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Holidays

So we survived the holiday in one piece I think. Mom and Don came for a couple days and we spent christmas eve with over 20 relatives at Barb and Jim's. Griffin was in hog heaven being around his cousins and Gus and I really had fun having my whole family in one place. Then we spent christmas day with ed, Mary and Matt where the boys proceeded to get spoiled once again. Lots of fun but dang I am tired out. Now who will be a pal and volunteer to take down all my christmas stuff? Anyone.....?

Sitting and scooting

So our little man is sitting on his own and sure trying to scoot on his belly. So far not good enough to get into things but thinking it could come soon. Quick time to baby proof!

And so it begins

Griffin was really in the christmas giving spirit this morning. He decided to share he beloved swords with Ian. I am not sure I can go through another child being obsessed with swords and pirates.

Don't forget our web album

Just in case you are not getting enough of our family....check our web album for more photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/staahlfamily

State Bank Party

Had a fun night at Gus' work party last night. Got to spend time with my close friends Erin and Kerri so that is always fun. We shared a few drinks and lots of laughs. We were even entertained with someone's dreamweaver. The gift from State Bank this year was that each employee was given money to "pay it forward" and a video camera to capture their act of kindness. Gus is already pondering how he is going to support someone/something in the community. Will keep you posted.

Good times

Had the Whipples over for the night. The boys played great and the parents got to just relax which was well needed after a hectic week for me. Griffin calls Bryce his "most best friend" but was pretty sad when Bryce declined his invitation to lay in his big boy bed with him. I guess any possible talk of going to bed is not cool with Bryce. Thanks for a fun night! Now must prepare for the big party tomorrow night!

Eat up!

So Ian is finally on some rice cereal. His doc was shocked we were able to wait this long before having to put him on solids since he is a giant. He doesn't seem to like it...even with some peas mixed in...weird huh, sounds good doesn't it? He eats much better for dad and not as well for mom or Griffin. So he is officially in the 115th% for height and 90th% for weight and 80th% for head. Yeah I know he is a big boy! And we thought Griffin was big!

Snow time!

So Griffin LOVES being outside...even in the 16 degree below zero weather. At first snowfall we got just a trace but he was anxious to be out making a snowman. Then a couple days later we got dumped with 8 inches (then 4 then next and I think 4 the next) so we have plenty of snow now!

First wishes to Santa

Gus had his work Christmas party for the kids last week and it was Griffin's first time letting Santa know what he was all about. He surprisingly went right to him and sat on his lap. He told him he wanted swords and shoot guns and Santa ever so subtly looked at us and said "well if your mom and dad say it is ok." We gave the green light so guess we know what we have to get now. He also played lots of games and of course chose a candy cane for his prize EVERY time. We ended the night with a very chilly sleigh ride drawn by 2 clydsdale horses. Ian stayed home with Grandpa Ed so we got some quality time with Grif which was nice.

The Santa threats begin

This morning Griffin talked back Gus as we were all headed out the door. When Gus threatened that Santa was watching us to make sure we were behaving, Griffin said "don't tell Santa I was naughty.....I don't want a black rock in my stocking." I guess the talks of toys vs a lump of coal are working. Hey, whatever it takes and I think this will last us til christmas. Of course I was feeling bad then and snuck a cheap prize under the tree with a note from Santa telling Griffin that he was watching him and sees how hard he has been working on his listening and trying to behave better.

Little misunderstanding

Gus: You need to have your hat and gloves on
Griffin: But I have my hood on
Gus: You need both your hat and hood on; it is really cold and you could get frostbite
Griffin: Frosting?
Gus: Frostbite and it hurts really bad
Griffin: Is it yummy? "Nilla or chocolate? What kind of frosting?
Gus: No frostbite. It is like ice on your ears and it hurts really bad
Griffin: Can you eat it?

So inquisitive. Makes you laugh.

Wii had fun!

Thanks Angella!

Should we be worried?

