From the Mind of a Two Year Old...

So mom and dad put me in bed the other night and I was laying in bed kicking the wall like I always do. That's when I started to wonder what my mom keeps in the top drawer of Ben's dresser. I mean I've never seen anyone open that. It must contain something special maybe even magically. So I stood on my tiptoes in my bed and opened that magical drawer ever so silently (as to not disturb my parents). And sure enough my mom was holding out on me. There was actual 'fairy dust' in that drawer. It said Johnson and Johnson on it. If you ever find a bottle of 'fairy dust' I would recommend not squeezing it. And to all you other 2 year olds out there Johnson and Johnson is a rip off. I couldn't fly and it instantly alerted my parents to what I was doing. Oh and the other thing, make sure that while you're trying to quietly put the fairy dust away you also make sure to replace the caps on the diaper cream and baby shampoo that were also contained in the drawer. Apparently mom and dad decidded the only way to get rid of the fairy dust was to drop me in the tub where I was so kindly doused with water.
Let's just say I didn't get to watch any movies today and i got a lecture before bedtime about not touching any other drawers in the room. Which reminds me... I wonder what mom keeps in the bathroom closet...

This is for Paw Paw....

After two straight weekends of seeing extended family and a daily reminder of the promised fishing trip after potty training Luke did the following the other night....

So, Scott decided to actually call Grandpa so he could hear what Luke was up to...

MO trip and more....

As many of you know, we were in St. Charles last weekend for a call interview at Trinity Lutheran Orchard Farms which is just outside St. Charles. We had a very nice visit, Scott was extended the call the following day and we are impatiently waiting the Holy Spirit's gudiance. Of course the extra bonus of hanging out with cousins made the trip all the better.

He's Super Cole! Just wait till this resurfaces when he's 15!


Ben and Grandpa

Sam was ready to be Cole's side kick...and by the way he'll be happy to tell you he's having a "baby sista"

Friday afternoon was WONDERFUL! Scott even got home early from his teachers' conference so we could enjoy the outdoors as a family. Luke got to grill right along side his dad.

And Saturday, Katrina came over to hang out. Ben was in the mood to just chill.

Winter Days

We spend all of our time indoors these days so here are a couple shots from our life.

Yum, good dinner!

Luke's idea of wearing big boy pants (dad's)

those are Christmas stockings (daddy told Luke they were his socks)

this is the end of our first battle of wills.... Mommy won, he slept there for 2 1/2 hours.

Ben loves books, big or small

just chillin'

Our preppy son

Luke also loves books. He really likes his new Narnia book. He got to watch the movie after we read it. So, Grandma J, we're gonna need Prince Caspian, he wants to see the movie.

Trip to Lansing, MI

We took my parents up on an offer to visit my grandparents in Lansing right after Christmas. It was fun to see the boys interact with relatives they rarely or never see.

Luke thought cousin Jon was funny.

Luke tried to talk on Jon's phone while Jon tried showing Luke the picture he had just taken.

Ben found a safe spot in front of Great Grandma J

Great Grandma and Luke

Luke only saw Molly and Audrey for about 5 minutes but he made himself right at home on Gerry's lap.

Apparently Luke and Uncle Josh have the same taste in cousins....they both enjoy Jay's company. (Jay and Uncle Jon brought Luke a box of matchbox cars to keep)

Great Grandpa B. and Ben reading a book.

Four generations of Bickels...and Grandpa's only great grandsons***.

***at time of visit (shout out to the newest member of the great grandson club -Zechariah!)

Missouri Christmas

We celebrated with Scott's family in January. It was a great long weekend for us and Luke really enjoyed the chance to open more presents. Our highlights included the beautiful podium Scott's dad and uncle built for him. He loves people coming into his classroom just to see his new "teaching tool". And also the trip to Grandpa's working where Luke and Cole played with forklifts and drove semis. Here are the pictures...

Ben's Birthday

Due to the size of our tiny house we couldn't invite everyone important in Ben's life to one big birthday bash so we opted for a Trinity party Friday night on his actual birthday and a family party on Saturday. That meant lots of presents and even more cake...needless to say both Ben and Luke had a great weekend.

Katrina had a volleyball game Friday night but still managed to stop by for a little play time before the party started.

I attempted a homemade cake.
Luke helped put on the sprinkles.

Ben made a pretty good showing with his trial run cake Friday night.

And Luke was very helpful with opening presents!

Luke was my big helper at both parties.

Maybe just a taste. (His face was already orange from the chili he had for dinner)

Give the belly some room people!

Ben (and Luke) LOVE the ride and push truck Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sally gave him. They drive it around the house and look for things to scoop up.

Miss Mya looked awful cute in her pigtails.

And Luke couldn't have had more fun with his cousins.