Santa 2010

This year we decided to take our Santa picture with cousin Kiah, since she was in town. Well, Teresa and Kiah wanted nothing to do with Santa. Teresa cried just sitting on my lap next to him. We finally got her to calm down and take a good picture. Every time we say the word Santa or she sees a Santa anything she says 'scared'. Poor thing. Mary was the same at that age. It's just the age. One of these years I will not have to be in the picture.

Thanksgiving 2010 we drove up to Morro Bay to be with all the Brochtrups. Kevin's brother, Gary, lives up there right on the beach. We left bright and early Thanksgiving day, thanks to the girls waking us up at 5:45 a.m. It was beautiful day and a fun time with the family. It is not often, easy, to get this whole family together. They are all pretty spread out. We had everyone except three. It was really nice.

Below is Kevin and his brother Roy.

Here is Kevin's dad, sister in the middle, and Roy's Girlfriend Renay.

We were so lucky to have Kevin's nephew be able to join us with his daughter. They now live in New Mexico and just happen to be able to be out for the fun time. It was so nice to spend time with them and the kids had a great time too. Steve will go back and his daughter, Kiah, gets to stay for two months. It will be so much fun.

Cousin Jenn, below, is always fun to have around too. She is our world traveler and we were lucky to get her too.

Below is cousin Stephanie. Mary loves her Stephy.

This is Katie. Rock on girl!!

They were having fun dancing in the kitchen while dinner was being made.

We stayed the night in Morro Bay at a hotel. In the morning we were off to pick up wine in Paso Robles, which is just a half hour from where we were. The kids were really good going in and out of a few wineries. Luckily they have things for kids to be entertained. Teresa did NOT want her picture taken, as you can see.

Here they are walking out of our first winery. Teresa has a dancing skirt on that Mary got from Aunt Margeaux.

Taking pictures with the wine barrels

At Rabbit Ridge winery they have rabbit ears to play with and take pictures. Mary had fun with that. Teresa wanted nothing to do with it.

It was a really nice couple of days. The kids were good. We missed being with my family, but they were off having fun camping at a Day In The Dirt trying to sell their new clothing line. Matt and Amy started a new clothing line and this was the first voyage for their company.

P.S.....I may not be in ANY of these pictures, but I was there. = )

Update on Teresa's hands

Earlier last week we went down to see the orthopedist for Teresa's hands. It had been over a year since we had seen him last. Now that she was older we wanted to go see what his thoughts were. He says that her case is so very mild that there is nothing we can really do. She will adjust. If she come across a difficulty as she gets older we can look at therapy to help her, but this is just her. She does not know any different and it has not stopped her from doing anything. She just may not be a gymnast or a baseball player. We think she'll be a great swimmer. So, Teresa is who she is going to be and we are OK with that. We love her no matter.

Snip Snip

Well, Kevin went in and did it on Saturday. We are not having anymore kids. No More! Bright and early we went down to Mission Hills for surgery. It was funny how you could tell who was there for the same thing, as they were in sweat pants. All the men checked in and we made it to the waiting room. It was funny how they all joked about it together. We had an 8:30 appointment and finally got in to see the doctor at 10:15. They book a bunch at the same time because most end up not showing up. BUT that day everyone showed up.
Anyway, he survived and sat on the couch all weekend. he's back to work today, Monday, so i think he's good. Thanks babe for being the brave one! Love you!

Mommy and Mary

Today we had a mommy and Mary day of fun. We started the day by going to Kohl's for some shopping. Next we went to Color Me Mine and Mary got to paint a ceramic item. She had lots of fun doing that. She painted something special for Nana for her birthday. After that fun we were hungry and went out to Islands for lunch. Our kids do not get to go out to restaurants with us because they do not behave. Since it was just us two I decided to try it. It went pretty well. It was a fun day just the two of us. It is not often she gets me all to herself w/out having to compete with her sister. Very nice day together.

friend fun

I'm a little late with this post, but last weekend we had friends over for dinner. A girlfriend of mine I met through stroller strides, Michelle, and her family came over. Their daughter is just 6 months older, or so, than Teresa. The three of them play great. We had a nice time eating and talking while the kids played. The girls had a great time torturing the cat as well.

Halloween 2010

Halloween morning my mom and I took the girls down to see my grandma in the facility she lives in. All the old people were so happy to see little kids in costumes. They all smile at them and the girls say hi. Mary was Tinkerbell and Teresa was a witch.





That evening we went over to my friend Jamie's house. I met her through my stroller walking group. Her two children are the around the same age as Mary and Teresa. Gabriella is 3 1/2 and Santino is 5 days younger than Teresa. One other friend came as well with their son, Keane, who is also 3. We had pizza and then got the kids ready to go out. They all walked and had fun. Teresa really loved it and was pulling us from house to house. Santino didn't want to, but he was really good at roaring in his dinosaur costume. It was a fun night with friends.





I have not stopped hearing about the candy and wanting to look at it. Driving me nuts. I can't wait until it's gone.