4 words

We have a Wii!!!

Given to us by my parents as a very surprising Christmas gift. Along with the Wii system, we got Wiiplay, Guitar Hero III and WiiFit! We've hooked it up here in Pittsburgh and have been enjoying every last minute of it. Dave, Rob and I have become quite good at Guitar Hero III (ok, on the easy setting but you have to start somewhere, right?). I am waiting till we get home to break open the WiiFit but am very excited and have been reading all about it.

We are having a nice Grandparents tour (VA for a few days and now PA) and are ready to ring in the New Year tonight with Georgeanne and Joel at Mad Mex (my favorite Mexican place!!!!).

Pictures will follow when we get home but just wanted to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Years! Last post of the 2008 and I look forward to what 2009 will bring us!

So from all of us in Team Engel, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! See ya on the flip side :)

A look into our Christmas

First I want to send warm wishes to everyone on this very happy and merry Christmas Day. I hope you are enjoying your day and making tons of wonderful memories with the ones you love!

We started our Christmas festivities last night (of course) with a fabulous Christmas Eve meal...roast chicken, roasted brussel sprouts, out of this world mashed potatoes and a yummy celery salad. After dinner we packed our little elves into the car to go to Bubby Knotts farm (a.k.a the Christmas Farm...according to Zachary) to see the wondeful Christmas light display. After a quick drive through at the farm, we headed home, kids all snug in their jammies and ready for bed. Zachary spread the magic reindeer dust all over the front yard to insure Santas sleigh would find its way here.

We got the kids to bed, enjoyed a few glasses of wine and went to bed ourselves (not before 2 hours of Santa toy assembly, however ;) ).

This morning we woke to Zachary whispering "Mom, wake up, it's baby Jesus' birthday and we have to make him breakfast" (HOW CUTE IS THAT!?!?!?)

Then we crept down the hallway to see if Santa had visited...and guess what, HE DID! Some little children in our house must have been good all year long :). It all went a little something like this...

Z: Oh my, what is all this?

A: Looks like some new toys

Z: Oh, thank you Mommy!

A: Oh, don't thank me, honey, Santa left these for you

Z: WOW!

Madeline is a little under the weather so we let her sleep but when she woke up, she was very excited to see the toys that were left for her and has been playing "mommy" to her new babies all morning!

Now, on to the pictures....

Madeline putting her new baby to bed
Z rockin' out with his new microphone

Dave and Z trying out Z's new binoculars

(Thanks Aunt Sarah and Uncle Sean!!!)

All wrapped up in her new blanket

Our tree

And now, while the kiddies sleep, I am updating the blog, Dave is hanging out. We've got wine mulling on the stove and our friends and neighbors, the Wolfe's (Scott, Mary, Natalie and David) will be over in a few hours for our Christmas feast (lamb chops, roasted root veggies, sausage stuffing, scalloped potatoes and pumpkin crisp for dessert...YUM!). Hope you all have a great day and I'll post more when we are back from our Christmas tour! :)

Until then...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

Zachary's Christmas Show

Zachary's preschool class had their Christmas party today which included a little Christmas show for all the parents. Nothing like watching 30 3 year olds sing their little hearts out. Of course Zachary stole the show (ok, not really but that is what mom's are supposed to say, right?!). We were so proud of him. Here is the video of our little superstar in action :).

***(a couple of things to remember: 1. the little one fussing in the background is NOT Madeline, 2. this is just about 6 minutes long but so worth it!, and 3. I know I put Jungle Bells in the credits..my bad...we just finished reading the Jungle Book so that was on my mind.)***

Family Christmas Gathering

I love the holidays...have I mentioned that before? Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Anything that gets family and friends together is top notch in my book. Last weekend we got together with the DiSantos (well some of them) for a family Christmas gathering. Tons of food, lots of yummy beverages and great company. What a perfect way to celebrate the season!

Way to much garlic bread + goofy cousins = funny picture

Merry Christmas from our family to yours

CHEERS!!!

School pictures

I can't get over how big my little baby boy has gotten. Man...i feel all weepy but where did the time go? Almost 4 with the independence and attitude of a 14 year old. I know I am his mommy but I just have to say, isn't he handsome?!?!?!?

16 months

Little Maddie Sue will be 16 months old (can you believe it?!?!?!) on the 19th!! She had her check-up with the Dr.'s yesterday. She is weighing in at 27.6 pounds and is 33 inches tall and doing great. She had to get 3 shots yesterday :( and was unhappy about that but seemed to bounce back pretty quickly after a marathon sleep session last night (14.5 hours!!!!) She is such a joy and we love her dearly! :)

Somewhat wordless Wednesday

Z and his favorite Gal Pal, Molly reading books in his room!

Can anyone say "Dawson and Joey"??

Starting him young...and another food added to Z's diet!!!

So here is a picture of young Zachary making scrambled eggs for the very first time! Now, I thought we er..uh.. I mean he was just making them for Madeline but then we er..uh I mean he came up with a great idea to make "egg dilla's" the breakfast version of our er...uh I mean their favorite lunch "cheese dilla" (as in quesadilla people). Anyway..he scrambled and I assembled and BOTH Madeline and Zachary ate this for breakfast!

This is huge as we can add eggs back into the list of things Zachary likes to eat. We eat a lot of eggs in our house so this is a super big deal. Plus, this was just a fun bonding moment!

(please notice Madeline in the bottom corner trying to get up on the chair to help and stop looking at the mess on the counter!!!)

And I thought the teen years would be bad......

I have a confession...a few days ago, our friends Zack and Jean posted a very funny story on their blog. It seems their 4 1/2 year old son was asking all about how babies come out. Hop over there to read it...its pretty funny stuff! Anyway, I laughed and laughed and laughed my head off and thought to myself how lucky I am that we don't have tween age questions coming from our 3 3/4 year old.

And then yesterday, we had our own tween moment...

Zach: Why do we have to be quiet?

Me: Well because Madeline is sleeping and we don't want her to wake up

Zach: But I want to scream and shout

Me: Sorry buddy, we can do that when Madeline gets up

Zach: Well....I am moving out!!!

Me: Oh you are, huh? And where are you moving too?

Zach: Grandmommy and Granddaddy's house

Me: well, we will miss you. But for now we have to stay quiet while Madeline is sleeping.

"I'm moving out"...from a 3 almost 4 year old....WHAT THE?!?!?!?!

BFF's

Like Mother's like Daughters....

Amelia & Madeline

BFF's (I hope :) )