Good Job Jordyn and Izzy

December 30, 2006

Jordyn and Izzy both learned how to ski today. Grandpa took them up the toe rope and then brought them down the hill. Izzy was able to stand up on her own between Grandpa's legs by then end, and Jordyn mastered the bunny hill on her own and moved onto the intermediate by the time we were ready to go. I was so proud of the two of them.

Grandpa and Izzy

Jordyn showing Santa what she wants for Christmas next year

Maddy slept through most of it, but woke up for a little bit to enjoy the outdoors.


That night we went out for pizza with the whole family since it was our last night home. We had a great time as always. It was Brooke's turn to stay the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house since Jordyn stayed the night before, so we had to get a picture of Maddy with her big cousin Brooke.

Can you tell she is sick? Poor girl.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

December 29, 2006

Today it finally snowed. Yeah! We had to take the kids sledding...not as fun as last years luge but at this point we'll settle for just about anything. Maddy started getting sick yesterday thanks to getting infested by her cousins. She had a miserable night, has a runny nose, and a horrible cough, but she still was happy to be outside. Here are pictures from her first sledding experience...

Why Am I Wearing So Many Clothes?

This is Fun!

The Sledding Gang (John V, Jordyn, Maddy, and Izzy)

After sledding, Jordyn and Maddy had to show off their matching vests.

I Never Liked Bowling Anyway...

December 27, 2006

Today, we spent the entire day watching my cousin Elizabeth play in a volleyball tournament. Maddy took good notes. After watching Elizabeth win the tournament we met the Coons at the bowling alley. My dad and I didn't have as much fun as the kids because we bowled horrible and we are far to competitive to enjoy ourselves when we get beat by a 2 1/2 year old. Here are the box scores...

Jason won with 169 followed by Izzy with 149

Maddy can't even believe it

Sure Izzy rub it in

Lil John V's First Time Bowling Deserves a Picture

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2006

This morning started with a peek to see if Santa had visited Grandma and Grandpa Kriegl's house followed by opening presents. Maddy got all sorts of fun things. The gift exchange took longer than we had anticipated and before we knew if we were an hour behind in getting our Christmas feast on the table. While I prepared the potato casserole, Maddy got to spend some time with her Uncle Joe.

After dinner it was time for family photos. This year my mom and I went shopping and she got all the kids matching outfits from Gymboree. They all looked so adorable. It was really difficult trying to get all six kids to cooperate. Next year is going to be even worse with nine. Here is the best we could do of each family as well as some group pictures.

Joe, Laura with baby, Jordyn, and Brooke

John, Nicole with baby, and Jaelyn

John, Aundrea with baby, Izzy, and John V

Our Family Photo

The Entire Kriegl Family

Grandma and Grandpa with the Grandkids

Proud Grandparents

Sorry for so many photos, but I've got a ton to share of the kids.

Santa's Reindeer

Izzy and Maddy

Okay...enough pictures already!

Sorry...one more!

My favorite reindeer!

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2006

Maddy's first Christmas Eve was eventful as was to be expected. Unfortunately, there was not much more than a 1/4 in. of snow cover, which made it hard to get into the holiday spirit. Although... being up north with the family made up for the weather. The day started early with a visit from my brother John and my niece Jaelyn, while we got ready for church. The kids basically ran around and played while the rest of us got dressed. Here the kids are waiting on Grandma and Grandpa's bed watching me put curlers in my hair.

Maddy, Jaelyn, and John V

Church ended up to be a rather exciting experience for Maddy. There was a children's sermon during the service, so Maddy's cousin Jordyn brought her up to the alter. Pastor Jim announced that today marked a milestone for the church...the youngest member to attend the children's sermon. Jordyn was great with Maddy, although at one point they had to stand to light the advent candle and it was obvious that Maddy was getting heavy for her because she kept bouncing her up on her hip as if to get a better grip. It was adorable; I wish we had our camera.

A trip to the restaurant Storheims (also a yummy custard shop) was next on the agenda. It is tradition to go there after church because they have a 15% off discount with a church bulletin and Grandpa treats. Today's lunch was extra special though because we celebrated Jordyn's 7th birthday with the family. The custard cake was delicious!

Izzy, Jordyn, John V, Brooke, and Maddy

Maddy had a great time even after getting a scratch from Uncle Joe's beard scruff in place of a piece of cake.

See the scratch? If not, click to enlarge

Naps were in store for the whole family after that. We needed to rest up for our night of polenta indulgence at the Momonts. Good thing we did too because the polenta was so good that we just kept eating and eating. Needless to say tonight was the start of gaining a lot of weight over the next week for all of us. Here are a few pictures from the evening...

Izzy and Maddy

Maddy enjoying her time with Grandpa

Second Cousin Elizabeth spoiling Maddy as always

How obvious is it that I'm holding Maddy's hands down out of her face?

Thanks Momonts for a great evening!

Christopher, Elizabeth, Michael Gene, Auntie MaryJo, and Uncle Mike

The evening ended with a note, cookies, and milk for Santa.

