Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year!

We drove up to Cold Spring on Wednesday night and celebrated Thanksgiving at the Froehle's on Thursday with Father Alberic and John and Diana. It was such a nice day and Bishop really enjoyed exploring their house and hiding behind the couch! We drove to Owatonna on Friday and celebrated with my family on Saturday with both sets of grandparents, my aunt, uncle, cousin and of course Shelly, Ryan and Madelyn! Luke commented after the weekend that it was the most relaxing 4 days he's had in a LONG time!! Bishop had a blast and was entertained the entire time!

Bishop and Papa Froehle

 Both sets of Grandparents had the old Fischer Price cash register from when we were kids...Bishop played with it and loved it!

 It was Uncle Jake's birthday on Sunday (the 27th), so we celebrated on Friday before we left

Happy Girl Madelyn!

 Papa measuring his two grandkids!

 There's a little role reversal going on here. Bishop wanted to get in Madelyn's walker and he stayed there, playing, for quite awhile!

 She is seriously TOO Cute!!

 Madelyn and Great Grandma Darlene

 Cousin Tim and Bishop

 Bishop played with my mom's potpourri for over a half hour--he was entertained and everyone was happy!

 I took a bunch of this picture, and this is the best one I got--unfortunately, my dad hadn't had a chance to sit back yet

I left Monday for North Carolina for the week, for training! It was hard to leave after such a great weekend, but it went fast! Luke's aunt, Betty Ann, passed away on Thanksgiving day. She had been sick for the past few years, so it was a blessing for her, but still so hard and so sad. Unfortunately, I missed the wake and funeral, as I was in NC. Luke was a pallbearer and he said the service was VERY nice and touching. BettyAnn was such a wonderful woman--I am so thankful I got the chance to know her before she got sick.

Now, it's on to Christmas!! Wow-it's going to be here before we know it!

November

Wow-I've got some catching up to do! November just flew by!

We started the month celebrating Shelly's birthday. Shelly, Ryan, Madelyn, and my mom and dad came over Saturday, Nov 5th to help us paint the nursery and to celebrate Shelly's birthday! The painting went really well and I really like the outcome. We painted it a beige color and I was skeptical at first because I wanted some color, but it looks very nice and I'll be able to accessorize and add some color after the baby is born and we find out if it's a boy or girl!

I was in Phoenix the following weekend (Thurs the 10-Sun the 13th) for a work meeting. It was hard being away--especially over the weekend....AND I had a sinus infection, which wasn't fun, but we all survived and thankfully that's behind us now! Friday night of that weekend (11/11) my entire family went to the Gophers/Bucknell basketball game. Luke was such a trooper taking Bishop and they all had a great time! A friend of mine is the associate Head Coach for Bucknell, so I was sad to miss the game and I missed seeing his family!

While I was away, Bishop got some good quality time in with Grandma Froehle and Uncle Jake...and daddy, of course, so that was good.

The weekend of the 19th I hosted a shower with Michelle and Melissa for our good friend, Anna, who is expecting twin boys. Anna is doing great--no bedrest or restrictions! Luke took Bishop to the zoo that day and the boys had a blast!

We finally introduced Bishop to peanut butter and he loved it (and isn't allergic, thank goodness)!

Our good friends, The Bitzers, moved to Detroit Lakes, so we wished them well by playing at Edinborough Park on Tuesday, the 22nd. We had never been there before and of course, Bishop had a blast! He gave his daddy quite the workout and was quite the explorer! We'll definitely be going back some time this winter to burn off some energy! We will miss the Bitzer's and it was such a nice night to spend with friends!

Violet, Bishop and Ruby

Bishop and Violet. Violet gave Bishop a hug and a kiss...and he didn't mind it at all!

Bishop pushing daddy in the gym. I'm not sure who had more fun!

