A Family Christmas

Before we head out of town we wanted to celebrate our family Christmas. So, we had din at the Olive Garden and came home to open a few presents. Jack is getting this present thing and kind of likes it!

Merry Christmas to all!

My two loves...

Jack gets two pics just because they're cute...

and I can't forget this guy...

It's a Tetzlaff Christmas!

So, one nice thing about having family in WI & IA is that we get to celebrate Christmas for two weekends! We had a wonderful weekend trip up north to Grandma & Grandpa T's house - we were busy & spoiled!

Saturday was cookie baking day - Jack was a ton of help!

sledding fun with grandpa

Then it was present time - here is santa....!

Jack LOVES his new phone from Uncle Brian

and had a blast hanging with his Aunt Tami

here is our best family picture of the day.....

Thank you grandma and grandpa for a great Christmas. We love you!

Where oh where?

Where oh where has November gone? (a long overdue post - thank you for the reminders Maggie!) So here we go - Jack spent a week with Grandma and Grandpa T while my parents came up and helped me with the fall show at Canterbury. Getting ready for this show and the show itself took a lot out of me - wow! All I can say is how thankful we are to have such great family that are willing to help us out with anything and everything!

Jack got to visit Uncle Brian at work!

and he got to surprise grandpa at work!

Here is my #1 salesman!

Then we took a weekend down to visit Grandma and Grandpa W's & spend time with Brian, Allie & Reese. Of course we had to get some pics. The OshKosh overalls are in honor of Great Grandpa Wulfekuhle who lived in these during fieldwork season.

Great Grandma loves to spend time with the little ones!

Jack and I took a quick 'work' trip down to Ames. Had to do a little photography on campus, check out Jeanette & Shaun's new house & visit the Wulfekuhle's. It was a quick but fun road trip!

This brings us to Thanksgiving. We decided to enjoy a relaxing weekend at home. The Schlemme's did all the work and we joined them for a delicious meal and relaxing day. Here are Amanda and Curt hard at work....

Friday I got spoiled and Travis' mom watched Jack, so Amanda and I could shop all day (it was great!) The rest of the weekend we got to enjoy breakfast at OPH...

& then to the Home Depot to pick out our Christmas tree (our family tradition...) actually cutting one down seems like a lot of work. We didn't even unwrap this years tree, just hoped for the best! It actually is probably the best tree we've gotten so far (pics to come soon!)

and finally one of my favorite November pics of Jack.

Now Christmas season is in full gear, it's my favorite time of the year. We have been decorating, baking, eating lots of soup and living in our sweatpants. PS - Baby Girl will be here approximately 6 weeks too - we can't wait to meet her!

mmmm.... Doughnut Holes!

For some reason doughnut holes hold a special place in my heart. Growing up they were our treat after we would go grocery shopping with mom at Fareway. I remember taking the car to the carwash, sitting on the floor of the car & eating doughnut holes - random memories I know...

Doughnut holes were my tip off to finding out I was pregnant. Jack and I went to the grocery store - as soon as we walked in the door I said to him 'mmm doughnut holes, those smell so good!' It was at that moment that I remember thinking oh no, I bet I'm pregnant. I have not bought doughnut holes in years.... until Baby Girl was on the way. Now these are Jack and my special treat when we get home from grocery shopping. I am so glad he enjoys them as much as I do.

I LOVE doughnut holes

As hard as I try I just can't get the whole thing in...

The Dragon, Elmo & Pumpkin visit the Zoo

Happy Halloween! Amanda & I took the boys to the zoo for the day. They had a blast getting treats, checking out the animals and mostly running around outside! Here is my little dragon.

Elmo (Elijah had the 'it' costume at the zoo - every kid we saw would say 'hey it's elmo!')

and the little pumpkin - isn't he sweet?!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!

Jessica & Nate's Wedding

Where did the week go? The weekend is here & I haven't had a chance to write about our past weekend in Madison. We had a great time with the Krueger family helping Jessica & Nate celebrate their wedding. Here are the newlyweds!

Jack had an absolute blast running around like crazy with all the kids! Once the music started he ran to the wall & started crying I think he thought his play time had come to an end, but it was just starting!

he got to hang with Aunt Tami

his cousins

good times with dad...

and mom...

and by the end of the night he found the luggage cart in the hallway & thought this might be a good place to take a snooze...

but instead he got to have a sleepover at the hotel with Grandma!

Happy Friday!

Rain, Rain Go Away...

Since it was a rainy day and we were trapped inside we did a little photo session (practice I should say) on my favorite subject - Jackson. Thought I'd share some pics before we're off for the weekend! To Madison we go for a Tetzlaff wedding - hope everyone has a great weekend!

This little smile can get away with a lot!

and this would be the sly guy... I didn't do it look.

Here is the GQ model pose, leg crossed and everything

playing in the rain - this didn't last long it was cold! and check out the cute little hat Grandma W found bargain shopping...

and jack's favorite thing to do right now - read books - he's happy!

Happy Friday!

Boys Night Out, Building a Castle & Off to Grandma's House

Last weekend Jack got to have a night out with the Schlemme boys - I think they were all pretty tuckered out by the end of the night! Quite the trio, huh? There is the wired red head, sleepy curly haired boy & the little thumb sucker... Boy do we love these kids! Curt & I had a great date night at a wonderful little restaurant called The Citizen Cafe . We had so much fun - thank you, thank you Travis & Amanda!

Jackson is a very busy little boy - Friday was spent playing with Maddie & building a castle out of cans (whatever keeps him entertained is jut fine with me!)

The building part takes much concentration as you can see...

then it must be contemplated to make sure everything is just right...

then it has to be talked over with Maddie to make sure she is ok with the build.

and the final work of art - yes I will most likely be one of those mom's that is proud of everything my children do. My dad always said my mom would watch us do absolutely anything - could I be turning into my mother? I'm afraid possibly a little...

and after a long day of work Jackson and dad are off to Grandma and Grandpa T's house for the weekend - mom had to stay home and work (yes, work!) Did I cry? but of course - again I will thank my mom for that trait!

ps - don't you just love this bag? Grandma T hooked Jack up with his very own backpack and suitcase!