Christmas II

How blessed are we? VERY, to say the least. I think this time of year, its easy to get caught up in the craziness and busyness of the holiday season that you loose sight of what Christmas is all about.
AND...I have to admit that this time of year, I really miss my family, especially my mother. Mom just knew how to make the holiday so very special to each one of her children. From homemade cookies, to homemade ornaments and decorations to stuffing our stockings after we went to bed, well past the "Santas" years. AND...now that I'm a mother, I have big Santa shoes to fill. How fun is it to play Santa? Writing that Santa letter; making those cookies where more powder sugar is on the floor than on the cookies; to reading Christmas stories and stuffing those stockings. Its the best feeling.
Well, almost the best feeling. When Christmas day arrived, "so lovely in white", Tyler made his way downstairs and the pure excitement was heard throughout the household. "SANTA CAME. HE BROUGHT US PRESENTS. LOTS OF PRESENTS. COME ON EVERYONE. GET UP!" Thats the best feeling.
AND...our day was pretty layed back. Opening gifts, playing with the toys (after the hours of figuring out how they work and if we had enough batteries for everything), and having Grandma & Grandpa Bohnert over for Christmas dinner (thank goodness the prime rib and sides were delish). I think I even saw a tear in Grandpa's eye, seeing his grandson play with a similar race track that his own son had played with many years ago. The three generation Bohnert men spent much time racin' NASCAR style with Tyler's new toy from Santa.
Merry Christmas. We sure hope that 2008 treats us just as well as this year did.

Christmas I

Off to the farm we go with two Jersey kids dressed to impress and presents and goodies piled up high...all for Christmas Eve at Bohnert farm. What a day. The kids were so excited about opening presents and Tyler is at a good age to really appreciate and really "get excited" about it all. Makes this mama's heart swell with his excitement booming, smilish grin that never wore off, and sincerity. Ahh, the manners are finally paying off, as he says thank you to each and everyone for all the gifts. :)

"FINALLY, time to open presents," says the three-year-old in the house.
Cassie sports a Dora backpack, curiosity of Tara & Eric. Makes me tear up, she

can't possibly be old enough to go to school yet? Oh just a few more years.
Uncle Eric helps pudge store all the bows in her Dora bag.
Tyler gets a BIG WHEEL John Deere trike from grandma & grandpa Bohnert.
...and possibly the most excitement comes from Uncle Brian & Ashley's gift. A pirate ship!

All Dressed Up

...and not lovin' it, esp. considering these Jersey kids generally sport jeans & tees. Sorry kiddos, mom knows best.

Santa Time

Picture tells the story pretty well. Tyler was excited to see Santa and had quite a bit to say to him this year. "I want TOYS Santa." When Santa asked what kind of toys, Tyler said trains, trucks, balls, books and a pirate ship. That was the first time I've heard about a pirate ship! Cassie wasn't too excited to see Santa, as the picture shows!

Cute 'n Sassy

Pudge is still in a very fun & sweet age. I'm tryin' the best I can to capture it because I know before too long, she'll be more sassy than cute! AND...yes, folks, we know...we have to watch out for this lil' beauty. Those big brown eyes, pretty smile & round cheeks will have the boys goin' wild.

A true lil' lady with her hair all pulled back!

Deep brown eyes & trying to suck in those cheeks! Nice combo Cassie.

Go Away Bugs

Its that time of year...bugs just don't wanna go away, esp. when the two youngest members of the household go to day-care. Kudos goes out to dad again, as he played Mr. Mom last week while I was off in meetings in Minnesota. He had attempted to make the most of his evening solo with the kids. The trio went to the grocery store and bought $62 worth of baking supplies (yikes, I know!). The cookie baking process was more like a science experiment, esp. considering dad had never made cookies before. (I still don't understand how this is possible, but I'm trying to remind myself that I grew up with mother Michelle...who loved to bake & was pretty darn good at it...and I'm one of five girls in the family). Anyhow, dad & Tyler put all the ingredients in one bowl, yes that right folks, dry & wet all together & tried to mix it. Ha ha. I bet it was a sight to be seen.

Back, to the poor kids being sick. While the boys were experimenting with baking cookies, Cassie was in bed. Dad decided he'd better check on her...and found out that she had gotten sick all over the crib, but was fast asleep. So, he got to appreciate some of the not-so-fun moments that many moms get to deal with. No worries, he did call me around 10PM, to assure me that he and Tyler did succeed making one batch of cookies, got Cassie bathed and cleaned up (her bed too) and was on his third load of laundry!

Predictably, the flu bug was relayed from one member to the next in this Bohnert household. Hopefully, we can get healthy in time for Santa.

Cassie, trying to rebound from the nasty flu-bug, sleeping on the sofa!
Five days later, the bug lands on Tyler, forcing him to camp out in the bathroom.

Practice Makes Perfect...

...well, not the case here. Tyler had been singing all week long for his pre-school class Christmas program. I was laughing so hard as he would sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town with all the choreographed moves. So impressed...so, to say I was lookin' forward to seein' him in action, would be an understatement. Well, he just stood there with this "beat-me up Scotty" look on his face during the whole program. AHHH, I guess we can rule out Tyler being in the drama club.

On another note, when I first walked in and saw Tyler on the bleachers in the school gymnasium, I nearly started crying. How is it that the baby boy that I gave birth to, is now old enough to be standing on bleachers? I guess I must be gettin' old!

Wells School Pre-School classes (morning that is, all three of 'em)

I guess it was good that I brought my 'crummy' camera and couldn't get a better, close-up view of Tyler's grumpy face.

