Winter

 Winter is upon us, and the Northwoods has had a very warm winter thus far with little snow.  Until yesterday!  Here's the deal....if you live in a town where there is no Target, Hobby Lobby, Noodles, sushi....and it gets dark at 4:00 p.m....then you pray for snow.  Pray. For. Snow.  Why?? Because lets face it....even though it's 32*...you aren't going to go for a bike ride or to the park.  However, when it's 32* and snowing and looks like a snow globe outside you feel all Norman Rockwell and bundle up the kids to head outside.  My super fab husband shoveled off the ice in front of our rink for our own ice skating spot.  I asked him if he could string Christmas lights around it and play endless love on his Ipod and skate romantically with me.  I'll let you know if he does.  Fingers crossed.

The Kowboys had a ton of fun falling on their butts 823985 times skating.  Hank decided to play boot hockey.  That's where you wear boots not skates.  Smart kid.  And also....we quickly informed them this is the only kind of hockey they will be playing.

 B. Herb is such a good sport!

 He also had a swim meet today.  He was the heat winner in the 25 free and 25 backstroke.  He even did a FLIP TURN on his 50 free!!!!  It has been so fun watching him progress.  He is always willing to try new things and I have seen him grow so much in his independence this year.  I have mixed emotions about that....but try as I may they just keep growing.  Whaaaaaa

Frank

Hank/Frank.....isn't feeling so well today.  This pic is from his favorite restaurant, Culvers, gotta love some crinkle fries and custard.  He asked if he could have Culvers for dinner today and since he is about the cutest thing you every wanna see when he is sick I give him pretty much whatever he wants.  My apologies to my future daughter-in-law.  I am creating a fever monster.  

We picked up Culvers and brought it home.  He ate it like a champ.  After dinner I told the boys they needed to take their Vit. C tabs.  Let's just say Hank has a bit of a gag reflex.....

Nothing says fun like Hank putting a Vit C tab in his mouth....puking....all over the table...while Brody sings "this is serious" in his best Ming Ming Wonder Pets impression...while Brody continues to eat a butter burger because not even a pile of puke is gonna stop that kid from his human garbage disposal type appetite...while I gag and run....while Brad is on the phone with his Dad and yells "gotta go...Hank just puked all over the table".....while I throw a pile of paper towels over the puke because that's all I can do when I run back in the kitchen....oh and throw a bottle of vinegar water at Brad and say "I gotta go downstairs."

Now Hank is starving again.  And I am gonna flip off the Vit C. bottle every time I walk past it.

 This week was full of Christmas goodness.  Programs, cookies and egg nog.  See that kid singing his heart out in the green shirt and red sweater vest.  That'd be my Herb.  I cant even stand the cuteness level.

 The inn keeper and Mary. 

 Why my family is way more awesome than yours.  Matching Holiday shirts.

 Congratulating Hank on his awesome inn keeper performance.

 Nice face Brody.

B.Herb

Ok...so...I'm a total loser and did not post about super important things this year...like oh say...Brody starting kindergarten....loosing his first tooth....or his birthday....sorry...my New Years resolution is to be better on being on the ball with my blog.  Probably same resolution as last year....but try try again.  Correct?  So, here is some parenting advice.  Listen up.  If you are planning a birthday party for your 6 year old, and you decide to invite all the kindergartners from both class rooms, and you take a crazy pill and decide to do it at the bowling alley make sure you have lots of adults.  Lots.  And maybe a pediatrician.  And dentist.  And change of clothes in case 1 pees their pants.  And maybe a lawyer in case a kid gets his arm ripped off in the ball return.  And....of course some kick ass cupcakes.

I told Brody he could have a party, but explained why I wasn't comfortable asking 25 parents (most of which have never been to our house) to get Brody a present.  So, I explained different charities and he decided on Toys for Tots.  I was so proud of him!  He had 15 toys to donate and was so proud of himself.  He has such a kind heart.  Love, love, love the Kowboys.

Nice photobomb Hank

Viva Las Vegas

 My Mother-in-law turned 65 this year.  For her birthday my father-in-law/sister-in-laws planned a trip for she and all of us.  Vegas was the destination and lots of laughs were had.  Don't you think Aunt Heather and I would make super duper super models?  That's us.....I know....you thought it was someone famous.  Nope.  Us.  Trying on sunglasses that cost more than my S.U.V.  minivan.  Then, carefully setting them down and getting the hell out of there before we scratch them and have to donate a kidney to pay for them.

Swim you mighty Hoda

 Ok...now...isn't this just the most adorable thing you ever did see?  Yep.  B.Herb joined swim club.  In typical Brody style he was "interested" in swim club because he got a team cap and "speedies" otherwise known as speedos.  Not so much the tighty whitey style, more like the boxer brief style. (Not pictured here because we ordered them and much to his dismay they were not here in time for the first meet.)  He is doing so great!  He jumps off the blocks, belly flops dives in, and swims a 25 freestyle or backstroke like nothin' you've ever seen.  Ah-may-zing.  Future Olympian we have.  Plus he really likes subway...so watch your back Michael Phelps.