Fun Times and Counting

Whoever knew playing on a matress could be so exciting. I took Lyla's matress out to change the sheet and they played and laughed long enough for me to get some laundry done!:)

Exploration Place

We went to Exploration place with Ang, Caleb, and Abby.  Thanks Ang for the free passes!

Sitting in the Combine

Inside the Tornado!

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Stop the Ducks!

Playing in the vet clinic!

Got you!

I was a little surprised to see Lyla so comfortable using Lincoln's dart gun.  Appantly she has been doing this with Lincoln and Matt for a few weeks?  Not sure how I missed this.

Sunday School and Basketball

Lyla had her first day of 18month Sunday School last Sunday.  She did not seem to like the group singing time...when the teacher asked for the kids to stand and sing, she just stood and frowned at everyone else. She did however enjoy the free play, snack, and craft time, and proudly showed me what she had made afterwards!  I think Daddy is going to have his hands full as she was one of 12 that moved up- guess there could be 20 kids if everyone shows up!
I can't believe she is already old enough for S.S.  She is getting so big so fast!  Even said her first two word sentence yesterday.  She heard the garage door opening and said; "Dadda home!"

Lincoln came out of his room with his shirt on his shoulder like this and said; "I am going to basketball!"   He was mimicking Matt as this is how he carries his extra dark/white colored shirt when he goes to basketball!

Snow!

The kids had fun in the snow this week, although there has really only been one day where it has been warm enough for them to go out!  They both do not enjoy being cold!  We pulled the kids around in the sled, which Lincoln enjoyed but not Lyla.   She had a frown on her face pretty much the whole time we were outside!





Not so excited about all this!

  

Trying to roll a ball for a snowman but the snow was to powdery.  New color on our house!



"Lyla doesn't have one!"

Well, I finally heard the conversation I knew was bound to happen soon.  Lincoln and Lyla were taking baths tonight and Lincoln told me, "Lyla does not have the same private as me."  Trying to keep a straight face I said, yes, that is because she is a girl and you are a boy.  He went on to say, "well, what does hers look like?"  Nodding in Lyla's direction I said, "like that."  He looked at her, and then looked back at himself.  I could tell he was thinking hard about this whole situation. Finally he looked up at me and said, "but Lyla doesn't have one!"  I said, yes, she does, that's what hers looks like."  I don't think that answer really satisfied him, but he eventually said, "oh," and got distracted with something else!

Schroeder Christmas

We all met up again for Christmas over New Year's weekend.  We had a great time, although Steph and Andy's kids still got the flu despite our efforts to keep them from getting sick!  I think we had one whole day where no one was sick- at least we got the presents opened!
   

This was actually Lyla's 2nd time riding in the car.  We visited last Oct., and when I looked out the window ands saw Lincoln driving her around, I was a little nervous to say the least!  He actually does a pretty decent job, which surprises me because he doesn't seem to undertand how to steer his bike yet.  That being said, this was taken right before I heard Brooklyn cry.  When I turned around she was on the ground with part of her legs under the car...not really sure what happened there!

"Helping" Papa Ed with chores

Setting up Lincoln's new hot wheels tracks.

We played Gesstures one night, and Ed was hilarious!  I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time!

I didn't play this game, but heard it was alot of fun.

Lyla played with these plastic cookies forever while we opened presents.   I think it was Bo's present, although it looks like they belong to either Brooklyn or Lyla here!

Tofteland Christmas

We had the Tofteland Christmas on Monday Dec. 27th. It was a fun day, and so great to see my sister Noelle and family.  They live in KY so we get to see them a couple times a year.  The kids had alot of fun together, and it is always hilarious watching them all.  My sister is a good writer and summed up the day perfectly in an e-mail she sent us.  Here is a copy of what she wrote: (hope you don't mind Noelle:)

CALEB (Mr. Enthusiastic)
-Let's not forget the prayers he blessed us with and specifically, "Thank you God for my Christmas presents."
-Irelyn was hogging the pretend kitchen and Caleb sweetly told her, "it's ok honey, I can play too!"
-Upon opening his red cowboy hat, "Yee-Haw!"
-Before leaving he picked up Irelyn's hair bow, brought it to Irelyn and I and said, "I want you to put this in her hair because I like this in her hair."
LINCOLN (Mr. Excellence)

-Grandma, Lincoln, Irelyn and Lyla were all playing Candy Land and Lyla's gingerbread man made it to the end first but she had already retired herself to something different. Lincoln said, "Lyla can't win, she's not even here!" Grandma Brenda said "oh ok, we'll keep going." The satisfied Lincoln went on to win that game! I have a feeling he likes to strive for excellence.

-Lincoln allowed Irelyn to put both her hands on his face and give him a kiss! She then led him around the kitchen, through the living room and down the stairs still holding his hand.
-He ate all the food on his plate in order to earn more apple salad!
LYLA (Ms. Easy-to-Please)
-Lyla was very happy with simply a plate of food in front of her and mommy in sight! I was amazed watching how gracefully she put food on her spoon and then put the spoon in her mouth!
-Tanya checked Lyla's diaper and Grandma Doris said, "what is mommy doing?" Lyla answered, "poop." (Ok, me writing again...The funny thing about this is that she hadn't pooped, she was just explaining to Grandma that I was checking to see if she had!)
-Lyla seemed to be very good at keeping herself content by joining in on what was being played with. Irelyn isn't so good at this and when Lyla joined in to play the piano Irelyn layed herself across the keys and got herself in trouble!
-During cousin pictures Lyla and Abby held hands.
ABBY (Ms. Energizer Bunny)
-I couldn't get over how fast she came in and out of the room! One minute she was there, the next second she was gone!
-Nate was calling for her at the top of the stairs and Abby came running up behind him with a big smile on her face like she was saying, "here I am daddy!"
-One time I found her dragging the giant baby doll up the stairs and thankfully she let me help her finish the job!
-Does this girl ever sit still? She wore a proud grin when she stood on top of the stool like a big girl and falling over never did phase her!
IRELYN (Ms. Entertainer)
-Irelyn relentlessly told Grandma, "watch me."
-She also told Nate quite a story about her Christmas presents and mimicked what mommy did when she opened hers, "awwww."
-Everytime I showed Irelyn an ornament with a picture on it she said, "how pretty they are!"
-When she thinks she's the center of attention and feels comfortable, watch out! Grandpa was about holding his ears when she ran circles around him singing, jumping, dancing, squealing and shouting anything that came in her head!
-You can't sneak being tired past this little girl. Matt yawned and Irelyn asked, "tired?"




Had to take a picture before I scolded them.