The night of our neighborhood progressive dinner it was snowing and Hans loved being out in it. Every year we do progressive dinner with our friends and desserts tend to be at our house. I made cobbler, almond bars, peppermint and chocolate ice cream dessert, cookies, brownies, and derby pie. Hans made it through the entire party. Mark and I were surprised.


















At Alicia and Simeon's house Hans found the 15 lb weights and loved picking them up. It is amazing how strong the little guy is.
Hans has his own drawer with his cups and dishes, so that he can help me by putting away his own dishes. He decided that it would be fun sitting in that drawer.


















Mark and I had to finish tearing up our laundry room floors and laying tile before Christmas eve when our new washing machine and dryer were scheduled to be delivered.


















Hans got to open his first Christmas gift early. Uncle Adam sent him the batman toy in the mail.

For those of you who haven't heard yet I am having a girl. That was good because I have had the name picked out before we even planned on having kids. Also Mark and I weren't able to agree on a boys name. I just finished my master class, which was the most intense education class I have ever taken. Well I guess that is what should be expected of a master class although I am glad to have one more done. Now I have time to get ready for Christmas.

Melissa came down after her cheerleading game to see the Jewelry and Hans was flipping out. He loves Melissa. I can already tell he loves the fun out-going cheerleader type. The minute Melissa comes around he becomes her little shadow and just wants to be right by her. The first time we had her babysit I was nervous, but when she walked in he said BYEBYE momma. From then on I knew she would be our babysitter.



















Hans loves seeing the fish and being with the girls.



















Hans of course had to take the hard way to get to Christines.

The next day after the snow storm Hans and I went outside to play. He wanted to stay out for hours. He went on his sled which he is getting to big for my 34 pound baby. Then he had to hike on his paths that he takes in the summer although he kept on falling over because of the height of the snow.



















Here is Hans as we left the game he was amazed by the snow.

Hans was brought to his first game ever at Timothy. Timothy was playing Chicago Christian where Erik is principal. His favorite part was the band and the Cheerleaders. Hans couldn't make it through the whole game so we left early. Also there was a snow storm, and I had to teach the next day, so we wanted to make it home before midnight.

Hans Watching the Game!

Hanzie is obsessed with Play-doh. Lets say it is the best thing ever! Hans plays for hours. He loves to pick out his favorite colors. He likes white the best. We tell him the different colors and he picks them out. Hans moves his highchair goes and sits on his mat. That is how we know he wants to play with it.
I never thought I would have a son that is as football crazy as Mark. Well I guess it is good because Hans wouldn't be able to sleep anyways cause Mark is so loud!! That way they cheer together.

This is the picture that all my students love and said I need to put on his blog. Hans was at Christine's house playing on the slide.

Ethelyn and Christian came over for a play date, today. Hans loved showing all of his toys. His new thing is show his new room. Hans got moved out of the nursery into what was the purple room. His room is nautical with all kinds of fun accents. Hans graduated to a toddler bed. He was jumping in his crib and would launch himself over the bars, so we quickly put together the toddler bed that Michelle gave us, and got his room painted. He is doing really well in a bed. YAYAYA!!
Ethelyn wanted to take a picture of the tree, Hans and me, but by the time she got up he was no longer laying in my lap drinking his bottle. That is why I am holding the Pooh.
Hans taught Christian how to work this toy. They played together taking turns. I was so proud of them. They do so well together!

Ethelyn and Christian

I hope that eveyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
This year we spent Thanksgiving at Kirsten's. Hans had a blast with Luke and Levi. They were so wild and crazy!! Hans loved the turkey dinner especially his favorite corn. Hans and Kari spent the night since I had to work at Best Buy at 4 am. Fun. This was the first year that we didn't get up at the crack of dawn to go shopping. Kari and Kirsten went to the mall during the day on black friday, but just to Kaybee to get toys. I got to go to toys r us to by out all the boxes of diapers at $10.

Hans loves the Christmas tree! He has to say hi and bye to the Santa ornaments on the tree. He helped me get the last ornaments up. I left an area so that he can touch them.

Kirsten's Kreations Jewelry. Here are some of the pieces. I know many people have been asking what it looks like. Here are some examples although each piece is unique and not duplicated. My favorite pieces sold right away. Although at each party there are new pieces.

