Merry Christmas!

So like everything else in life with children, things don't always go as planned.  Our whole little family was very sick this Christmas---so sick in fact that Christmas Eve with my mom's side at our house was cancelled! Tyler was the best of all of us, and yet his cough was terrible! Hailey was all boogers, coughs, and way over tired. Scott had a runny nose, and I had a combo. What a way to celebrate right? Well, even with all of us sick, we managed to pull it together for a great Christmas day! After some night quill, day quill, kleenex, hot tea and good food we snapped  pics and opened  gifts! Everyone( as usual!) was soo generous.  Ty and Hailey are so lucky to be loved so much!  Scott and I got some amazing presents as well! Thank you! Santa brought everything on Tyler and Hailey's list---and our elf Andy left a great note to the kids.  We will  miss him until next year! My  favorite memories of this Christmas are--- when I was upstairs getting breakfast ready, Scott was down with the kids. He came up for a cup of coffee and we were just chatting etc.  Suddenly we both realized it was really really quiet, so we headed back to the family room.  Oh man, we both started busting out laughing. Miss Hailey found the cookies Santa didn't finish by the fireplace and was DEVOURING them--her face and hands covered in frosting and sprinkles.  As soon as we called her name, she turned and gave us this big grin and then kept at it, like we were interrupting her! hahaha. That girlie!  All Tyler wanted this Christmas was the Bucky Pirate Ship.  Needless to say, Santa had that one tucked far under the tree---so when Tyler opened Captain Hook's Skull Rock, he said, "All I wanted was Bucky for Christmas, Santa forgot.(with disappointment all over his cute sick face)"  Then he looked and saw that last present under the tree and said, "That must be Bucky. Santa got it for me I'm sure!" He was so excited and opened it super fast.  Bucky has been attached to his hand ever since---thanks Santa! I say it all the time, but I really am lucky to have such a wonderful family, extended family and friends.  I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!



Daddy's little princess! She looked so beautiful for someone who was sick!




My sick kids sharing their germs with Uncle Mark! =)




Tyler loved his big boy bike--Hailey got a bike too!




Me and my lovies!



Hailey and her godfathers at Papa's Christmas



Ty getting a smooch from  his godmother Auntie Sami!



The kids made a house of presents from the Reichel side---
check out the snowman wrapped presents from Angela! So cute! 



I'll have a Blue Christmas----

It happened. Tuesday when I picked Ty  up from school I noticed that only half of his preschool class was there, and once he started walking with me to the car, I just knew. The coughing started then, and well, it hasn't stopped! The poor kid has missed school, gymnastics, a Pavey Christmas  all because he is sick! I took both him and Hailey in to the Dr. Friday hoping he would tell me they would be good for Christmas, but that wasn't exactly what he said. haha. Basically, Ty is in peak of his VERY nasty cold, and Hailey is fighting it, but hers is just starting. WHAT?!?! Her first Christmas sick?!!? So needless to say, I have been nursing on call(thank goodness I have extra stored!) cooking anything they will actually eat,  and cleaning! Scott has been such a huge help, because 2 sick kids are no easy task! Luckily Hailey isn't as bad as Tyler, so on Saturday her and I  were able to sneak out to Pavey's just us girls.  It was so nice to get out of the house and spend some time with Scott's family! Let's hope everyone is better by tomorrow when there are more festivities taking place----ahhh!!!!



All set to go to Pavey's!



Hailey did a great job opening gifts---and loved all of them! Thanks guys!



Her Majesty and her new throne!





My sick little man. This was one of  the first smiles in days! 




So excited for a new movie from Charlie!



Fa la la

I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner!  I knew it would sneak up on me, especially since we are still staying busy.  We checked out lights at Northpark in Arlington Hts. and exchanged gifts with the Foleys.



Enjoying the lights




So cute these two!



The five of them! Crazy how time flies!

Miss Hailey is just cracking me up more and more~she is sooo girlie! Lately she will not leave home without a necklace on! (I'm sure many of you noticed that in our Christmas Cards) Imagine what it will be like once she gets hair! hahaha!



Getting herself all dolled up. She even pretends to put make up on!



Tyler, oh my sweet boy. He just melts my heart. He mentioned that we don't get any alone time anymore, so  he arranged with his dad to take me out on a date. Saturday we went shopping for a gift for him to give his sister, then to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. He was the perfect gentleman and paid all by himself! And to top it off, he bought me the most amazing cupcake from a food truck for dessert! He is going to be the best husband---I wonder where he gets it from. =)

Me and my handsome little man



It was such a great lunch! Thanks Tyler!



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

December is always busy---with all great things! We had Scott's company party at the Abbey in Lake Geneva, a Ubert Christmas, a visit with Santa, checked out the lights at the zoo, and of course cut down our Christmas tree! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


Hailey was sooo not a fan of the "snow". Lets hope she likes the real thing better!



These two love each other so much. 

Our little munchkin. She has been so serious lately when I try to snap a pic, so had to post one of her half smile. hahah



Our family---totally would've been our Christmas card if my hair wasn't in my face! haha




Hailey and her bestie Quinn. Adorable with all their layers!




