Breakfast with Santa and Sledding

Several weekends ago, we attended Breakfast with Santa at the Stoddard Legion.  Josie was all about talking to Santa but had absolutely no interest in sitting on his lap.  Cooper also only wanted to look at Santa.  They both had lots of fun looking at Santa but were careful as to not get too close.  As soon as Santa asked Josie what she wanted for Christmas, she spoke up quickly and announced she wanted a baby carrier. 

The kids also got their first chance at sledding recently and they really enjoyed themselves.  Cooper would rather just be outside in the snow but Josie really liked sledding.  Josie was doing a great job of walking back up the hill too.  Unfortunately, about a week ago, they were going down the hill on the sled together and they got so much speed that Grandpa E had to grab the sled to stop them from running into the barbed wire fence and the kids ended up in a pile.  Josie landed on top of Cooper and Cooper was face first in the snow.  Since then, neither of the kids have wanted to do much sledding.  We'll have to give them some more time I guess!

Christmas Wish List

Josie has had quite a few ideas of what she wants for Christmas this year.  About everything she sees, she thinks would be nice to get for Christmas.  The last few days, I have been counting down the days until Santa comes to visit and she always replies with, and the Santa will bring me my baby carrier!  The baby carrier is definitely on the top of the wish list.  She has also asked for 2 black horses, a barbie house(somewhere they can sleep), and anything and everything that she can think of.  Since Cooper doesn't talk, everyone asks Josie what Cooper wants for Christmas and she replies that she thinks he would like a stuffed monkey.  Not sure where this idea came from.  Hopefully they like everything that they get from Santa and from everyone else this year.

Merry Christmas!

School Visit

Last week, Josie got her second chance to go and visit her school and teacher for next year.  Josie was much more confident this time and she actually talked to her teacher on her own.  Granted she took every opportunity to tell Ms. Fox that her brothers name was Buckshot(ask Grandpa John about this nickname).  Josie loves getting the opportunity to go and play in the preschool room, especially with out her brother!!  She loved playing with the sandbox.  Then, she moved on to using Elmer's glue and making several art projects.  Then, she found the cash register, her new love.  She loved being able to check things out and use the play money.  Although she didn't really understand the concept of money.  She kept wanting to pay me when I would buy something!!  I think we'll have to work on the concept of buying things!  Lastly, she found the baby dolls.  She was very disappointed that they did not have any blankets to wrap the baby's in.  She already can't wait for the next visit to school!

On a side note, while we were at school our ceiling was being installed.  Now all we have to do is finish the electrical and put in actual lighting and the ceiling will be completed!!!  The house is already looking better with the ceiling being in.

Cooper's 18 month checkup

Cooper went for his 18 month checkup last week and everything is looking good except for his speech.  He did have an ear infection which we are treating then the week before Christmas we are going to take him for a hearing test.  We know that he can hear, we just aren't sure as to the clarity at which he hears.  He used to say momma, but he no longer says any words.  On occasion we think he says a word but we can never get him to repeat it.  So, I guess we will just keep waiting for those first words to come out.

Weight - 26 lb 3.8 oz (this was down slightly as he was sick for over a week and barely ate anything)
Height - 2 ft 7.89 inches

The Children's Museum

A couple of weeks ago the kids and I went with Auntie Kim to the Children's Museum for the first time.  Let's just say that the kids loved it.  They played so well and loved all of the exploring that they got to do. 

 

Josie and Cooper really loved the wall the you push on and the impression pops out the other side.

 

 Cooper and Josie sending boats down the river.

Josie making the crane pick things up and move them.

 

Cooper just loved walking over the bridge.

 Dinosaur's!!!

 

 The kids can never seem to resist a scooter.

 

Josie driving the fire truck.

Luke's Big Buck!

Luke got a huge 10 pointer at 7:15am on opening morning of deer hunting. It looks great!

