Holiday Hoopla!

The boys with their new train table from Santa

Novak with the little puppy Santa brought him-notice the peace sign earrings Connor gave me!

Attempt at a family picture via a timer-check out those adorable socks!

Playing in all the snow on Christmas Eve

The boys got new hockey skates for Christmas and love wearing them in the basement to play.
Our family picture at the Doyle's Christmas Night

Novak's First Christmas!!

WOW!! Those words were uttered so many times this past week in response to several things: the 25 inches of snow(with three to four foot drifts!), the amazing meals Grandma Kathy cooked, Santa's generousity!, families equal generousity, sheer exhaustion, nameless children's behavior(both good and bad), Novak's sleepless nights and finally, realizing Christmas had come and gone in a flash. It was another memorable year in all areas for us...we sure know how to have several life changes going on all at once!

Enjoy the pictures...Happy New Year!!

Novak "walking"(sorry for the cute butt shot!)

Pictures for those out of town folks!!

Here is a very merry recap of the past week or so...

Liam's birthday party today...with the dinosaur cake!
Santa at Grandma and Papa's

Connor swimming at the waterpark in Grand Rapids

Bentleyville

*No pictures from the Polar Express...thats what happens when you don't bring a camera!

Come and get it!

Our new family tradition:
making christmas trees! They turned out beautiful...
thanks Grandma Colleen for the idea.

Cousins, pondering how to cut open a pomegranite.

Me and Liam being goofy at the game

Connor AND Liam got to ride the zambonis at a UNO hockey game in Omaha. Liam did amazing all by himself and Connor waved to and smiled at the crowd the whole time.

1st experience with cotton candy...loved it!

Imagine that...tonka trucks

Matt, Dad, Mark, Dan, Kurt, and Daniel playing in the 25th annual Turkey Bowl.
Auntie and Liam playing Perfection-where does this piece go?

Novak peeking at the camera

Mark tickling Liam

Novak's First Thanksgiving!!

November Update

1. Connor with his skates on. 2. The boys on the trains 3. Novak's first Bulldog game 4. How I found Liam asleep one afternoon 5. Novak with his new best friend Jack O'Kane 6. My mom with the Claussen and Doyle boys(all 6 under 5!!).

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!! What a wonderful time of year to celebrate that which we are thankful for. We have been discussing this for the past few weeks and here are some of the things the boys came up with: baby Novak, our family, trrrraaaactors!, Lisa(aww!) and not being sick. Of course, I totally agree with all of these and feel so blessed for all we have.

A few highlights from this month. Novak is 4 months! He is starting to roll over, is eating veggies and fruits and is still the happiest, most content baby.

We finally got our H1N1 vaccines. As most of you know, this was a tiring process for me and it stressed me out a lot! Now that it's done, I'm happy and confident with our decision.

Dan spent a week in Florida for work while the boys and I kept busy with school, Lisa's and playdates. He ate well, learned a lot and got some fun gifts too!!

We spent 2 hours at the Chilren's Museum one Saturday morning together. It was so fun watching the older boys run from place to place to explore.

The boys and I drove to Omaha last Friday. Somehow I figured out a way to make that work and it did, quite well! Since being here: Mary's birthday kegger, a pink eye scare, meeting baby O'Kane, 4 stitches in Liam's forehead, hockey games(Dan is at the Wild/Bruins game tonight with my dad), shopping, seeing friends and lots of outside play!!

I am so looking forward to spending Thanksgivng with our whole family: Mom, Dad, Cristen, Kurt, Jonan, Dillon, Ben, Jenny, Matt, Anna, Oscar, Isaac, Emily, Daniel, Crystal, Me, Dan, Connor, Liam, Novak, Mary and Mark. (We will have a few special guests as well.)

We are so thankful to have each of you in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!

Snip Snip

Connor said about a month ago, "Mommy, I can't see my books with all my hair in my eyes." When we asked him if he wanted it cut he jumped up and said, "YA, like daddy's!!" I couldn't fight the inevitable any longer and decided to schedule a cut. He got a wash and cut and loved everty minute of it. He asked every person we saw today if they liked his new hair cut and told Dan about a hundred times, "we're twins now daddy...we both have short hair, you and me are just twins now!" Ahhh, he looks so adorable I think I might keep it short...ya, right!

Another trip for Daddy...

We miss you Daddy!! Mommy said you are in Florida, where is that? Do they have tractors there? We played on the swing set today and went to Ruth's and had school too. We get to go to Lisa's tomorrow and then watch a movie with mommy. When are you coming home? Will you ride in an airplane again? We will come pick you up. We love you and can't wait to see you!!!

Your favorite boys - Connor, Liam and Novak