George at his Christmas Concert - 3 years old

Matt & George in the Snow

Each morning George wakes up and asks “Is today Christmas?”….when we got snow a few weeks back he thought it was Christmas.  Matt has become quite familiar and skilled with our new snow blower.  Right now we have a good 8 – 10” on the ground.  The first couple of days with snow were tough for Bagel, especially seeing the snow is deeper than he is tall.  After a few ‘accidents’ in the house we figured he was having a tough time doing business in the snow.  Matt took care of that by plowing a path in a circle within our backyard.  This allows Bagel to run around, do his business & even venture into deeper territory if he is feeling it.  Matt & George have played outside and made a small fort (which has since been destroyed) and a snowman.  Ah, the signs of winter snow.

Grandma reading to Stuart

A couple of weeks back when we got a big snow my parents braved the weather to watch the boys while we ventured to our work holiday party.  We enjoyed the time away and they had a blast with the boys.  The bonus is that when we got home they had decorated cookies so we could enjoy them!

We have already started to celebrate the season with my extended family gatherings.  We were in Appleton for the Kratzke Christmas & then to Chilton for the Kleinhans Christmas.  The days always go quickly, I never seem to have enough time to connect with as many people as I’d wish, and the rooms are always warm.  What does that mean?  It means family is near.  It means that there are enough of us to fill a room.  It means that there is most likely more than enough food for everyone.  It means that love is around….even if it is a bit too loud or warm.  I enjoy seeing everyone but it is always my grandparents that I am most excited to see.  This year I got to watch my grandpa play with George & his little Zhu Zhu (mechanical hamster).  That was cool.

George had his Christmas program at church on Sunday.  Similar to his Christmas program at Daycare he stood in front and sang approximately 3-5 words of the song & then just looked at the audience.  We are just pleased that he can stand there without screaming, bothering other kids or becoming some other distraction.  He is proud to be there and I think he truly believes that he sings the whole song.  We just hug him & say what a good job he did.

Kids Galore @ Kratzke Christmas

Great Grandma & Grandpa Kratzke w/George

Stuart’s personality continues to unfold.  Yes, he is indeed stubborn.  However, he is starting to talk as well.  He’s happy to say hi & bye to a number of people.  He spits out sounds that are similar to “bagel” and “georgie”.  In addition to loving to watch everything his big brother does, he has taken great amusement in his dad.  Matt will pretend to hit his head and Stuart erupts with laughter.  There are few things as wonderful as a good belly laugh from a baby.  The past weekend also brought him to his feet.  He could have walked for months, but this past weekend he decided to walk more than crawl.  He is wearing hard sole shoes now; that seemed to help him.  Either way, he is walking & enjoying his new ‘freedom’.

Matt & I have a furlough day tomorrow and then will be off for the holidays.  We head to Chicago tomorrow and then to celebrate with my family on Saturday & Sunday.  We’ve written to Santa to ask him to come early.  We are hopeful he can come tonight so we can have our family Christmas tomorrow morning.