Zane

These kids love their new cousin Zane.

Ballet

Tuesday mornings we head to ballet.  Marketa loves her class and the boys don't mind watching for the half hour.  

Practicing her moves at home.

Teaching little brother.

Getting measured for her recital outfit.

Co-op field trips

On Thursday's we head out for the morning to our homeschool co-op.  The first three Thursdays of the month we meet at a local church for PE, Art, Unit Study and Fine Arts.  The kids love it!  On the fourth Thursday, we go on a field trip.  In September we went to Ledges State park (I posted a few pics from that a few months ago).  In October we went to the Bergstrom Football Complex in Ames and got to see where the ISU football team works out and practices.  The kids got a chance to run around on the indoor practice field.  Then in November we split up and the older kids went to the Ankeny Police Department while the younger kids went to the Ankeny Fire Department.

Getting ready to run on the football field.

This guy ran all the way around the field.

This one took up the rear running around the field, but he made it.

Watching a fireman get is gear on.

Marketa

The other day we stopped for a treat at a local coffee shop.  This girl does not like to leave any crumbs behind.  She had been licking the plate, but as soon as I pulled out my phone to get a picture, she stopped.  She decided to use a different method, which was just about as cute.

Then she sulked cause mom was taking pictures of her.

Christmas Eve

We decided to let the kids open gifts on Christmas Eve morning so they'd have the rest of the day to play with them.

Ready for action

CD from Beth.

More CDs from Beth.

Game from mom and dad.

Book from Peggy and Charles.

Once DVD from Beth…Scott was explaining to Marketa that the lady in the movie is where we got the idea for her name.

Game from Beth.

CD from Beth.

Game/activity from Peggy and Charles.

BBQ Sauce from the North Carolina DeGrootes…can't wait to try that!

Ready for stockings, then off to play in their creature power suits.

Now, for a movie and popcorn before we head off to Cedar Rapids tomorrow.

Getting ready for Christmas

Callum loves to help daddy.  Clearly dad needed a lot of help making sure this Christmas tree made it to the van.

Decorating the tree.

Ready for their Christmas program with the co-op.

This one was not so happy with mom's choice in sweater.

Clearly they are ready to step on stage and sing.

These four decided to use some Christmas money from Great Grandpa to buy some legos for some refugee kids in DSM.  Some friends of mine do a lot with that group and this year they were collecting lego sets for kids who might otherwise not get anything at all.  I love my kiddos for having giving hearts.

Arranging some gifts…and seeing what ones had their names on them.

Stockings hung and ready to be found.

Christmas crafts

These kids love to craft.  I don't do it nearly enough with them, but I don't mind doing Christmas crafts, especially when they are ornaments that can be used.  Here are just a few that we made over the last month…

We made these a few years ago.  I thought I'd pull it out again.  I grew up making these beaded candy canes.

Cardboard and yarn.  We've got plenty of both.  They also got to paint salt dough ornaments (the one in the back) at our co-op Christmas party.

fall catch up

Picking apples at Berry Patch Farm.

Callum decided to start riding a big bike.  Marketa's bike was his only option.  He didn't seem to mind the pink and purple.

Great Grandpa Fjelstad came down from North Dakota to visit.

Aunt Susan came along with Grandpa and she brought some popcorn cake.  My Grandma Fjelstad always used to make it, and now my kids can say they've tried it.

Susan went to the park with the kids and took a fun picture of them on my dad's bench.

Maddox and Beckett love Great Grandpa Fjelstad.

Love my gramps!

Roasting marshmallows at Grandma Bonnie's.

Eating s'mores.

The kids decided to try the trick or treating thing this year.  I think they had fun.

Superman and Cinderella

Jumping in the leaves.

On the look out.

Lunch with cousins.

Sleepover with cousins.