Braces? At age 35+???

So...my teeth have bothered me for some time now and I went to get an evaluation at the orthodontist. What I thought was just a cosmetic problem caused by my wisdom teeth is actually much more...problems with my bite, likely lock jaw and jaw clicking in the future if not fixed, blah, blah, blah. I was really hoping the orthodontist would say "Invisalign (the completely clear retainer like braces) will fix your issues in 6 short months." Instead what I heard was "Old fashioned braces for 2 years." Ugh. Really??? I have to get braces for the 2nd time in my life?? But they will do clear brackets (as if that makes up for having a brace face in my 30s). In order to have this:

I have to first get these:

I know you're all very jealous and wish you could have a metal mouth too!! And guess what?!?! You can!! I would recommend seeing your local orthodontist and we'll do it together. Deal?? Then I won't have to go through puberty again at age 35 alone...someone else can be awkward with me! 

The Winter Doldrums

We are just cranking through the winter doldrums here and hoping for a bit warmer weather soon. We have been waiting for snow since November and we FINALLY got a bit!

We have been hitting up play places to ward off cabin fever, but there are only so many to go to. We did find a new one in Skokie (or Squeaky as Dane calls it)...the Skokie Exploratorium. And Dane also thinks that we took Cookie Highway to get there (Skokie Highway).  "Look Kale, we are on Cookie Highway." Too much Candyland maybe?

Kale catching fish and turtles in the water play area:

 Dane at the giant light bright...the straight, blue line was all him. My type A personality has rubbed off on my eldest:

Here is Kale doing scared and cold (he does the same thing)...clenches his hands into fists, shows his teeth and shakes:

I have found a new hobby...dehydrating food! The boys love dried fruit so I decided to try my hand at it. We have yet to do jerky but the fruit has turned out great!

Cinnamon apples:

And Kale climbing in the lazy susan...always climbing!

 And I will leave you with Dane's latest school project. Foam noodles glued onto construction paper. Here is what he had to say about it:

"I am making a rainbow. There we go. These are going to be trees. I am making a home for George and I have 2 more monkeys to put in."

Barrett's Birthday Party!

We made a very quick trip to Leesburg on Saturday to celebrate Barrett's 2nd birthday. They threw him a Mickey Mouse themed party because he loooooooves Me Mow (that's how Barrett pronounces Mickey Mouse).  Can't wait to take him to Disney World in the fall so he can hang with his fave! Thank you Jeff & Christy for the amazing party!! Sorry we made such a short trip of it!

 And all the kids that made it to the party...what a bunch!

Weekend Visitors

The past 2 weekends we have been lucky enough to have visitors...one very special, 6 week old was back in the midwest from Canada and came to visit us last Saturday, January 5th. I couldn't wait to love on him. Meet Sidney...son of my dear friend and old college roomie (I neglected to take pics while he was here so you'll have to settle for his birth announcement):

Isn't he sweet??

This Saturday, January 12th our home was over run with women. Cameron, Dane and Kale were certainly outnumbered when all of the ladies from mom's side of the family (except one...you know who you are and you were missed) came to visit! Thank you for making the trip...was a great time and cannot wait to host another fun weekend!

More Christmas Festivities...and NYE of course!

On Friday after Christmas (the 28th) we hopped in the car and headed to Leesburg to celebrate Christmas with my family. On Friday the kiddos opened their presents.

On Saturday, Christy rented a bus and planned a wine tasting in Michigan for a group of 14!! We had a great time out with everyone...a fun filled day of adults behaving badly (not really, was actually pretty tame).

On Sunday we headed over to Dad & Pam's to have our Christmas with them. And for some reason I didn't snap any pictures! But...Aunt Christy caught the boys anxiously awaiting dinner!

On Monday (I think...I lost track of the days), they got some snow in Leesburg and the kiddos got to do a little sledding.

Pres, Dane, Barrett & Kale looking cozy

Andon, Dane & Kale above / Pres, Dane & Kale below

One big ol' catch up post

We have been rockin' since before Christmas which is why I am just now catching up on the blog! We went to the Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier on December 20th and the boys loved it. It was perfect for their ages...lots of inflatables, play areas, a few rides Dane could go on....I actually don't think it would be all that fun for kids over age 12, but I've never had a 12 year old so I don't know that for sure.

This ride was Dane's favorite. I went on him with it the first time and in the middle of the ride, he looked up at me giggling and said "can I ride this again all by myself?" And with all the dignity I could muster when I really wanted to cry, I said "of course!" And with that, I got off the ride and left my man child on it to ride all by himself.

A giant rocking horse with Cameron...

 Many kiddie vehicles to drive, Kale was too short to drive so he had to ride with Dane...

 One of many inflatables:

 While waiting in line for the ferris wheel. I was white knuckling it while they were loading the thing and at the very top Dane said "I'm just a little bit scared." But believe me when I say if Dane breathed too hard, I told him to stop moving!

 And poor Kale...I think we wore him out. Sleeping face down...of course I laid him back after I took the picture!

 On the train ride home...

On Friday, December 21st Cameron and I jumped on the train again to head into Chi-town for dinner and a Christmas party. 

No idea what Cameron found so funny...

On Christmas eve, we headed over to Gma and Gpa Hatten's house to open a couple gifts and eat. Again. Pretty sure that all we did is eat for 2 consecutive weeks.

 Watching a little Christmas movie before heading home to set out cookies & milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

And of course...Christmas day. Santa was good to us this year. Blessed.

 M&m's for breakfast? Sure! It's Christmas!

                                                

I hope that you all had an amazing Christmas...wonderful time spent with family & friends!