CD part 2

Christmas Day part 2 consisted of packing up at my parents, heading home, taking a nap, and then our family gifts. One of Abby's gifts was a car hauling semi truck. I'm not sure if she will get a chance to play with it. She 'made' Eric line up all the cones and help her put all the cars on.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Brogger Family. I am very excited to start a new year. Like most people I have a list of resolutions and goals for the year to come. I don't think I will post online what they are, I might just mention them to my hubby so he can hold me accountable.

Christmas Day 2010

Christmas Day started by sleeping in, piling the kids in the car still in their jammies, and heading over to my parents for a huge brunch with my siblings, spouses and all the kids.

After brunch, before gifts, grandma read the Christmas Story . Only a few of the kids took interest, but it was good for them to hear again why we celebrate this special day.

Papa and the girls checking out some of their new toys.

Christmas Eve 2010

We spent the first half of Christmas Eve relaxing at home, well most of us. Eric had to work in the morning, so it was just the girls and myself. I had a little baking to finish up on for that night so it was nice to have a quiet morning.

After the kids' nap, we headed over to Eric's moms house along with his sister Susan, Bobby and their kids for dinner, dessert and gifts!

Grandma and Meggie having some snuggle time!

Abby, Aaliyah and Megan at the kiddie table finishing up their dessert.

Abby giving the camera a quick smile.

Boss 2010

Sunday morning we headed 2hrs north to a little town called McBain. My Uncle and Aunt just finished building a beautiful new house on their farm, the perfect place with plenty of room to have a party.

Brooke holding a very scared kitty

Kara making sure Megan 'pets nice' Both of my girls would have LOVED to take home a kitty or 3.

After lunch, dessert, snacks, presents, coffee and more snacks, the hubby's took the kids for a walk around the farm. Horses, cows, cats, dogs, tractors and birds were just a few things to check-out. Above picture, Kara is showing Abby the milking parlor, giving her a close-up look at where milk comes from.

Grandma and Meggie getting cozy

Huizenga 2010

We had our first Christmas party of the year on Saturday, the Huizenga party.

Again this year we held the party at 'The Rock' in Byron Center. It's a huge gym and kitchen, what more do you need?! Ordering pizza and everyone bringing something to pass makes for a easy, stress free party.

This year was bit different, we are mourning the sudden loss of my Aunt Bonnie who passed just a few short weeks ago.

Some or the girls, all dressed in pink, eating some yummy snacks

16 kids from the age of 6 and under, and one more on the way! This is why we rent a gym for our party!!
Abby has been asking for a dog for Cmas, I finally caved!! They both got Pucci Pets, that's as close as I get to having a pet in the house.

Graduated

After 3 yrs in a crib, Abby finally graduated to a 'big girl' bed!

I purchased bedding a few months back when I was at Ikea, it matched the current paint in her room. No need to repaint is a plus in my book!

Now for the hard task. Getting her out of diapers at night. She has been 'daytime' potty trained since she was 2, but still wears a diaper for her naps and at night. We just made a trip to Target to pick-out some new 'fancy' pull-ups. I hope that will do the trick! Wish me luck!

Bunny Love

When Abby heard that my friend Tammi and her daughter, Ella got a cute, furry, little baby bunny.... it was only a matter of time before we had to see it.

This past week we headed over to the Meengs house to check out the new little bunny. Both the girls wanted to hold and pet it. I think the little bunny, Nibblet, was very happy to see us leave.

Abby is so happy trying to feed the bunny carrot tops!

Behind

Meggie Mae turned 18months TWO months ago!! I can't believe we are right around the corner of her second birthday!!! He favorite thing right now is to fight with her sister. She wants to do everything, and have everything her sister has. This made it very easy to Christmas shop this year...just buy two of everything.

From the Dr.

Height 31.5" 42%

Weight 22lbs 8oz 22%

Head 47cm 62%

3 Years

This post comes 2 1/2 weeks late, but to my defense I just found my camera after being lost for a week and a half.

Happy 3rd birthday to our wonderful first born daughter, Abilgail Rae!! She is such a joy in our life!

We had 2 parties this year to celebrate, and as usually there was no shortage of food, family and gifts!! Abby received her first Barbie, new dolls/furniture for her doll house, games and her favorite, a purple and pink unicorn pillow pet!!

Two parties means two cakes!

Abby's 3 yr stats

Weight 29lbs 8oz 39%

Height 38.5" 79%

Head 49.5cm

Halloween

Our tradition on Halloween has always been to have some friends/family over, dress up the kids, take them around Moline and then head back to our house for a little party....this year was no different. Abby is already asking when we can go to the neighbors and ask for more candy.

