Legos with Daddy

Nolan got a new "big boy" Lego set for Christmas from Grandpa Jim and Grandma Marcia.  He and Eric have been working on it bit by bit for the last week or so, and finished putting it together tonight.  Nolan loved the cool helicopter and enjoyed playing pretend with it after they finished.  I see more Legos in our future...

Fifty Nifty United States

Nolan got a US map for his 3rd birthday from Grandpa Steve and Grandma Patti.  It's pretty cool because it sticks right to the wall and can be written on with dry erase markers.  Being the little smarty pants that he is, Nolan was interested in learning several of the states and had a blast coloring on the map.

He already knows where Wisconsin and Rhinelander are, as well as California (where Uncle Luke and Auntie Annalyse lives), Florida (where Mickey Mouse lives), Georgia, Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.  Maybe he can learn them all?!

Snappy Dresser

My son sure is a snappy dresser! He's been picking out his own outfits everyday and this was one of his unprompted creations.

Snow Angels

Nolan and Daddy had a fun time playing in the front yard in the snow this morning.  It was cold, but they were hoping to build a snowman.  Unfortunately the snow was too icy, so they ended up making snow angels instead.

First cereal and sitting up!

Livi sure is growing up fast.  She's been so interested in table food lately and practically steals it off my fork when I'm eating, so I figured it was time to try giving her some solids.  I tried feeding her some avocado on New Year's Eve, but she didn't seem to like it very much.  So, I tried some oatmeal cereal today and she loved it!

 More, Mommy!

She has also gotten so strong and is sitting up mostly by herself, with just a little support from the Boppy pillow.  I just can't believe my little Livi Lu is already doing such "big girl" things.  It seems like I just brought her home from the hospital!

Day at the Cabin

We spent today at the cabin, sledding and enjoying some of the beautiful winter landscape of the hunting land.  Nolan was a little apprehensive at first, but eventually enjoyed sledding down a few of the hills around the cabin.

He quickly figured out that pulling one's sled up the hill is a lot of work, and it was a lot more fun to just throw snowballs!

Mommy and Livi didn't last very long in the cold, but came out for a minute to check out the action.

I'm so lucky to have these two special guys in my life! :)

After Nolan's cheeks were good and rosy, we went in the cabin to warm up and have some lunch. Nolan and Grandpa Steve had a good time snuggling and taking some silly selfies.  

And of course, Roxy needed a few snuggles...

And it wouldn't be a trip to the cabin without a game of ping-pong in the basement!

Hello, 2016!

We had a quiet New Year's celebration this year.  Gpa Steve and Gma Patti came over in the evening for some appetizers and games.  Gpa Jim and Gma Marcia were supposed to come too, but Gma came down with a nasty case of pneumonia and they ended up staying in Eau Claire.  None of us made it til midnight, but we had a nice, relaxing time.  It was actually the 10 year anniversary of when Eric and I met! Time goes so fast!

Sweet little Livi is growing by leaps and bounds and got her first two bottom teeth over Christmas.  She's been so interested in trying table food, that I offered her some avocado on NYE - not sure what she thought of it.  We'll have to try it again soon!

Nolan is also growing like crazy, both in stature and in his vocabulary.  He is so very curious and talkative, and so incredibly loving to his little sister.  They spent New Year's morning snuggled in Livi's crib together, playing with all her stuffed animals, particularly her new Violet puppy, which Nolan is crazy for.  It makes me so happy to see what good friends they are for each other already.  

My goal for 2016 is to spend more time blogging our crazy daily adventures, so we can look back at these precious memories for years to come.  Happy New Year!