Addison's New Play Set

We worked ALL weekend long to get Addison's new play set assembled.  I think the directions said it would take over 24hrs to assemble but with a bunch of help we were able to get it done in about 16 hours.  It was worth every minute of assembly when we watched Addison played on it for the first time and she was screaming with excitement! 

Putting the base in place.

Addison wanted to help out too.

The next level taking form.

Now we're getting somewhere.

Roofs on...time for a beer break!

Aunt Tonya helping Addison on the monkey bars.

Calling it a day, not too bad!

Doug working on the crow's nest.

The swings are on!

She went straight for the picnic table with her snack and drink.

It didn't take long and she was climbing the rock wall.

She knew exactly what to do and did it all by herself. 

Of course I was close behind just in case!

Waving hi from the crow's nest.

Climbing the ladder.

Crawling up to the crow's nest.

Addison loved the slide. 

She was even going down backwards on her belly.

100% COMPLETE!

(minus the telescope on the crow's nest, it was broken)

It even has bay windows!

We couldn't be happier with the set.  It will be enjoyed for many years to come!

January in Review

January has just flown by it seems.  It's been a month of unusually warm weather.  We'll take it though.  If it's not going to snow, then it might as well be warm.

Addison has started showing signs of readiness for potty training.  We put the potty chair out for her to get comfortable with and she was so interested in it.  She kept saying potty and sitting on it, so I decided to take her diaper off and let her try...and she went!  She went several times over the next couple of days, but slowly lost interest.  So, I've backed off and we'll try again when she regains interest.  I was thinking it was pretty early because she's only 21 months, but it's not unheard of for girls to be potty trained before 2.  I'm just going to let her take the lead on this one.  At least I hear that's the best course of action.  The other popular method now is 3 day potty training without any diaper or underwear - people swear by this.  But I don't know that I could handle the messiness of this method.  Maybe only as a last resort!

I've taken Addison to World Class Gym in the SportsPlex in Belleville a few times this month.  They have open play on Fridays for 2 hours for only $5.  She loves it.  She gets to roam at her own pace, which is great.  It's a huge place so she gets to run around and burn off all her energy.  I forgot the camera one time and the other it ran out of batteries as soon as I took the first picture so I only have one to show for it.
 

Taking advantage of the weather!

Taking a ride on the Ranger.

Who knew we would be swinging in January!

Aunt Janel's pirate birthday cake she made for Conner.

Opening gifts.

He turned 5!

Went to open play at World Class Gym.

Daddy falling asleep while putting me down for a nap.

Papa Rich's birthday!

High chair gone.  I sit in a big chair with a booster now!

Just talkin' to a friend.

Now I'm texting Daddy.

I love watching Mommy and Daddy get ready so I thought

I would bring my chair and get comfortable.

I wouldn't put my pants or diaper on so I picked out

my big girl underwear to wear.

First Haircut

So it was time to give Addison's hair a little trim.  The back of her hair was growing irregular and some longer pieces were coming together in one curl.  I thought it was cute for awhile, but then it started to get a little longer and started to look like a rat tail!  So we just got it trimmed to even it all out.  I was a little nervous about how she would handle it, but she did surprisingly well.  It helped that Michelle's daughters where there to keep her pre-occupied and a sucker did the trick too.

My little pig tails!

That's a pretty good sucker.

My first lock of hair cut.

Sportin' my new 'do.

Good-bye rat tail!

Grandpa Emig turns 90!!

I was uploading my pictures to print them and realized I never posted these pictures of Grandpa Emig's 90th birthday on November 28th.  How could I miss such a big event!  I guess with all the holiday madness, it can happen.

We had a gathering at Trenton church hall where family and friends helped celebrate.  It was a great afternoon visiting with everyone.  Addison got to run around the gym chasing her cousins and had a blast. 

Tackling Aaron.



Grandma and Grandpa Emig

The great-grandchildren.



Grandpa Stein 12/20/1914 - 12/23/2011

Doug's paternal Grandpa passed away just before Christmas this past year.  He was able to celebrate his 97th birthday just days before joining Grandma Agnes in heaven, who passed away almost 10 years before on Christmas day.  Grandpa Stein was a man who had lived in only one house his entire life.  He took the ferry across the Kaskaskia river to get to church every week.  He proudly served our country in WWII.  He celebrated 55 years of marriage with his wife and had 4 children, 14 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. 

Grandpa lived in his own house until a month before his passing.  Six months before he was still driving his car during the day!  He was an amazing person and we always say "they just don't make 'em like that anymore".  His memory was sharp as a tac.  He would always give such detail in his stories.  Living his whole life in one town, he knew everything about our area and was the go-to guy for all questions about back then.

He lived a long full life and will be missed dearly by many.  In Grandpa's words of wisdom...."Don't take any wooden nickels!"



Christmas 2011

I'm a little behind on my posting and with it being Christmas I have a LOT of pictures to post.  Addison had a great Christmas.  She really got into it this year - she quickly picked up on how to rip open the presents.  She received some fun gifts and has been playing with all of them constantly.  I would say everyone did a great job picking the right gifts!

We opened gifts with my Mom the weekend before Christmas.  To be honest, with the way Addison acted I was ready to keep her home for all of Christmas.  She was stealing toys, pushing and biting.  It was an absolute disaster.  But to our amazement, all of the Christmas celebrations we went to after that she was an absolute angel!  The good Lord answered our prayers :-)  On Christmas she was even up until 9:30 and was never crabby.

Addison loved seeing all the family and filling everyone in on her stories.  She's definitely a ham and loves the attention.  She feeds off of it.  The more reaction she gets, the more animated she becomes and she starts talking really fast and much louder.  You can't help but laugh.

Here are pictures of our Christmas fun...

We're going to attempt a gingerbread house.

Helping Mommy form the fondant.

And Daddy with the icing.

All done, but I really didn't help much...I lost interest.

Dinner at The Spaghetti Factory

The great-grandkids

Me get on that camel...you must be crazy!

The Way of Lights at The Shrine, so pretty!

My favorite was this ramp that I would run up and down.

Now that's a lot of Legos!

Uncle Nick always gives me what I want, tonight it's cake.

Breakfast with Santa at Eckert's.

Get me away from this man Mommy!

So interesting, this woman is sweeping the carpet.

Trying to shove the whole muffin into my mouth.

I LOVED pushing this shopping cart around.

Wouldn't go near this Santa either so Mommy and Daddy had

to get in the picture with us.

Can we open these presents yet?

Watching Collin open his gift (so I can pounce on it once it's opened).

My very own kitchen. 

I had to call my friends right away to tell them!

Feeding my baby.

All ready for Christmas.

Cheese....

Suckered Uncle Chris into feeding me a snack.

See the key is to not go to him until he offers me food, works everytime!

Uncle Joe and cousin Zoe.

Playing with Jack.

My very own cell phone.

Helping Papa open his gift.

Step stools Papa made for Jack and I.

Aunt Erin, I'm very interested in your diaper changing technique.

Papa is another one that gives me food anytime I want some.

Gift opening at the Stein's.

I nearly wore my arm out using my new vacuum.

Aunt Shelley coloring with me.

Everyone joining in!

Dress off, apron on, sparkly red shoes on.

Winding down with a puzzle and Mama.

Santa came!

And brought this trampoline.

Helping Daddy with gifts.

Hangin with Mommy.

All ready for the second round.

Mama Cheryl and I.

Hugs.

Found some others to give me food!

All set with my snack and drink.

This looks like a good seat for me.

Using my new table to color!