Q's Christmas Program

Q's Jack and Jill Class put on another production this year of the Christmas Story. They sang several songs and read a story in their words about the birth of baby Jesus. It was sweet. Q knew all the words (after practicing them at home) as we sure heard him amongst the crowd. He also made sure we were paying every minute of attention to him as he continued to wave to us in the audience. A special someone appeared at the end of the program and boy were both boys excited....Sloan, still not so much!

Mommy and Daddy were very proud of Quinton and cannot believe our little boy is no longer little anymore, he's growing up!

Thanks to Nicki for video taping the performance and for our special guests, Papa, Jane and Q's best buddy and cousin Max!

Winter wonderland...

It's has been snowing, snowing and snowing. What a wonderful time to just sit back, throw snow, drink hot chocolate and play some games....so that's what we did today. I could have many more days like this!!! Winter here we come!!!

Papa...the farmer

On this chilly December day, we had to get out of the house for a showing and decided to go see what our Papa does as a "fun job" in the fall and winter. Wow! It was pretty cool. Aaron along with the kiddos and Maggie and Max got to ride in the tractor.

Sloan was having a great time as she watched the entire process of "Farming" Of course, she was in her pink faux fur....what more fitting! Everyone had a great time!

Some comments from Q....

Stinker....

Holding the door for people at the "bucks"

So the whole family was driving the other day and Aaron says,"Buddy, why don't you teach your sister some new words and explain what they mean, the first word that he pulls out of that little head is.... "toilet", and begins to say, Sloan, that's where we go pee pee and poop! We couldn't help but giggle!

A couple nights ago before bed, Aaron and Q were wrestling (makes sense, get a kid pretty much EXCITED right before bed..whatever, dad!) and Q accidentally hit Aaron in the eye, Aaron was playing it up big time saying his eye wouldn't open and he needed to get to a doctor. 5 minutes later when I'm putting him Q to bed, he says, "mom, now I know dad needs to see a doctor, but you have to stay here with us so were not home alone tonight so tell dad he needs to call a taxi ....ok! It's not like we live in NYC, taxi where did he get this one? I guess he wasn't too concerned about the injury!

Last night again while I am putting him to bed, he begins to ask me asks about why "I" have bad breath every morning when we wake up....and then he goes on to say, I know it's because our mouths are closed for most of the night....so I tried to explain and then I couldn't get off the fact that he asked why "MY" breath was so bad...he doesn't think his is???? I guess I must brush 2 times in the morning now!

I get to his preschool the other day and see the Christmas wish list for each child... it was great because it listed everything each child wanted from Santa as well as what the child thought each member of their family wanted from Santa.....Q's red:

Q: Light Saber (obsessed)

Sloan: Baby doll (pretty accurate)

Mom: Purple dress...( he tells me later that we thought I could use a new outfit for work)

Dad: Some games ( so the whole family can enjoy)

Lastly, tonight, Aaron left to travel for a couple nights and Q says, "Mom, dad says I am in charge of the house again and boys stay up longer than girls so you need to go to bed now...ok, Good Night!

Just had to laugh at my 4 year old going on 10 year old...that's my QUINTON!

Elf on a Shelf

Isn't he cute?

Have you ever seen this? It's about the cutest thing for the holidays! I had heard about it from a friend and it's been a great start to a hilarious tradition for a family. Our elf's name is ELFIE! Pretty original... huh? He has kept Q on his toes...most of the time. Every night he flies to the north pole to report to Santa about our kiddos behavior, then in the morning he flies back into our home in a different spot.

Q loves getting up every morning to find our where he has landed this time! Sometimes it's on a shelf, but most of the time it's hanging from chandeliers, sitting on the tree or upside down in "mom's TJ Maxx decor". In the early morn, Sloan can find it faster than us, pointing....elf, elf, elf and giggling!!!! Then the one sided conversations that Q has with this creature are the best! "Well, Elfie, I didn't mean to push sister, she just was in my way of playing star wars, or Elfie, mom needs to go to time out she wasn't following my directions, or I am sorry for having a fit it really wasn't worth it...please don't tell Santa."

