What is It?

Tonight when Jon got home from work he took the kids into the bathroom and got out some of those things you put in water and they turn from a "pill" into a shaped sponge...do you remember those? Anyways...the kids loved them. They thought they were so neat.

Anyways...on a different note...can you believe I made it an entire year without missing a day. 365 pictures. So I think I am going to keep the streak alive. Hopefully I will make it another 365. Happy New Year!!

Nap Time

So nap time has been a little tricky lately since Charley started climbing out of the pack n play. We had to start putting Charley down for a nap in her crib and putting Matthias in our room. This really hasn't been working out too well. Matthias usually gets into stuff and doesn't go to sleep until he crashes. Today I found him like this on the floor.

Presents

A couple days before Christmas one of Jon's co-workers gave us a wooden train set. We decided that we would wait until after Christmas to give it to him, just so that he wouldn't get confused. So, this morning I got the box out. Justus was super excited. He spent most of the day playing with it.

Princess

I'm sure Charley is feeling like quite the princess with all the new (and very cute) clothes she received for Christmas. This little outfit is by far my favorite...I think...it's a tough call. I just love the skinny jeans and that the sweater has a hint of shimmer (which I know you can't see in the picture). Thanks to Aunt Sarah for doing such a great job picking out this outfit!

Lazy Day

Today I took the day off from our normal schedule to recover from the long weekend. I have to work this evening and I just didn't feel like doing much. We stayed home, played with toys, watched movies, ate popcorn...it's been a good day. Tomorrow we'll be back to our normal schedule.

Long Weekend

Between all the festivities and having to work this morning...I am worn out. I think the kids are too. I got home from work at 330 (I don't normally work Sunday mornings, but today was one of those days you couldn't request off)....anyways...the kids went straight into their jammies and we watched Toy Story 3. Now they are all in their rooms and it probably won't be long before I head to mine.

Merry Christmas!

Today has been a great day. The kids loved all their gifts and we had fun hanging out with Jon's family. I think one of their favorite gifts was a mini trampoline that Grandpa got the kids. I have a feeling it will get a lot of use come spring time.

He's Here!

Today started our Christmas festivities. We headed to Mt. Vernon first thing this morning to open presents with my parents. Then we headed over to my friend Mary's house...unfortunately we didn't get to see her though due to bad driving conditions. We got home early this afternoon and the kids are very excited for tomorrow. But before all of that happens we took a few minutes to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas....the birth of Jesus.

Ready or Not...

Tomorrow begins our Christmas festivities. We are headed home to Mt. Vernon to have Christmas with my parents. I think I'm finally ready for Christmas...I finished wrapping my parents gift today and all of Jon's. Now all we have left is the kids stuff. I guess it will be a night of wrapping, but at least all the shopping is done!

Cuddle Bug

After the boys got haircuts....the boys snuggled up together on the chair. I thought it was pretty cute.

Other Toys

Today Justus finally realized he got other toys besides Buzz Lightyear for his birthday.

Birthday Boy

Justus got a little recognition at school today for his birthday. He even got a Happy Birthday crown. He was none too happy that I wanted to get a picture of him wearing it.

Happy 4th Birthday, Justus!

4 years ago today we welcomed Justus into our family! I can't believe he is 4 years old. We celebrated by having the family over for presents, cake, and ice cream. Justus has enjoyed his new toys...but I'm pretty sure he likes his Buzz Lightyear the best. He hasn't stopped playing with him since he opened him.

Too Cool

for her pack n play that is. Charley has now discovered how to climb out of the pack n play. Fun. She first did it last night while we were at our friends' house, which turned fun time into not so fun time. Oh well...I guess it happens. We ended up leaving a little early since Charley of course wouldn't lay down since she had new found freedom. We know it is only a matter of time before she realizes she can climb out of her crib as well. Guess we need to start looking at bunkbeds for the boys and putting Charley back in her room.

Update: After I finished this post, Matthias informed me that Charley was out of her crib.

Christmas Program

Today was our first ever Christmas Program. I loved it! I'm looking forward to more of these. Justus' class sang Christmas songs for all the parents and then we got to go to his classroom and make different Christmas themed crafts. It was a fun day.

Long Day

So due to a little ice/sleet last night Justus' school was closed for the day. It's been a pretty long day...actually a long week with two snow days for Justus. We haven't done much today. The only time I've left the house was to go grab the mail. I was kind of glad Justus didn't have school since they didn't salt our little subdivision until about 9 this morning....and the roads had a nice layer of ice and were super slick. So we relaxed for most of the day and ended the evening with bath time. I'm not a huge fan of giving all three kids a bath at the same time, but sometimes it just works out that way.

