EXHAUSTED

Being a big brother is such hard work! 

Lincoln's had a hard time sleeping at night recently...therefore he falls asleep randomly during the day.

Introducing our Grand Finale...Evelyn Ann Stanley

Evelyn Ann Stanley arrived February 5th at 4:45 p.m. weighing 5 lbs 4 oz and measuring 17.5" long.

Love at first sight!

Dr. Van Fossen.  She has been such a friend as well as our Dr through our parenting journey.  We have such gratitude for her stubborn spirit that knew God had more than Brooke in store for our lives.  So thankful that she was able to start and end this path to parenthood with us.

Dr. Kroener was on her way to a Super Bowl party when she got the call that we were delivering.  She dropped her husband off and came to the hospital to assist.  We have such gratitude for the medical gifts that God has given her.

She'll know soon enough these boys look TOUGH, but are such sensitive sweeties too!

Proud doesn't even begin to describe this BIGGEST big sister.

You'd think he owned the place!

Daddy cutting the cord.

Not sure how I was convinced to be photographed...of all four kids, this is the only time I had a hospital photo taken. 

Grandma Nancy

Grandpa Ken

Sledding...FINALLY

Snow was just lacking this winter.  I feel like if it's going to be cold, then we should at least have snow to enjoy.  My job was still to keep Baby safe inside...it was a fun car ride to the hill where I took pictures out the car window.  The kids had a lot of fun and daddy was smart to make sure that everyone understood the number one rule of sledding before they started - "If you ride down the hill, you must walk (not be carried) back up the hill!"

Christmas 2011

We broke the rules of bedrest just a little bit and kept tradition of Christmas Eve at

Grandma Denyse and Grandpa Mark's.

I love this picture of Clayton and Grandma!

Parker's not quite sure what to do with his cousins that don't respect personal space.

Stationary set from Uncle Chris and Aunt Alicia was a favorite!

Grandma Denyse & Grandpa Mark with the grandkiddos

 Christmas Day



Stanley's and Staley's with Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Ken

Brooke insisted that she be in charge of a vegetable for dinner.

Christmas Tradition requires a picture of the kids in their PJ's.

Christmas Adam

On the Duggar's show the other day they mentioned that they call the day before Christmas Eve, Christmas Adam because Adam came before Eve.  I like that.  

And with that information, these were the events of our 2011 Christmas Adam.

Mike was given some awesome basketball tickets to watch the Badgers courtside.  Uncle Chris, Grandpa Mark, Grandpa Ken and Uncle Kenny had a good time.

Back home we frosted cut-out cookies

Christmas Traditions

Picking out a Christmas Tree at Riehle's Tree Farm

 

Daddy's helper.  Lincoln loves watering the tree...
actually, he loves to do anything daddy is doing.



Christmas Cookies

The boys were great kiss unwrappers.

 

Singing in the Children's Program at Spring Creek Church

Making Gingerbread Houses

Thanks Cake & Bake for hosting and eliminating our clean-up!



 Country Springs Holiday Light Display

Chicago Trip

With the anticipation of a new baby and my restrictions, some of our Christmas traditions have been just a little different this year. Mike & I thought it would be nice for the older kids to have a day off of school to spend with daddy. Brooke, Clayton and Mike took an early train down to Chicago to spend the day. They had a great time at the Lego, American Girl and Disney stores, enjoying lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and finishing with a horse drawn carriage ride through the city.



Fun on the train!



 

Inside the carriage

Top bunk...here he comes!

Clayton is FIVE and we've been talking for months now how exciting it will be when he turns 5 and gets to sleep on the top bunk.  Most of the hype has been because he'll need to move to the top bunk out of "necessity" so that Lincoln can assume the position of the bottom bunk...hence making room for Baby in Lincoln's old room.  Clayton's been a bit hesitant about sleeping up there...we'll see how it goes!

He had a great birthday and currently loves all things Lego and Angry Birds.