It truly has brighten our Christmas this year, not to forget about the real reason for the season, just to see the innocence of young children and the excitement of believing! Oh, I think I still believe! I hope Santa is good to you this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We missed you daddy!

Sloan and Daddy having some fun

Q and Daddy playing soccer

Surprise at the airport

Shopping trip: note Q's wallet and Sloan's purse

A game that Q and Nicki made up .... we popped about 20 balloons and there were clues inside!

Q would go to school every day telling Mrs. Gilbert, "My dad is in China, for an entire week." I showed him a map of China and where it was in relation to the US and he said dad is far far away...it then reminded me of the truth so we kept very busy the entire week! CC and Uncle Brad came to visit from St. Louis, a special shopping trip with Aunt Jodi was planned, and I even had girls over for some mexican and margaritas. However, there wasn't a second that went by that we were not thinking of our daddy.

Actually, as we are going to surprise Aaron at the airport, Q turns to me and asks if we could MOVE to China soon! I thought ok, he's getting the move thing, we have been talking about it a lot, reading books and showing him things that we'll do together as a family in Chicago, however...I too am just getting excited about the Chicago move....I told him let's take one MOVE at a time, and maybe one day, but I love your curiosity Q....we can learn more about China if you want ....we've always called him Curious Quinton and I'm happy he's living up to the name!

Daddy, we're so happy your home with us here in the USA, and thrilled you were able to experience a new part of the world again. Thank you for working so hard everyday....We love you so much!

Sloan's 18 months

Just one of her dress up days!!!

Sloan has really blossomed these past couple of months. She is definitely already portraying her feminine characteristics. Putting on any shoe that's in the house, trying clothes on and off, most of the time not where they SHOULD go, watching mommy apply her makeup, carrying a purse around everywhere she goes, and all the other thing us crazy girls do. She is speaking a lot, with her favorite words being "yep" "please"and "thank you" I just love her innocence and her sweet gestures from kissing and hugging, to admiring her brothers every move. It's amazing how they learn and interact at such a young age.....It's been wonderful to watch! We went to her check up at the beginning of the month, but with all the craziness going on, or I should say all the craziness in my purse (seriously, it's way, way, way too BIG, I can NEVER find anything) I have misplaced her digits for her 18 month check up.

What I do remember...she is 40% for weight, and 80% for height....ok, I'll get back to the specifics when the sheet reappears....

Sloan, you continue to amaze us with your developments, we are so thankful for your energy and your health! Love ya!

****Dec 13th...I knew I would find it, or should I say Sloan found it!**** Her digits read: 33 inches for height and 24 lbs

Love and Respect

Aaron and I attended a marriage retreat weekend at our church with 2500 other people. At first we were a little uneasy about attending with all the craziness going on in our lives of selling our house, buying a new one and travels in and out of the country, but we decided to attend and we're thrilled we did....it was amazing! The presentation was so inspiring and it sure did make me think about our marriage and my day to day interactions with Aaron in this crazy world of life!!!!

A story that the pastor said when he opened the session.... A woman goes into her closet and says, "I have nothing to wear" which ultimately means I have nothing new to wear...a man walks in his closet and says, "I have nothing to wear" he means, I have nothing clean to wear.... woman and men are wired differently and neither are wrong "just different", no one is perfect and by just understanding that before reacting can safe a lot of effort. (oh how true!)

A simple concept that was the premise of the session:

Wives need Love and and Husbands need Respect (Ephesians 5:33)

"Without love she reacts and without respect he reacts"

It truly was an amazing experience. If you have a chance to ever see this couple present, do it!!!! Aaron and I plan to better adopt some of these principles to continue on the journey of what I love so much....being married to him ( see look at me....love, love, love , I 'm playing this role well!!!)

Christmas already????

Before the picture....