Pudge & Baby Jesus

Isn't this what the Christmas holiday is all 'bout?! So cute when I went to put out the nativity scene and Tyler asks who everyone is, so we go over it. And Cassie loves Baby Jesus. "Shh" she says, in reference to baby Jesus sleeping. Makes this mama tear up!

Oh Christmas Tree

Made time this weekend to get the family Christmas tree. Of course, we suit up, head out and search out the perfect tree. Well, we aren't that picky, esp. when the temps are in the high teens and Jersey kids get cold easily. Go figure the camera was dead when I went to take the first picture today out at the tree farm. Darn it, pretty cute seeing Tyler holding the saw, while dad carried the tree. Us girls made it all of 10 minutes b/c the youngest member in the household doesn't like to get cold at all. Oh Christmas tree...these Jersey kids think your "so very pretty!"

Looks real big next to the kids!
No ornaments up just yet, just a string of lights and so far, so good with Cassie not wanting to even touch the tree.

Bye Bye Hi-Chair...

...Hello booster seat! Cassie joins the rest of the Bohnert clan at the dinner table for the first time today. So, mom can wash up the hi-chair thats been occupying the kitchen for the last 14 months, which, by the way, helps make the the area a lil' more roomier! Ahh, our lil' girl is surely growing up!

Yes, I am a big girl!!
So far no food fights between the Jersey kids.

Lil' snow suits

Love 'em, love her! Since the Upper Midwest temps have already been winter like, esp. with the snow...it was time to get the snow suits out for the Jersey kids. Not sure if I had to buy one for pudge or not...so glad to find out that this HMD one from Tyler would work!

Brothers & Sisters

Tyler & Cassie have this brother/sister; love/hate relationship that I'm growing accustom to. One minute, they are full of hugs & kisses and play so well together...and then the next, they just fight like cats & dogs. AND...thats when this mama starts doing the serenity prayer.

"I love my sissy, mom! She is sooo cute & has the chubby cheeks"

Big words & a whole lotta love from the three-year-old in our household.
AND...I just have to rough her up! After all she is my sister!

She's Got The Look

Already wanting to spend time in the bathroom sprucing up and making sure she looks pretty!!!

All I want for Christmas...

is TOYS!!!! Any kind would work, preferably trains, trucks, cars. All I've heard this holiday weekend and Tyler packs these "magazines" with him everywhere.

Turkey Time

The Bohnert household has so much to be thankful for this year! Two lil' Jersey kids easily top the list. Their genuine lovin' hearts, beautiful smiles & deep brown eyes warm our hearts and livin' our souls. We love 'em to say the least. Awe...these kiddos sure make Thanksgiving fun!

Dad & Ty work on writing Tyler's name. (Um, thanks for not doing this art project at the table boys!)
Pudge observes from a more comfortable chair.
Papa Jim teaches Tyler how to count money!
Pudge loves daddy!!!

Magical Moments

Well, we took the Jersey kids and headed south to Disney World for a trip of a lifetime! I had a business trip to Orlando and figured I'd tow the family along. So glad I did. Disney really rolls out the red carpet for hospitality and knows how to cater to families. We all had a FABULOUS time and sported smiles the entire trip. Of course, traveling with a 3 and 1 year old wasn't complete smooth sailing, we did encounter a few bumps. Ahh, we'll just clock 'em up as memories we won't forget. (e.g. taking Tyler to Fantasia show that Dad forgot to mention could be scary to lil' kids or Cassie pooping her pants on the plane and we had to "stay in our seats" while on the run way for 30 minutes. Try tellin' lil' pudge to sit still on a plane with her pants full of poop...and then the fun of changing those stinky pants in an airplane bathroom.) Ahh the memories. The smiles definitely out lasted the frowns. AND....here is a big cheer for dad. While I was in meetings, he tended to Tyler & Cassie. The trio jetted off to the parks in fine fashion. What a sport! We left with a few tears. We didn't want the trip to end. We FULLY enjoyed spending quality time as a family. It made me think that our lives are way too busy...running a farm, working full-time and chasin' after two kids....we need more family time! AND...I can't think of a better place to spend family time than at Walt Disney World!

The highlight of the trip for the Jersey kids was getting their very own Mickey & Minnie!
The Bohnert clans rides the magic carpet!
Jersey girls try on their Minnie ears!
What a sheep? We headed to Animal Kingdom on Friday and this was Tyler's favorite thing! "I love brushing Grandpa Bob's sheep!" Ha, Tyler assured me that these were Bob's sheep...trucked all the way from Oregon to Orlando for him to brush!
Cassie sits in Minnie's chair & thinks Minnie's House is pretty cool!

Trick-or-Treat with the Bohnert kids

The Bohnert goblins were out in full force last night trick-or-treating the Silvis and East Moline neighborhoods. These Jersey kids flash their award-winning smiles and melt the hearts of family & friends. Needless to say, we have more candy in our household than we need. Tyler took inventory and said "i just love candy mom!" For now, the pounds & pounds of candy are being stored in the locked pantry.

Tyler as Bob the Builder!
Cassie as a princess in pink!
Bob rides a John Deere tractor!
She is a princess!

Happy Halloween Party

Lil' goblins came out early to join in on the fun at the kids day-care center for a happy Halloween party. The activities were fun...including many games and yummy treats. Mom & Dad joined in the fun and the kids had a wonderful time. As we were driving home, Tyler said "daddy thanks for the party and for coming." Made Dad tear up and sure glad he sneaked home early!

Cassie & Ricki (one of her 'teachers')
Miss. Shaey and sissy (another 'teacher' of Cassie's)
Tyler, as Bob the Builder, plays drop the clothes pin in a bucket!
Cassie, as a stickin' cute princess, plays games too!
Tyler shows her how to get the bean bag in the bucket.