Christmas with the Van Grolls

After Ben's Baptism, we celebrated Christmas at our house with the Van Grolls. Ben was sleeping and didn't make any of the photos.

THANKS FOR MAKING THE TRIP (some of you had a much harder time than others:)) Love you all.

Ben's Baptism

Ben is a little ham - he rarely cries. However, when he got baptized, he was woken from his nap and cried the whole time. Still cute.

Thanks grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Christmas Eve and Day

Last night we had Christmas at the Motelets. Sarah got a new baby that talks and it has not left her arms. Ben made out huge including a new stylin' cowboy hat. Santa came last night too. And we are not even finished. The Van Grolls come into town tomorrow for Round 3.

Hope everyone had a Great Holiday!!

Divide and Conquer

With only 2 weeks until Christmas, Bill and I realized we haven't started shopping - at all. Thus, all weekend we each took one child and a "to-do" list and started off. This morning Bill and Sarah went out shopping and Ben and I stayed in for quality laundry and house cleaning time.

Needless to say, we still have LOTS to do.

"Hot Tubbing" with the Van Grolls

Tonight the temperature was around 20 below. However, Sarah and Ben's cousins Owen and Mason came down and we met them at the Holiday Inn for some pool and hot tub time. After a few hours it was jam-jam time.

Tonight's Dinner

Ben enjoyed his cereal and Sarah discovered chocolate pudding -- by herself.

Thanksgiving in Vegas II

Over Thanksgiving weekend the entire Van Groll crew went to Las Vegas. This is the second time we had crab legs for Thanksgiving dinner and not turkey. This should be an annual trip right?
We had an unbelievable time. THANKS Mom and Dad for everything.

Thanks to Nana and Bapa who took Sarah and Ben for the weekend. They absolutely loved it. THANK YOU ALWAYS!

Sunday Nights

Sunday nights are pretty busy at the Motelet house - packing lunches, packing Sarah and Ben's bags, baths, checking emails and getting ready for the week ahead. However, with these two faces, you can't help but take a picture break.

Happy Birthday Little Girl

Today is our little girl's 2nd Birthday. Sarah, we love you more than you will ever know.

Yesterday we had both grandparents, Uncle Gregg and Aunt Lisa and her cousins over for the Packer game. Sarah wanted to thank you all for coming over and all the gifts. We often say it but she is such a lucky girl to have such great family and friends.

"Yuv-u" -- that is Sarah's "I love you".
Bill and I love you all too.

So Much Fun

Admittedly, I was not a huge Halloween fan. However, what a fun night. Bill and I rotated taking Sarah house to house while the other one stayed home with Ben and handed out LOTS of candy. Our neighborhood had 2 haunted houses, the Verona police came and handed out neon necklaces and candy and "The Skunk" was talked about by everyone in the neighborhood (thanks Kendall for letting us borrow it). I can't wait until next year when Ben gets a chance to trick or treat.

Seriously

I married this man? Yes the mustache is real.

Big Weekend ahead

1. Ben gets cereal for the first time.
2. Halloween with the kiddos.
3. HUGE Packer Game
4. Sarah's 2nd Birthday.

Mom and Dad thought a nice long bath last night was a necessity.
Stay tuned.

Halloween at the Zoo

Ben, the Monkey and Sarah, the little Stinker, went to the Vilas Zoo on Sunday with their neighborhood friend Lauren. It was a gorgeous day and we had fun running into Will too. Stay tuned for more pics of the little ones on Halloween.

Not a Nuk Guy

Benny ALWAYS prefers chewing on his hand.

Pre-Birthday Party

Sarah does not turn two for another two weeks but we went up to visit Grandpa and Grandma this weekend. We had balloons, cake, ice cream and of course Elmo gifts for Sarah. Her favorite may be the "Potty Time With Elmo" book. Hey, if anyone can get her potty trained, it is that guy.

Thanks everyone. We had a great time.

Happy Birthday Uncle Gregg and Cousin Hayleigh

A bunch of the Motelet cousins wanted to wish Uncle Gregg and Cousin Hayleigh a GREAT BIRTHDAY. We love you guys!!!

Have a wonderful day.

Big Game Tonight

A bunch of Sarah and Ben's friends got together this morning to discuss strategy for tonight's Packer-Viking game. They agreed to give the Packer Offensive line one more chance. If it doesn't go well tonight, these five are going to take over.

New Hats

Uncle Mark and Aunt Angela recently made a trip to Vancouver, the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics and picked up some hats for Sarah and Ben.

Thanks guys!

See you soon in Vegas Baby !!!!

Painting Pumpkins

Or painting "munkins" as Sarah would say.

The kids and I went up to Grandpa and Grandma's house this week. Aunt Lori and Uncle Larry bought some pumpkins to paint - Sarah loved it. I think she loved hanging out in the diaper and painting her body just as much as the pumpkins.

Rainy Day

And we are all still in our jam-jams.

Date Night

Tonight Will's mom and dad had a date so Will came over to play with Sarah. The fire is still lit between these two.

Baby Blues

I think Ben is looking more and more like his sister -- Van Groll-like. However, like his sister he has his Dad's big blue eyes.

Maternity Leave

Summer vacation, work for a week then maternity leave. Gotta love being a teacher.

Morning on Campus

This morning we packed up the crew and headed down to Camp Randall and the Kohl Center in search of the annual UW fooball poster. Success. Then we met Will at the Terrace to, of course, feed the ducks. Good times.

Milwaukee Zoo

On Sat. we went to the zoo on a very hot day. We traveled an hour and a half to see some exotic animals and again Sarah's favorite were the ducks. Believe it or not, Ben did not sleep the whole time but he did look cute when he did.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Have a wonderful Birthday Grandma. Sarah and Ben wanted to say thank you for loving them so much and being so proud of them.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA.

Good Morning

What a morning guy.

Happy Birthday Bapa

Ben and Sarah wanted to wish you the best on your Birthday. Have a great day and thanks for being so wonderful.

We love you Bapa!

Happy Birthday Aunt Lori

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! Sarah wanted to thank you for taking her to the parade on your special day.

Sarah and Ben love you Aunt Lori.

Exercises

You may remember Sarah used to do her neck exercises while watching Badger basketball. Although he is still pretty young for the exercises, Ben will only try to exercise looking away from the TV, in turn, not watching the pathetic Brewers.