The Elves, The Hennum's and The 4 boys!

This past weekend was filled with lots of friends and good times!

Friday evening Luke and I had a date night! Bishop's daycare set up a "date night", so Bishop got to hang out with his friends and play, while Luke and I snuck away for dinner! We are so thankful for a daycare that allows us to do fun things and Bishop had a blast--he didn't want to leave when we picked him up!

Around 5:30 Friday night, Luke was swinging Bishop around by the arms. The minute I saw it, my heart sank. Bishop's right elbow has come out of the socket twice now (Nurse Maids Elbow). The first time was at daycare a few months ago and then it happened again Thanksgiving weekend when he was playing on the playground  in Owatonna. Of course, he started crying and was in a lot of pain, because it popped out again. Thankfully, it has always popped back in on its own. The only time I took him in was the first time, since it happened at school, I wanted it to be documented and to know for sure what was going on. It's just so hard to see him in pain and to not be able to help him (until it goes back in). He did settle down and we were able to go out for dinner!

Saturday morning we went to Macy's "A Day in the Life of an Elf"! This was Bishop's first time and he was in awe of it all! He of course, loved the puppies and the animals and he tried to crawl up to see them....but all in all, he did great and was wide eyed the whole time! There wasn't a line (we got there right as it opened) and we were in and out in about 20 minutes! I thought it would take until lunchtime, so we didn't really know what to do! We walked through the skyways downtown and Bishop RAN....he loved it! The skyways were empty on Saturday morning, so it was perfect for him to burn off some energy. We walked to get some brunch and then we came home for the afternoon.

Bishop LOVED riding the elevator with Daddy! 

Bishop couldn't quite make it to the car before falling asleep!

Saturday evening our friends, The Hennum's, came over for dinner. Bishop and Maia (3) played really well together for the most part, but it's always very obvious to me that Bishop is "all boy" and Tim and Liana aren't used to crazy boys. Regardless, they had fun and we tried to keep Bishop from being too crazy with the girls! Siena is so good to Bishop and she kept telling me how much fun she was having--she is such a sweetheart! Tim lifted Bishop up by his arms and his elbow popped out again. I saw it from the other side of the kitchen, but it was too late to say anything, as the damage had been done. Thankfully, Tim and Liana are both PTs and Liana taught us how to pop it back in, if it should happen again! It's so hard to see him in pain, but at least we know it's nothing TOO serious and he'll be back to normal once it pops back in!

Sunday morning we picked up some CC skis for Bishop and stopped at a really neat coffee shop by the Riverview Theater in Mpls. They had a really neat toy area with tons of toys for kids to play with....Bishop even gave me his cookie so he could go play! After that we walked down to the Moore's house to have brunch and play with the boys! Bishop, Danny, Johnny and Leo had a blast together! Danny and Bishop screamed and screamed and screamed at first--they were so excited and needed to let out some energy! They all played really well together, and it was fun for us parents too!

Bishop and Danny

They were hugging and "cuddling" together!

Leo, Taya and Bishop reading a Thomas Book

I took a ton of pictures to try to get one of the 4 of them all looking, but these were the best I got!

Someone said "Say Cheese, Show us your teeth", so Bishop is showing you his teeth in this one! :)

Leo has a baby sister, Aliyana and Bishop was excited to "play" with her and hold her hand! :)

Bishop and Johnny walking home together in the snow!

We are very excited for Christmas, and I still can't believe it'll be here in less than 2 weeks!

I am 30 weeks along in my pregnancy and things are still going well! I'm getting a little nervous that my Dr will put some restrictions on, but I'm SO thankful to have made it this far along! I go back to see my Dr next Monday (the 19th).

Christmas Tree/Santa

I got home from North Carolina late Friday night--it was so nice to be home and to wake up and spend time with Bishop first thing Saturday morning!! 

We went and visited Santa and picked up our Christmas Tree! Our Realtor's company does a project called "Toys for Trees", where we donate a toy and get a tree in return! Santa is there with treats, arts/crafts and there were 2 elves this year too! It's always such a fun day!

Bishop did great on Santa's Lap! He was a little leery at first, but he never cried and he got a kick out of smiling at the camera (they were taking pictures there-I hope to see them, as I think they'll be better than mine)!

 After seeing Santa we went to Linden Hills to visit the Reindeer, Horses and Penquins! Bishop loved them all and was saying "Neigh" when he saw the horses! We stopped for lunch in Linden Hills and then went home to set up the tree!

It was a great day to kick off the Christmas Season at our house! The tree is up, lit and decorated, I'll try to post pictures soon.

It started snowing on Saturday and was a beautiful snowy day! That night we went to the Heller's and Bishop played with Liam and his new friends, Josie and Ella (Michelle's friend's daughters). It was the perfect way to wrap up the day!

Grandpa

My Grandpa Arnie (my mom's dad) was having troubles breathing the week of Thanksgiving. He's had this problem before and it's always been his COPD and he just needs some more steroids. My mom brought him in the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and he was diagnosed with Congestive Hearth Failure! We're so thankful my mom brought him in. Unfortunately, he had to stay in the hospital a couple of nights, but he was released on Thanksgiving Day. In the meantime, my Grandma was left to stay by herself, so my mom had double duty--checking in on my Grandpa at the hospital and staying overnight with my Grandma and checking in on her! Everything turned out ok and things have settled down. We were so thankful they were both feeling well enough to celebrate Thanksgiving together!!

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!