My two favorite boys---so special!



Ty was so proud of the art he made at the zoo. When did he get so old?




Picking our tree--a fun tradition!




Always wanting to help! Is it really safe for a 3 year old to use a saw? =)



Like father, like son



Hailey was trying so hard to wake Tyler up---she was giggling the whole time!



Really?!?!?!

Before I post some fabulous new pics, just have to share my "really" moments that make me laugh!

Some of Tyler's quotes-----"It's a great day to have a bank account!" What 3 year old is so concerned about this?!? When his favorite barista at Caribou asked him if he would like a cookie(our usual stop at 7 on Sat mornings)---"No thank you, I didn't eat breakfast yet!" What kid turns down a cookie? And last but not least "Dad, I need some help. My stinks smell like the penguins at the zoo." REALLY TY?!?!?!

And of course Miss Hailey has her "really" moments too----She thinks she can walk! Well, it is true, she can, and is getting more and more brave by the day.  Currently she can walk about 5 steps before she decides to fall or crawl again.  She is so close and I know its just a matter of time before my life turns to pure chaos.... And she is still my diva. She gets very mad and will yell at me if I don't let her pick out her own shoes. REALLY?!?! I am going to have it rough when she is 16! Hahaha.  LOVE her!

10 months!

Our little Miss Hailey is growing way too fast! I swear there are days when I think  I can't wait until she is walking, talking, and able to keep up with Tyler, and then there are days when I think, SLOW DOWN and stay this cute little munchkin forever!  Hailey is such a cuddle bug, and has a great sense of humor.  She is becoming more opinionated by the day. She likes to pick our her outfits, bows, and of course shoes every day! She HATES to be told "no". She will throw herself down, cry, scream, and even bite! Yikes! But those behaviors are few and far between, as she normally is just happy go lucky. She loves being around other kids, whether it be on play dates, or even when we pick Tyler up from school.  Hailey takes 2 naps daily, one at 8:30ish and one at 12:45, and nurses 3 times a day. She is eating 3 meals a day as well as a snack or two. She is becoming much pickier with eating, but if she likes something will devour it in seconds. Like, seriously I don't think she breathes while she eats! You would never know she is such a great eater because she is still such a peanut weighing about 19 pounds. Hailey is enjoying more books lately, especially ones with  lift flaps or noises.  She will press the buttons and then dance! Our elf Andy is back, and Hailey thinks he is her friend. She will wave to  him all day long.  She recently discovered toilet paper, and will sneak off to our bathrooms to play with it. Why, I have no idea other than she loves to shred it. Miss Hailey brings such a fun dynamic to our house, and I love that I get to watch her grow everyday! Both Scott and I are so lucky to have such an amazing little lady!

Princess Hailey

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Hailey is learning how to use a spoon



LOVE her!




SOOOO BUSTED!!!



Our little girl



Busy!

And I thought the month of December was busy----We have been having so much fun! Between play dates, school, visiting friends in the quad cities, and Thanksgiving our schedule has been crazy! But we wouldn't have it any other way! =)




I know this pic is blurry, but these three just crack me up!



Our sleeping beauties



Tyler danced with Chuck E Cheese for free tickets!




Where to start on this one----just wait until her 10 month update!




Tyler loves to read to Hailey




When we visited the Cartons in Geneseo, Ty had a blast jumping into leave piles in their yard.
Thanks Jason for raking them! =)



Hailey loves to play games with her dad

Seriously?!?! Can these two be any cuter together?!? I love them sooo much!

Anything like Me

 I love the Brad Paisley song "Anything like Me"---and when I snapped these pics over the weekend, I swear it was playing in my head.  These two melt my heart!





Weekend in Indy!

We decided that before the hustle and bustle of the holidays it would be fun for our family to spend a weekend in Indiana.  We hadn't been to the Indianapolis Children's Museum since Ty was a year and a half, so thought it would be fun to go with both kids. It totally was a blast again! Ty and Hailey LOVED the whole trip. Seeing their faces light up as they were able to explore the exhibits just made my heart melt. I never take for granted being a parent, and in those moments it makes me realize just how much I love them! According to Tyler, the dinosaurs were his favorite, and Miss Hailey just loved the infant play area. And who knew just staying at a hotel would be so fun? Scott booked us a suite, so after the kids were passed out in the other room from the big day of activities(museum, dinner out, swimming at the pool) Scott and I were able  to watch college football!  WAHOO!  I love these mini vacations as a family, and have to thank Scott for making it all possible! What a great life! =)



This is the best dinosaur exhibit--the kids can crawl through a tunnel and be "in" with the dinos!




Hailey checking out a real dinosaur bone!




Ty putting a statue back together



Scuba anyone?!?!



Love this cuddle bug!



Need for speed at the Hot Wheels section

Detailing a car



Pretending to be dogs



Too funny!

An intense game of Tic Tac Toe

And while we were having so much fun in Indy, I have to post what my brother was up to for his 33rd birthday! Thanks Corrinne Esbrook and Jeff King! What a special treat for him!




Billy and Larry Fitzgerald




Jeff King and Billy