Griffin brought home something from school today that makes me a little nervous. I think the teachers are going to have some serious doubts about our parenting. It is called "Griffin's Little Lonely Book" (it is letter L week). Each page has a picture and the teacher wrote how Griffin described his picture and here is how it goes:
1-A lonely sea dolphin because a mean hunter shot his mom and dad
2-A lonely gorilla because his mom and dad were shot
3-A lonely snail because his mom and dad went to vacation and he misses his mom and dad
4-A sleeping pillow. It's my sleeping bag wih my head inside it
5-I'm home alone and my mom is working. I have a movie.

What do you think? A little concerning. What do you do?

Special time with mom

Who said a mom needs a daughter to do girlie things with? I get to do pedicures and watch special tv shows with my little man!

Conferences

Today we had Griffin's first parent-teacher conferences. He has only been at his new "big boy school" for 3 weeks or so but we are already seeing such a change in him. Much more imaginative and better attention span and just seems so happy. Of course the area we knew the teacher would comment on was some of his social skills but nothing we can't work on. Other than a few little things she thinks he is doing really well. She did tell us a cute story. When they sit at the table to eat lunch they have a little song with hand gestures that go along. They are trying to get Griffin to be more comfortable and participate in the singing with hand movements so the teacher whispered to him "Griffin please sing along" and he whispered back "I'm learning." Sure sounds like something he would say. Of course when we sat down for dinner tonight we talked to him about his conferences and he attempted to ignore us while flipping through the Target ad...licking his finger to turn each page as he sees mom do all the time. What a kid! That's all I can say. Ian on the other hand has not been feeling well for a few weeks and we are still trying to get to the bottom of it. Hopefully we will either have an answer as to what is the trouble or he will come out of it. Tired of having a kid go to bed the minute we get him home from daycare and sleep the next 13-15 hrs. Not getting to see our little guy stinks!

Thanks Ria!

You are welcome E.W.

They are getting so big!

Trick-or-treat

Ian was under the weather on halloween so Grandpa Ed stayed home with him while we got to have some special time with Griffin. This was his first trick-or-treat experience and he LOVED it! He told me "this is the mostest fun in the whole world, right mom?" Then this morning he asked if we could do it again and I told him it was only for 1 night. He looked outside and said "it is still dark so it is still halloween....when the sun comes out then it is the next day and halloween is over then." He was such a trooper going door-to-door and we had to come up with some pretty creative ways to get him home. The ultimate bribe was that he could not have any candy til we were done and home. It worked after 1 1/2 hrs.....we came home and he dumped out the candy then proceeded to sort it by favorites. Anyway, so cute. We did constantly remind him about what to say when people came to the door and what to say after getting candy and he would sometimes yell to us on the sidewalk..."mom I did say thank you." Oh the many trick-or-treating years to come. I can hardly wait to sneak the snickers bars out if his goodie bag!

No bites

Well it has been 1 1/2 weeks since the boys started their new schools/daycares and we are bite-free! It is so nice not having Griffin come home with bites to his back and arms. He is doing well and seems to have fun there. Still going through some transition but really seems to be thriving. Ian is also doing well. Still getting adjusted to trying to nap in a busy room but getting better every couple days. Who knew I would be celebrating my 3 yr old not coming home with bites almost daily. Life is good!

Practice Halloween

Today we went to the NDSU Halloween Party. I must say the boys looked pretty darn cute. Griffin loved the haunted house and the candy. Ian and I mostly hung out enjoying the traffic. There were some pretty creative costumes but some were way overdone. I of course thought ours were the best....Pirate Griffin and Monkey boy Ian!

Don't forget to check our picture site as well

http://picasaweb.google.com/staahlfamily

Halloween get-ups

We sure had some laughs at our friend's halloween party last night. Great having cousin Courtney and Travis, I mean the Burger King, be there with us. Thanks to auntie tucca for taking the boys. Griffin so loves being with his auntie and I think she really has fun with him too. OK, maybe not the hours of sword fighting where he gets the mega-deluxe sword and she gets the dollar store knife but oh well.

