A Grand Slam

Such a goof ball!


On the pond with the boys

We spent countless hours(yes, hours and hours!!) watching the Australian Open over the past 2 weeks and it all was worth it when Sunday morning we witnessed Novak Djokovic win it all. Amazing tennis, awesome atmosphere and best of all, his name rocks! It was 2 years ago this spring, while watching the French Open, we discovered and fell in love with the name Novak. And now we have one :)

Speaking of Novak, I finally took him in for his 18 month check and he's right on schedule.

Weight : 24.7 (25%)

Height : 33in. (50%)

All else went great. He is changing so much and it's been amazing to do this again, for a third time, and still revel in every milestone!

On a side note, my parents SkateAThon was a HUGE success this past weekend raising over $40,000!! We participated by taking pictues to post in the 'Skate Across the States' section and I also did an hour of skating here at 6am Saturday morning. Such a fun, inspiring, incredible event. Hope you can make it next year!!!

"They look like Lightsabars!!"

In the bear's den.

Last week we went to the Aquarium to celebrate

our friend Rhea's birthday. Novak gave her that

"love" puppy-awww!

With nothing too exciting going on here recently(I'm a bit thankful for that!) there isn't much to blog about. I guess I'll give you a quick run down on the boys.

Connor is still very inquisitive, asking intellegent questions all day long. He and Liam are in love with all things Star Wars since they watched the movies last week with Dan. They play Luke, Darth Vadar, storm troopers and R2D2 all the live long day! He is also beginning to read. We bought some of the "early reader" books and have a day by day lessons book that helps him learn the sounds of letters and how to put them together. Very exciting!! He still enjoys school 3 half days a week...we have yet to go a week or two without a color change(figures!). He recently passed into the second level at skating class and can't wait to "get paid to play hockey so I don't have to work all day"(Connor). Ha, daddy's dream!!

We can't believe Liam is only 3! He is such a fun-loving, intense, creative, independent, adventurous kid. He still loves reading and looking at books and now tries to "read" them himself. He walks around with a cape on, breathing and talking like Darth Vadar, demanding we call him "Vadar"! He is doing fantastic in school. Mastered his letters, numbers 1-15, colors, shapes, and he is doing well with writing. The teachers have nothing but praise for him every day and they love having him there. He will graduate to the next class up in March. He idolizes his big brother and does so much of what Connor is doing that we forget he is so much younger. He is also doing great in skating class. He seems more coordinated on skates then Connor was at that age and faster too. Little brotherly competition brewing for the future!

Novak continues to amaze us every day. His vocabulary is through the roof. We understand most words he is saying, "help me", "open", "cracker", "blankie", "juice", "Vadar"(lol, he said that tonight!). He is discovering how to play with toys, like the car garage, on his own. He dumps every toy basket, bin or box out daily(Ugh!!). There isn't much he won't eat but getting him to sit long enough to eat is tough. He wants to be doing just what the older two are doing; running around with a cape on, swinging a lightsabar, crashing cars or working on a puzzle. He adores his little g-friend Rhea, calling her name the whole time they're together. I love the time he and I get alone together, T/Th morings, when we hit the Aquarium, play at friend's houses, take walks or just hang out at home and play. He is growing up way too fast!

Tonight before Connor and Liam jumped in the tub they were both peeing into the toilet at the same time. Liam says, "Daddy, they look like lightsabers!" about their pee streams! LOL...such Star Wars nerds already!!!

OUr CRazY HoLidAY!!

Novak loves this gift from the Doyle's...he points and says Nemo, Dori and Turtle :)

Out on the rink one night

Treats for breakfast Christmas morning

My parents gave the boys a Hockey Guys game...they love it!

Christmas Joy!

Connor really loves to be out there...and Dan can't be happier!

Favorite picture: Birthday morning in Omaha. Cake for breakfast, Probug drinks, Naked Novak, and a bottle of liquor on the counter....but he's SO happy to be 3!!


Cake with cousins(thanks Jenny for making it)...he got a headlamp from my sister and wears it everywhere.

Doing 'knucks with jellyfish' with Uncle Kev

Doyle Birthday party

Connor, Isaac and Myla ride the Polar Express every year together.

The last three weeks will go down in the record books for the Doyles. I'll sum it up to make it quick!

Events:

Christmas shopping(mine and most of my mom's) and preperations

Polar Express train ride

Liam's school birthday party

Liam's family birthday party

Hosting Doyle Christmas

Hockey games and Skating classes

Impromptu 12+ hour drive to Omaha during a blizzard

Wuebben Christmas in Omaha-Cousin party/Liam's Birthday/Haller Christmas party/Skating in the backyard every day

Ailments during all of the above:

Hand Foot Mouth

Strep Throat

Shingles *which brings about the potential for both Novak and Liam to get Chicken Pox!

Pink Eye

Holidays are always memorable and this year was no different...we just hope the latter list doesn't ever happen again! :)

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!