There was a holiday open house this past weekend and we decided to head up for some family fun. Santa and Mrs. Claus were anxiously awaiting for boys and girls to sit on their laps. Q was so excited to meet Santa and later asking if that is what Santa always looks like? Sloan on the other hand was so excited to see some new faces UNTIL I handed her over ...hence the entire family pic with Santa.....just had to share. I love all these moments that will remember forever!

The leaves...

Fun Fun Fun

Q's getting soooooooo tall

My pink cutie

Q soaring in the air

Over the past few weekends, we've enjoyed playing in the leaves....it feels like the changing of the trees happened so fast this year! Fall is my favorite season...the kids sure enjoy it too!

A little tip....

Did you know that a spoonful of jelly takes the hiccups away every time? Why? I don't know... just try it! I love my mom....still learning something from her all the time.

Halloween 2009

Our tradition continues on...We arrive before dark at Max and Maggie's in Morton, Go Trick or Treating for awhile, come back fill our bellies with chili, dips, veggies, cookies, cupcakes and loads of candy and get sick afterwards...(just kidding). We have a blast every year. This year was extra special because both Papa and CC and DD were there to celebrate with us. Q was darth vader and Sloan was our sweet strawberry!

We were also able to get some pics with our neighbors and Q's buddies the Bucklar's. Cheers to the next holiday THANKSGIVING!!!!

Starved Rock

Had an exciting day of hiking and adventure with our good friends the O'Sullivan's. Poor Sloan was hanging on Daddy's back, but boy she loved every minute of it (note the pink fur for hiking... obviously, wasn't thinking very much!) Q on the other hand hiked the entire 4 miles like a true champ! Check out how beautiful this state park is in the Fall!!!!

It's for real!

After the Remodel

Before the Remodel

Well, we're moving to the big city of Chicago! The house went on the market a week ago and what a bittersweet day.... tears rolled down my face when the sign was placed in the yard. Why? Because was our first house after marriage, we brought both babies home in it and all the love and attention when rehabbing, will never be forgotten. However, we are thrilled for the new experience and looking forward to the new adventure! Q continues to comment on all the parks, trains and BIG building we plan to see. Still don't actually know where we'll live but, know we'll make it home!

Aaron's friend from high school, Jr Koch is our realtor and he has done an absolutely amazing with showings like crazy, advertisements and open houses. Hopefully a family will come that will love our home as much as we do! Thanks again for all you've done....we owe ya!

Well, we'll keep you posted!

Halloween Treats

Our CC came into town last week and we had a ball making some fun halloween treats and hanging low! Q was a little under the weather with all the crazy flu symptoms. Halloween Rice Krispy Treats and Monster punch were on the menu. Q enjoys being a chef and Sloan enjoys eating the ingredients!

Monster Punch Recipe:

(thanks to Nicki for finding this one)

Lemonade

Green Food Coloring

Grapes for eye balls

Red liquid icing for blood

(Q loved using all the colors for blood)

Sloan is something!

I love, love love this age.... She cracks me up! She loves cleaning, dancing, smiling and running after brother. She is a biggest ham ever! She is into making a "look" that is identical to what QMan did at this age, although with her, it might be a little more sexy and that worries Aaron just little bit.

A few of her latest tricks:

• Loves, loves music in fact she has the dance down to "head and shoulders", she loves rap music the most and sings twinkle little star out loud (pretty well)
• Loves to scream "MOM" in a high fast pitch voice...Aaron gets a little jealous!
• Smells everything including markers and fake flowers, therefore, sometimes her face is a masterpiece...It is great!
• Loves the broom, swiffer or vacuum cleaner as well as getting down on her hands and knees to scrub the floor (our floor is always dirty)
• Loves riding in her brother's wagon around the house like a "QUEEN" with goggles on, why goggles...I don't know
• The best.... she blows her noise with wet wipes then proceeds to wipe herself as if she has just gone pee pee and then wipes as if she has gone poop poop and then just goes thru the entire routine ten more times.....

Sloan you continue to amaze us as you have new developments daily! We love you so much!