Wednesday Weekly Recap - Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

We've been really enjoying the holiday season this year! Dylan has really been interested in all thing Christmas! He loves Christmas lights (especially the multicolored ones) and tells me every day how close we are to Christmas. He loves our Christmas tree and insists that the lights are always on.

Decorating the Christmas tree!

Ella, Dylan and Maggie all stayed at my parent's house Saturday night!! The Lichtenberger siblings went bowling for my birthday! The bad news is I was horrible at bowling...the good news is, we had a lot of fun :)

Morning hugs :)

Making me birthday pancakes!

I've talked to a number of parents who have all told me that age 3 has been much harder than 2. In fact, last week at music class the teacher told me that her son started getting difficult around 2 years and 9 months (for those of you keeping track, D's age right now!). So, Dylan had still been sleeping in his crib, but had definitely been pushing the limits in terms of asking me to come back into the room. He figured out that if he asked for another hug or told me he had to go to the bathroom that I would respond. So, last week, I decided to let him "cry it out"...well he decided that was not a good idea and climbed out of his crib! Once he figured that out, there was no keeping him in his crib. On Sunday, I took the front off of D's crib and converted it into a "big boy bed". Unfortunately, Dylan decided on Sunday night that he did NOT want a big boy bed and wanted the crib back. So, he very quickly figured out that he could get out of bed and come find me. So, after many of these "parenting opportunities", on Tuesday we made Dylan a sticker chart. If he does a good job getting ready for bed and going to sleep he gets a sticker. After 5 stickers he gets a prize from the prize bin (supplied by the $1 store at Target). After 10 stickers, D gets a date with me to his choice destination (indoor pool, bounce house, etc). The reward didn't work the first few nights, but D went down perfectly tonight! So, hopefully we'll figure out this sleeping in a big boy bed quickly!!!

Very excited about his sticker chart!!

Last night, we headed to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa with the Morris family. We also got to see Stump, Jody and Kylie which was awesome!! The line was super long (I know, shocking that 5 days before Christmas, the line would be long for Santa!) so we actually didn't get to talk to Santa. We decided to go back today so we could see Santa. Of course, once we got to the front of the line, the kiddos decided they wanted NOTHING to do with sitting on Santa's lap. Here's a pic from last night...where we just got to hang out in Santa's play land. I will post those pics when I get them from Andrea.

Checking out the elves with Aunt Andrea!

Wednesday Weekly Recap - Coach Dylan

Halloween weekend (see, I told you I was behind on pictures), D and I attended the annual soccer tournament that Felicia helps coordinate. The weather was great and we had a great time watching the soccer and getting to run around the field! I definitely see some soccer playing in D's future...and maybe even some coaching :)

I promise you this picture isn't posed at all! D stood on the sidelines with Felicia and yelled go at the girls...it was super cute :) However, the coordinating outfits were intentional!!

D and Jessica :)

Two coaches :)

Practicing his skills :)

Wednesday Weekly Recap - Christmas Partying in Chicago!

We went to Chicago this past weekend for Toni and Karl's Christmas party and some all around family fun :) As always, we had an amazing time!!

D absolutely loves flying! Before the trip, if he can see the pilots, he tells them to, "Do an awesome job!" Afterwards, he likes to go into the cockpit and sing to the pilots, "good job pilots". I will get it on video and post it at some point. Anyway, the pilot after our flight to Chicago thought D was so cute that he asked if D wanted to sit in the pilot's seat. D loved it, and of course I scrambled to get out my camera. I started to take a picture and the pilot asked if I wanted to sit in the chair as well...which was obviously a big yes!! It was great...although, D now thinks that he should get to sit in the pilot seat on every flight and doesn't really understand why he isn't allowed to fly the plane!

D looks a bit scared, but actually loved sitting in the cockpit!

On Saturday morning, D woke up a bit on the early side. Nicki decided it was the perfect time to make cookies for the Christmas party!

Taking the sprinkles very seriously!

Richard and Rhonda came over for breakfast on Saturday morning. We had a good time hanging out.






After breakfast and some bridesmaid dress shopping, we met Erin out for lunch. It's always great to see Erin and D absolutely loves hanging out with her!




D absolutely loves trains. Nicki came up with a great plan to take the train to Grandma's house. D loved it!!



Saturday night, we had Toni and Karl's Christmas party. We had a great time seeing so many of Toni and Karl's friends!

Yes, D and I are in coordinating argyle sweaters...I actually brought a few different sweaters to wear, but D picked this one so we would match :)

D's favorite...the koala hug. He loves to hang on with no hands :)

Fun with Alyssa, Dennis and Beth!

D likes to be in the middle of hugs...I ask him if he's the cheeseburger, but he usually tells me he's the pickle!

On Sunday morning, Nicki, Chris and I helped wrap 59 presents for the homeless shelter where Grandma Toni volunteers. If you remember, we've purchased and wrapped the presents for the past few years. Unfortunately, this weekend was too busy to do the shopping, but I'm very happy that I got to help wrap to contribute to the process.

Grandma Toni took D to the park for a while. When they got back, D wanted to help wrap! I love the expression on his face in this picture...I can just see him saying, "it's kind of hard, mama!"

Nicki with the finished products :)

I know I'm still way behind on a lot of posts...so I'm going to catch up with some picture marathons, hopefully this weekend!! So check back soon!!