3 pink bottles...

of antibiotics in the fridge. What a week!! First, we were up all night with Mazie as she had her first ear infection. That same day Atticus woke up with bright red, fire engine goopy eyes. Viral, mazies eyes looked gunky as well but cleared up sooner than Atticus'. Wednesday we were up all night with Atticus screaming in pain, ear infection too! Next Piper started complaining of a sore throat, STREP!! So everyone is on Amoxicillan. And, if Atticus and Mazie had strep, it will hopefully be cleared with their ear infection medicine. Today, everyone seems much happier. Although Piper was really looking forward to starting kids yoga and because of her throat will have to postpone until next week. They started yoga for kids at Corepower (where I do yoga) and Piper is pumped.
We have been very grateful for the slightly warmer weather. Today Atticus and I hit the hills for some super fast sledding. He loved that the snow was packed and did not fly in his face. I loved the speed. We really flew, it was super fun. This weekend I also enjoyed Renee's bachelorette party, fun times with fun gals. She is getting married quite soon.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

 

 

 

Piper has a classmate whose father, Micheal Kareken, has an exhibit at the MIA. His paintings (oil, I think) were amazing in their detail (See bottom photo of bottles). They were all about the urban landscape and a recycling plant outside his studio window. The kids were going to take a fieldtrip to the museum but got froze out that day because of the subzero temps. Atticus loved the magnetic crane painting. Did not get a pic of that one. The pictures above are the works of a photographer NOriko Furnunishi whose work I really enjoyed! I took the kids there Friday to check it out. The kids did awesome at the museum, they asked quite a few questions and actually enjoyed the exhibits. I thought that they would be wild, but no, they were angels. We may be going more often now!!!! Atticus pointed out all the anatomy on the sculptures he saw, he was quite concerned at one point that he was going to be peed on in the Roman section. Piper was inspired to ask questions about what life was like for the people represented in the art. It was fun!

Ice Skating

 

 

 

We went to the rink yesterday for some fun. Piper is skating now and starting to get comfortable on the ice, now it is just practice. She has also started to prefer jeans. Fancy jeans, but jeans. This has led us to a mad scramble to get to the mall so that she does not have to juggle through the measly 2 pairs of pants she has. This change of heart has come with the realization that it is much harder to shove a skirt into snowpants than pants.

Zoo time

We met up with Zane, Asher and Andrea at the zoo a couple of days ago. We had a great time exploring. Last weekend, Piper participated in kids make a differance. She (and Atticus who did not go because he had a cold) chose a toy to give to a homeless shelter for kids who celebrate their birthday in a shelter. Then they made cards to go with the gifts. Next month, they will be taking Valentines to a nursing home. I am so excited to be introducing them to service work. Thanks for inviting us Chrislee!

Where is Mazie??

 

 

 

Mazie is everywhere these days. Mainly on top of things, as the pictures show she climbs onto the table, the radiator cover, anything. This has led to a couple of tumbles and 2 fat lips. I am often steps away when it happens. Arrgghh, I may actually have that heart attack afterall.

The Rampbell family

Apparently, Santa worked too hard this year and got confused. Uncle Dallas made a trip up to his roof the other day and found a box of presents addressed to the "Rampbell Family". Since Dallas knew that there are no Rampbells in his condo he brought the box to our house to see if Piper and Atticus could solve the extra special mystery. Luckily they were able to analyze the code and discover that Santa had dropped off presents for them at Dallas and Rachels! Whoa, we did not think Santa EVER made mistakes. Atticus loves the remote control truck (as does chris)! Piper is talking non stop and texting too, on her new blackberry. Thanks guys, so sweet and cute.

New Years Eve

We brought in the New Years with kids and friends. We had a mellow, enjoyable evening. New Years Day Jen came to town and we went to Crave for some fun, shopping and conversation.

After the museum....

Mazie chillin at Big Al's in La Crosse after the museum.

We caught Mazie in the bathroom brushing her teeth.

What you talkin about Willis?

Piper did some climbing on the wall. ( She loved this).

We had a hard time tearing Atticus away from the firetruck.

Even Mazie had fun, but tuckered out.

La Crosse

We went to La Crosse for the 3rd leg of our trip to see Grandpa Joan. We had a great time hanging out, visiting the children's museum, seeing Christmas lights and then driving home with our new GPS!!!! Thanks guys, we LOVE it!! Heres Grandpa with Piper and Atticus.

Time for Mazie to join in the fun.

Sweet Piper in her new hat and gloves.

Atticus playing with his new trucks.

experimental aviation musuem

By far the best thing we did in WI this trip was the EAA museum. It was one of the most interesting museums I have EVER been too~ and I have been to alot of museums. Aside from the crazy airplanes (all experimental aircraft) they had really fantastic simulators for adults and kids. Planes, Planes, Planes.

It was kids week at the museum and they had some games including an egg toss. Chris and Atticus won the contest by not breaking their egg as it dropped from the second floor with this cool landing pod and parachute. Piper and I had a very soft landing with ours (see pic below) but the egg still broke.

Here is Chris and my mom in the flight simulator. They spent a lot of time upside down. I may have vomited had I gone in.

Here is Chris in another simulator. They also had hot air balloon simulators, glider simulators and a whole mess of other stuff that could have kept us entertained for many hours, had food not torn us away.

More Experimental Aviation Pics

After to Christmas we headed to Fond Du Lac where we hung out with nana and the kids got to see their cousin Declan. Piper got some fabulous accessories from my mom which wore with joy. The accessories came with makeup which she not so sparingly applied.

But the most exciting thing for Piper, was getting her ears pierced. She did awesome sitting like a statue. She also was a trooper because she had to get her ears shot twice as the left ear did not go all the way through on the first go. Since the piercing Piper has shown good responsibility by cleaning her ears and rotating her earrings with minimal help.

Here we all are at the Red Robin.

Self shot of Chris and Atticus.