Bishop jumping with Isla

Bishop's vocabulary has really taken off in the past month. We only have to say a word one time and he picks it up! Last night he showed us where his "knee" is and we haven't ever talked about that at home before--so he must be learning at school!  We had conferences with his teacher, Ms Mandy, at school in November. She had some great things to say about Bishop and said that he is very physical and excitable, but also loves to read and do his art projects...he is seriously, JUST like his dad!! She said you always know where you stand with Bishop--he's either very happy and loving, or mad and upset and he doesn't hide his feelings!! Mandy encouraged us to talk about feelings at home and to model to him how to act when he feels certain ways. One day at school he was frustrated during art because he wanted to "help" his friend finish their project....when all of a sudden he yelled out "ANGRY"! I was so surprised! I had never heard that, but we are happy he was able to express himself!

Thursday and Friday of last week Bishop went potty on the toilet at school!! While I feel like it's a long ways off, I am very happy he's interested and excited about going--I think it really helps to see his friends go and I'll take whatever we can get at this point!

Finally--I haven't talked about this a lot in my blog, but Bishop is quite the guy's guy!! He absolutely LOVES his daddy!! There's not much I can do to help him out without daddy around and Luke is so good to him! I am so thankful to have those two guys in my life! Bishop also LOVES his Papas and Uncles!

Happy Birthday Shelly!!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful sister, auntie, woman and person anyone could EVER ask for!!!

Shelly, thank you for your friendship and your unconditional love! You are by far the best sister a girl could ever ask for and I am so blessed to have you as not only my sister, but my best friend!

The Beautiful Bride

Girls night out--at Wicked!
Shelly-pregnant with Madelyn
               

A wonderful Mama! Madelyn is so lucky!

Here's to a wonderful year!!! I love you!

Happy Halloween!!!

Bishop had a couple of Halloween parties to go to last weekend! The first one was Saturday night at the Hennum's. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of all the kids--but they were all very cute and Bishop had a fun time chasing after the girls! Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy were there and Bishop LOVED Kermit!! He couldn't get enough of him...he wouldn't pose for a picture....so this is proof that he was there!

Siena, the princess, and Kermit the Frog

 Bishop and Kermit

 Bishop in his skeleton PJ's

 Sunday Bishop had his annual Halloween Party at the Kahlert's--Johnny, Danny, and Leo were there and Lilly and Aliyana joined us this year too!!

 Cookie Monster (Paul), Elmo (Johnny) and Big Bird (Jadee)--such great costumes!

 Johnny, Bishop, Danny and Leo watching Elmo on Jadee's phone! They have so much fun playing together and are so cute together!

Halloween Night! Bishop went trick or treating around the neighborhood! I went with to about 4 houses and then Luke took him to more neighbors. He absolutely loved it! He didn't want to walk up to the houses, but he would get his candy and put it in his bucket. Luke tried to bring him home at one point, but he wanted to keep trick or treating-so they went back to a few neighbors'. I absolutely LOVE our neighborhood, everyone is so nice and welcoming and there are a ton of kids, so that makes it fun for all of us!

 Bishop enjoying his treats!

Nana and Papa's House

Luke went fishing with the guys on their annual fishing trip Tues-Sat (10/18-10/22). Bishop and I went down to Owatonna Friday night and spent the night! We all had a great time! We went to the park a couple of times, visited Great Grandpa and Grandma Loken and had lunch at McDonald's!

Bishop thinks Papa is just the best--and who wouldn't....he does everything Bishop does.....including going down all the slides!

Lunch at McDonald's

Sometimes Papa needs a little push

I took pictures of Bishop with Great Grandpa and Grandma Loken, but I can't seem to find them....I'll post them when I do!

My little Monkey

Bishop's daycare has a fall festival every year and the kids get to dress up! Bishop is a monkey for Halloween this year! Luke was out of town for his annual fishing trip, so nana and papa stopped by to join us! It was so much fun!!!

Bishop loves playing in kitchens!

Bishop and one of his teachers, Stacy!