Getting ready for Squirt

Less than 6 weeks until our scheduled C-section at Community Memorial Hospital (39 days to be exact).

Belly growing-check

Growing rapidly-check

Room painted and decorated-check

Clothes clean, folded and put away-check

Diapers accumulating- check

Two cute boys ready to welcome little brother-check

What is left to do you ask?

• find an area rug and lamp
• pack a bag for the hospital
  
• make sure the freezer is stocked with meals (working on this one)
• put new batteries in the bouncer and swing
• be patient as squirt grows to a healthy size
• fit in one more date night with the hubby
• take the boys to a sibling class at the hospital

Am I forgetting anything????

Snowy day

The boys and I went across the street to the Banting field and went sledding today. They had such a great time. Casey is such a good brother dragging Caleb all over the place. He even pulled him up the hill.





When we came in I gave them their very first cups of hot chocolate. They LOVED it! More like momma everyday!

Afterward we ALL took nice long naps...ahhh.

Starting off the New Year

New Year's Eve in the Buntrock household was relaxing and fun. We started off our celebration by spending the morning as a family at Monkey Joe's. The boys had a great time climbing, sliding and jumping.
The afternoon was spent resting up for the big night. We ordered pizza, the boys watched a movie, and Matt and I worked on a puzzle. Lights out by 10:00 pm and we all got a great night of sleep. Now that is my idea of starting the new year off right!


My hubby on the other hand needed some more excitement to start of 2011. He joined a couple of buddies to jump in Lake Michigan on New Year's Day. It is referred to as the "polar bear plunge". So here is my crazy man before and after the jump!If you care to see more footage you can visit Matt Weis' blog at http://mattweis.blogspot.com/2011/01/polar-plunge-2011-bradford-beach.html

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010 was awesome. We made so many great family memories
that we will cherish for a lifetime.

Top Ten Moments

1. Watching the boys open their Polar Express Train set from Grandpa and Grandma B.
2. Finding out my brother Andy is engaged
3. Singing Silent Night at Christmas Eve Service
4. Having Casey ask to feel squirt dance in my belly during church
   
5. Christmas morning with just the 4 of us
6. Watching the kids play at Nana and Buppa's house
   
7. Cuddling up with my hubby to watch a Christmas movie
8. Having Grandma Karen, the Reeds, my brother and Christina over for appetizers
9. Sharing Jesus' birthday cake with the family
10. Enjoying quality time with loved ones
    

Blessing from above

This year I decided to get the shopping, card making, and cookie making done early so that I wouldn't get sucked up in the business of the holiday season. I am happy to say that it worked. In fact...this past week has been so enjoyable and relaxing! So much so that I have really been able to let every moment count.

Sunday was a day that has to go down as one of my favorite family days yet. I got to start my morning cuddling in bed with my hubby and Caleb. Usually Caleb drags me out of bed, but that morning he cuddled with me for nearly 30 minutes. It reminded me of when he was a newborn and I would feed him in bed and cuddle up close.

That afternoon we had a special surprise for our boys...tickets to see their favorite movie, Polar Express, at the IMAX theater downtown Milwaukee. We told them about 5 minutes before we left where we were headed. They were so excited!

We brought our popcorn, candy canes and juice boxes and were all settled in our seats ready for the show. They were mesmerized throughout. Matt and I would frequently glance across the boys and smile at one another. We knew this could be a yearly tradition. Caleb was in such awe I don't think he touched his popcorn until half way through the movie. Casey on the other hand went through 3 refills of popcorn and a candy cane. He tried to sneak a second candy cane in fact! That's my boy!

After the movie we drove around to see the lights of downtown Milwaukee. The boys just love looking at Christmas lights. Casey is so good at pointing out all of the really cool decorations. On the way home Casey fell asleep so we had a quiet ride enjoying the lights and snow.

When we got home Casey had a hard time transitioning into bed. So, I crawled in bed with him to read him a Christmas story. It reminded me of how much he has always loved books. Since he was a little baby he has enjoyed story time before bed.

How blessed we have been with such amazing little boys. Being pregnant with yet another little boy this Christmas season really makes me reflect on Mary and her baby boy. I can't imagine carrying a baby that was going to save the world from sin.

Even though my children are one of the most special gifts God has given me...Mary's son Jesus is the greatest gift. Because of Him, my family has the opportunity to live in heaven someday because he came to Earth to be our savior one Christmas day long ago.

I hope you all have the time during the hustle and bustle of the season to reflect on the greatest gift God has given to you and your family. He has blessed us with much, but the gift that truly matters is his one and only son, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas!

More Holiday Fun!

We have been having so much fun this month as we celebrate and get ready for our Savior's birthday. Here are just a few of the highlights thus far.

Matt and the boys spent an evening decorating a gingerbread Christmas train. Casey and daddy did most of the decorating while Caleb ate the candy.

A couple of Saturdays ago I spent the morning at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission wrapping Christmas gifts for children along with 20 other women from my Sunday school class. Afterward we headed to the Olive Garden for lunch and a cookie recipe exchange. That morning was a highlight for me this holiday season.

This past week Casey's school had a special Christmas activity night at school. Since Casey goes to school with his cousins, they were at the party too. The kids were able to decorate cookies, ornaments and wrapping paper. They also wrote letters to Santa and then had the opportunity to give him their letters in person. We were shocked that Casey approached Santa and spoke to him.

Last but not least, our annual Sunday school Christmas party (adult only). We had so much fun conversing with friends and eating some delicious food. Thanks for hosting Bud and Jess!

Take a good look at this fabulous bunch...they just so happen to be the best friends anyone could ask for.

A week full of fun and family

Last week Thursday Casey had the day off of school so we called up his buddies, Eli and Lilly to see if they could meet us at Kids in Motion (our new favorite hang out). It just so happened to be Eli's little sister Lucy's 2nd birthday. So we stayed for lunch and cupcakes. It was so fun, and relaxing to watch the kids as they played all morning long.

Lilly, Eli and Casey...the 3 musketeers

Caleb enjoyed the frosting

We headed home in the afternoon to prepare for our special weekend visitors, Auntie Nikki and cousin Makena. The boys couldn't be more excited to meet their new cousin!

We spent the day Friday hanging out and playing with our new little buddy. She is such a good little girl. She seemed to really enjoy watching the boys play around her. Casey gave her lots of love and Caleb tried...he had cold sores and a sinus infection so we tried to keep him away.

Precious princess sleeping

She loved jumping around and watching Casey play trains

Cuddles on the couch with Uncle Matt

Saturday we went to the mall for a bit to shop, see Santa and have some lunch. Makena got to see her first snowflakes as we all enjoyed the first snowfall of the season. Casey had a blast outside helping Matt shovel. When they were done they made snow angels and a snowman.

Saturday night Auntie Nikki and her friend Rhiannon babysat the boys for us so we could have a date night. We went to the Olive Garden for dinner and the to the Milwaukee Rep to See A Christmas Carol (which was awesome). Thanks so much ladies!On Sunday morning it was off to church for the children's Christmas program. Casey was so excited that Auntie Nikki, Makena and his little brother were going to be in the audience to watch him sing his two songs. He did such a great job.

Sunday afternoon we had a Packer party at our house so family could come by to see Nikki and Makena. It was so much fun. Thanks to everyone who came to hang out with us for the afternoon.

Grandpa Bob and the Buntrock kids

The party animals cheering on the Pack

I think my flash took Makena off guard!

The three little Buntrock kids
Cuddles with Auntie Joy

Thanks for visiting Makena, we miss you already!