The Whistler

It's been an exciting week for our Audrey.  She came downstairs early one morning and announced that she could whistle....and she could!!!  William has attempting to whistle for awhile, and Audrey must have been paying attention.  

Audrey is so happy that she can create such a pretty (and loud) sound from her lips.  It's also exciting to be the first kid in the family to whistle!!  She even got to show off her new skill to her preschool class!  

It's hard to whistle when you are giggling.....  

So proud of my Audrey!

Winter 2012-2013....It's a Wrap!

As I am catching up this morning, the girls are sleeping, the boys are in town going about their business at work and school, and I am witnessing the snow is falling at a steady rate.  Perhaps these spring snows will slow the mosquitos and ticks this summer?  One can hope!

Anyway, winter is officially over for me, as I post a few more pictures of the winter season.  We had a great winter, but I think we are all ready to witness the earth thaw and come back to life! 

Tuesdays after school were spent at the YMCA for swim lessons.  Nora loved it!

William went from being nervous in the water and not wanting to jump in the pool to swimming the length of the pool (and more) unassisted.  

In January, William was in basketball for Kindergarten and 1st Graders at the Y. 

My kid.

This was Nora's first year snow shoeing.  She picked it up quickly.  Baby Livia even got to experience it!

 

Audrey, Nora, and Martha making their way through the snow on the lake.

Aren't they darling in their little snow shoes?!?!

A girl has to take a break, you know?

William learned how to cross-country ski this winter....on his Dad's old cross country skis.  He thought it was very cool!

Time indoors this winter was spent sawing chandeliers....

....doing hair and accessorizing

....loving on Martha

....dressing up as a puppy

...being silly

....and more loving on Martha!

My Baby Girl (is...getting...heavy!)

Happy Spring!

Nora is 3!

 

Nora turned 3 last week!  In many ways, she seems beyond her years.  She speaks clearly and conveys her thoughts well.  She is very coordinated.  She has an incredible memory.  But she is just 3, and I am going to do my best to keep her little for as long as I can!

We had a William/Nora family birthday party in the beginning of March.  It was such fun to be with our families to celebrate the birthdays of our Winter Babies!

Here is Nora with her castle cake.  (This was so much fun to make!!!)

Make a wish, Nora!!

Lighting up William's Lego cake!

Ashely and Barb's birthday cake!

Nora opening gifts with Mummi Alice and Audrey.  (Audrey was so good about Nora and William getting gifts.  We talked a lot about how it is her turn to celebrate being a Fall Baby with Mom, right after summer).

Great Grandma Iris with William, Audrey, and Princess Nora!

Mummi Sylvia with William, Audrey, and Nora.

On Nora's official birthday, she had her choice of where to have lunch.   She choose Rafferty's Pizza!  Here is the birthday girl with Papa.

Posing with Mom.

After lunch, we picked up William from school and headed home.  Audrey wanted to throw Nora a tea party, so we had a tea party while we watched Cinderella!

Nora loved opening her gifts!  

*Pretending* to sleep with her birthday quilt.

Our trio!

Happy Birthday Nora Marilyn!  You are such a joy!

Ice Fishing 2013

We (haha...the Husband) introduced the kids to ice fishing in January.  This particular winter, the more winter hobbies you have the better....it seems to be the never-ending!

Initially, they were all very interested, and that interest waned as the season went on for the older two.  Nora, however, became Papa's ice fishing buddy, and the two went out on many occasions.  

The scene on the ice.  Three little beings, a husband, and Martha (Who was a fantastic guard dog, never leaving her post outside the door.  She was made for this!!).

Lessons on the finer points of the sport.

William and Nora with the first fish!

Sometimes, a girl just has to take a break to make snow angels.  This is much more Audrey's style!!

Grandpa Bob totally got into the ice fishing too!

 

How many people can we fit into one house?!  (Mimi, Grandpa Bob, Grant, Auntie, Nora, Audrey, and not shown but present were William, the Husband, and yours truly).  

Grandpa Jeff is a very patient ice fisherman.

The Husband landed this walleye on his birthday!

Nora helping Papa weigh his "big fishy."

Audrey Girl.  

William and his catch.

Nora loves to touch the fish she catches!  "Can I TOUCH it?!?!"

Ice fishing for us has officially ended for 2012-2013, and not because the ice is too thin.  It may be June before the ice is out!  We can't wait to fish this summer! 

William the 6-Year Old

The eldest of our children turned 6 this week.  William is ecstatic about being *SIX*.  I am feeling old-old-old.

The celebrating started last week with the birthday party.  The kids had a blast!

Birthday morning---loving on The Sisters.

William wanted a specific Lego set for Christmas that was completely sold out, but I was able to find it for his birthday.  Can you tell how excited he was?!

He came home from school and started building.  He took a quick dinner break and went right back to work.

Dinner was his choice: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli, mixed vegetables, and hot fudge sundaes for dessert.  

He must be kissing the cook in this photo!

Happy Birthday William!  We love you like crazy!!