Snowboarding at Sand Acres

Parker and I decided that after we finished the laundry we should do something fun.  The temps are a little low right now but the sun was out and the wind was absent.  Snowboarding was the answer today.  We practiced a little in the backyard and then it was off to the park.  We are still using the little slope for now but he had a blast.  He probably did between 25-30 runs at the park.  It doesn't seem like a lot but when I am carrying the 50lbs up the hill that many times it gets to be a workout.  I could make him unstrap and walk up each time but we'd only be there for about 5 minutes.  This works for now.  We have to thank Brian for getting Madisyn into this, we tagged along and its something Parker loves.  Hope everyone else enjoyed the day as much as we did.  More snow is on the way next week, hopefully we get a couple inches.

Firsts

Lots of firsts this week:

First week back to school for Parker.  We were a little nervous that it would take time to get back in the swing of things but it turned out to be a good week.  First week for Parker with all "green" days at school in a long time.  He has a chance to earn green, yellow or red each day and we typically get one yellow day each week.  He is on a hot streak right now, 7 green days in a row.

First attempt at using the new Dr. Dreadful toy where you mix different powders to make edible disgusting barf, guts and brains.  Parker thought it was great to make the "stuff" but we all agreed that it wasn't very good to eat or drink.

First school concert for Parker.  The kindergarten classes came together to sing 5 songs.  They were pretty cute and did very well.

First real snow storm came this week...that led to...Parker's first attempt at snowboarding.  Mark came over to help us out and then the Berggren's came over too.  We practiced in the backyard for about 30 minutes and then headed to the park for a bigger hill.  Both Madisyn and Parker seem to enjoy it for now!  Hoping that continues the rest of the winter.

Crosby is working on words.  We think we hear Doggy, we definitely hear bobby (no idea why) and mommy is a staple in the vocabulary.

Parker and Mark working hard.

Parker making spider eyes in the skull

Guts from Dr. Dreadful's stomach

Taste test, and the results are.....

DISGUSTING

1st concert.  Green & white plaid shirt.
Moppy hair, brown eyes, cute smile.

Ready to go snowobarding!

Crosby practicing on Mark's new board.

Learning how to get strapped in.

The snowboarding crew.

Madisyn riding it out

Parker on one of his 1st runs.

Off to the park for a bigger slope.

Mark and the kids reading after
snowboarding.

Month in Review

Goal:  Post updates once a week in 2012.
Why:  One, it seems easy enough.  Two, so friends and family can see the kids more.  Three, because someday the kids can look back and read about what it was like when they were little.

So let's recap the last 30 days as we start our journey in 2012.

Last post was St. Nick.  Yikes.  Since then....
-First Christmas in the new house.  We went out to Grandma and Grandpa's to get our 10 foot tree from their front yard!
-Mark and dad put lights up on the house so we wouldn't be the only ones without them!
-Christmas was crazy, the boys were pretty good this year so Santa didn't disappoint.
-Parker had 10 days off school, it wasn't enough for him but we were excited to get back into a routine.
-Parker is a good student at school but sometimes lacks focus to complete his work.  He tends to want to help others before his finishes his own jobs and assignments, plus he loves attention from the teachers.  Our goal for the second half of kindergarten is to get him to complete his work first so he can help out the other kids.  Wish us luck.  After the first week back we have witnessed improvement so we are very hopeful.
-Crosby is really starting to make noise, not quite in the form of words but it is getting close.  He can get out mom, dad and ya.  This week he started to say "bobby" when looking at Uncle Mark.  Not sure what that is all about yet but its pretty funny.
-Crosby is also getting his molar teeth so the drool is back in full force and so is his lack of appetite.
-The weather has been super warm for Wisconsin so we have been outside more than normal.  There is no snow on the ground which we love. (Sorry Brian)
-Parker got a snowboard after Christmas in hopes to hang with Brian, Mark and Madisyn this winter.  Not sure if he is going to like it, waiting for the first big snowfall to test it out.
-Parker has a ton of "BFFs":  at school he has Tyler, at home it is Madisyn, Riley, Bella, Jacob and he recently met Sam Benesh from Oshkosh and they are super BFFs.

Parker (dec. 2011)

Crosby (dec. 2011)

Brody, Parker and Grandpa
(Christmas Eve 2011)

Parker's reaction on Christmas morning
Awesome hair buddy!

Parker's letter to us, super cute.

Parker and Grandma

Mom and Crosby reading magazines,
not sure who likes it more.

Snowboarder or pilot?

BFFs

Amie and Crosby checking out his new phone.
He yells "Hi" every time someone's phone beeps
from a call, text or update, its pretty funny.

A new putter, sweet!  Thanks Brian.

Madisyn getting her first West DePere
Phantom colored shirt.

Crosby and cousin Caden

Pen, Caden and Parker

Pen and Parker making treats during winter break.
Marshmallows mouths!

Caden and Crosby getting clean

Parker and Sam.  They had a blast and will
be hanging out again very soon.

Dad and Crosby dippin, his is a daredevil...
we're in trouble

Dad taught me how to get it all out!