Christmas in Kansas City

Caleb and Gideon got a remote control train and firetruck. It was so fun to watch them 'drive' around the house.

Briella loves her new baby that came with a diaper, clothes, blankets, and a crib.

All together on Sunday morning!

Thanksgiving in Iowa

We spent a week in Iowa for Thanksgiving and as always there were lots of books to be read, repeatedly.

Briella prefers GrandmaB's bath toys to our own and I couldn't resist those cheeks ;)
We made popcorn, the first time for our kids. It was very interesting and they even clapped when it started filling the bowl!

Briella-isms 2

I know I recently wrote about the funny things Briella has been saying, but I have a few more that I hope you get a kick out of!

I was at Kohl's with both kids in the double stroller and realized I needed to use the bathroom so I went into the handicap one so the kids and my stuff could stay in the stroller. I don't do this often and decided to just get over it and move on. Then I heard Briella say, "I like your blue underwear Mom" (with a grin on her face). Thanks Brie, I'll remember that . . .

While visiting the elderly, passing gas seems as normal as with infants, except to Briella. After hearing a prolonged toot she loudly proclaimed "Ewwwww, she tooted" and when I tried to ignore her inappropriate comment she repeated the facts again and again.

A couple of times recently after getting dressed (usually on Sunday morning) Briella says "I'm SO pretty." I think because we have said this to her (lesson learned), so we have explained that she can say a dress or shirt is pretty, but not that she is pretty, she should let others say that. As I said it has happened more than once so she hasn't quite gotten it yet. She was also helping me with the leaves a few weeks ago and said "I'm SO helpful." Which at the time she was and I was thankful, but again how do we teach our eager to please 3 year old not to brag?!?

We keep learning about this parenting thing and how there is SO much to teach our children. It continues to be a blessing and a challenge at the same time. We are thankful for wisdom from God and His Word and for grace when our wisdom is lacking!!

Great Grandparents

This week we visited my Grandparents in Sioux Center a few times. As of last week they have 46 great-grandkids!! Grandpa is 94 and Grandma will be 85 next week. What a blessing to be able to visit them and see God's blessings through the generations.

Sewing with Mom

Look at everything we made!! A clutch purse for me, 3 glasses cases (for Abbie, Jen and I), a maternity post/pregnancy band (for Mindy), and 2 reusable baggies. It has been a lot of fun, and I look forward to trying more projects on my on!

Sibling Love and a Tutu

My friend gave me some of her extra tulle so that I could make Brie a little tutu (for playing). It looks kind of poufy, but she loves it :)

Briella-isms

Our dear daughter is cracking us up as she is learning more and more and catching on to things. Here are a few of our recent favorites.

We have a couple of Arthur books and she has watched Arthur on PBS a few times, Arthur's little sister DW has caused some confusion . . . Briella now says "DWXYZ."

The other day I said "Yes, ma'am" and she responded "I am not a MAN!!" I tried to explain that ladies can be called ma'aM, but I don't think she got it.

A few weeks ago I was making bread and had dough all over my hands and she said "You have to lick them." As if it is a rule that when your fingers have stuff on them you should lick them, she must have seen that somewhere?!?!

I was helping her get dressed and told her she had such a little butt. She asked, "Do you have a little butt?" I said, honestly, "No, I do not have a little butt. You have a little butt." She knows her opposites and asked, "Does mommy have a big butt?"

Last night we were getting ready for a bath so she was on the toilet and I was taking Gideon's diaper off and she asked "Why does Gideon have a snake?" As if this was the first time this major difference was obvious to her?!?! They bathe together 3 times a week!?!?!