My Little Plumber

She is really going to hate these pictures of her some day.

Happy Birthday

Today is my birthday! It's been a pretty good day. I was surprised by a flower arrangement from my father-in-law, which is just beautiful. Then when Jon got home we headed to Target so that each of the kids could pick out an ornament for the tree. Justus picked out a robot (which he broke within seconds of walking in the door). Matthias picked a giraffe. And Charley got a Strawberry Shortcake ornament. We then came home, ordered in some Mexican and watched Eclipse. I love birthdays!

O Little Christmas Tree

So today I decided it was time to get the Christmas decorations out. We had planned on going to get a real tree...but with our work schedules it just hasn't worked out. So, out came our little tree again. The kids and I decorated it...they had so much fun getting out all the ornaments. Tomorrow night we are heading to Target so that each of us can pick out a new ornament for the tree. I'm glad I got the tree out because the kids all love it!

Snuggled Up

It has been a very cold and windy day. We didn't even make it to church this morning. We got up and got ready and even loaded everyone into the car, but once we got onto the interstate we realized we were going to be extremely late due to the roads not being very clear and the wind blowing snow everywhere making it difficult to see. We decided to just turn around and come home. So we have been hanging out in our house ever since. Justus decided he was just going to snuggle up on the chair with the "squares" blanket.

Quiet Play

After a long day at work I'm so thankful when the kids play quietly. It is so nice. Matthias looked so cute playing with his blocks. He was very diligent as well.

Happy Birthday to ME!

So today started out as any normal day. But around 230 p.m. my husband walked through the door with a hand full of flowers. Turns out the concert he had to work got cancelled, so he was home for the evening. I was super excited to see him. After that we headed to Target to get my paycheck and drop it off at the bank. When we arrived back home my mom was at the house. Jon then told me that we were headed out for my birthday. He said I could pick anywhere I wanted to go...but turns out he had already made reservations at Ruth's Chris!! It was quite possibly one of the best meals I have ever had! After dinner we then did a little Christmas shopping. I love my husband...he's the best!

Toast With Sprinkles

So the kids love toast with "sprinkles" which is really just cinnamon and sugar. Anyways Charley eats it face first.

A Boy and His Ketchup

Matthias has a love for ketchup that I don't quite understand.

Mop Top

I was checking my email this morning and turned around to find my little girl looking like this. She is in that phase where she would much rather be naked than in clothes. And on a different note...check out that hair. It is getting so long and a bit out of control. I'm not sure what to do with it at this stage. I can pull it up which maybe I should do more often. I love her curls...but when her hair is down it is a mess. Oh well...eventually it will get longer and a little less in her face.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Today was the perfect day to curl up on the couch with a pillow and blanket and watch TV...so that's what we did this afternoon.

Superhero?

So this morning I was cleaning out the diaper bag that I had taken to the Wilson's yesterday. In it I found this strange pink and red bottle with a cape. I'm not really sure who slipped it into our diaper bag...one of the Wilson's or one of my children...but as soon as I pulled it out Matthias said, "My superhero!"

Prime Location

It has been a pretty long day. I was up late, got up early, sold bows all day at Ed. Jones Holiday Mart. The kids are pretty wiped out too. Jon decided to relax on the couch and of course all the kids wanted to join him. Justus was upset because Matthias was in the best spot.

Story Time

Today I caught the boys quietly sitting on our bed reading together. It was a sweet moment.

Like Brother, Like Sister??

Charley LOVES her big brothers. She loves trying to keep up with them...and sometimes they even let her. She wants to do everything that they do. Today that included taking her shirt off. Justus has been taking his shirt off during naptime, so then Matthias wanted his shirt off...and of course that meant Charley wanted hers off as well.

My Pretty Girl

Charley is such a little sweetheart. I just love her. She has the prettiest smile and I love her curly auburn hair. I refer to her as "my pretty girl" often...so much that the boys call her pretty girl as well. I love it!

Over There

Today the boys played a little game of tag in the living room. They would run back and forth between the couches and yell "over there"...then they would grab the other one when they were close to each other. It was pretty cute. Charley tried to participate, but couldn't really keep up.

Sicky Again

Our poor little Thi guy is sick again. He woke up not saying he felt sick. He was pretty lazy this morning...he even threw up all over himself....note the dried puke on his chin in the picture...nice. Anyways, by the afternoon he was pretty much back to himself so I'm hoping tomorrow will be back to his normal self.

Oops

This weekend has been extremely exhausting. If I wasn't working Jon was. I won't lie I didn't take any pictures today...so I snapped this one of Justus sleeping when I got home from work this evening. I'm so thankful that tomorrow night neither Jon nor I have to work.

