Happy Thanksgiving!

At only four weeks old, Maeve made her first trip back to Iowa to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jeritt's side of the family. She did well, and met a lot of new people. The kids had a blast with their cousins as always, and we're looking forward to seeing everyone again in a few weeks. Maeve gave us her first real smile on Wednesday, at exactly four weeks old. She's a little fussy in the evenings, but otherwise a wonderful baby. And she's a growing girl, eating well and likely close to eight pounds!

I had to trace an outline of Ella for a sewing project of Grandma's, and then Ella got the idea to make her own life-size doll.

Lori and me from last weekend when she visited.

Lori and the kids.

Aunt Jill finally met Maeve!

Grandpa Al reading to Ella.

Grandpa Rich meeting Maeve.

Another cousin for Ava to love:)

Reid took such good care of Maeve!

Great Grandma K. meeting another great grandchild.

Aunt Jane and Sophie meeting Maeve.

Ella made a bed for Moo-Cow and Bunny.  

I have no idea how Jack didn't hit at least one wine glass. 

Grandpa Al and Maeve.

Jack is a fan of the yogurt at Aunt Jill's house.  Slightly more flavor than plain. 

The Bushaw Brothers (Randy, Al, Larry). 

Putting ornaments on the tree. Jack didn't feel like wearing pants this morning. 

Brownie ornament. 

And obviously Moo-Cow. 

Jeritt, Jack and Ella made their famous chocolate chip cookies.  Ella claims that they are better than Sweet Mandy B's. 

The last yogurt run of the season (this was from a couple weeks ago) 

Getting ready to go roller skating.  This was the best helmet we could find. 

Cousins playing at Thanksgiving. 

More cousins photos.  Ella refused to smile. 

The best dressed Iowa fan (Go Hawks!) 

Jack's lack of pants and Ella's crazy hair sum up our lives these days.

Winter Fun

A week ago we were wearing sweatshirts at the park, and today its 20 degrees and we've already shoveled our first snowfall of the season. (Sigh), winter in Chicago has arrived. The kids were excited about the snow and helped Jeritt shovel the sidewalk (a new perk of owning a house). Over the weekend, my cousin, Lori, came to visit us and meet Maeve. She was so helpful with the kids and we loved having her around. Hopefully she'll come back again soon! Jeritt took the kids to the Field Museum yesterday, and today we went out to breakfast - our first meal out as a family of five. 

Jack has been dragging around a diaper and pull-up and demanding we put them on him. He also told me to put Maeve back in my tummy. He's dealing with some stuff:(

The many faces of Maeve.

Mom of the year. I forgot diapers when we left the house and had to make do with a size 5 at my friend's house.

Jack and Ella pretended to get married.

Enjoying bath time.

Tummy time is so hard!

Sister love.

Maeve's quiet place when it gets too crazy.

My wonderful cousin, Lori, came to visit us and meet Maeve!

Lori brought Ella a tiara craft kit, it sure kept her busy!

Our first meal out as a family of five.

Maeve slept right through her first meal at a restaurant.

Ella and Dad made this super cool Bat Girl mask!

Another trip to the Field Museum.  Ella took the first set of photos.  She is getting pretty good.  

Ella didn't give me a countdown.  I always need a countdown. 

Ella wanted a picture of the mountain lion biting me.

We made shadow puppets in the kids lab area. 

We tried the shadow puppet at home.  It didn't work as well. 

Ella and Jack wanted to make the biggest tower ever. 

Random photo of Maeve.  She is the sweetest baby. 

Ella and Dad made an amazing fort in the basement. 

Lori reading books to Jack.

Getting ready to shovel some snow!