We're Thankful

We are a blessed bunch.  There is always so much to be thankful for and in a world of "wants", I am happy  Thanksgiving is a day to reflect on our blessings.  We had a special jar on our mantel this year: our thankful jar.  I love this idea of adding something each day and then reading through them on Thanksgiving.  Logan was a little too young to grasp the whole concept, but I'm looking forward to this tradition in our home.

Some randoms...

Here are some random November photos worth sharing:

More time outside!  We've been out every day and its been glorious!  One of Logan's favorite things to do is visit the black lab "Mister" down the street.  I have to watch him closely because he will walk down the block by himself if I don't pay attention!  Bennett really likes to be outdoors, as well!  I'm hoping it will be nice to go to the tree farm after Thanksgiving as well!

I've been trying to reorganize Bennett's room and especially the closet lately.  Logan invented a new game with the crib bumper.  Its his "boat".  It keeps him busy!

Daddy and the boys.  They love to snuggle all together...who wouldn't?!

We've also been doing lots of baking!  Logan is getting really good at measuring, pouring and stirring!  I have a feeling we'll be busy in the kitchen this winter!

Bathing Babies

We've been having lots of fun with bathtime lately.  Logan gets a bath every night now and Bennett LOVES to get a bath anytime.  Logan could play all night in the water and loves his new bath buddy: Moby the spout cover:

  The boys got these super cute bath wraps from my parents and I just couldn't resist sharing the photos:

Logan likes to be the shark - look at the fin!

Bennett gets to be the froggy!

Rock Stars

Logan is a rock star.  But, you already knew that!

Lately when Daddy gets out the guitar, Logan gets to play a little too.  He loves it!  I hope his interest in music continues.

Family Music Night

Logan and I got to go to Family Music Night together tonight and it was great!  We've been in music class together for the fall again and Logan is really starting to get into it!  The teacher uses MusikGarten curriculum and its really fun for the kids.  This semester, we've been introduced to new instruments and songs with action that are fun to sing.  My mom has been coming over on Thursday mornings to stay with Bennett so that Logan and I can go to music together...the one on one time with him is great and I can tell he really loves it, too.  For Family Music Night, we dropped Bennett off at our friends' the Donnellan's house.  Lisa usually comes to play with Logan on Monday evenings, but this week she and Ned took care of Bennett and they loved it!

Logan was a little unsure at first, with about 60 kids and family members in the room, it was a little overwhelming.

But once things got started, Logan was ready to shake, rattle and roll!  We played bells, sticks, danced, and sang with all the other families!

We wished Daddy could have come, too, but it was too short notice for him to miss YL.

Logan loves to play with the scarves.  He is a seriously good dancer and he could dance all night.  I was really happy he was getting into it, having such a great time!

We're hoping to continue with music class in the spring again since its becoming something Logan likes so much.  We look forward to it every week!

Visitors!

We were so lucky to get lots of visitors lately!  Its been keeping us on our toes and having lots of fun!  On Friday, our friends Sarah, Will, and Grace came over for some playtime and lunch.  Its so nice of them to make the drive from Minneapolis on Sarah's day off.  I love seeing her kiddos (Will 27 months, Grace 9 months) and watching them grow!  Soon Logan and Will will be able to play together a little more...they are at an age where they can start interacting more naturally.

The big kids shared lunch at the little table

Gracie gets baby food, so Bennett just watched and got jealous of her yummy lunch!

Will had fun exploring Logan's treasure of toys downstairs after lunch.  Logan did a nice job of sharing until he got tired and then he was not as willing to part with his stuff.  It was a fun visit...thanks so much for making the trip!

Friday night we had our friends, the Peters', over for pizza.  They have two adorable little girls the same distance apart as our boys.  As parents, we all couldn't help but comment on how different our lives are: Peters: ALL girls!  Eiselts: ALL boys!  Jon and Holly are fresh back from a trip to Ireland so we got to hear about the fun and then we inspired them with our fireplace project...they have one in their future!  And, besides Logan almost pushing little Addie down the stairs (after which a serious time-out was had), the kids had a GREAT time playing together!  Thanks for spending your Friday night with us!

Then today we got a special visit from Baby Avery and Kim from River Falls!  Kim had been working a few days a week, but now that she is done, her schedule opened up and we got to spend most of the day with them!  It was Avery's first trip over and Logan was pretty excited.  Avery has a special place in Logan's heart because he prays for her almost every night.  Avery is 4 months and growing like a weed! She is so precious and happy - what a great baby!  Between Avery and Bennett, we're a couple of very spoiled mommies.

Logan showing Kim his book.  Look at Avery!  She is such a peanut!  After Logan's long nap, he didn't want his jeans back on and I just didn't force it.  Don't worry...I won't let Logan run around without pants when the kiddos are older!  Thanks to Kim and Avery for a wonderful day!  We can't wait to do it again soon!

