Happy 5th Birthday Nolan!

Nolan turns 5 today!  WOW... where does the time go?  Looking back at some past pictures it is clear that kids grow up WAY too fast!  At any rate, kids look forward to each and every birthday and it's such a fun time to celebrate with them!  Happy Birthday Nolan, we love you VERYmuch!!!!  We celebrated low key today with Spiderman cupcakes and Nolan's favorite meal, pancakes and sausage. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

there is so much to be thankful for, I cannot even begin to list; it's been a great year for this family and we are so blessed!  We enjoyed a great pre-Thanksgiving meal with my parents last weekend, and on Thursday morning, we continued our annual ritual of watching the Macy's parade.  I was busy preparing our contribution to the noon Thanksgiving feast, but the kids had a good time watching the floats and performances.  Then it was off to the Merrill's for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a delicious meal and great company as well!

The weekend has continued to be one of my favorites.  It seems much slower paced than other holidays (thanks to having Friday off).  I feel like I've been able to get some things done around the house and spend some time with the kids.  We've already begun some baking in anticipation of Randy's annual deer hunting trek this next weekend.  The older kids and I even decorated a gingerbread house this afternoon.  Christmas cards are out, and some online shopping is also done.  The next week is hectic, as I will be traveling for work and Nolan turns 5 on Monday, so it's good to get a good start on things!  Tomorrow Randy and I will be doing our Christmas shopping, so I am looking forward to a day away:)  The kids will have a great time at Grandma and Grandpa Sabelka's!

Busy weekend and 1 year check up

Well, the Sabelka's are gearing up for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving!  It's busy, busy busy in our household with Luther PALS activities, preparation for Eryn's first Reconciliation, and me finishing school (YIPEE!!).  Yesterday I made 4 dozen cookies for Nolan's school program, a pan of bars for Eryn's celebration at church, then decided to make 2 pumpkin pies!  We are having an early Thanksgiving supper tonight at my parents, so it's another weekend filled with lots to do.  Luckily, everyone has remained relatively healthy, despite several papers home from Eryn and Nolan indicating Strep in the classroom:(

Derek had his one year check up this week as well.  Weighing in at just over 23 lbs, he is also in the 75% for his height; I think he may end up to be the tallest of our children!  Poor kid had to have shots and blood drawn!  In addition, he had fluid on his right ear, so the dr. went ahead and prescribed some antibiotics.  He hadn't been really showing signs of his ear hurting, so I'm glad it didn't need another office visit!  He's really been working on those teeth so we just assumed that it was the teeth.  He will need to have his ears checked again in 3 months for the fluid.

Party Time!!

Last weekend we celebrated the boy's birthdays.  Nolan thought it was great to celebrate early!!  As always, everyone had a great time!  The house is more cozy and full every year with more and more kids!  Makes it more fun too!!  Here are some of the pics from the day.  I have to tell you the story about this last picture though, it's too cute not to share!  One evening the kids and I had already eaten supper and I had left a plate of food on the table for Randy.  I was helping Nolan with his bath when I came out, I noticed a pancake was missing from the plate.  Low and behold, Mr. Derek had swiped his pancake and settled down in front of the tv to eat it.  This kid cracks me up:) 

Derek is 1!

Derek turned one yesterday!  We had a good time opening gifts and eating cake just as you should on your birthday!  Although he wasn't photogenic, Derek loved being sang to and the center of attention!!  Good practice for the birthday party for him and Nolan next weekend!!  I think the two older kids are having just as much fun with the new cookie monster toy as Derek is!

Happy Halloween!!!