Happy Anniversary

I worked all day today and Jonathan is working tonight...so I got to spend our anniversary with some fabric and my sewing maching making some fabric flowers. But you know what? It doesn't matter how we spent our anniversary...I'm more in love with him today than I was the day we got married. We really have a blessed marriage and I'm so thankful for Jonathan and that God brought us together.

Black Friday

Today was a pretty crazy day. I had to get up and head to Target at 7 a.m. for the craziness that is Black Friday. The super intense crowd had already cleared out by the time I got there, but it was still VERY busy. Jon also had to work this morning, so my mom had to come over to watch the kids. When I got home I was pretty worn out...and to top it off Jon is working a concert this evening. I was really glad that once Mimi left the kids mellowed out. I think it was a pretty long, exciting day for them as well.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today was a change of pace for us as far as Thanksgiving goes. We typically have plans for Thanksgiving, but we had none this year. It was definitely different. So we ended up having a pretty lazy day. We actually went over to some friends' house and then Jon's dad came over to watch the kids so that Jon and I could go out for our anniversary. We ended up at Ruby Tuesday...it was pretty much the only place open...but it was delicous. Our anniversary is on Saturday but both Jon and I have to work all weekend...boo! Sorry for the dark picture.

Jam Session

This afternoon the boys had a little jam session in the living room. They were totally rockin out. Justus even did a little behind the head action.

Trend Setter

This is one of my favorite shirts...but Charley likes to take her arms out of it. I found her without a shirt on after nap time. I had already put her arm back in twice when this picture was taken. I decided to let her wear it like this. Maybe she's starting a new trend.

Sucker

I finally gave in today and let Justus eat this massive sucker that he got on Halloween. He didn't even come close to finishing eat, but he sure enjoyed what he did get to eat.

Caught You

This afternoon I was cleaning up some stuff in the living room when I heard some noise in the kitchen. I came around the corner and found Charley in the cabinet like this. She knew she was caught red handed.

My Book

Matthias found this toy ad from Wal-Mart today. He was super excited about it and referred to it as "my book". He sat and just looked at all the toys...not really realizing what it was. He just thought it was a cool book with lots of neat toys and pictures in it. I'm kind of glad he didn't realize that all the things in there were toys that could be purchased.

Artwork

While I was busy cleaning the living room and kitchen this afternoon (which is now a mess again) my boys were busy in our room coloring our closet doors. The bad news is that Jon and I never have painted the doors...so even though it is crayon it won't come off. Looks like I need to add "painting the closet doors" to the to-do list.

Teamwork

One of the gifts that Aunt Barbara brought for Thi when she visited was a puzzle set. The boys have absolutely loved it. Today I actually found all three kids working on the puzzles together. It was great!

Leftovers

Last night we had one of Jon's friends from high school over. We decided to order pizza for dinner...which made my life really easy today when it came to lunch time. I love leftovers!

Bad Habit

So remember how I posted that picture of Charley a while back with her hand down her diaper....well it has become a really bad habit. She does it ALL the time now. And let me just say this...she doesn't care what's in her diaper either....gross! We are trying to break her of this, but it isn't going so well. I guess I need to start dressing her in onsies.

Choo Choo

This morning I got out the kids' pop up train. They love playing with it...probably because I only get it out every once in awhile. The boys were in it walking around the house yelling "choo choo". They even let Charley join in the fun for a little while.

So Long, Farewell

This morning the Klestinski's all headed to the Golden Corral for breakfast. It was our last meal in our Klestinski Thanksgiving extravaganza. We had a good time. Charley was having a good old time with Uncle Donnie this morning. She really liked him. After breakfast we headed home. I think all of us are wiped out from all the activity this weekend.

Cousin Love

We headed to Springfield this morning, and have been at Sarah's all day. We have had a good time hanging out with the family. As a special treat Jon's cousin Justin and his wife and two girls came down also. We don't get to see them very often, so it added even more excitement to our day. Matthias, Justus, and Kendall spent some time looking at the I Spy book pointing out objects to each other. It was pretty cute.

A Klestinski Thanksgiving

Tonight started the Klestinski Thanksgiving festivities. Not everyone was going to be able to make it for Thanksgiving this year so we decided to have it a couple weeks early. I always love Klestinski Thanksgiving....all of Jon's aunts and uncles come to town and we get to hang out. It's always a ton of fun. I honestly look forward to it every year. This year it began with the family coming to our house. We hung out in the backyard before we all left (minus the kids - thanks to Mimi for watching them) to go out to dinner at Little Italy. It was delicious. Tomorrow morning we are headed up to Springfield for Saturday and Sunday. Picture is of Charley and Aunt Nadine playing with the water table. That also means pictures will be delayed, but I will try to make a post while I am there.