State of the Bakers

We visited my friend Julie and her kids this month. Her daughter is around Alex's age, and Evan is standing over her son who is around Evan's age. Evan was more afraid in this photo than Reilly looks.

Julie built a marble run, that was quickly taken over by the kids. Eliza kept going for the marbles, we had to fish two or three out of her mouth. 

The kids had a blast running around her basement with Charlie. 

Alex with a bag on his head being silly.

Eliza has started pulling up on things this month and trying to walk with her walker. She's very stiff legged while walking, but she likes to do it. 

The boys took some packaging we had and made a tunnel from it for their mechanized trains to go through. 

The boys reading to their animals on Evan's bed.

One of these things is not like the other. :)

Alex working on his workbook and Evan working on his stamps.

Eliza getting her first ride in the Power Wheel. She liked it as long as they were moving. When Alex was driving through he yard I could hear her going "Ahhhh" over the bumps. Very cute.

Alex went with us to Kindergarten Round Up and had a great time. This is him standing in the gym of the school he will be attending in a few months.

Alex got a rocket blaster for his Christmas present from his Grandma Jamie and Grandpa Bart. The boys LOVE it!

Eliza was having a blast in the swing with Oma pushing her. That girl was giggling so much. 

We visited with Nana one morning while we were in the area. Always a nice time.

Eliza has taken to mostly eating solid foods, even with only her 2 lower teeth. She really likes pancakes with apple butter.

Evan running around outside after grocery shopping.

Alex sleeping. These boys sleep in the most interesting ways.

Evan built this vehicle with a mega trailer. 

We visited the library for their book sale, and Eliza was up to her usual antics with DVD's.

We visited with Dad and Jodi one night, and the kids enjoyed watching Pinocchio 

Mike's pullover on Alex is almost touching the floor. :)

Eliza getting ready for bed

Evan started swim classes this past month. The boys were very excited!

Ready to get in the pool.

Evan is on the left sitting out of the pool, and Alex is on the right sitting in the pool. Both of them had a great day at swim class.

Eliza saying hello to her brothers while they are playing outside.

"Look Mom there they go."

The boys came in with really rosy cheeks. 

The boys reading with Daddy while I make breakfast. 

Eliza looking super cute after her bath.

Eliza visiting with her brothers before they get out of the bath.

Dr. Eliza

Eliza doing some more walking

We started playing a new game before bedtime. We hide the kids animals around our room and then they have to find them with flashlights. We have to constantly remind them not to shine people in the eyes, but they love the game.

Evan can be difficult when eating at times.

Boys are ready for church

Eliza looks so pretty in this picture. Love my baby girl.

Daddy carried both boys out to the mailbox to get the mail because it was snowy out, and one of them can't not go.

Evan enjoying some time watching TV.

The kids playing nicely together with Legos. 

Tis the Season

The boys have started going out on their own and sledding. They each take turns pushing the other one down the mini hills in back yard. 

"This is not the food I'm looking for" - Evan attempting his Jedi moves.

It was cute watching the boys go out after the big snow storm we had. Evan took two steps then he'd fall, he'd get up... two steps... fall. :)  It's hard when the snow is up to your knees.

Evan being kept warm by his animals. They are only allowed 4 animals in their bed while they sleep now... for fear I might never find them again. 

There is a reason we have a sign on our door to put packages in the bin. Note the 1/4 inch thick ice that formed on a box that was sitting by the door while the eves were dripping on it and then freezing. Thankfully all was well in the box.

Our cute little puff ball is ready to go sledding. 

We picked up another sled from a friends house and headed to the library for their giant sledding hill. It was so big Alex needed to hold it the whole way there. He kept asking if we were there yet, thankfully it was less than a mile drive. 

We are ready to go! Eliza thought it was ok the first time, she did not enjoy the second time. She got a face all full of snow because of my steering feet. Poor baby. The boys had a blast and went over and over and over.

Eliza ready to see her brothers in the Christmas play at church.

Alex was Joseph and Evan was a ninja shepherd. They were too cute for words.

Alex came out where Mike was in the entree area of the church and he had his fingers as pistols and said "I love you Daddy" while shooting his pistols. :)

The annual ginger bread house creation. Lots of sugar eaten this year. :)

Ta da!!

The boys got some great ornaments from Uncle Geoff this year. A orange lion for Evan and a monkey for Alex. 

Then Alex got some down time with Uncle Geoff to show him the pictures he took while in London. 

Aunty Em came over to make cookies this month. Oh what fun we had. Alex ate just as many Hershey kisses as he unwrapped for the peanut-butter cookies. 

Then we moved on to sugar cookies where the boys had all kinds of fun cutting out the cookies. 

Our final products from the day. Wreath cookies, sugar cookies, peanutbutter cookies, and christmas crack. I'll say it was way funner having Emily with us than doing it all on my own. 

Christmas with my Dad and Jodi in the 23rd AM

Eliza getting some loving from Oma and Aunt Shawn

Christmas with my Mom and Dave on the 23rd PM

Alex got a train set with London landmarks for Christmas, Evan kind of took it over. 

The kids ready for church on Christmas Eve.

Eliza enjoying some cuddles from her Aunt Jamie and Uncle Dave at the Baker Family Christmas. 

The boys hanging with their cousin Davey.

The boys and I enjoying some popcorn and Cars 3 on Christmas Day. Yum!

Eliza watching the action outside of the boys shoveling and playing in the snow. 

Sledding at the Wade's house. What could be more fun? Evan heading up the hill as Alex is heading down with Clayton.

Eliza and her cousin once removed (?), Ed, that was born 2 weeks after her but is about 10lbs heavier. 

The playroom has exploded!!

Evan enjoying a shake at Red Robin. Oh the faces of Evan.

Dad and Shawn and I enjoying some time together getting ready to make pretzels. 

Dad, Jodi and the Wades came over to make some pretzels. Alex is showing off our finished product.

Nothing says good eating like pretzels, beer cheese soup, spaetzle, sauerkraut and polish sausage for dinner.   

More sledding with the Wades before they depart back to the UK.

Clayton is definitely the tallest at 6'2" and 14 years old, while Eliza is bringing in the bottom at being 16lbs. :) Evan could not stand still for the picture... no nap makes Evan a crazy boy.

Clara played so well with Eliza. She spent most of the day playing with her and watching her, it was very sweet. She also told me that Eliza and her are exactly 10 years and one day apart. :)

While at the Wades we ran out of both Eliza and Evan diapers. So we put an Evan diaper on Eliza, because she blew out first, and then when Evan became poopy we improvised with extra Alex underwear (to keep it on), a cloth diaper (for absorbency) and a Meijer bag (for a barrier). After a long day with no nap Evan was not in the best of mood to get a real diaper on.

Alex got some new snow equipment from Mike's haircut lady.

Eliza is showing off her two new teeth in this smile. Ain't they cute!

Evan has really been loving his goggles lately.

The boys play slumbering with their kitty cats.

Eliza's first bath with the boys. It didn't go well. Eliza didn't enjoy the all the movement and the water moving her around. So.... shortly after this picture she went back into her bin.

Eliza did pay the boys a visit while they were in their bath. Very cute moment. 

Mike came to swim class while he was off. The kids really enjoyed that.

Eliza all bundled up for the cold.