Ski season is here again! We bought season passes to Mt. La Crosse (which I affectionately refer to as MOUNTAIN La Crosse). We need to ski 5 times in order to be ahead of the ski pass price. So far this season, we have been to the mountain 6 times. Mission accomplished. Cullen and Simone are both little rippers - tearing down the hill and carving turns. Simone is no longer using the edgie-wedgie (the device keeping the toes of the skis together to help beginners). She likes the shorter skis from last year because they are easier for her to control. Cullen has discovered a love of tree runs and jumps (all age appropriate of course)! We took a trip to Wausau, WI with our neighbors over new years to ski at Granite Peak. We may have spent more time in the water park because of cold temps, but it was still fun! Next ski trip: Big Sky or bust!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Shiny II
I regret to inform our readers that Cullen's beloved pet fish, Shiny, was murdered. Negligent homicide to be precise.
Three years ago, Shiny joined our family. Dirk actually won him at the bottle-toss game during La Cross'e Octoberfest celebration. We expected Shiny to live 1 week tops. We believe he may have been the longest living carnie fish ever.
The story goes: Simone and Quinn were playing in Cullen's room and proceeded to dump a whole can of fish food into his tank. Cullen knew right away that his best fish was in trouble. He and Dirk promptly cleaned the tank, but later that evening. Cullen noticed that Shiny was swimming upside down. Dirk and I had a long talk with Cullen explaining that Shiny was sick and not actually doing tricks. We went on to say that he might not make it through the night. This set Cullen over the edge. He cried and cried and cried himself to sleep that night, "I am so worried about Shiny". "I love Shiny so much". Dirk and I laid in his bed and hugged our sweet boy as a cried into his pillow. The next morning, Shiny was discovered dead in his tank. Dirk asked Cullen if he wanted to help flush him and Cullen said that he couldn't bear to watch.
We then promised him that he could get a new pet fish. Cullen picked out a beautiful goldfish whom he appropriately named Shiny II. We are delighted to welcome another fish into the family and hope that Shiny II lives a long, prosperous life.
P.S. You may be wondering if Simone paid the consequence for murdering Shiny I. We did have a strong talk with her about taking care of pets and the fact that she should have known better. We also told her that she was not responsible enough to have a pet fish of her own. She has since been very nice to Shiny II.
Three years ago, Shiny joined our family. Dirk actually won him at the bottle-toss game during La Cross'e Octoberfest celebration. We expected Shiny to live 1 week tops. We believe he may have been the longest living carnie fish ever.
The story goes: Simone and Quinn were playing in Cullen's room and proceeded to dump a whole can of fish food into his tank. Cullen knew right away that his best fish was in trouble. He and Dirk promptly cleaned the tank, but later that evening. Cullen noticed that Shiny was swimming upside down. Dirk and I had a long talk with Cullen explaining that Shiny was sick and not actually doing tricks. We went on to say that he might not make it through the night. This set Cullen over the edge. He cried and cried and cried himself to sleep that night, "I am so worried about Shiny". "I love Shiny so much". Dirk and I laid in his bed and hugged our sweet boy as a cried into his pillow. The next morning, Shiny was discovered dead in his tank. Dirk asked Cullen if he wanted to help flush him and Cullen said that he couldn't bear to watch.
We then promised him that he could get a new pet fish. Cullen picked out a beautiful goldfish whom he appropriately named Shiny II. We are delighted to welcome another fish into the family and hope that Shiny II lives a long, prosperous life.
P.S. You may be wondering if Simone paid the consequence for murdering Shiny I. We did have a strong talk with her about taking care of pets and the fact that she should have known better. We also told her that she was not responsible enough to have a pet fish of her own. She has since been very nice to Shiny II.
 |
| 2014.12Shiney2 |
The excitement of Christmas Morn.
This year, we had a very quiet and laid-back Christmas day. The kiddos woke up to full stockings and Santa-wrapped gifts. Dirk made a ham on the green egg (no pun intended). Camp chewed on a new Christmas bone. And we didn't leave the house! The quiet day was a welcome change from the hectic school days/work days. It was wonderful to sit around and enjoy of all our Christmas blessings.
