My Dear Family

"Happy February! I recently turned 9 months old. I love sweet potatoes and avocado. Peaches and pears cause me to make a silly face that gets quite a funny reaction from my brothers and sisters. I am never by myself. Someone is (almost) always holding me. I just got over an ear infection, but mom is wondering if I still have it because I have not been sleeping very well. I love spinning the tires on trucks and cars, and I love looking at the baby in the mirror. He is funny! Bath time is another one of my favorite things. I cry when I have to get out. Crawling isn't quite my style, but mom says it won't be long. I love signing "more" and sometimes "so big". 

Clapping is fun too!" -Theo

Late in January, we got together with GG, Gampy, & Reuel and his parents to celebrate Christmas Stoffel-style: fire in the fireplace, gifts, lots of food & football!

This may have turned out better if we took the picture right when we got there. These 5 little monkeys just wanted to play!! 

Mom came over and brought with her all the essentials for gingerbread house- making. 

Here is Lou Lou's.

And GGs!

And mine! 

The same day, we had some friends over to make another ginger bread house.

"Hmmm. Which piece should I eat next?" -Ethan

"I just want to live there!" -Clara

"Who is going to pull this thing??" 

It's sooooo cold outside. Let's bring the snow in!

Theo and his friend Leroy... It is so amazing how "big" he looks by such a new baby!

We all loved this jungle book that Grandma Nelessen bought. Laughs all around!

Tim has been helping coach a boys basketball team this year. We go to the games to eat popcorn cheer him on. Go Eagles!!

A-L-L-I! G-A-T-O-R! Alligator, Alligator, Eat em up! Eat em up!

We had Granny spend the night & we played Skip-bo & hide-the-(really small)tea cup with the kids. She is such a blast. The next morning I took her to the airport to head to CA.

She loves sweets and coffee (though generally eats things like red salmon and steamed spinach)....well, here we are. I love this picture. Moments later we thought we would check what time her plane was boarding. We looked at our watches- WHAT?! One minute ago?? Run!! So there we ran, she, up the steps, and Theo and I in the elevator...and she was stopped in security for her "large" container of face cream. Since it was almost empty, they let her through. She had a smile the whole time, and ran on to catch her flight. The security guard assured me that she is in good hands. I praised God that we made it literally in the nick of time!

This is our families' second year in Classical Conversations and my second year tutoring. These gals are all 5 year olds in my class. One boy was sick, and Silas just didn't want to be in a picture of all girls. They are so fun!

One night, Theo would not go to sleep for anything, so we let him play on the floor. 

Here he is, folded in half, asleep!

Our dear friends from Arizona sent us some fresh oranges, tangelos, lemons and grapefruit...along with some great herbal medicines, cars for the boys, paper cut outs for the girls and a sweet homeschool book. The timing couldn't have been better after the long day we had. We are so grateful!

The School House by us has activity days that we love to be a part of. This time, we made ground hogs coming out of their den. These hats were on major clearance. Though we didn't buy them, we just couldn't resist a few pics!

"Were you looking for Silas? I ate him! AH AH AH!"

Adorbs as usual.

Ha Ha! He will get me for this some day!!

Happy New Year! We are thankful to God for so much in 2014. In January, for our new church home & just weeks later, for walking away virtually scratch-free from a totaled truck. For a smooth and fast delivery of our little (BIG) baby boy Theo in April & a career change for Tim in July along with an opportunity for him to  be the assistant coach a boys basketball team. For Gretta's 'Marta' roll in the Sound of Music (not to mentioned pierced ears!!), for Sam's strong tball season finish- next up...machine pitch! For Silas and his first year in CC. He seems to fit right in! And for our sweet Leila who turned 3 in September. Her favorite things are singing, painting, & dress up. Orange juice cheers to the Lord for His abundant grace and mercy.

This was a fun find on Craigslist. A few hours later and....

The rooms are filled. Merry Christmas girls!!

Our Christmas morning best :)

Grandma and Grandpa's beautiful tree....

and home made bean-bag chairs from Grandma Lo and Great Gramdma- WOW!

More to come!!

Life has never been more full (chaotic/fun/crazy/busy/tiring/joyful/stressful), but God is good.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! These two wild ones had fun together at GG and Gampy's. Though they missed out on the delicious ham, turkey, potatoes, pie etc, they had fun catching up with giggles and clapping hands :) I wish I had more pics to share of our amazingly full day, first at the Gremores and then at the Stoffels. We are blessed!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the day that Great Grandma and crew set up her little village. The kids made a total of 34 HUGE snow balls in the back yard, too heavy probably to lift to make a snow man. They made a little Olaf too, and went sledding down a little hill in the back. Here, they are preforming Do-Re-Mi as a trio. 

James, Theo and Addison are in awe of the singers.

Mom and I went to an enormous craft fair last weekend, and this little ballerina was a hit (thanks for the dress, GG!). Sitting like a lady? I don't think so!

Lyle Lovett Look-Alike

November is a month full of Birthdays and Anniversaries in our family! Here is Daddy and kids for his special day.

And Silas at his triple birthday party (celebrating Tim and Uncle Bri too)...lego man cake made by Auntie Amber- so cute!

Pin the brick on the lego man. Silas won!

Operation Christmas Child is an amazing organization which sends not only gifts, but the message of the gospel to thousands of kids across the world. Gretta wrote a special letter for hers. We are eager to find out which country they end up in! 

So fun to pray for and to pack a box for a boy Sammy's age.

Yes, we are behind on posting- this was a while ago! But I just couldn't skip these pics from October. Sammy and Silas were both ninjas this year (and last year, and the year before that...)

I was so happy Lou happily agreed to wear this tiger costume. She wants to be a mermaid when she grows up, and talks about princesses A LOT. So this just makes me smile.

Theo was a baby tiger (maybe why Lou was ok with being one too!) and Gretta was a Diabetes Educator, stethoscope and all! 

Almost every Friday we are here; the brown county library auditorium, rehearsing for the Sound of Music to be preformed in May. Gretta is Marta, furthest left in this shot. We are so thankful to be a part of this production!

While Gretta is working out her vocal chords, Leila is working out her biceps by pulling Silas barefoot across the floor at his request.

Our friends the Carlson's came to WI all the way from AZ to visit. It is always a shock to see how much each of the kids has grown. The kids had so much fun together!

Leila turned 3 in September...had to add her on here too!

And Silas doing some map copy-work. U.S. Geography this year. I had learned a states song as a kid and it has come in handy so many times in life. So glad these guys can know their states too, thanks to the Anamaniacs (if you haven't heard it yet, google it! It's good!)

Sammy and I went to the pancake place for our mother-son date. This was seriously WAY bigger than we both had imagined! He fit a few bites in, but we definitely came home with more than we ate!

Gretta and her bridge creation.

Theo at 5 months...

6 months...

First two bottom teeth and started sitting on his own.

And 7 months! 

Started clapping hands and eating mushy food about twice a day and loves it. 

Tim started assistant-coaching middle school basketball this year. Go Eagles!

Watching the game and eating popcorn. Go Daddy!! And Go Eagles!!