Most days the kids have to make their own beds. Daniel tends to just throw the sheets and blankets on top of the bunk bed and however they land is fine by him. Mia, however, is very meticulous, smoothing out the blankets and making sure everything is aligned just right. She even takes the time to tuck her babies in the bed too.

 
Warming in the sun after playing in the pool.

What a fun trip we had going south to see everyone. We had so many adventures, it was hard to say goodbye - execept it was not hard to leave that southern heat and return the the mild Wisconsin summer!

Daniel is now 4 1/2 and Mia 3 1/2. Daniel is so close to reading. He has a real servants heart and is constantly doing his sisters chores just because she says she needs help (like, sometimes I have to step in and tell him that she needs to make her own bed today so she can learn how to do it). He weighed on this trip 37 pounds. Mia loves being a girl and is interested in anything pink, purple, or girl. She loves her nails polished and I can frequenly see her wearing her tiara, high heals, or She is perfectly balanced though because she equally loves nature, dirt, and food. On this trip, she weighed 43 pounds.

Daniel and Mia at the zoo.

The kids' Grandma, Mary, and Daniel and Mia. She played on playground equipment, went down water slides, and spent a lot of energy keeping up with the grandkids - and enjoyed every minute of it.

The kids' Grandma, Marian, enjoying her time with them. We had so much fun with her.

The kids' grandma, Marian, running in a giant hamster wheel at the Discovery Center.

Mia at the Discovery Center - a hair raising experience.

4 Generations - myself, my daughter Mia, my mother, and my grandmother (Mia's great grandmother)

Daniel turned 4 on Dec. 16 (or Super Daniel, as he continues to insist). He enjoyed the entire event, including licking the icing. What can be better than chocolate icing, presents, and being 4?

Opening birthday presents.

We all like wearing the birthday hats!

Happy birthday, my "Super Daniel".

Opening of Christmas presents happened for us this year on Dec. 18 just before we left to visit family.

Nothing better that being both a princess AND cheerleader.

Our trip for Christmas began this year with a visit with Eldon, Shane's Grandpa, Daniel and Mia's Great-Grandpa (or Great-Pappa, as the kids say).

Daniel tumbling on Eldon's spare bed.

Mia kept asking Eldon to draw a picture on her board. He didn't seem to mind as he drew pictures of cows, horses, wrote her name, letters, and numbers.

We spent Christmas with Rom and Mary. While we were there, Mary had lots of fun things to do with the kids including making a ginger bread house. Guess what Daniel's favorite part was?

Mia holding hands with her Pappa, and Daniel crashing the picture. I could have cut him out, but it's just too cute.

Mia and her Pappa holding hands.

Happy Birthday Jesus cake.

Merry Christmas from Shane, Jen, Daniel, and Mia.

Grandma Mary enjoying the kids.

Daniel with his very best friend - his Daddy.

Mia has recently become very interested in coloring. Before, we could hardly get her to put any color on paper. Now she colors every square inch.

We wrapped up Christmas with a trip to Chicago. We visited the science museum, the field museum and the aquarium.

Afternoon nap at the museum.