Ravioli and brownies

Typically Jillian has been a really good eater. As she has more and more table food she has gotten more picky...she doesn't eat a lot of beef. So I tried beef mini ravioli's today...and they were a hit!

To reward her for her good eating, I gave her some of my brownie...it didn't last too long on her tray!

Helping daddy shovel

Today with all this snow, we needed to shovel AGAIN! So Jillian decided she wanted to help...we are not sure how helpful she was, but again she couldn't get enough of the snow!

Little Artist

Last week was a week full of firsts...Jillian painted for the first time. She started with a brush and paper, but ended up using her hand and the table! Take a look at our little artist at work!

SNOW...and sledding!

So to go along with our snow adventure yesterday, we tried sledding today! Cole brought his sled over today and we took a few slides down the hill next door! Jillian wore her gloves today, so we were able stay out a little longer. She walked around in the snow, amazed...and then she went on the sled, amazed again! I am not sure if she knew what to think, but she didn't cry and wanted to go again.

Cole and Jillian going down the "little" hill.

Here is Cole going down the "big" hill.

Here they are going down the hill again!

Here Jillian is trying to go down the hill without a sled and Cole zooming by!

What is sledding fun without a little hot chocolate after! (just look at Jillians shirt, she enjoyed hers!)

SNOW!

Yes it is January and today we played in the snow for the first time! She fussed the whole time I was getting her dressed...but once she got out there she had a blast! She loved the snow and walked around pretty well in her too big boots=) The only thing she didn't like were her gloves...she would NOT wear them. So our playtime out there was pretty short, her poor little fingers were pink and cold.


Having fun, exploring the snow...without gloves!


We have a bunny living in our backyard for the winter. Cole has lovingly named him/her Bob. Bob usually lives under the slide, but Jillian was playing near the slide and Bob hopped off...and when he did Jillian declared, "It's a bunny!"

Hopefully we have more fun snow adventures!

Playdate with Mason Hamel

This weekend the Hamel family came up to Milwaukee for a visit. It had been awhile since Jillian and Mason had seen each other (since before they both were walking) so it was exciting to see how these two would interact and play. Mason is a super cute little guy and Jillian had fun playing with them! They played so well together they even let mommies and daddies play a little bowling!


They really liked playing in the rice...and so did Kayte!

Jason bowled a perfect game even though the kids were running around us as we bowled.
Thanks for the fun playdate Mason! We look forward to seeing the Hamel family again soon=)

Last Christmas Celebration and New Years

This year we celebrated Christmas with Jason's mom and his brothers in Milwaukee over the New Years weekend. So we had a weekend full of celebrations...starting with New Years Eve on Friday night, Christmas at Troy and Dena's and the Rosebowl with the Badgers on Saturday and of course...the Packers on Sunday. It was a fun and exciting weekend full of fun with cousins, aunts and uncles and grandma! Jillian was so excited she didn't want to sleep much (which is always expected when playing with cousins is involved!). Friday afternoon Jason got tickets for everyone to go to the Milwaukee Wave game. It was super fun, although they lost. Jillian didn't know what to think of it at first and had a sumo grip around my neck for a while. She did warm up to the atmosphere and seemed to enjoy the game and cheered on the Wave. We then headed back to our house, ordered some pizza and hung out with family to ring in the New Year. Saturday morning we headed over to Troy and Dena's to open presents and cheer on the Badgers. There were way too many presents (as usual, grandma spoils us)and a lot of good food. Unfortunately the Badgers lost, but it was still a fun day with lots of playing with cousins. Jillian did not sleep at all that day and crashed on our way home. Sunday Todd and Meg's family challenged us to a little Wii sports before lunch. Anna, Leah and Isaac schooled everyone in bowling! They headed home after lunch but Grandma stuck around to cheer on the Packers! (who won and made the playoffs!).

Jillian was not so sure of the loud indoor field and our cute little family.

These two were so cute playing...James is quite the bruiser!

Isaac (pictured here with Grandma) was VERY into the game and James...well its James!

Grandma, you're tickling me!

A couple good pictures of just the kids in their Buckey gear!

The oldest girls were great helpers with the little ones.

Opening presents...look James we have the same ornament!

And of course...playing with the doggy, Reggie!

Who can pass up a little rough housing with daddy and cousin Sam?!?!

Snuggling up with cousin Anna!
It was a great time and a fun way to end our holiday season!