Some Photos from the Weekend

We've had a whirlwind of a few weeks.  I was sure that after Amy's wedding, life would slow down just a little.  Not.  Its been a super crazy schedule around our house and we're all pretty beat, but we seem to make it through each day!  Last weekend, John ended up hopping on the bus to join our Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls kids to go to Castaway at the last minute.  So...naturally, I packed up the kids and we headed to Stillwater.  Thank goodness we live as close as we do to family!  We had a good time catching up with Papa and Nana.  The boys were soooo good and I think we all enjoyed the change of pace for a couple days.

On Friday night we were lucky to see Amy and Andrew (aka: The Schmiesings) when they came over to my parents' house for dinner.  Fresh off their honeymoon, they are still so tan!  The boys had a great time playing with Auntie and Uncle.  Its so fun to see them together, adjusting to married life!  On Saturday morning, I took Logan to A & A's house after his haircut so he could see where they live.  He was a little confused about Amy not living at my parents' house anymore, so it was fun for him to see their place!  For the rest of the weekend Logan wanted to pretend that he was "Andrew" kicking the ball...sometimes I got to by "Amy" and play along!  He still talks about Amy and Andrew dancing at the wedding.  Its fun to so what his little imagination comes up with these days!

 Papa and the boys

My dad has a special touch: he is so patient and gentle.  The boys know that and love to hang out with Papa.  Bennett gets a lot of one-on-one time with Papa when we're there because Logan gives Nana a pretty crazy run for her money most of the time.  If I'm lucky, I get a little break.  :)

Papa and Logan hung out at home while Bennett went with my mom and I for some errands on Sunday. It was a nice day again, so they mostly played outside, but Logan also found the Mardi Gras beads...

Bennett is working on learning to sit up and sure loves the bumbo these days!

I can't believe how big Bennett is getting!  I especially notice it when he sits in Logan's lap and I think back to when he was a newborn: so small and fragile!  What a difference at 5 months!

Sunny November

So far, we are having a BEAUTIFUL November!  I think its payback for a terrible October.  Whatever is going on, I love it because we're back to getting outside while the warm temps stick around!  Today we got to run around and play lots before lunch...it was a blast and the boys both LOVED it!  We were pretty bundled up but it wasn't even a bit too cool...just gorgeous.

Logan apparently golfs all-year-'round.

Score!

This boy can KICK!  Seriously, Logan is quite the athlete so far.  Its so fun to play with him!

Bennett was happy as a clam all bundled in the Bjorn with me.  He just loved it today!

Sweet Baby Bennett enjoying the outdoors.

Bedtime Ritual

The bedtime ritual at our house consists of: (1) bath; (2) playtime; (3) snack - only if necessary; (4) brush teeth; (5) books; (6) lights out!  John is the bedtime guru with Logan.  He goes to bed the best for John out of anyone.  They have quite the routine...it sure is cute!  In fact, I've been told that when other people put hi m to bed, Logan is very specific about when, where, and how to do things "just like daddy".  Gotta love it.

snack!

After Logan's bath, they usually come downstairs to show Bennett and I which character Logan is playing (frog, shark, puppy, or ghost towels) and then to run around a little before getting pjs on.  Last night Logan had to comb daddy's hair...it was superfunny!

Then Logan went to bed like a champ!  He had the weekend with Papa and Nana, so he was tuckered out from all the FUN!

"I have teeth!"

Bennett has two teeth (and more coming soon!).  I think the teeth have been through for about a month now.  It was about 3.5 months when the signs of teething were pretty obvious and shortly after, at about 4 months, the first two bottom teeth popped through.  Everyone remarks at how early it is, but to us, it just seems normal!  Logan got teeth early, too!  Click here to see a post about Logan's first tooth!

I was having a hard time getting a photo of the little teeth, but you can see them in the second photo.  Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures: blind your child in the mirror to get a photo of the little teeth.  Oh well...

There they are!

Cute

Its the only way to say it...freshly bathed and smiling...it doesn't get any better!

Blue eyed Benny

We Got Trees!

I'm still catching up from weeks of being behind on blogging.  On October 10th, we got some BIG new trees in our yard.  John has been on an everlasting mission to create a "wooded" lot for our home.  This is one big step closer.  We had four 12-foot pine trees transplanted into our backyard, creating a little privacy and a lot of beauty.  We're already excited to put some Christmas lights up!

Before...

The truck with the skid steer.  Logan would have loved this!  Unfortunately, Logan was napping when the truck arrived.  We tried to keep him awake for the big delivery, but he was begging for naptime, so we couldn't hold off any longer.

The trees were driven around the house to the backyard.  We were a little concerned with the tracks that would be left in the yard, but by now they're already gone!

It was quite a neighborhood event!  I went in to check on Bennett and by the time I came out, all the neighbors were bundled up and watching!

A couple years ago, we planted some long natural grasses and the kids all love playing in them.  I think they were actually hiding from the big tractor on this day!

Removing the dirt and then transplanting the tree!

After....

Four new big, beautiful trees.