Wordless Wednesday

My Helper

Piper has turned into quite the little helper each day.  She and I have become special little buddies each morning while we work on something that our family needs (e.g.; dinner, laundry, keeping Bryndel happy, etc.), followed up by a game of her choice.  I was telling her that it was a 3 day weekend for Hadley this coming Monday, and she quietly said, "I like our regular mornings though, Mom." 

In charge of stirring the chili.

Reading to Bryndel.

Her favorite part of helping with the laundry is pushing the wet clothes into the dryer.

Mixing the eggs into the spaghetti pie noodles.
















Keeping Bryndel entertained.

And last but not least, a little hot chocolate to warm us up.  I am SO thankful for her company each day :).

5 Months

Words that describe Bryndel at 5 months...

HAPPY

Adores her sisters

Talkative, loud vowel sounds

Skilled roller over-er

Content, rarely fusses

Cat napper

Smiley with us

More reserved with others

Bright eyed

Bird eater

Drooly

Sparkly eyes

Crazy kicker

Good at holding her toys

Snuggly

Wiggly

Strong legs for standing

Cautious with her laughter

JOYFUL  

When I asked the girls how they would describe their little sister, Hadley said, "She is really funny!"  And Piper said, "She is really roll-ey over!" 

This Week in Notes

The girls got an easel for Christmas, and have really been enjoying their artistic side while painting.  Underneath the paper, however, is a dry erase & chalkboard, which has morphed into this FUN new game of writing notes back and forth to one another! 

It all started the night Kyle was gone to watch the Packer game.  "I missed you Dad. Love Hadley"   I think it goes without saying, that he felt pretty special when he got home late that night ( despite the outcome of the game!).

Piper did not want to miss out on the action, and left me a note (with Kyle's help) the following morning while I was out running errands.  "I love to go shopping with Mom. I love (you) Piper"






This note might be my favorite, as I love how Hadley used her knowledge of the ending of her own name (ley) and applied it to 'family.'  "I love my family"

Piper was quick to insist on writing a note to Hadley while she was back at school on Monday.  Note the alternating pink & purple, Hadley's favorite colors.  "I missed you Hadley. Love Piper"

A note to me upon the return from school one afternoon this week. "I missed you Mom while I was at school"

Hadley's note to Kyle one evening this week. "I had a cheese burger for hot lunch today Dad."

And her note to me this morning. "Mom I love you. Love Hadley"



















I am not sure who's having more fun, them or us!  And the 'cool' part is that they don't even realize how much they are learning about reading, writing, and spelling because its just a game to them :)  We are looking forward to many more notes. 

Northern Celebration

We were finally able to celebrate Christmas with Kyle's family this past weekend!  The girls had a blast playing with their cousins, and spending time with Grandma & Grandpa A and their Aunties & Uncles too. Hadley, Ava, & Piper were treated to candy cane hot chocolate by Auntie Kara on Saturday evening!

Bryndel loved talking to Sydney over the weekend, and for as often as Sydney was at her side, I think the feeling was mutual :).  Fun to think that Kim was about Sydney's age when Kyle was a baby - I can see how she was like another little mother to him!






Ava & Hadley giving some love to Bryndi too, by reading to her.

All 4 girls went sliding together Sunday morning, and came in with thee most red cheeks I have ever seen on either Hadley or Piper!

While Bryndel was talking away in her carseat (and crying eventually!) this is what sledding did to Hadley & Piper on our drive home...

And this is what Bryndel has been doing every since we got home... rolling over, and over, and over again!  I am not sure who is more proud, her or her big sisters.

New Year's 2013!

We had a blast ringing in the New Year with our MN family this past weekend.  The festivities began a little bit early for the men, as they attended 'one of the single best sporting events of their lives'... the Viking-Packer game! 

Pregame tailgate party, where you apparently beat up the only Packer fan in your entourage!  Lucky for Kyle, he gets a rematch this Saturday night already.

This is what it looks like when you lose a bet to Vikings fans, hehe. 


















The girls & I, on the other hand, spent a much quieter Sunday afternoon with Grammie and the great-grandparents.  Opa & Oma snuggles.

And Grandpa Jerry snuggles (we missed Grandma Joan because she was at home not feeling well).

Do you think she's loved?

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of cousins!

 Finally!

And from start to finish, they had such a blast with one another!  Hadley started right off the bat by telling everyone to line up and sing 'Jingle Bells.'  Sounds a little like I might have done to my cousins!

 Savy & Hadley.



















Mamas and babies.

 Kenz & Had.
















And the teeniest cousin buddies, Cylas (almost 3.5 mos) & Bryndel (almost 4.5 mos). SO stinkin' cute!

The girls played right up until the end with one another (and their new American Girl Dolls!).  

It was the perfect way to start the New Year! Love you guys!