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I have finally used up all the room on this free blog. Our new blog is:

Devosdoings.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

Fingerpaint Fun

Step 1. Make sure the paint is covering your whole hand. 

Step 2. Creating masterpiece number one. 

Step 3. Now that she finished her first masterpiece it was on to a second one. 

Step 4. Smear it everywhere so Brigett gives me a bath in the sink. 

Complete!

Recipe for Happiness

Friday night after taking Tyler back to college my wonderful friend Nancy and her daughter, Aubree, came over for supper and drinks. We only live 12 miles from each other now! The Smith's also came over to join in on the fun. The women spent most of the time gabbing in the kitchen, the men in the fox hole and the kids ran around the rest of the house. 

Saturday we spent the day with Chloe and Cooper while Hollie and Jason had a date. Chloe and I made jewelry while Steve and Cooper relaxed on the couch watching Pup Patrol, amongst 30 other activities to keep these two busy kids entertained. 

Today I got my first Conscious box of goodies in the mail from the Kneifl's. It was full of nutritious goodies, supplements and health and beauty samples. What a fun and delicious surprise every month!

Today after watching Chloe cheer and lunch at Boji with Cooper and Jason we went to the Kneifl's for playtime and a delicious chili supper. Everlee kept Steve busy running, jumping, and horsey play. 

And as I sit back tonight on the couch, with my husband, in this big quiet house, I realize that I have the perfect mix of friends, family and alone time to call it a great weekend. 

Clean up time!

I'm always trying to reinforce skills that mama and daddy are teaching Everlee. So, today when she threw all her beans on the floor during lunch I thought she could "help" sweep up her mess. She eagerly got the broom from the closet, was running and singing everywhere. She sure is a happy domestic engineer;)

Back at it

I've enjoyed my extra time at home with Tyler over break but it sure seemed like this little one grew up a lot over the last week. 

After play doh she wanted to play the up down game. 

I adore her smiles and giggles. 

Here she is "down."

Now she is "up."

Preface: she loves to watch the video of Steve, Tyler and I  singing Happy Birthday to her on my phone.  So today we made a birthday cake/candles with play doh and I sang to her. She laughed every time. 

So for her finale of the up/ down game she stood up, blew out her candles, and yelled "YEE HAW!" A new phrase she learned with gramma coco and poppa Rudy. It was absolutely adorable!

Tag Team

The finger flashlight was so fun to play with. 

McDonalds for lunch on Saturday with gramma. 

Since it was so good we did it again for lunch on Sunday!

Chloe and Rose performing a cheer stunt routine. 

Chloe racing on mater tow truck and Cooper waving the finish line flag. They have such imaginative minds. 

With Hollie and Jason on a birthday getaway, gramma and I filled in to sit with the kids. I love being able to spend time with these two. They definitely keep you on your toes;)

Cousins Monday

I can look but can't touch those adorable red curls!

It was so fun to have Tyler with us again today to play with. Everlee and Tyler played "pool" by rolling the balls back and forth. 

Tyler also had a fun time flying Rich's helicopter. He even landed it on the blade of their ceiling fan. Another milestone a mother can be proud of;) Wonder if I'll be as proud when first semester grades come out tomorrow?!

Super Saturday

Cha cha slide anyone?!

Grampa showing a new magic trick that didn't go quite right. 

I love these two peanuts. Being a parent is the greatest gift but there is something very special about being an aunt. 

Saturday we came to Sioux City and had the whole Devos clan over for the evening. Once again the food was delicious and the time spent together was fabulous! My cheeks are still hurting from all the laughing. A huge thank you to mom and dad for hosting, cooking and opening up there home to all of us:)

Fun Friday

With Steve working, Jason opened the up the Fox Hole for Fun Friday. We love entertaining and having family over. 

The reason for the season

Our first Christmas in our new home was perfect! It is so wonderful to have family gather to eat, drink and be merry. We've enjoyed playing cards and watching movies with Tyler home. Being able to be a part of Chloe, Cooper and Everlee's lives on a daily basis is simply breathtaking to watch them grow. Steve loves having a small nook in the house where he can hang out with the guys. Lastly, I love that the women are able to share and have girl talk. This is what the season is all about:)

Finger painting

Concentrating very hard...

Now both hands were smearing the paint all over. 

Saying "cheese!"

We had a busy day today. It started off with play dough and finger paint fun, then Smith's came over for a play date, and it ended with more play dough fun with Tyler. It was just enough entertainment to keep this energetic 20 month old occupied. 

Memories

I forgot to post this pic last Friday when I spent the afternoon with Cooper. This moment reminded me of when Tyler was little. We used to watch Toy Story together in the recliner. Now, 15 years later, I am watching Toy Story 3 with my nephew. 

...we're here for a good time.

Sunday Steve made a table out of an old crate from work. It turned out really neat. It's fun having Tyler home and we've enjoyed hanging out in the Fox Hole;)

She's free!

Rich and Andrea decided it was time to drop the rail of Everlee's  bed this morning. Everlee could hardly contain her excitement at nap time. We did our usual routine and I shut the door. I watched her in the monitor and she got in and out of bed two times before eventually falling asleep. She snuck out of the monitors view without a peep. so I'm unsure what she was doing. When she woke up she was out of the monitors view again. So I opened the door with my camera ready. I heard her run back to her bed and this is what I got. Her standing next to her bed yelling "cheese!" LOL

Play dough play

After lunch Everlee went to the drawer to get her purple play dough. She spent 20 minutes sitting there making balls, snakes, and putting a chunk under her nose and saying "DaDa." Sometimes I love to just watch her play and see what she comes up with on her own. 

Fun Friday

This is the official Christmas Smith family photo. Everyone is smiling and looking at the camera. Cooper even said, "Cheese!"  Since Steve lived with them for 2 months he's an unofficial member now;)

The kids taking a break to watch George. 

We definitely had a Fun Friday watching the ISU/UI game last night with the Smith's. We shared so many laughs that as I type this we are still laughing. Thanks for another fun night in the Fox Hole. 

My Day

While getting ready to head over to the Kneifl's, this is where Maci went, the Elmo potty to read. 

Everlee loves her yo yo(yogurt.) so much so that she was using a spoon in her left hand and scooping it with her right hand fingers. 

Tyler getting second row seats to watch ISU play tonight. Rich and I wonder if he gets to class two hours early to sit in the second row?!

You always greeted me at the door, helped me with clean up after Everlee's lunch and kept me company during nap time. Boy will I miss you.