Christmas Cheer

Who needs gifts when you can play with paper?

Christmas at the Capitol

The three cousins visited the Capitol to see the Christmas display, and were quickly captivated by the train running around the 30 foot tree. After they tired of the train, Sebastian led them on a running tour of the Capitol. (sorry for the poor picture quality, didn't get the settings right)

Another day in the snow...

A couple of days later we played in the snow again. This time we used snow shoes to make a path for the sled.

Blizzard!

In up to our knees!

Pull mommy pull!

More sledding!

Madison received 18" of snow which prompted a city wide snow day. Even the University was closed, which hasn't happened since 1990. So we decided to venture out for some winter fun. Daddy ran out and bought a sled. It was tough going in the deep snow and Sebastian wasn't sure at first, but by the end he was into it. We also built snow sculptures which Sebastian swiftly destroyed.

Saw Dust

We went to the Arboretum to play among the leaves and discovered a gold mine! A freshly fallen, sawn tree. Piles and piles of sawdust. It was like being at the beach again. Sebastian kept saying "saw dust" and throwing it everywhere. After we were both covered in saw dust, Sebastian did a little log rollin'. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Lunch featured double spoon'in

Last Outdoor Farmer's Market

It was 70 degrees for the last farmer's market in November! Who would have thought! After shopping we had fun playing on the capitol lawn. Once again Sebastian was after those onions - and managed to bite into one before I could catch him. It didn't seem to phase him. He discovered the apples as well, so I gave him one. Now he likes to "bite" them himself, and doesn't want them cut up.

Blankie

Sebastian brought a towel to me and said "Ajax, blankie". So I covered Ajax with the towel. Then Sebastian proceeded to bring the entire laundry pile out to me one towel at a time.

Trick or Treat!

Trick or treating in Aunt Kristine's neighborhood!

First a little leaf fun before heading out.

Why are we doing this?

Poor Sebastian, his mother was too cheap to buy a decent trick or treat pail.

Our first house...

Eventually Sebastian got the idea, take the candy and put it in the bag.

Hannah was already a pro!

Quick toy break at a friend's house.
Toys are way more fun than trick or treating.

A sincere thank you to Grandma Zabel for making the costumes!

Blue Mounds State Park

I wanted to enjoy some fall color and visit a couple of state parks before the snow flies (again). So I planned an trip to Blue Mounds State Park and invited Grandpa and Grandma to come along. The day started out cloudy, but relatively warm - mid 40's on it's way up to mid- 50's. So we headed out, optimistic that the sun would peak out. A few miles from the park, heavy fog set in. We reached the picnic area, got out and quickly lost site of the car, the fog was so thick. Sebastian was tired of being cooped up in the car so he excitedly grabbed his pail and shovel from the back of the car and started running with them while kicking a soccer ball. It was very, very wet, but it didn't bother him one bit. He shoveled wet leaves into his pail and kicked the wet ball through the wet grass. We even played ready-set-go until our shoes and socks were soaked through. Sebastian had a grand time. However, we decided to take our picnic back to Grandma and Grandpa's. I think that was the first time I have ever been the only people in the park. Not even a park ranger to be found.

See above for a picture of our outing. (and you thought I didn't include a picture :)

Run Away Monkey

We braved the Halloween celebration at the zoo! Grandma made Sebastian a monkey costume because he has monkey fever. Just say "zoo" and he says "monkeys".



His cousins came too! So we had Hannah the beautiful butterfly and Caleb Diesel the dog.

Monkey with sticks - watch out!

Butterfly in action

Three little monkeys hang'n on a rail...

We spent most of our time chasing after a certain monkey. However we were not crazy like the rest of the people who were waiting in very long lines for a piece of candy or a coupon.

(yes these pictures were taken by daddy)

Hannah's Birthday Bash

Leaf fun! What better way to celebrate a fall birthday

We all enjoyed pizza and cake afterwards. Hannah picked out all of the cake ingredients and helped her mom make it.

Sebastian enjoyed his ice cream

August Iron River Trip

Sebastian and I took another trip to Iron River with Grandma and Grandpa, from August 20 - September 8. Remember August when it was warm? Sorry it's taken me so long to post this, too many pictures to sort through.

Just a few general notes: Once again, Sebastian loved to run, run, run! He also liked to explore and hike the paths through the woods. This time he was able to go much farther on his own. His favorite activity was picking up sticks and throwing them off to the side, just like Grandpa does. He also loved investigating Grandpa's machines; truck, tractor, trailers, boats, lawn mower, tools, to name just a few. We took him for his first row boat ride and he was lucky enough to see his first deer of the trip! Just like last time, he like to swing, swing, swing. I'll let you in on a little secret, if you want Hannah to come out of the house, just swing on her swing. She will come running!

Here are just a few of the highlights:

We're back!

Back at Moon Beach! We had many nice beach days.
During the week we had it all to ourselves.

Grandpa gave tractor rides! Sebastian quickly learned to say "tractor"

Lawn mower rides! Sebastian coaxed Grandpa into a few rides. For the first ride he was quiet, absorbing. But with each ride he became more animated, waving to me as rode by. Soon he was pointing and telling Grandpa where to go. When his cousins were riding, he got upset and ran after the mower until he got another ride.

Morning smiles

Little helper

Apples fresh from the tree! Sebastian was so excited about apples.

not so excited about the taste though

Lake Superior's frigid waters did not bother Sebastian one bit.
He walked right in, splashed around, filled his buckets...

Making sandcastles with Grandpa.
For some reason Sebastian would only smash the sand castles I made, not Grandpa's.

Sittin' with granny and gramps on the steps of the little cabin,
otherwise know as Grandma and Grandpa's hideaway.

Sebastian is into all things soft.

The cousins enjoying bedtime stories.

Kristine, Dave, Hannah and Caleb came up for labor day weekend. Unfortunately I don't have anyother pictures to post, I took videos after that.