 

DeSoto Library

For the last 4-5 weeks we have been going to the DeSoto Library on Tuesday mornings for storytime and craft hour.  There are a total of 7 kids that come every week, including Josie and Cooper.  Josie is loving the crafting time.  She is my craft crazy girl.  She loves to do art projects.  Cooper just loves going to people watch.  And for the good snacks that they always have.  Today, the kids got to color turkey's and put them on a stick.  Josie made 3 Turkeys and is already begging to hang them up on our wall.  We have been hanging up the artwork on the wall for several weeks and the kids just love to show it off to everybody that comes over. 

Cooper still isn't saying any words yet but he is very animated.  He also has really started to jabber.  Josie tends to do a lot of talking for him.  Hopefully the words will start coming soon.  Josie is our none stop talker.  It seems like she starts talking from the minute she wakes up until the time she goes to sleep. 

Happy Halloween!!!

The kids had a blast with Halloween this year.  Josie really got into Trick or Treating.  We met a couple of my cousins in town and went trick or treating with them.  Cooper mostly just rode in a wagon but he did go up to a few houses.  Grandpa LeJeune came with us as Luke was busy combining the corn.  Josie decided to be a frog and Cooper was Mickey Mouse. 

Parade and Gone Fishing

Several weeks ago, we spent the morning at the Retreat's World's Fair watching the parade, eating chicken and watching the horses.  The kids got a big bag of candy and had lots of fun at the parade.  The most exciting part for Josie was getting to sit on a big HORSE.  She is absolutely in love with horses, someday I think she will be able to talk her daddy into getting her one.  Then afterwards, Luke, Josie, my dad and I went fishing.  This was Josie's first time going fishing and I think she had a lot of fun.  Josie didn't like the worms at all.  Then she would hold the pole and help reel it in, but as soon as she could see the fish she was done.

On a side note, the soybeans were combined this weekend and the kids thought the equipment was really neat!  They each even got to go for a tractor ride. 

Better late, than never!

I know. I know.  It's been forever since I last blogged.  I'll try to get better!  Well here is an update on Josie's birthday party.  Josie got a battery operated four wheeler from her grandpa and grandma LeJeune and she absolutely loved it.  She rides it all the time.  Unfortunately, Cooper also figured out how to drive it by sitting on the edge, he just forgets to steer.  Luckily Josie is pretty good about giving Cooper rides on it too.  Josie also got a camera that she takes lots of pictures with.  She also got a horse that she can brush it's hair.  This is great since she is really getting into doing hair.  She wanted a horse party, so I was stuck with making a horse cake.  I think it turned out pretty good.  Enjoy the pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josie also had to get measured on her growth chart!!!

 

 

Happy Birthday Josie!

Josie is 3!!!

 

Can't believe how big my princess is getting.  These are a few of the pictures we took down at Riverside.  She also got a chance to feed the ducks while we were down there along the river.  Then for lunch we took Daddy pizza.  Another post to follow with pictures of presents.  Her big party is this weekend and she is super excited!!

Green Bay

Several weekends ago, I went with my mom and the kids to Green Bay. My Great Aunt Jane lives there and the family decided to go and visit her. We spent a lot of time in the hotel pool but we also visited Bay Beach Amusement Park where the kids got to go on all kinds of rides. They even got to ride on a real horse. We also went to the NEW Zoo on Sunday morning before coming home. The kids had a blast. We probably would have spent more time at both places if it hadn't been so warm. Enjoy the pictures!

Of Course Josie would choose a Rooster of everything on a Merry Go Round

The super slide that we had to do 2 times. 

Josie and Lucy heading for the next ride.

The Ferris Wheel that both Josie and Cooper went on.

Josie being shy the first time on her horse.

 Cooper loved riding his horse.

The peacock that kept following us around at the zoo.

 Josie checking out the giraffe's eating.  They didn't want to come eat from us though.

 Josie and Grandma checking out the penguins.  They were a favorite.

 Cooper taking a much needed drink.

 Feeding the llama's.

 The 3 girls playing.  Can you tell Josie is younger by a year?

 Cooper getting Uncle Rick to chase him.

 Cooper playing around!