December fun! Lots of it!

We were so excited to put up the tree, a new one that was only supposed to have one light go out at a time not entire sections. However, a entire section went out. I was OK with just adding lights but when Mike mentioned we could get a real tree and I then said "Christmas tree farm" it was over - we were off to the tree farm. Eli was so excited!

Most of his excitement was because to him farm means "farm animals". This means we drove for 45 minutes to get to a tree farm that had a petting zoo.

He loved the peanuts!... eat the entire thing (shell and all) just like Mama and Papa.

"How about this one mama... I found it!" (it was a little short and a not very full)

When we got home and it was all done, we ended up with three trees in the house.

Eli loved watching Mike cut down the tree. I think we heard "Papa cut down the tree" 20 times.

Wrigley was not sure what to think and has had a hard time understanding why he can chew on sticks outside but not on the tree.
Oh how things change - we have an entire shelf of "kid" Christmas stuff.

Moving onto Christmas cookies. Everyweek we made a different kind. I did not get pictures of the sugar cookies which is too bad. I have to say they were very pretty!

Mouse cookies... cute but not very good.

First snow of the year. Eli was so excited we were outside about 5 minutes after he got up!

few family pics are in... can't wait for the rest

Although we had our traditional family pictures taken this month, we are not sending out cards this year (sorry). We thought we would wait until Isaac is here and send a family picture/birth announcement then. I can't wait to get these prints and update our pictures in the house!

Year three... that's a wrap

Eli's third year video

This year Eli he wanted the exact same birthday party he had last year. We tried to mix it up a little by suggesting other cakes but when we showed them to him he would say "how about the jungle dinosaur cake"

Last year...

This year...
Eli helped this year so it was a little less detailed, but he had so much fun helping Mike make it! He put all the dinosaurs and trees on himself.

Then he proceeded to ask for the same dinosaur jello eggs, the same big dinosaur birthday sign, and more dinosaur toys. This made getting ready for the party easy. I had save all the decor and had left over napkins and silverware.

He was so excited to open presents this year. When we went to open the first gift Lainey told me it was from her and I said "Eli, this is from Lainey" (it was from Mamaw to add to his confusion). Eli's little 3 year old brain heard that it was FOR Lainey and he took off with it to hid from all of us as he proclaimed "this is my present". When he convinced him to open it (from the dining room) he did so and then came jetting back into the living room saying "Lainey, look at this! It's dinosaurs!" It was too cute!

Happy 3rd Birthday Eli!

Eli said, "I am not three, I am Eli"

Halloween FUN

Eli did surprisingly well on Halloween. He has been talking about it for a month. He has watch Halloween Pooh a million times. He made me made a "spookable" for the backyard. Today he asked me for pumpkin seeds (not sure where he got this). However, when the 31st came he told us he was not dressing up and "no trick or treat". We set no expectations for the evening. This was mainly so I would not cry when his toddler-ness ruined my Halloween, I bought this costume like 2 months ago in anticipation for this night.
To our surprise he suddenly wanted to put on his costume and go. It might have had something to do with promising we would see Ethan.

Here was our first stop. It was at our nextdoor neighbors house.

We are on our way with Eli on Papa's shoulders (this is where he would sleep if we would let him).



We met up with Eli's buddy Ethan, and his mommy (Bridget) and daddy (Steve), to see if the boys would be willing to give this a go. Ethan and Eli loved it once they caught on to how this trick or treat thing worked. Go to stranders door... not so sure. Go to strangers door and get candy... FOR SURE! Ethan was not into dressing up, but if you look closely you can see his costume in his mommy's hand in the background.


Here is our family pic... during Eli's sugar high.


This video represents the best and worst part of our night in a few ways. Be sure to pay close attention to the butcher knife in this teenagers hand when he comes to the door. He was also covered in fake blood and acting like a crazy murderer of some sort. He scared the boys so bad you will notice Eli falls off the porch. Bridget tries to catch him, but is trying to figure out if this crazy guy has a real knife or not. I stopped the video out of concern for Eli, but this kid continued to act like a bloody knife man and the boys continued to be scared.

BEST: The adults laughed for about 5 straight minutes.
WORST: Eli would not approach a house with a man at the door after this.
LITTLE WORSE: The fake blood was stuck to Bridget's hand the rest of the night.
EVEN WORSE: Pregnancy and 5 minutes of hard laughter always results in a little pee in your pants.

Here is a video of a much better experience.

Today at about 2pm Eli said "OK mama, I ready to go trick or treat. Let's go"

By the end of the night this is all he was saying. I think next year we will have no resistance with trick or treating (expect maybe from Isaac).

lots to cover

Now that the camera is working and we have downloaded pictures from months ago, I have major catching up to do. I think I might just post random things from the last several months over the next few weeks.

Here is a video I have really been wanting to post so Ethan's parents can see it (Ethan is Eli's best neighborhood buddy). Ethan was trying to teach Eli to dance. Although Eli does loves to dance, I just don't know if he was ready for this :)

Eli's new favorite movie

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/503El01tDBtrtEPd


Sorry we have not posted in MONTHS! Between my pregnancy sickness and the fact the camera broke (Eli threw sand at it in FL and it is now a goner); I have had little to post or energy to do much about it. Pictures coming soon... I promise... I think!

Summer recap (camp pictures to follow)

Traders Point Creamery... Chickens, Cows, and Ice Cream!

Splash Park!

Back Yard Fun
He uses his "used" playset more then we would have ever expected.
It seems the animals wanted to swim too.

Kid Pool Lesson 101: Don't leave the water in the pool if you don't want them to get in!
Who needs a sandbox when you have mulch!
Eli's little helper / best friend
Wrigley being a good puppy!

Baby Abby!!
Eli loves it when Julie watches Baby Abby at our house! Baby Abby's mom and I job share and share our wonderful nanny... when we work the same days Eli and Baby Abby get to play together.
Wrigley loves Baby Abby too!

Dress up (Boy style)!
Craft Time!
Eli just started to really enjoy crafts. He glued the teeth on himself (pretty prefectly I would say) and made the dots for the eyes.

Rain boots (thanks Julie!)

"Look Mama, I'm a bald eagle"

Kuebler Family Vacation 2009

Vacation...

We had a great time.

Hanging by the pool:

Making water ballons:

Playing at the beach:
Eli spent most of his vacation on Mike's shoulders... "Papa, high" I think we heard that about 100 times during the week.

I think Mike, Ginny, and Ryan enjoyed playing in the sand more then the kids.

Most of the time the kids preferred to play in left over water from high tide then they did the actual ocean.

He also like the evening much better (not sure he liked the hot sun)
I just love this picture of Alyssa and Pepaw
The girls spent lots of time collecting shells "See Eli"

We all liked getting our turn to read on the beach the best:

Even Eli:

We had a great time flying kites:

Family shopping day:

Thank you Memaw and Pepaw for a great VACATION!!!!