Fun February

February was really enjoyable with the Super Bowl in town. We scored some tickets to the NFL experience, which the boys really enjoyed.

Another highlight for Jason and me was to get a babysitter and go out to a birthday party. We haven't had a sitter in over 3 years so this was enjoyable.

The boys have started karate which is really fun to watch. We 'won' 3 free months so we will take advantage as the cost for karate is outrageous.

Ryan and Kyle's favorite stuffed animals right now are their stuffed duckies. On a weekly basis, we are celebrating birthday for 'carlos' or his cousin, 'carlos'.

We recently lost white 'carlos' for a week but he was just found to much excitement.

Jason and I were also able to see Jimmy Fallon while he was in Indy for the Super Bowl. It was really fun..and Jason got to see his childhood idol, Shaq!

Valentines day was fun....but it took 4 hours over 4 days to get the boys to write out their valentines. Both Jason and I spent two separate weekends attending the Great Banquet at our church. We both had an amazing experience and really are excited for what the future hold for us. When I attended, 'guys weekend' consisted of camping out in the living room, with smores, the shark tent and the move Yogi Bear.

Fun with Family

We've continued to see family as the new year began. Grammie flew into Indy for a long weekend.
Of course, we went to the Children's Museum.

The boys sampled a Jiu Jitsu class. (We have since opted for tumbling)

We spent the weekend with the cousins. Here's movie night. Grammie watched the boys while Jason, Becca, Russ and I went out for a while.

Quality time with grammie.

We opened Christmas presents and here are the 4 boys in their Cars2 gear.

Back at home, we prepared to 'finish' our study. I picked out a nice gallon of "tan" ooops paint and the boys showed signs of future drummers...(which mommy, seriously, could not be happier about, as I always wanted to play the drums).

The boys helped paint; however, apparently my slight color blindness with green is valid as the room turned out to be olive instead of tan. We are getting used to it ;-)

Grandma and Grandpa stopped by for a few night on the way to Hilton Head. We enjoyed the new Mr. Potato Head exhibit.

Played a lot.

We went downtown Indy before the crowds arrived to see the Super Bowl Village.

Christmas in Wisconsin

Finally getting around to updating Christmas. Looking back, I realize how few pictures I took this time in Wisconsin. We started off at Aunt Jenny's with Jason's parents and grandmother. The four cousins had a wonderful time playing and catching up. It had been a while since they've seen each other and the boys are already so excited for Bryn and Jadyn to come to Indiana this summer. Next we headed to Rhinelander. We saw my grandmother, aunt, and uncle. While we stayed with Grandma Plamann, the boys finally got the snow they had been looking for. Every day was spent building or sledding. Thanks Daddio, Grandma and Grandpa for the energy to be outside with the boys so much.

We actually saw a good number of our Wisconsin friends. However, as I said, very few pictures were taken. We stayed 2 nights in Madison with the Meyer Family, once on the way up, and on new years eve, when we got to see Cooper too. We had lunch at the Strope family house. And we had lunch with the Schulz family at Ella Deli.

Christmas!

Here are a few more highlights of Christmas. We had a nice visit with the Enz family. Peter passed on some Lego interest on to Kyle.
The boys made Cars Gingerbread Cookies!

We went bowling with a few neighbors. Kyle remains 'Elf Ready' sporting his hat.

Many afternoons were full of hot chocolate requests.

We had a Christmas party. Santa and Mrs. Claus just happen to stop by.

Here's all the kiddos with Santa.

And the adults. Not the clearest picture...but we don't get pictures of us too often.

We had a family day and went downtown. We went to the top of the monument, out to lunch, and did some Christmas shopping at the mall. The boys split up to pick out presents for each other. They picked out the exact same thing....Skiing Finn McMissle.

Christmas Eve we had our Birthday Party for Jesus with the Wiese Family.

The boys loved dressing nice for Christmas Eve service (notice Kyle's new 'elf' hat). He called himself the 'working elf' as he is an elf and is dressed how daddy goes to work.

Here's Christmas morning with the boys and their Santa presents. Kyle opened his tricycle horn and Santa did find a Lewis Hamilton at the North Pole for Ryan.

We enjoyed the entire day home as a family. It was wonderful.

The boys finally got to open the doors to their new bedroom. They LOVE the Cars2 theme. Big pictures on the wall, a 'parking garage' for all their cars, and the bunk beds.

So far we've only had 2 mishap (ie learning opportunity) with the bunk beds. Ryan was standing on the bottom bunk, talking to Kyle (on the top bunk), fell backwards and landed on his head. Within 30 minutes, Kyle attempted to pass something down to Ryan and decided to retrieve it using the route via the wall. He got wedged between the bunk and the wall. Needless to say, the boys spent the night in their old bedroom and have been following the rules ever since.

A Few of our Favorite Things.

We thought we might highlight a few of our favorite things that have been keeping us in the Christmas Spirit the past few weeks.

The Preschool classes preformed an Advent Service at Church.
We made gingerbread houses.
We shared with Santa the toy we wanted this year. Kyle drew a picture of his bicycle horn wish.
Ryan asked for Lewis Hamilton from Cars 2.
We LOVE the slide at the Children's Museum.
And the Wizard of Oz wasn't too scary!

The boys, along with other Riley kids, made a media appearance promoting Super Baskets of Hope. Lots of art projects at home... ornaments, gifts, and I loved Kyle's recent Manger Scene.
Baking.
The boys were in a "froggy" fashion show at the Children's Museum.
They loved it and hope to do it again sometime.
After deciding on his elf career, Kyle was excited to see Santa a second time to ask more specific questions.

The boys had their Christmas party at preschool.

My Mops group involved our children in a service project. We made birthday bags (containing cake, frosting, plates, gifts) and brought them to a food pantry in Wanamaker. I hope to start doing more involved with community service with RyKy as they become more aware of how blessed we are.

We've been going to Lowes for the past 3 weekend, each time building a train car. Now the train is complete and the boys are very proud.

Today was 'boys day' and Jason took Ryan and Kyle the the train show and then to the local aquarium store.

On an awesome note, I had a NIH checkup and there showed a slight recovery of my pituitary...so only 3-6 more months and I should be completely recovered and off medication. Just looking at these past few weeks, I am so thankful for my health, a flexible job, and a super supportive and loving husband so I do not miss a single, precious moment this Christmas.