Little Gym

Blake started Little Gym last Tuesday. He absolutely loved it! Today was his second time at class and he just couldn't get enough. He has a small class which is super nice. It's amazing to see how much these little guys can do! When the parachute came out today he immediately ran to the middle so he could take a ride. Last week he had nothing to do with it! He has a class with mostly boys which is good because all he knows is girls! On the first day he gravitated to the little girl in the class (I think he thinks it is Delaney) but today he was better about doing his own thing. I will try to take some pics and post soon!

I Like Dip!

Guacamole and sour cream - oh my! Blake has discovered both of these foods this week and is loving it! I'm not enjoying the clean up but watching him eat them with such joy is pretty funny. He loves to dip his chip and then lick off the dip, leaving the chip. Then he finally gives up on the dipping part and just uses his finger. It really is funny and one of those moments you just have to laugh at the mess he makes.

Forks

Blake has become obsessed with forks, spoons, any eating utensil he can get his hands on. He has even figured out how to eat off a fork now which is really cute to watch. He stabs at the food brings it to his mouth, uses his other hand to remove it and then puts it in his mouth. Ocassionally he'll put the fork in his mouth but most of the time he just holds it. If Lauren is nearby, watch out because he's going to steal her fork too!

Eating Ice Cream

For months now we've been trying to get Blake to eat ice cream unsuccesfully. We know he would like it but if it means eating off a spoon that you are holding, he wants no part of it! He must do it himself, so he's been missing out on the fun.


Well the other night he finally decided to try it. He begged to get on Grandma's lap reached for her spoon and opened up. Grandma happily obliged and although the first bite resulted in a shiver, he seemed to like it. A bowl of ice cream later - he likes it!



So his first official flavor - chocolate chip. Now we is officially a Wolter!

New Year's Eve

For the first time in our married life, Bradley and I went out on NYE with some friends of ours to really celebrate. We enjoyed dining at the Melting Pot and then headed downtown to the Big Bang. We had an awesome night out with Aaron and Selena. We did some crazy things that I'd like to forget but that's why we don't go out everyday! My mom was very generous to watch the kids for us overnight and the whole next day while we recovered. Thank you mom!

Christmas Recap

Bartlow Christmas on the 27th! Lots of fun with 6 little ones running around. It was chaotic but so much fun. You will notice there are no pics of Blake. He fell asleep before gift opening and had to open his later. It was probably for the best as Christmas was a bit overstimulating for him this year. Addie, Lauren, and Brenna had a great time playing together and the little ones did too.



Christmas morning at our house. Lauren was thrilled with her guitar and mic along with her Leapster, Annie, and a million other things. Blake was thrilled with his new 4 wheeler. He figured it out quickly how to make it go, now he has to figure out how to steer!



Christmas Eve with the Valletts following church in Red Bud. Mason, Lauren and Blake enjoyed playing together. Mason was very generous to share all of his toys with Blake who was in heaven to have so many boy toys!

The Duttons

The Duttons are one of Lauren's favorite singing groups thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Wolter. The Duttons were on America's got talent and perform regularly in Branson. Floyd and Vernitta have a DVD of one of their shows that Lauren watches regularly at their house and loves. So when we heard over the summer that they were coming to Kaskaskia College to perform a Christmas show, we knew we had to go. Lauren absolutely loved it, Blake spent his whole time running the halls until Grandma finally got him to fall asleep! Lauren even ended up onstage and got to meet all the performers afterwards and get their autograph. What a great experience for our inspiring musical star! Check out the picture of the three guys, tell me they don't look alike!

Christmas Concert

Lauren's school Christmas concert was held on December 16th. Her class sang Jingle Bell Boogie. It was super cute to watch her. She was so nervous that she sang with her arms crossed the whole time. But I must say, that is a huge improvement from the year before when she was bawling beforehand and scared to death. Here a few pics with her school pals, Makenna and Kaylee. The other pics we took when we got home. Blake couldn't wait to get home and push his tractor! The concert was way too long for him!

I'm going to be an aunt again!

Andy and Julie announced just before Thanksgiving that they are expecting baby number two! Julie is due June 22. Delaney is going to be a great big sister given how easy going she is! I'm super excited for them! Now that three of my friends who were expecting with me when I had Blake are pregnant again, the pressure is on! Sorry, there is no baby in the plans at the Wolter house anytime soon!

Christmas Pics

I had the kids Christmas pics taken in their dress coats and their church outfits this year. I dearly love Lauren's coat so that was the inspiration. As you can see, she loves it too!

Blake's Tricks

Blake recently decided he was too big to eat off his high chair tray. So I decided to let him try eating off of plates and out of bowls. It worked okay for a little bit until he figured out flipping his bowl and plate. I knew he would do this! I'm sure my brother Aaron will appreciate this picture because there is a very similar one of him with a bowl on his head! We're now back to eating on the tray but it's not going to last long. He's figured out how to kick the tray off now too! Boys!



Blake is my little helper these days, or should I say the un-doer. He likes to help me cook, organize the pantry and all cabinets, sort laundry, and use the sweeper.

My Silly Kids

My kids always remind me its the simple things in life that you can have the most fun with sometimes. Here is a pic of Blake and Lauren stomping on packing bubble wrap. They thought it was so funny!

Thanksgiving Feast

In my attempt to catch up on blogging, here is a pic from Lauren's Thanksgiving feast at school. It was super cute with all the kids in either Pilgrim or Indian costumes. They ate the same food as they did at the first Thanksgiving including prunes! Lauren loved it all and especially enjoyed singing the Turkey Song with her class.

We enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving at my aunt Gloria's home in Springfield. It was a last minute event since my family was anxiously trying to finish up harvest and the weather determined whether or not Thanksgiving would be observed. We enjoyed watching Delaney debut her walking skills and Blake and Delaney making over my cousin Ryan's doug Mia.