Thanksgiving - 2011 - Urbandale, Iowa

 The boys absolutely ADORE playing with their cousins! :)

We always have a great time when we gather together with David's family - 

thanks Uncle Barry for getting pics of almost everybody! 

(Catching Up...) - Fall Fun 2011!

 Owen looks forward to carving  pumpkins every year!

Eli prefers to watch from a distance (he's not a fan of getting his hands messy...this is also the case at the dinner table...we always have a towel nearby!)

Papa & Nana Kalvik took them to the patch this year while we had a nice afternoon 'off duty'. :)

Eli prefers painting faces rather than carving...

A great mid-morning activity after story time at the library!

It was a joint project, but he gave VERY specific 'suggestions' for how it should look - HA!

 As soon as leaves begin to fall, we can count on Owen asking when the raking will begin:

Daddy's so nice to indulge in their request to 'help'.

And the BEST part -

First Days of School

Eli waiting for his bus to arrive to take him to his first day a Crossroad Preschool!

Final Days of Summer {2011}

We had one final dip in the neighborhood {Elliot}Park wading pool on Labor day...

Followed by one more DQ treat...

Owen was proud to take this photo himself

Thanks Daddy David for working hard driving the Pedi Cab all summer! :)

Minnesota State Fair - 2011

4th of July!

 Playing a little bit of catch up in posting -

Here's a glimpse of our festivities 4th of July weekend.

Family Updates

~Summer Updates 2001~

ELI:
Just like his brother at this age, Eli will also sit for extra long periods of time for books - he really gets immersed in art coloring and painting as well...

He's found new love of puzzles!
It's amazing the skill he has for even very complex puzzles intended for older children...

Funny Phrases:

"Hey wat's dat?"

"How 'bout _____" (fill in the blank of what he wants to do at the moment...watch a show, read a book, wrestle...)

"Zoey, don't take my arm!" (when she pulled her leash hard)

"Hey, let me talk!"

"No, let ME do_____ !"
Eli is so insistent on doing things on his own, that he will even re-do, re-open/close things to feel he's done it....open fridge to put back cup- close it and re- open it to 'find' his drink.....put blanket back on couch *under a pillow* to remove the pillow and "find" it - i'll re-close the garage door so he can have the satisfaction of opening it...etc. etc.
current favorite song - 'happy birthday - sing it to several people even if not present.

He likes to play the "I love" game:   He'll say "I love ______" and fill in the blank several different times in succession from captain hook, to batman as well as mommy, daddy, owen.

It's pretty hilarious that he'll occasionally speak about himself in the 3rd person:

"Don't do that Eli!"   (rather than, "Don't do that to me!")

Knows almost all the lyrics to 'Sweet Caroline'

Favorite Shows:
Scooby Doo, Super Readers...

Eli is very passionate about life all around - Absolutely delightful when he's happy, yet the world comes crashing down when upset.


OWEN:
Is a complete sponge of learning!
Favorite school projects:
- Learned about maps - made a city with boxes
- Solar System
- Civil War
- Sight Words
- Reading short stories
Bible memory - He memorized several consecutive verses which he recited at his schools Creative Expressions Night.  He was then rewarded with a medal for his efforts which he still wears regularly! :)

Owen began  T-ball over the Summer!

Owen began planning his (May) Birthday party back in February (he's a planner like me)
He's been missing Arkansas.

He thoroughly enjoys our new family tradition/ritual of family pizza and movie night every Friday night!


Owen sayings:
"Are you kidding me?"
"Seriously?"
"I'll tell you one thing...."
(so adult) :)

Birthday Gifts 2011

Since the boys had separate parties this year, we had a family gift opening morning in-between the parties:

Eli's favorite:  Peter Pan figurines!

Owen's favorite gift: - The game, Candy Land (his 'big' gift was having a large party with friends)

Mega Frisbee, art supplies, new tank top and game

Peter Pan toys, 2 new shirts, pirate hook, part of art set, and the movie, Peter Pan

Eli's 3rd Birthday : A Pirate Party!

For the last several months, Eli has been infatuated with pirates. So, of course we centered his Birthday theme around them! He loved everything!

below the cake is a favorite birthday gift, peter pan figurines!

Eli loves to sing Happy Birthday to everyone...even himself! :)

 

Captain Eli enjoying his cake...

Birthday guests included Papa and Nana Kalvik as well as some neighborhood friends!

Tessa (in the pink coat) will be in Eli's preschool class in the fall!

An Interview with Owen after Graduating Kindergarten

Owen with one of his best buds, Brian, at Graduation picnic.

I am really good at: Reading

I like to: Play Star Wars

My favorite thing to learn at school: How to Read

1 person who makes me laugh: Daddy when he plays "monkey man"

One word that describes me: Joyful

I am really happy when: I get to play in the gym at school

I am really sad when:  

When I don't get to do something fun because I've been naughty

My favorite book: The Star Wars Book from the Library

My favorite TV show:  Curious George

My favorite vacation:  The Beach at North Carolina

I like school when: We get to learn about fabric and paint

I don't like school when: WHAT!? I never don't like school!!

My favorite season:  Summer

My favorite toy: My Guitar

My worst nightmare: When a monster was chasing me.

Things that make me mad: When Eli is mean to me.

Favorite sport:  Basketball

I like my Dad because: He makes funny faces sometimes.

I like my Mom because: She holds me.

I like my family because: They take me places.

Happy 6th Birthday, Owen!

Owen Chose a 'Braves and Bandits' theme:

Owen helped bake and decorate his cake!

He invited friends from church and school!

Eli has always eaten his Pizza up-side down....HA! :)

The guests could make either a headband with feather or cowboy/girl hat on headband:

Group photo!

Happy Birthday to Owen!

We ended the party with a pinata!