 months

Wendelin Picnic

Last Sunday was the Wendelin picnic. This was the biggest event of the summer when I was a kid. It was also a sign summer was coming to an end. Jeff & I took the kids and Eileen came along. Of course, Grandma & Grandpa Buerster & Martha's family were all there so we ate lunch with them & the kids played games. A fun day was had by all.

On a side note: For all you "facebookers" - I have joined the revolution. I'm not sure what I think of it yet but can definitely see how its addicting. I hope it doesn't make me bad at keeping my blog updated. I think there would be some upset grandparents if I started slacking on posting pics of the kiddos.

I think she thought the lemon shake up was sour.

Ava actually touched some of the animals

I was pretty nervous about her going down this big slide but she got the hang of it real quick.

Mimmie & the kids before the picnic

Random Pics

My creativity is gone as far as post titles goes so I just stole Kelly & Martha's last title from their post. Not much has been going on. It has been one of those weeks where I have managed to accomplish nothing. Ben has an ear infection so he has been a little bit fussy and Ava just likes to be a "big helper" so not much has got done this week. That's okay though.

Went to mom's last Sunday. The kids were like 3 little birds waiting for bites of Martha's ice cream.

Alli patting Ava's butt.

Daddy was grilling out and the kids were watching.

Ava eating corn - its not cooked yet. We are still waiting on corn from Grandpa Buerster. By the looks of his patch I think we might be waiting til next year.

Snack time afer playing in the sprinkler.

Crawford County Fair

We took the kids to the fair Tuesday night. We walked around and looked at the animals & the exhibits. Ava is pretty small for the rides & I didn't think she would like them much anyway. Of course we also had to eat some fair food.

Both kids loaded into the stroller

Ava & Daddy looking at the pigs. She was scared to death of all the animals. I don't know what has created this fear. She loves talking about seeing animals but then when they are close she is terrified.

She liked the duck pond better than the actual ducks.

Daddy with his babies

Here's the proof: He's a thumb sucker.