our little....

.......READER

.......BOOKWORM

.......MUSIC LOVER

.......HAPPY, EASYGOING GUY

......ALMOST 5 YEAR OLD, EEKKKK!

The New Citizens Branch

The bank is expanding once again.....well, sortof :)  The latest "branch" recently opened up in the La Crosse Children's Museum.  The new exhibit is a wonerful addition to the great children's museum we are so lucky to have here.  Dennis is very passionate about teaching kids the importance of saving, spending and giving, so this was the perfect opportunity to do just that.  The kids loved playing in the new bank and Jack even got to cut the ribbon to officially open the exhibit......first ribbon cutting at age 4, not too bad!

Jack's first ribbon cutting

goofing around in the drive thru car

I'd like to make a deposit please

future Citizens bankers

the 4 of us...hope we get approved

Stella and her Daddy

Growin' Up

Stella is now in a girl bed (and doing great BTW) and for the first time in five years there is not a crib in our house.  It dawned on me while shopping Target the other day, that I don't really need anything from the baby department anymore.  In fact, I decided recently that I don't even need a diaper bag anymore.  While it is great to have my favorite leather bag back on my arm and the diaper expense gone, it's also bittersweet. With the kids growing up comes independence, which is so much easier on us, but it also comes with this bittersweet feeling as I pack away all the crib bedding and cute little clothes that are too small, because it feel like just yesterday I was washing up all the itty bitty baby clothes and getting nurseries ready in anticipation of these two beautiful babies of mine.

We usually alternate story time now between Jack's room and Stella's, which saves time reading stories together.  And it is fun being able to cuddle up with Stella in her bed. And although I love spending time with my munchkins, I also love spending my evening in peace with glass of wine, my hubby and a little HGTV, okay maybe this growin' up thing isn't so bad :)

Hippity Hoppity Easter

buddies



Easter Brunch



coloring eggs

coloring eggs

vibrant eggs

Jack & his creations

 

our egg masterpieces

another sucessful egg hunt!

egg hunt



egg hunt



Playa

Playa del Carmen 2013

our beautiful resort - Playacar Palace

taking in the ocean views

nothing better than a walk on the beach

swings instead of bar stools - genius!

Cozumel Island

shopping in Cozumel

Cozumel

Dennis' version of surfing  :)

Paradise

swinging and drinking on the beach - the perfect way to relax

sunrise

sunrise

sunset views from our balcony

our last night - do we have to come home?

February Brings.....

building snow forts

keeping busy inside on cold days

taking baby shopping

Valentine's Ball with Kelly & Randy

 

all decked out with my Valentine

making Valentine's for school party

Jack worked hard to make Valentine's for all his buddies at school

U is for Underwear

Well, we are officially a diaper free household!  Stella has been sporting big girl undies since early January and has been doing awesome in them.  We knew she could do it, but in true Stella form it had to be on her own time.  Age 2 1/2 has been the magic age for both of our kids for potty training.  It's so cute to look back and remember Jack at this age too, here they both are proudly showing off their undies.  And below is Stella, just being Stella!