Grand Geneva: A Christmas Tradition

Warning: I am actually in a picture! More than one if you can believe that. Woohoo!!

Every year for the last few years we have made it a tradition to go up to Lake Geneva to see eat at Gordy's and then see the lights at the Grand Geneva. Luckily, my brother was able to drive down from Green Bay just for the day. The weather was perfect!

After lunch on the pier at Gordy's (looking for the fish and ducks)

Louis, Sean and I

Family picture. I don't care that he isn't smiling, at least he is someone looking at the camera

Papa, Blake and Grandma (they were looking at the other camera so hopefully they got a better one than I did)

After Gordy's we stopped at Pier 290 because Sean had never been there. Everyone got a drink (well minus Blake and I) and just relaxed. Louis and I actually got a picture together. 

Uncle Sean showing Blake the big boats at Pier 290

After Pier 290 we headed over to the Grand Geneva. I have to say, I wasn't that impressed with their displays this year. The big tree in the front was definitely the best...here is to hoping next year is better. 

Blake "wrote" a letter to Santa and then watched the Elves come get all the letters to bring them to Santa

Every year the Grand Geneva tries to do a theme for their displays... I will assume by the displays they were going for a "Wisconsin Christmas" 

I am pretty sure Santa doesn't roll around in camo and a four wheeler

You know you are in Wisconsin when.......

Santa's "Man Cave"

Yep..... another family picture. This might be a record

We can only expect Blake to pose for so long....

It was a great day and Blake behaved like a champ. Next year with two kids will be even more fun and crazy!! 

Happy Thanksgiving

Keeping with the annual tradition, we hosted Thanksgiving this year. It was exciting to have our first Thanksgiving in our "new" house. It definitely provided a lot more space and the double oven was really convenient! As always between hosting, cooking and being pregnant I didn't get many pictures. Not to mention somehow myself, and my parents didn't make it into any pictures. Shame on me. I will try harder at Christmas!!

Blake "cooking" the cheese with Louis

Grandma showing Blake her iPhone apps

The Boys doing the dishes

Crashing after his Thanksgiving meal. 

Best Friends

Our monthly Malic/Kramer date was finally getting to see Katie and Eric's new house. Blake was very excited to see Raegan and her "puppy". He talked about it the whole day! After naptime we headed down to Batavia. It worked out really well because after only a few minutes of warm up time, the kids were playing together and having a blast. 

Eric gave each of them flashlights and they thought playing in the shower was the greatest thing ever

Playing in Raegan's fort

Blake picked out Thanksgiving cookies to make at Katie's and they are enjoying the yummy treats

Overall the trip was a success the kids played great together (especially considering they are toddlers!) and the adults got to hang out. Although Katie and I didn't get enough chat time in!

Pretty soon there will be two more in the mix!!!

Blake's Daycare Happenings

Blake has been doing really well at daycare lately. For the most part when we drop him off in the morning he is perfectly OK with us leaving and quickly runs to play with a puzzle or hang out with his friends or Miss Amanda. He is also talking up a storm. He prefers to count to three in spanish (such a smarty pants!!) and definitely has a strong little personality. When we come pick him up after work he rarely wants to leave and would rather keep playing. 

His crazy hair! Don't worry I convinced Louis it needs to be cut :)

Probably one of the cutest daycare pictures yet. All smiles!!

Blake's Swim Class

Blake has been in swim classes since he was six months old. Louis and I would rotate each week on who would go into the pool with him. It was mostly just getting him used to the water and practice going underwater etc. Well, once he turned two he could start swim lessons without Mommy and Daddy. Louis and I were BEYOND nervous to have to go in the pool with a teacher and not us. We were prepared for a royal meltdown. However, we lucked out BIG TIME. Logan, one of Blake's best friends from daycare was in his class. SCORE ONE FOR US. He was super excited to hold hands with Logan and go in the water. The first class he cried a little because he was confused why we weren't in the water. Ever since then he loves it. He gets excited and talks about it all week long. "Pool, Logan, Swim, Wet" is all he ever says. Mr. Tyler (his teacher) even convinced Blake to wear the goggles. 

Blake rockin' the goggles (Logan is next to him)

Happy Halloween

This year Louis and I weren't sure what we should do for Blake's costume. He HATES wearing hats and we basically bribe him every morning to just get out of his pajamas. Not to mention he has a new favorite character every other day. Luckily we were able to find a camo outfit and a hat and dog tag and he was an army soldier for Halloween. The best part-- daycare changed him into his costume so we didn't even need to worry about it. Blake did not want to go trick-or-treating and he loved watching the kids come to the door but was terrified to give them the candy and kept saying "Mommy do it" while Louis held him. Haha. I have a feeling next Halloween will go much different. 

Wearing his Mummy shirt and creating a new look with wearing stickers

Our little soldier