Where Has the Last Six Months Gone?

December 23, 2006

Our little Miss Maddy is 6 months old today...I just can't believe it! We have been having so much fun this past half year with her in our lives that time has just flown by. She has changed so much in such a short period of time, its amazing. She really has been an awesome baby and has brought so much love and joy to our family.

This week has been crazy for us trying to get ready for the holidays. Grandma Simone left on Thursday, which was really hard on us seeing her go. We had so much fun having her around and she was such a big help. Maddy may not remember this time with Grandma but we surely will and we will continuously share stories with her about how special it was having Grandma here. My mom will be missed by us, the friends she made at Curves, and the local businesses for her constant consumer support. :)

Yesterday we left to start our journey home for the holidays. We went under Lake Michigan through Chicago to stay in Fond du Lac with my sister and family for the night so that we could get Maddy's six month pictures taken at Tricia's studio in DePere. We woke up early today so that we could fit everything that we wanted to in. First, we went up to Kimberly to spend a few hours with the VanCamps. Cory made us a great breakfast while Casey and I visited and the girls played. Ava is really doing great; Casey and Cory are too now that she is off the monitor. She is getting big for a premie...

although when you put Maddy next to her she looks tiny.

The girls really seemed to not only acknowledge each other, but actually seemed to interact and make friends.

After our visit with them, we headed up to DePere for Maddy's six month pictures. My friend Tricia Dewar, works at Turba Photography and is an amazing photographer. We have been lucky to have her photograph Maddy. Pictures went pretty good although Maddy was a bit stubborn at times. Tricia's son, Jack, was there too (he was born 3 weeks after Maddy) so the two of them got some pictures together. I will post the pictures when I get them. We then went back to the Dewar house since we haven't been there yet and waited for Pete to get home from work. Then we all drove up north together. It was a great way to spend Maddy's half year birthday. When we got home we took a few quick pictures for her month-by-month album, but only one turned out.

So I've included another one of our favorites from the day.

Christmas Celebrations Continue...

December 19, 2006

Tonight we had a gift exchange with our neighbors. It was a lot of fun. We played a game where you could steal each others gifts depending on the number you picked out of the hat. I ended up with my own gift and many rounds of stealing, but I wasn't disappointed. Greg wasn't having much fun...no one wanted to take his clapper. :( The kids were all great...although Kendal went to bed in Ben's bed before the party even got started. Maddy is going to have to make up some ground with Ben, she was a bit jealous about the whole Kendal in Ben's bed thing but we explained to her its okay because he chose to stay up with her rather than joining Kendal in his bed. :O) lol

Olivia, Maddy, Kendal, and Ben...has anyone seen Brendan?

Eating Solids...Let the Madness Begin

December 18, 2006

Tonight started a new stage not just for Maddy but also for Jason and I. A diet consisting of more than just breast milk for Maddy which brings stinky diapers for mom and dad. Ugh! With Maddy turning 6 months in less than a week and my plan to stop pumping during break meant it was time to start our little Miss Maddy on rice cereal.

Unfortunately it didn't go over as well as we had hoped...

Maddy's First Taste

She's not too sure what to think

Yuck...watch out she's about to blow!

That wasn't funny Maddy.

Mom and Dad don't think your being very cute.

We give up...just feed yourself

Someone's having more fun than mom and dad

I sure hope this gets easier real soon. If anyone has any suggestions for us please leave a comment, we could use some help.

Christmas Celebrations Begin...

Does anyone know when I get to start opening my presents? My parents are just teasing me by putting all those presents under the tree and not letting me play with them. The least they could have done was wrap my presents...

December 12, 2006

Jason and I couldn't wait any longer to give Maddy her first Christmas present. We thought with all the walking she has been wanting to do lately that a great first gift to open would be her walker/rider. Here's what she thought of it...

Jason teaching her how to walk behind it...

December 15, 2006

Our next exciting festive experience was trying to get a picture of Maddy with her first decorated Christmas tree.

She was getting a bit impatient...

After the photo shoot we where off to Grandma and Grandpa Kreider's in DeWitt for the Kreider Christmas.

December 16, 2006

Today was a lot of fun. It early started with all the Bailey boys ( cousins Caeden-4, Lane-2, and Morgan-9 mon.) coming over at 7 am. while Nikki worked and Mark slept after working the night shift. It was pretty crazy with the 3 boys and Maddy making a mess of Grandma's house. We were hoping to make some Christmas cookies but stayed busy playing with the kids all day and never had a chance. Nikki and Mark came over for dinner and gifts. Maddy of course was spoiled by everyone. I really think we need to finish our basement soon because I don't know where all the toys are going to go. We really had a great day spending time with the Bailey boys. Here are a few pictures from today...

Maddy and cousin Morgan

Maddy and the Bailey boys

December 17, 2006

This morning we woke up and got all dressed up in our Christmas outfits for church.

We had to have matching outfits for our first Christmas together. Here's our first Christmas family photo.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Kreider for a wonderful weekend!