I Dare You!

I dare you to take on TWO very tired parents, TWO five month olds who are teething and now fighting signs of a cold, and ONE almost three year old who is starving for everyone's attention and jumping off the walls day and night! I DARE YOU! Well one person took on my dare and is still hanging on, even though she fights arthritis daily, asthma, working miles and miles away from her office, and left her other children, grandchildren and husband just to be here. We are grateful, blessed, and finally getting some rest. Thank you!

Maxwell loving the extra hugs and sympathy (sore gums, runny nose, and now a cough - wonderful!)

Charlie trying to hide from his brothers but you can't hide from the chubby hands of Maxwell!

"Please feel sorry for me OR I'll bite your knuckle right off"

'Oh brother"

In between all the snuggles, diaper changes, feedings, and crying, Grandma has managed to make the boys 5 new blankets, entertain their big brother, make dinners, paint a picture for her sister, and give me the support that a person who hasn't slept in 7 months needs (last 2 months of pregnancy were H***).

Our trip to the Children's Museum with Papa and Grandma

Yes I am holding Charles T. and carrying Linc in the pouch - Don't ask

Papa and Charlie taking a bus ride at the museum

Grandma and Max smoochin'

Grandma and Charlie in his favorite room - WATER at the museum

Papa and Charlie making music

Max and Papa have the most incredible conversations

Grandma and Max at Dino's

Grandma making the kiddos crafts for Valentine's day

This is the best story of the weekend Papa was here:

CT and Papa are outside playing in the snow and throwing it at each other etc. Papa got Charlie right in the face, down the throat and Charlie says: "Papa PLEASE don't do that!" hahaha When my dad told me what happened I couldn't stop laughing - That's my boy and his manners!

Linc wanted to play trucks with Papa and CT

Max just looks at Grandma and starts to smile, coo, and laugh with joy

Charlie trying to wake up a snoring bear

Charlie and Mom going sledding - I have been able to get outside with the kids everyday b/c Grandma stayed in with the boys

Charlie's New Locker

Charlie loves to dress up in different costumes and has quite the collection of goofy outfits. I asked Papa to make a locker of some sort to store his costumes in. And that is just what he did! Then Dad and Charlie painted it the same colors that we did Charlie's walls. Thanks Papa for everything you do for Charlie! He holds his breath waiting for your next visit and the new adventures that the two of you will have.

The top shelf

Check it out!

The bar in the middle holds the costumes and the shelf on the bottom has all of his hats and accessories to each costume. PERFECT for an organized lil fellow!

The Day of Love

We celebrated our Valentine's Day the Friday before with Papa, Grandma, and all of Charlie's lil buddies. It was so much fun but I couldn't have accomplished all of the activities for the party w/o Papa and Grandma's help (Thanks!). Everything we ate that day was heartshaped, we passed out Valentine's to each other, made and decorated sugar cookies, and then did some arts and crafts with Grandma. To end the day we all went to our favorite pizza place in Mankato, Dino's. The boys have gotten lots of Valentine's in the mail and some hand-delivered. Thanks to everyone for their cards, painted pictures (dizzy Izzy), and gifts for the boys. We love you all!

Papa and Lincoln at Dino's

Auntie Tina's gift to Charlie - a new book called "Chocolatina"

She had to read it 3 times just during dinner!

CT and mom

"I love mommy....and mommy loves me"

"Mommy is my Valentine"

The best Friday night dates a girl could ask for

Just don't wear anything that you can't get spit up out of or shoes that you can't run in ;)

Grandma with the babies so we could decorate cookies

The first time Papa has ever decorated a cookie! Charlie showed him the ropes

Charlie and his gift from Nama.."Be my Valentine Charlie Brown"

Charlie playing with his new Mr. Potato Head from Aunt Mary, Uncle Chris, and Cousin Mak

Busy Bodies

Tim knows the importance of moms getting their kid-free time and he has been doing his best to give that to me. Now that I have a house full of children 5 days a week it is pretty much impossible for me to get everything done that I normally do. He has taken the boys to the cities alot lately so they can spend the much needed quality time with his grandparents and mom. Tim does a wonderful job taking care of the boys without my help!

The boys with Nama celebrating their Uncle JP's birthday

Sizing each other up

Charlie with his cousins Karlie, Claire, and Avery

Dad trying to work the energy out of Charlie by shoveling snow (one of CT's favorite pasttimes)

Charlie playing with his second cousin Ellen at Grandpa Rol's house

The boys' second cousin Caleb and Nama getting in a few hugs

Old Mcdonald Had a Farm

The boys' Great Aunt Colleen and cousin Ali got the boys these cute onesies (the cow and the horse). Charlie decided to put his donkey costume on to join the farm. It suits our household these days, sounds like a crazy farm.

'Old McDonald had a farm, EIEIO'

"and on that farm he had a cow, EIEIO"

"with a moo, moo here"

"and on that farm he had a horse"

"with a heigh, heigh here"

AND DON'T FORGET THE DONKEY

THE CUTEST A** YOU'VE EVER SEEN!

This is for you Brother!!

My favorite brother-in-law Christopher is finally coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!! My lil sister and nephew are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Chris will be home within a week and a half (he doesn't know how long he will be sitting in each airport etc)! We are all breathing a sigh of relief knowing that he made it through a year and a half in Iraq and is coming home in one piece. Chris did a HUGE thing for his family and sacrificed time with his wife and son to better their future.
Mary told us that our blogs helped Chris stay connected with us while he was gone and he was able to watch the kiddos grow from a distance. Charlie tried to send as much mail as he could to his uncle and Tim made Chris some spicy snacks. We cannot wait to see him, hug him, and take his keys so he can't go ANYWHERE! I'm sure Malaki will be glued to his daddy for weeks, so hopefully Mary can get a squeeze in there some time.

WE LOVE YOU CHRIS AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!

"Uncle Chris downtown St. Peter is finally done and I want to show it off to you!"

"We love you Uncle Chris - Hurry Home so we can tackle you!"

The happy wife and son awaiting husband and father's return

Getting all dolled up for her hubby with a new hairstyle