Christmas 2011

Bella was so excited over her Julie doll. She's been asking to have her hair braided like her doll.Coyle couldn't believe he got the Polar Express train set!
Bella and Grandpa Bob
Coyle, Cousin Erin, Bella

Ice Show

Coyle performed in the Christmas Ice Show at the Kirkwood Rink tonight! He did a great job and had fun! Here he is with his partner, Sabrina during Frosty the Snowman.Coyle waving to his family as he got into position on the ice.

Blues Game!

Clay won us Blues tickets on Thursday night! In addition to the great seats, Coyle and Bella got to meet Chris Porter. He signed their jerseys and talked to Coyle. As the team came out for the pre-game skate, Coyle got to high-five them all and a bunch of them ruffled his hair. He was way excited! It was a great game. Chris Porter scored the first goal of the game, and the Blues won 4-2!

Christmas Tree 2011

The tree we chose at Eckert's in Millstadt, IL.
The kids in front of a tree Bella said was "just my size."
The kids and Aunt Pam in front of her tree. We had so much fun going with Aunt Pam this year!
Drinking hot chocolate and listening to Polar Express music in preparation of tree decorating.
Posing in front of the finished tree. The kids had so much fun this year decorating! They both were so into it!

Thanksgiving Cuties!

Thanksgiving morning we headed out early to visit Mom in Bowling Green. After our visit, we headed on to Hannibal and spent the day with Grandpa, Nana, Aunt Bobette, Uncle Rick and Uncle Jon.

Halloween Wedding

Here's a picture of Clay and I at our friend's wedding reception down at the Lemp Mansion back in October!

Bella's 3rd Birthday

The birthday girl (in the outfit she picked out shopping with Clay) and with her updo from her salon visit at Sweet'N'Sassy.
Bella and her beloved unicorn cake!
Yay! She finally got her pillow pet. For weeks, she's been telling me, "Mom, I need my unicorn pillow pet right now."
The unicorn cake.

Halloween Dressup

Here's a cute picture of the kids trying on costumes for fun.

Halloween

Examining their haul of candy at the end of the night.Silvermist Fairy and Fire Chief

Scooping out pumpkin guts.
Painting their little pumpkins. Coyle's pumpkin was camoflauged.

Planting Trees

Coyle hard at work digging a hole.


Last weekend we planted two trees in our backyard and 45 tulip and hyacinth bulbs in our front yard. Everyone was involved. The boys planted the trees and the girls planted the bulbs.

First Camping Trip

The first weekend in October we took Coyle and Bella on their first camping trip to St. Francois St. Park with the Humes, Tokos and Trapp families. We had a fun time, although it got down into the mid 30's Sat. night, and we were a little chilly, especially when we got up the next morning. Both kids loved it, (especially smores and playing with their friends) and can't wait to go again.

I, Bella

Bella goofing around in Coyle's Halloween costume.
Army adventure girl
Being silly with Dad at bedtime.


Lately whenever we call Bella by a nickname (Beanie, Pippy, Princess, etc...) very emphatically she says, "I not Pippy! I, Bella!" Since she started preschool, she no longer refers to herself as Bellebelle anymore.

Apple Picking Field Trip

Coyle and his friends watching the show. Coyle is at the far end hamming it up.



Yesterday I went on Coyle's field trip to Eckert's Fun Farm in Millstadt, IL. We had a blast! He was beyond excited that I went with him. We rode on a wagon ride to pick apples, played on tire swings, watched a show, had a picnic and humped on a huge pillow. It was a perfect day!

Savannah-Pt. 2

We loved Savannah! It was so old and beautiful with tons of cool shops and restaurants. The architecture was amazing, and we thought all the squares (parks) were awesome!The old pink house! Bella wanted to go right in and eat; it was her kind of place.

Savannah-Pt. 1

Bella asked to have her pic taken and really posed for it!


When we got to Savannah we drove down River St., found a place to park and ate in a cool, really old restaurant called The Old Cotton Mill with stone walls and a low ceiling. It totally felt like we were in the 19th century.