Christmas with cousins.
Nothing beats hanging out with your cousins. They are quite simply the best of both friends and family. Cullen and Simone are blessed to have Mason, Dane, Jameson and Quinn in their lives.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Getting into the Christmas Spirit
This year's tree decorating commenced with a tree straight from Nelson's. No, we did not cut down our own tree this year. It was too cold - so we opted for the pretty store-bought variety. Cullen picked out a great tree and both kids helped to decorate it. Well, they kind of helped. They actually became enthralled with the beads and ribbon that I use to decorate and started playing snake and jump rope as I made the tree festive. However, Simone was adamant that she put the star on top. This is the first year that she has gotten into the tree decorating and it was fun to have her help.
Cullen's elementary school put on an amazing Christmas show. He was dressed as a Shepard and sang his little heart out. The Cathedral Elementary School Christmas Pageant was quite the "to-do". Dirk actually arrived 30 min. early just to secure seats in the gymnasium. And as it turns out, we were still craning our necks to see our sweet shepherd boy. Simone and I ended up moving up to the floor in front just so we could see. Cullen was absolutely thrilled that Grandpa Mark and Grandma Liz came down to see his show.
Simone and I had a double-date with her friend Macie and Macie's mom Rachel. We saw the La Crosse Community Theater's production of Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. Simone and Macie loved it. Oddly enough, her favorite character was Sally Brown (Charlie's sister). Personally, I liked Snoopy!
Finally, we also paid a visit to the La Crosse Rotary Lights display. The lights were great as always, but the best part was seeing the kids in awe of the reindeer. They studied each one making guesses at each reindeer's name and whether or not they looked ready for Christmas.
Cullen and Simone have given Dirk and I reason to believe in the magic of Christmas. Seeing everything through their eyes is truly a joy!
Cullen's elementary school put on an amazing Christmas show. He was dressed as a Shepard and sang his little heart out. The Cathedral Elementary School Christmas Pageant was quite the "to-do". Dirk actually arrived 30 min. early just to secure seats in the gymnasium. And as it turns out, we were still craning our necks to see our sweet shepherd boy. Simone and I ended up moving up to the floor in front just so we could see. Cullen was absolutely thrilled that Grandpa Mark and Grandma Liz came down to see his show.
Simone and I had a double-date with her friend Macie and Macie's mom Rachel. We saw the La Crosse Community Theater's production of Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. Simone and Macie loved it. Oddly enough, her favorite character was Sally Brown (Charlie's sister). Personally, I liked Snoopy!
Finally, we also paid a visit to the La Crosse Rotary Lights display. The lights were great as always, but the best part was seeing the kids in awe of the reindeer. They studied each one making guesses at each reindeer's name and whether or not they looked ready for Christmas.
Cullen and Simone have given Dirk and I reason to believe in the magic of Christmas. Seeing everything through their eyes is truly a joy!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
The cold sets in....
As the cold sets in, we start to think of Christmas. The kids kicked off the season at a brunch with Santa. They both pined over toy catalogs all morning writing a rather lengthy list. I had to let them know that the list only serves as a guide for Santa. Kids never receive every toy that they ask for.... Simone is also starting to enjoy cooking. On a cold Sunday we decided to make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. And they actually turned out!.... Cullen also had his buddy Jerzey over to play. Cullen and Jerzey went to the YMCA daycare together and have been best buds since they were infants. It's fun to see these two get together and pick up right where they left off.... And finally, as the mornings are getting colder the kids seem to need more time for cuddles. No matter what your age, it's hard to get out of bed when it's cold outside.
Thanksgiving 2014
We were fortunate to gather together with the Moore family for Thanksgiving. It meant a lot to everyone to be able to come together again for our first holiday without Wowee. The entire family (except for the Ramstacks) were able to congregate at Mark and Liz's new pad. Turkey was gobbled, jokes were told and toddlers learned to gamble. Just a typical family gathering! I know we made Wowee proud.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)