Meeting Aunt Dixie

When my Grandpa Lee passed away, we had an opportunity to see family that we do not see very often.  One of the best parts was my kids spending time with my Great-Aunt Dixie.  She has always been one of my favorite ladies and my kids loved her too!

Tree Decorators

I am usually quite particular about the Christmas tree.  I like things evenly spaced and move things constantly until I think it is just right.  This year I have a new philosophy!  The kids did it their way.  the tree looked beautiful and they were so proud of themselves.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning of the things I will relinquish control of.  Haha

Gavin Louis-2 weeks

This is all this little guy does.  The other kids don't know if he has eyes for sure.  He literally sleeps all day while they are awake.  When they do get a peek of his eyes, they go crazy!  He sure is making it easy on me.  Will it continue?

Go Hawks!

For the Iowa vs. Nebraska game we all put on our Hawkeye gear to bring them good luck.  It didn't work out for the Hawks, but these kids sure were cute in their best Iowa attire!  We alos got our tree up and decorated!  Woohoo!  I thought maybe Christmas decorating would not happen this year!

Thankful for Family-Happy Thanksgiving 2011

Attempted a Family Picture

GG Meinke

Auntie and the Four

 Almost everyone is looking!

This year I feel especially blessed at this time of year.  God has been so good.  With the welcoming of Gavin, my heart is full of all the things that show me God's love.  The people in these pictures are what I am most thankful for.  My goal is to remember this feeling all year long! Happy Thanksgiving!

Coats from Uncle Brad

Uncle Brad sent these adorable Miossoni coats for the girls.  The love to wear them to church.  Caroline was not really interested in picture taking this morning! Thanks, Uncle Brad!  You are teaching another generation about style!

Mohawk @ 1 Week



Special Visitors

Gavin Louis Meet Grandpa Louis

Gavin's middle name is from my grandpa, Lou. We were so excited for them to meet for the first time. Grandpa and Grandma were able to join us for Thanksgiving weekend, so Gavin got some laptime with his namesake. I feel very blessed that my children know their great-grandparents. They are the best great-grandparents ever!

Turkey Day Turkey

The girls wanted to make something special for Thanksgiving and I was determined to be able to do a craft with them even though Gavin was brand new. We came up with this turkey to decorate our table. They loved doing the paper mache and the things they were thankful for were great to hear. It looked beautiful on our Thanksgiving table!

Me and My Boys

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe that I am the mother of two little boys! Denny keeps saying they are going to be the ones to take care of me someday! I just want to treasure every minute I get to take care of them.

Making Memories

Yes, that is mustard on their faces. I was sitting and feeding Gavin in the living room while Denny and the kids were finishing up eating. Before I knew it, Denny was making memories! He squirted Madeline in the face with mustard and told her, "We're making memories!" She thought it was hilarious and spent the next 15-20 minutes making her won memory by getting him back. I don't even want to know what door this has opened. Caroline keeps going to the refrigerator and talking about what she is going to make a memory with. Will it be ketchup, ranch, BBQ sauce? So far I have talked her out of it! I guess this is what daddies are for!

Is he really asleep in the bath?

This little guy is one calm baby. We really haven't seen his eyes very much at all! He even slept through his first bath at home. He didn't really wake up until we took him out and he got cold and even then as soon as he was wrapped up he was alseep. I prayed for a sleeper, but I never expected him to sleep in the bath!

Brotherly Love

Holden loves Gavin so much. He wants to hold him and hug him and kiss him all the time! He says "baby baby" all the time. He is so cute when he puts his arms out to take Gavin from us. These two are definitely going to have fun growing up together. I love to watch them together already.

Gramma Judy & Gavin Louis

My mom was awesome once again and came to take care of us. She always takes such great care of us and this time I am wondering if she could just stay for a few months! Having two more hands all day long is amazing! I think Gavin agrees. Thanks Mom! We love you!

Welcome Home, Gavin!

Denny and the girls came and picked Gavin and me up and 30 minutes later we were a family of six all in the same house! It was a proud and overwhelming feeling. Since Gavin's birth I keep remembering how blessed we are to have 4 healthy children, but coming home and having the reality of being responsible for all 4 of these children was a lot to take in. After a small breakdown, I jumped in and life just took off. The best part was seeing how excited the other 3 were to have him home. Gavin is definitely loved!