We had a big party at out house for Kirsten's Kreations all of my neighborhood friends came over and loved the jewelry and purses. Hans had a blast because Caleb and Andrew came with their mommies. He just as always entertained everyone. He was hilarious! He was laughing so hard he started to snort. It was so cute/funny. Then as people were leaving he was yelling BYE,BYE so loud that they could hear him down the block. The comments about Hans was he is a bruiser and he cracks everyone up. I got swedish flop for the guest and as you can see Hans enjoyed it! Next time I will take a picture of all the jewelry. My friend Joanne got my favorite piece which was a double wrap strand of swarovski tahitian pearls.

Kyle came over in his Halloween costume. Although Hans was down for a nap.

Hans and I were knocking on the door while we waited for auntie TT to come so we could go to the playoff game at Grant.
Hans hates wearing a hat, but he knew that was the only way he was going to get to go to the game. He loved watching the football game and playing will all of the kids. Of course he took all of the attention off of the game and entertained everyone. He is becoming such a good dancer.

Hans, Daddy and I went trick or treating today. Hans would knock on the door and try to go into the houses of his friends. It was really cute they would give him candy and he wanted to just go in and play. Hans was winnie the pooh as a bee. He only kept the hat on for getting the candy once he got home to hand out candy it came off.
Hans favorite thing to do was dump out his candy everywhere then he sorted it out.

Mark and I went to the Packers vs the Redskins game. Of course Mark got us great seats on the 30 something yard line in the third row. It was such a fun time we totally got along with the people we sat next to although there was a crazy drunk lady behind us. It was quite entertaining. Then Mark with his sense of humor got the reaction from the redskins players. Portis gave Mark a few signs and as Mark razed him about think dog fighting was a sport he turned around and pretended like he was fighting a dog. Everyone was laughing hysterical and Mark became a crowd pleaser. I also was on TV how fun!? Actually I didn't see myself I was just told and Mark saw me on replays at ESPN. We went with Mark's dad and Cindy. I wasn't going to go because I didn't get to see Hanzie all weekend and with the 16th birthday party the night before I thought it would be to much, but I am definitely glad I went.

oops missed this picture of me, Kelsey and Alysa. I had Alysa in class and Kelsey and I have been close for a while. Kelsey is one of my favorite people to see at school. She is so much fun!!

Ynez had her sweet 16th birthday party so I got to hang out with the high school girls that I just love. Here is me and Robin she was one of the cheerleaders that I coached. She has been since her freshman year one of the best.

Here I am with Katelyn. I have known Katelyn since she was a baby, and it is funny to think she is one of my bff. Katelyn and I went to Ynez party together since Mark couldn't go and her boyfriend Dan is at college.

Derek came over to play with Hans. They loved the bubbles and playing in the tunnels.
Here is Hans trying to beat Levi in the race. He figured it is quicker to pick up the vacuum and run with it.

Levi caught up with Hans quickly. We had such a fun weekend the boys and t came up on Friday and stayed till Tuesday. Hans hasn't been able to see his cousins much so this was definitely the best weekend for him. He just loved being with them.

Hans has been having so much fun lately! He is really enjoying the kids in the neighborhood. He has become buds with Andrew and he is starting to love all the girls. He enjoys Abby the most. This weekend there was a fair in the neighborhood so we went and Hans got to ride the train around the hood with Andrew. We also tried the pony rides but Hans, Andrew and Christian definitely did not want to be on the ponies. He also got to meet all the high schoolers who came because they heard I would be there. Its not like they get to see me all week in school they also need to see me on the weekend.
Hans is now a year and a half. He is such a little man except for his attachment to his bottle.

If you think Hans eye is bad you should see the other kid. Just kidding, Kari woke up to seeing Hans like this an yelled for me. I took him to the doctor and now he is on benadryl for a mosquito bite. Who would have guessed? It has been an eventful last week. After Kari got run into by a student running through the halls. She had to go to the hospital. The good news was that the baby is OK. Kari just has to rest. Hopefully, things will start to calm down.

This picture was taken back in June. This is when Hans first started to eat with a spoon. Now he is an expert! Also he is drinking out of a cup. He is getting ready for his brother or sister on the way. For those of you who don't know Kari is pregnant and due in March.