FYI

NOTE TO SELF: It is not a good idea to get your haircut with a new stylist 2 days before professional family pictures!

Our little pumpkin

So today was the first day at each of the boys new daycares/schools. Went pretty good for a first day all-in-all but I am sure it will only get better. For a special event, Griffin's school had family night at Younker Farm and the Childrens Museum. Griffin loved the spooky spider webs and skeletons everywhere.

So many options

So Griffin can't decide if he wants to be a pirate for halloween anymore. He likes the witch-ninja-boxer idea. Or the incredible hulk. Guess only time will tell and he will decide moments before going out.

GO BISON!

NDSU vs U of M. Gus, you better be behaving. I hope I don't see you and Chad and Phil on TV or in the paper with your shirts off and your chests painted green and gold spelling out NDSU or something!

Brotherly love

What can I say? I love my boys!

How can you not love them to pieces?

As I was tucking Griffin into bed tonight he grabbed and kissed the back of my hand and said "mom, I love you...you are my best friend...you are my love, right?" Then he went on to say how sad I would be if he "got runned over by a car and got bleeding and died." How can you not want to snuggle up to him all night. These are the joyous moments of motherhood.

Fun with Gramma

We got to have our very own Gramma Kathy here this weekend. I am sure she enjoyed the middle of the night visits by Griffin and the hour after hour hiding in "the cave" with Griffin. She did get to hold Ian a few times but was quickly told by Griffin to "give Ian to mom so we can have our special time." So sad to see her go but look forward to the next visit.

Nip, tuck

Amazing is all I can say. Thanks for a fun afternoon Dr. Rey!

Baby Joseph Enrique

Here is Suzi and Henry's new baby. It will be a long wait for him to make it to the States but they are taking good care of him until he comes to his new home.

Nice form Jesse!

My stepsister's son Jesse. Looking good kid!

My stepsister Suzi's son. Looking good!

Busy weekend!

Had a very busy weekend, now I am exhausted. Hosted a neighborhood playdate Saturday morning for a few hours. Had one 4 y.o., three 3 y.o., three 2 y.o, one 1 y.o., one 4 mo old, and an 8 wk old. Kids were here to play, play, play while all the moms and dads downed coffee, cake, and muffins. Lots of fun and looking forward to doing it again sometime. That night I got to spend some time with the Watzskes and Whipples for a few refreshments and fun. On Sunday we celebrated Bryce's 2nd birthday with cake, icecream and swimming. That night Grandma and Grandpa Staahl came over to deliver gifts after being in Australia for the past 2 weeks. The hit was a magnetic monkey game for Griffin. Now have to re-clean the house for book club on Wednesday. Wouldn't want anyone to know how we really live right?!?! YAWN, Z-Z-Z...better get some shut eye.

Happy Birthday To Me!

The Big 32!

Congrats Mandy and Jeremy!

Welcome to the world Madison Rae.

9-29-07

5# 13 oz, 18 in

I got to hold this little peanut today. Who knew a full term babe could be swimming in newborn clothes. No, not 0-3 mo,

newborn/preemie clothes. She is beautiful!

Macho, Macho Men

So today Griffin, myself, Kerri and Bryce went to the My Little Ponies show at the Fargodome. I needed a break from all the power rangers fighting, pirate talking, gangsta shooting, etc. Ok, so I won the tickets but it was refreshing to see some girly, frilly stuff anyway. The boys were talking about the "tea party" wth the ponies and boy were their dads proud! Bryce needed a little practice in case he has a little sister and Griffin needed to get in touch with his feminine side. Was cute and mildly entertaining so a fun day. Afterwards, Gus had dinner waiting for us and the Whipples so that was a treat.

Kerri-guess we need to take the boys out more often. Nothing like a hot meal waiting for us!