Happy (almost) Easter!

Happy Birthday Sammy!! He is FIVE today. I can hardly believe it. Sammy LOVES sports and Star Wars. What a combo! He is fun-loving and adventurous, & always offering a helping hand.

We love you Sam and are so thankful for how God made you!!

The three stooges at swimming lessons. We have quite the routine down for Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Leila and I sit and watch, eat a snack, and draw, while these little fish learn the front crawl.

"Mom! Watch how I can swim under water!"

My mom and the girls and I brought Granny to the airport in Chicago, and stopped at Granny's favorite mall along the way, Gurnee Mills. She used to live just a couple of miles from this mall, and has made lots of friends while she and her sister walked laps. We had a blast!

These two are both first-borns and good friends. They are a lot alike :) 

Silas was a bit nervous  excited for his first dentist appointment; hence, the towel. He did really well! He has twenty teeth and is proud of it. He also has a bite that will need correction in the future. Oye :)

Sweet dreams, little one!

The last couple of days have given me a glimpse of what the next couple of months will be like....bikes, balls and walks, oh my! These kids would play outside 24/7 if we let them. So thankful for spring!

Hee-Ya!

This is Leila's latest lesson from the boys on how to be a super hero. Hee-Ya!

"Mom, how do these look?!"

Getting ready to cut some hearts out...

Happy Valentine's Day!

This year I finally was able to join my mother in law along with other great relatives at the Ostoff Resort for the annual Women's Celebrate Retreat. We had a blast! The picture above is a collage of some clay pieces our class designed.

We have these candles that turn on, and no joke, every time I come into our room, I find them on. This time I found the culprit behind the candle :)

Making homemade pizza...yum!

We saw an episode of Cooks Country on tv and had to try this recipe for fried fish and chips. Besides the house smelling like fried fish for a few weeks after, we'd definitely make this one again. 

All three older kids have swim lessons together. It brings joy to my heart to see Silas holding on to the kickboard and not the teacher. He's never done that for me!

Leia drew a picture of Gretta, and Gretta drew a picture of Leia.

Do you have recipe burn-out? Just check the side of the saltine box. That's where we found this winner- italian sausage & tomato soup. It was delicious!

I found Silas fast asleep on the living room floor. Someone else found him too...

...and he didn't even wake up from her love taps!

I confess, I totally checked the bed for cray-pa marks before I looked in detail at Gretta's latest creation..our family! Next time, the fridge might be a better choice!

The kids have been sledding down this teeny tiny hill on that green saucer right outside of our kitchen window. They love playing in the snow!!

What is this, you might wonder. It is our first batch of home-made yogurt! I could hardly believe it turned out. We can add whatever ingredients we want; it's a big hit around here!

January 2013

January was a full month, the pictures hardly describe it! The kids had a really fun time with both grandparents one weekend, & Tim had a trip to Florence ice fishing another. Here are a few other odds and ends from the month...

 The kids were so excited Tim took these icicles off the roof...some icicles stood taller than they did!

 Before the seats are taken...

And the artists at work...

 One picture of a really fun weekend with my friend Ashley...a trip to Milwaukee, lots of shopping, rest, reading & chatting! One of my favorite Christmas gifts, thanks to our hubbys!

Gretta's outfit from our trip to Milwaukee. The whole outfit=less than $15! We found some bargains!

 We started doing mail ordering for Gretta's supplies. It is such a blessing to get 90 days worth of supplies right to our door!

Gretta's one year check up.

 Leila's hanging out on the steps just waiting to get her picture taken.

And finally, a sweet treat from some friends to cheer up Tim during a rough couple of days with a bad virus. The cookies were yummy!

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Gremores!

Gretta (6), Sam (4), Silas (3), Leila (1)

Our first Christmas celebration at GG and Gampy's house happened two weeks before Christmas. We had so much fun enjoying the day eating 3 meals plus snacks, playing Eye Spy, sitting by the fire, and opening presents. 

We have had the honor and tradition of cutting down a tree from Great-Grandma's yard since we have lived in this house. Each year Tim and I take turns with the lights/style of the tree. Tim likes the big colorful "outdoor" lights :) and I like the pretty glowing white lights. But I love that he loves the big lights, so I would have to say I love the big lights too!!

 Before opening gifts, Tim and I made a big breakfast, followed by reading about Jesus' birth, and setting up our nativity scene. Here is Silas playing with Sam's Star Wars mask.

This turned out to be the ultimate gift...a light saber! Funny that the night before, I was talking to Tim about what we got each child. I just wasn't sure I got Sammy something he would really enjoy. The proof is in the picture- he (and everyone else!) loved it!

 Grets set her ballerina barbies aside to read her new Junior Clubhouse magazine while Leila....

...found Sy's Cars racetrack. 

This is Grandma Lo and Grandpa Jer's tree. We ate a lot, schooled the guys in pictionary :) and enjoyed sledding and opening gifts. We also finally get to share that our nephew Grey will be a big brother this summer!!

Here are the kids warming up in front of a huge fire after a sleigh ride with our church family at 

Rock K Ranch in Greenleaf.

Our first snowman this winter.

 Gretta and Ally are all ready for a smaller rendition of The Nutcracker at the Meyer Theater in Green Bay. They were at the edge of their seats for the whole show!

The boys and Leila and I joined our friends Ashley, Josiah, Serena, and Ezra for a trip to the National Railroad Museum. The lady behind the counter was blowing a train whistle, and the boys could not figure out where the noise was coming from. So cute!

 Gretta taught Leila to make this face, so we call it "The Gretta Face". Lou tilts her head down and peaks up for a short time, and then giggles.

 Speaking of Gretta...she turned 6 this month! She had a tea party at Grandma's with some friends, and another birthday party with the whole family. She seems to be growing out of little tantrums, and it is such a joy to see her help her younger siblings, create art work, sing, and devour book after book. 

Tim's Aunt Mary had 5 boys, and here is her son (Tim's cousin) Jon getting married to Bonnie on December 1st. Congratulations!!

Batman and Leila waiting for breakfast... 

 Here's our future Packer fan getting ready for next Saturday's game against the Vikes. 

Go Pack Go!

A Visit from Santa