Merry Christmas . . .

. . . . from our home to yours!

29 Weeks

Lately, there have been only pictures of Simon; because he is the one who changes the most in our household. Well, here is one of me - since I am changing practically every day! I am now 29 weeks pregnant, and early March seems so very close with still lots to do here at 4 West Adams! Christmas is coming and keeps us busy, Eric is finishing up Simon's bed, plans are underway to re-do the kitchen after the holidays, , and I need to start looking for a preschool for Simon! Can you believe he will be in preschool! Soon not even a toddler anymore.

Santa's Visit

Simon was fascinated this year with Santa! He could hardly wait in line; he was ready to march right up to Santa. When it was his turn, he walked up close to him, looked at him and said "twuck twator". No need to wait to sit on his lap! He just sat on his lap and took it all in! He then rode the train with much enthusiasm! We enjoyed our special Santa visit, train ride, and lunch with his little buddies T.J. and Baby Charlie!

A Friends Christmas

Our June Bug group gathered last Sunday morning for a Christmas brunch; and we had a delicious and fun time! The original group now has an 18 month old friend that has joined our fun gatherings! It is amazing that this year is their third Christmas. Simon definitely enjoys opening presents and playing with the new toys inside! He is learning to give his gifts to others, more fun to open them himself. He'll get the hang of it! Such a fun Christmas it will be this year! Here are the four June bugs playing together. The best picture I could take with them all naturally playing in the same general area!

T.J. is now a big brother, and here is Bahy Charlie. Next year at Christmas, there will be 10 kiddos in the mix. Since Baby Charlie, everyone is now expecting their second child!

A Snowy Day

Simon woke up and could barely eat breakfast; he was sooo excited to go outside to play in the snow. He wanted to go out there since the night before when the snow was falling. He played so hard in the snow and did not want to come inside. Such a different experience from last year (check our blog archives if you cannot recall). Enjoy our snowy day!

Simon is pretend snoring and sleeping, not making a snow angel.

Lady Park Truck

Here is how Simon's nativity looks when put away for the night. One day Simon comes to me and says "lady park truck", never heard that before and could not figure out what he was talking about. A few minutes later, a walk into the living room cleared up any misunderstanding. The heavenly host angels were standing next to his big, semi-truck. His "ladies" parked the truck. So, now baby Jesus, several people, and sometimes a few stable animals now live on top of the truck. Oh, and the camel always goes inside the truck. A modern version of the stable scene. So remember, "lady park truck"!

A Mother's Song

This is great! Every Mom will enjoy this song!

A Wiens Thanksgiving

We then drove up to MN to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with Grandma and Grandpa Wiens from Minnesota. Simon is now calling them "Grandma/Grandpa Wiens" or "Grandma/Grandpa Soda". He is also calling Eric's parents "Grandma/Grandpa Lussow". This was our first sign that we were on our way and headed in the right direction. Friday after Turkey Day we went further north to hlep Grandma and Grandpa pick out their Christmas tree. Eric, Simon and I went to visit the goats and other farm animals while Grandma and Grandpa headed into the barn/shed. Needless to say that history was made, a tree was decided upon before we joined them. This is usually a half-hour task with lots of hemming and hawing. Simon was most interested in the cats, park, sandbox, and tractors. He did not care that it was quite cold and windy outside. He was not at all happy to leave the toy tractor at the sandbox. He cried while we were driving home and kept saying "back barn". No idea the trip was all for a Christmas tree.

Saturday, Aunt Christina treated Simon to his first hockey game and boy-oh-boy did he enjoy it. He especially loved the zamboni. He first called it a "boni" but now says "damboni". Anytime we drive somewhere and ask him where he's going, he says "hockey game". Who knew it would take only one game to get hockey in his blood?

A Luedtke Thanksgiving

We enjoyed Thanksgiving a weekend early with Eric's family. We had a great time. Simon played his little heart out with his cousins and we enjoyed too much food!

The young cousins eating cookies. Doesn't look like too much trouble, do they?

Simon and Jessica

Uncle Gordon playing with the little ones, Jessica, Nathaniel, and Simon