Jokes in Naples

Jokes, Jokes, Jokes! Addison and Madeline kept us entertained the entire week! They were inseparable!

Time Out!

When Maddie is naughty, she spends some time in time out. A couple of weeks ago I heard Maddie telling her babies to share and not hit each other. The next thing I know, Baby Holly was headed to time out! If you are wondering....Yes, she picks out her PJs!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family! Dane's 1st Christmas was beautiful and white! Maddie, Daddy and Grandpa took advantage of that! On Christmas morning, we ate breakfast (thanks Grandma Welke!) and then opened presents from Santa, g-ma, g-pa, the Cesta's, Mimi and BC and the Kruegers. Everyone was so generous and Maddie and Dane are two loved children! Thanks to all! On a side note, Maddie now adds in Santa's name when she says her prayers. His reindeer even made the prayer list a couple of nights ago! Dane's 1st Christmas! He was a very good boy and made this Christmas extra special with his smiles, coos and giggles!

These pics were actually taken the day after Christmas. Maddie loves her new toys and daddy and Maddie went sledding again! She made a friend this time at the sled hill! Matt has his work cut out for him pulling two girls on two sleds!

Playing with new toys in her new Cinderalla dress!

We've always spent Christmas Day at mom and dad's house. Our group was a bit smaller this year, but it was awesome to see the Illinois Zielke's. It would not feel like Christmas without them there! This year mom and Uncle Bill enlightened us at dinner with their stories of the Germany trip they took many years ago!

The pictures below are from Christmas morning. Grandpa, Daddy and Maddie hit the sled hill before G-ma and G-pa headed to North Carolina.

Opening all of the fun presents!

Mimi made the kids little storage boxes. They are so cute!

Maddie loves her baby Cinderella and Cinderella dress. She has worn it a lot already!

Daddy to the rescue!

Madeline and Daddy wrote a letter to Santa together. We visited the same mall we went to last year, but the Santa was different. Since it was Dec. 24th, this was our last chance for a picture. I will be looking for a more authentic Santa next year!! As you can see in the picture, Madeline was terrified! We tried to get her excited, but as soon as going to see Santa was mentioned she told us she did not want to see Santa. Dane, on the other hand, didn't even wake up!

Christmas Eve Family Photos from Laura - we left our camera at home! We did our usual tradition by attending the early service at Grace and then to Mom and Dad's for a delicious Italian dinner. We also exchange presents that night. Christmas Eve has always been one of my favorite nights of the year.

December Pics and Memories

We went on the polar express with Claire, Frankie, Gavin and McKenna. Madeline loves riding on the top of the of the train, so we were up and down quite a bit. Madeline was very quiet when Santa came around, but he said he knew Maddie wanted a doll. How did he know?!!!

Sittin still is not for Maddie!

This picture of Dane was taken a few weeks after the others. He changed so much this month!

Our Christmas tree was mega tall, so the angel didn't go up super easily. In the meantime, she was on the chair and Mads loved playing with her. When it was time for the angel to go up on the tree, Maddie wasn't happy. It took her a while to agree that the top of the tree was the best place for her because she watched over us. It's hard to understand the video, but Maddie is telling us she wants her on the chair!

My Little Helper

Maddie loves helping in the kitchen. She is quite helpful and loves "samples" while she helps!

Happy Birthday Papo and Grandpa too!

We decided to make a giant cupcake for the birthday dessert! Maddie helped of course!
Grammie brought Mads and Claire beautiful angel cookies - yum!

Grandpa lets Mads have some fun!

Dancing with the birthday boy!

Grand p's and the girlies!

Notice the babies just sleeping through all of the action. :)

We went to lunch on Papo's Birthday at Gumba Joes. We shared the back of the restaurant with another family and it worked out great! We had a wonderful dinner fiesta prepared by Darlene to celebrate both dads birthdays - what fun!

The knock knock jokes come out once again! This time Claire busted out with "knock knock" and it caught us by surprise! She just smiled!

Fancy "Maddie" Nancy

Maddie LOVES dressing up! She loves her fancy dresses, shoes, earrings, boa's, the works! Yesterday she was Cinderella in the morning and Belle in the afternoon. How long will it be until she starts dressing up Dane?!!!

St. Louis Trip

Madeline and Dane were wonderful little travelers! Madeline was being a goof ball under her blanket. We listened to her princess Disney CD much of the way down state! We surprised Grandpa at the nursing home where Maddie and Dane were super (especially considering the six hour drive it took to get there)! Grandpa was playing BINGO when we got there, but he quit and we went to the small cafe to visit.

Dane chillin as usual. He is such a good and sweet baby who is very easy going! Grandpa took Maddie for a ride on his scooter and she liked it!

Madeline was so comfortable with both g-ma and g-pa. She was all about them! She even was crying for great grandma at bedtime!

Maddie found fun things to do at the nursing home. Her most favorite was going to see the birds and her close second was going to the vending machine to push the buttons. She scored animal crackers on Saturday and again on Sunday (thanks to ger GG-ma)!! BUDDIES! :)

We had another nice visit on Saturday before heading back towards Chicago. It was SO WONDERFUL seeing them. We love them so much and wish it wasn't such a long trip to see them.

Madeline fed fluffy his food and it was pretty funny! Fluffy doesn't like to eat, but took the food from her piece by piece!

Mads got to experience a special breakfast treat - Toaster Struedels! For as long as I can remember, we would get so excited to have them for breakfast when we would visit G-ma and G-pa. Of course, the icing was the best part as a kid!

Dane shows his adorable huge smile!

Proud Great Grandma with Dane.

Grandma treated us to pizza and Matt fell asleep on the couch shortly after! Madeline went to bed in the pack and play and I thought she was down. About 5 min. later we saw her standing in the hallway. She has always been a climber! She was quite proud of herself but knew she may be in trouble! Matt ended up getting off the couch and shared the bed with her. Dane and I took the other room and he ended up in bed with me. Oh kiddos!