Winter Pictures

Before we roll back around to winter once again, here are pictures 

from this past winter. Wow, it feels like a lifetime ago!

Making Christmas cookies

Can you spot Joe's cookie with the spinach on it? 

Playing video games with the Sternbergs

The kids got the big tv, leaving these two die hards with their itty bitty screen.

Trying out a new drone.

Christmas with the cousins.

Mid-winter scooter ride

Making gingerbread houses.

I think it might have been easier to just build a real house. Not sure the person who designed these kits ever really tried to put them together with three kids. 

But we stuck to and and made them work!

Grandpa P. and Charlie

Christmas morning presents

Something fun this year - we did an Amazing Race themed Christmas. 

The kids had to do a series of challenges and puzzles to earn their presents.

Jump-roping around the house.

Kicking a soccer ball around the house.

Completing their puzzle challenge.

Despite this look, the kids seemed to really enjoy the challenge.

But not so much the "Red Hots" that he accidently ate, thinking they were sweet candies.

I can't remember where we were driving too, but this picture of a sleeping George still cracks me up.

Spending some of their Christmas money at Five Below - their happy place.

My happy place

Love when a trip to Menards can also be a fun outing for the boys.

And that brings us into the new year. Never would have guessed all that 2020 would bring. Grateful for the ways we can see sprinkles of goodness in the midst of difficult times. 

Charlie's 1st Birthday

A big kid kitchen for our birthday boy.

Since I had to work on his birthday, Charlie had some special time with his favorite babysitter, and her daughter, Edith. We brought cupcakes to share. George doesn't seem thrilled in this picture, but I'm sure he enjoyed his own.

Mandi, his babysitter, was sweet enough to capture some cute snapshots of Charlie on his big day. They were all so cute, I just couldn't decide which ones to include.  So I included them all!

On the prowel.

Oops...More Pictures!

Continuing my "Quarantine Catch Up" and found some
pictures from last Summer and Fall on our old phones.  

George's 5th Birthday

An "Amazing Race" themed Father's Day scavenger hunt

Brothers

7 Months Old

Braces and Head Gear

Spent a week at CranHill Ranch

Claire made it to the top of the climbing wall several times.  

That is her on the right, and Joe climbing to catch up to her on the left.

Charlie loved his first summer of camping.

Turtle races, Tye Dye, Archery and the Craft Hut.

Now that's a recipe for some camping fun.

George's teacher helped him write his journal about camping.

Joe and Sam with their sons, Charlie and SooHo Forest

Back to School

FYI...Montessori schools begin the year with empty shelves and 

add to them as they learn their work throughout the year.

Loving his "Brain Stretching" work

A sad day. A scary brain bleed landed my dad in the ICU.  

George's superhero cutout was kept close to his heart.

On his road to recovery.

George's Lego Shark

My Skeleton Sons:

more sweet than spooky

This just cracked me up.  Henry so badly wanted to go on Sandy, but when he actually began his ride, this was the extent of his enthusiasm.  I think someone has outgrown this fun.

So...these are the pictures I often post of Charlie on our blog.  

Cute kid, big smile. 

But just being honest...these are often my days with him.  He hasn't been the mellow, easy going kid we were expecting for our fourth child. He sure does have a flare for the dramatic. But we love him nontheless. 

Okay, I think that's all of them for now!