Making Cookies With Mommy

3 eggs, 2 kids and 1 cup of flower = a mess for Dad

Grady sporting a mustache.

Audra sporting her cookie making overalls.

What a Difference a Day Makes

Unfortunately this was taking too long so I had to get out the snow blower.

It would have been faster but Grady decided to shovel off the yard. At least Audra stayed on task.

Back on task.

It wasn't as warm as the past few days so I figured I could tell when they had enough by the amount of teeth chattering.

It is impossible finding gloves/mittens that fit toddler hands well.

I measured Audra's tolerance by the amount of the snot stream.

Grady gave up on shoveling and instead focused on snow ball slap shot practice.

50 Degrees in January

Last night we made sure Grady was properly trained to snow blow. Actually we got the snow blower out to make sure it was ready for what is predicted to be our first snowfall large enough to use a snow blower this winter. Grady unfortunately won't be blowing snow this season or any season soon.

Instead we got in an early spring training. Audra is playing deep to guard against an extra base hits into the gap. Grady decided he needed to work on improving his slugging percentage.

Audra also a took a few cuts. She styles herself as more of a bunter. This summer we will work on her power.

Packer Owner

My collection of Packer gear in the man cave is now complete.

Thank you to the Phelps family for this excellent Christmas gift of Packer Stock.

Busy Year So Far

I realized we haven't posted much in the new year. It has been busy for whatever reason. So without further delay here is a look back at the first 10 days or so of 2012.

On January 2nd we watched the Badgers unfortunately lose the Rose Bowl. What was more entertaining was watching Audra. "Hi Daddy"

I know I have posted pictures of Audra in Brook's Carrier, but here are some more. Grady is also in there with her.

Audra serving time in the pen.

Audra showing Brooks how doggies lick.

Brooks all tuckered out from the kids most likely.

A peaceful moment where the kids actually share a common toy. It lasted 1 minute maybe!

Cousin Luke visited this past weekend. Here works on his word book. Luke will turn 5 on March 5th.

Grady coloring a Thomas the Train book. The kids and I visited Grandpa and Grandma Lobenstein.

Back at home. Audra proudly smiles for a picture in her new playhouse. It was a gift from Grandpa and Grandma Phelps for Christmas.

Audra loves to sit on the stool at the table inside. Cousin Luke is helping Audra to play his Nintendo.

The weather has been amazing for January in Wisconsin. Temps have been in the 50's a few days. So we headed to the park.

Audra is ready for winter, if it ever arrives.

Grady gives Mom and Audra a push on the slide.

Bright Sun + Crazy Toddler = Difficult Picture Making

Grady in a rare moment, asleep before 8pm. Typically we fight to get him to go to bed, and we fight to get him out of bed.

Our little guy is becoming a man right before our eyes.

Grady had his first official dental appointment. He was a champ! No crying and he did everything they asked of him.

I am not sure he could have gripped the chair any tighter though.

Even Audra is growing up fast. Here she helps mom with the vacuuming.

Next she helps Grandma Barb clean the windows.

...whistle while they work...

Speaking of cleaning, Grady took a crack at doing the dishes. Audra was jealous and tried to pull him off the stool.

While at Grandma and Grandpa Lobenstein's Luke decide to wear the Coyote. His nickname is Runs with Yote, smells like Feety.

This is another moment where the kids seem like they are getting old. I found Audra standing legs crossed, leaning on the wall while eating a yogurt popsicle.

Happy New Year

On New Year's Eve we took the kids to the Children's Musuem. Grady reenacts the protests at the Capitol. Something that engulfed our state in 2011. Actually Grady is actually just driving cars. Here he is backing a moving van up to the Governor's Wing.
Part of the festivities at the Children's Museum included a marching band.
Audra checks them out from a safe distance.
Hillary proudly watches her little artists.
Grady again reflects on 2011. Here he paints a tribute to the successes of the Badgers, Brewers and Packers. Or it is a paint blob.
"Now who put these babies so close to the fire?"

"Mom, I don't think this is such a great idea!"
"Yeehaw giddy up Ox"
"Good boy here you go."
Audra gets a cup of Party Punch.
Hi Mom!

Happy New Year!!!