Sticking with the theme of Halloween, Eric and the girls carved the pumpkins this year. Both the girls had a great time scooping out the insides and picking out the seeds so I could clean and roast them.

Pumpkins

The Brogger's never made it to 'Pumpkin World' or any of the huge pumpkin patches this year to select the perfect pumpkins. So the next best thing was the wagons by the highway! The girls had so much fun searching for 'the one'

Fall Football

My knowledge of football could fit in a thimble, but despite that, it is a fun sport to watch.

Myself and the girls headed out one cold, windy, Wednesday evening to watch our two nephews play one of their last games on the season. They both did a great job and we all had so much fun watching.

Kyle on the left and Brandon on the right

Abby listening in on the coaches pep talk with the players.

Trip #2

After having such a great time downtown for ArtPrize a week ago, we couldn't wait to go back and see more.

Saturday morning Jackie, myself, and the kids loaded in the burb and headed toward Fulton St. to check out a few more exhibits.

We started by hitting to B.O.B. circling around by Rosa Park, weaving our way east and ending back at the Children's Museum.

Abby and Audra were a little scared of the big pig, always asking if was going to fly away.

Audra and the little baby cub.

All the kids loved the elephants, watching their heads move. Abby's cheesy smile was the trend of the day for the kids.

Once we finished up at the museum, it was time for lunch. Being on that end of town, we decided a much overdue trip to Yesterdog was in order.

Megan taking a minute to give the fake smile while enjoying her 'dog'
Audra showing her love for Yesterdog with a BIG smile!

ArtPrize 2010

Last year we never made it downtown to see this thing called Art Prize, so this year we made it a must go-and-see event, and I'm so glad we did.

Friday night Eric, myself, the girls and Eric's mom headed downtown to check out just a hand full of all the awesome exhibits.

I really hope that we will be able to make at least one more trip to see more.

Just a couple of Abby's favorites!

What's so great about Art Prize for me, you don't have to be a huge fan of art to enjoy this event. It's so much fun to get outside, walk around downtown with your family and friends and just enjoy our city....and people watch!

Old and New

After many, many months of prayer for a new job for Eric, the Lord answered those prayers with a job offer from Masterpiece Flower Co.

Eric spent the last 9yrs at Waste Management. He started on city routes, then moved around in the company finally ending at the landfill about 4yrs ago. While working at WM was OK, we were very ready for him to make a switch to something new.

Autumn Hills (a.k.a. the landfill) made sure Eric knew he would be missed, they even had a farewell party on his last day.

Eric is one of 8 company drivers at this wonderful locally owned company.

Eric and the girls showing off his new, custom ordered, VERY cool, 2011 Volvo truck.

8 Years

8 years ago today, I married the most wonderful man! Happy Anniversary, Eric.

Bugs

Abby is a lover of all the creepy, crawly little bugs.
Right before bed the other night, she found this 'butterfly' which lasted about 10min before it received a fatal blow from two little hands ;-(

52nd Annual BBQ

This past weekend we attending the Drenthe 52nd Annual Chicken BBQ, this was the 3rd year we have gone. The town of Drenthe is next door to where Eric works so his employer, WM buys everyone enough tickets for their families for attend.


There is a chicken BBQ dinner, of course, and plenty of activities to keep everyone happy. Antique tractor, face painting, fire trucks, petting zoo and TONS of other activities! This little farming town can throw a party.




Abby LOVES tractors, so her and Eric had to check them out.
Megan and the goat getting to know each other


Abby's favorite was the baby chickens, she did a great job of picking them up, not so good at putting the down. Trying to sit long enough to have a butterfly painted on her cheek, which she smeared about 2 minutes after it was done.

Unfortunately this was probably our last year attending the party, Eric starts a new job on MONDAY!!!

Back to Back

This week we did 2 days of hiking at Hall Lake in Yankee Springs. We just purchased a Kelty Kids backpack for Megan, and wanted to make sure it got used.

Tuesday night we met up with our friend Brian, and a few dogs, to do the 2 miles hike.

Eric and I split the time hauling Megan

Wednesday night we headed back out to meet with 3 other couple and their kids to do more hiking. We did some of the same trail as the night before, but broke off on another. There are miles and miles of trails to hike and bike!

Everyone getting ready to head outMike and Eric (each with a child in tow) blazing the trail, keeping us at a rapid speed.
The Rottman's taking a second to humor me with a 'smile for the camera'