Look what I got in my stocking!

Dashell Adrian Neibaur
Born 12-24-08
7 lbs 14 oz
20 inches

I've never had a stocking stuffer like this before.

Two silly brothers yawning at each other.

Another cute boy in the family!

Merry Christmas from the Neibaurs!

Getting Ready for Christmas

We are in the final days before Baby Neibaur arrives. Every night when we do the advent calendar with Stratton I have to remind myself that it is for Christmas, not the baby's due date. We have been trying to get in as many Christmas activities as possible, so here are a few from the last couple weeks, including a trip to the tree farm and a visit to the Country Lights at the Farmpark. Let's hope this baby cooperates so that we can have a Christmas at home with our Christmas tree!

The woodsmen cut down the perfect tree!

Out to see the Christmas lights...they are a very serious business!

Even more serious, making a fire engine. If the safety glasses don't give it away, this is no laughing matter. Fire trucks are serious work!

Final touches with the hammer. We've been hearing about how he put it together using a hammer ever since.

Winter Comes to Cleveland

Sledding with Dad

Posing for our snow shot

Showing off his bubble beard...just like Dad's!

Thanksgiving Football and Hiking before dinner!
Our football boy shows off his muscles...2,4,6 hut hut

Washable is relative

I got out of the shower this morning, only to find that Stratton had been hard at work on a surprise for me....he was the newest member of the Blue Man Group. I was not the happiest mom in the world, especially since we had to be out the door in less than an hour and I quickly realized that a bath was my only option for dealing with this bout of creativity. And then I found out that the "washable" label on ink is all relative.

This is where we started.

About to get in the tub after we realized no wash cloth in the world was up to the task.

Showing a little remorse

But not really feeling too bad at this point in the washing up...notice the tub is taking on a bluish tint.

About two thirds of the way through washing up...at this point, not very happy with Mom for her repeated attacks on the face...and that is why his ear is the cleanest part.

What are you looking at? This is just about the finished product...I got a little bit more off, but yes, I am letting Stratton go through the day with a decidedly hot pink tint on his nose, cheeks and chin. He doesn't seem too concerned.

I hate this man!

This is the leaf man...or the ring leader of the leaf team, since it seems like every piece of heavy equipment in the greater Cleveland area follows him around. I really appreciate that they pick up our leaves every year, but in the past three years, they have never come unless I have just laid Stratton down for his nap within the last 10 minutes. And of course, being a virtual heavy equipment parade, that means that the nap is shot for the day. I swear those loaders are equipped with toddler napping radar. This year they gathered all the leaves for the 6 blocks around our house in the intersection right off our front lawn....wasn't that nice of them?

Fall in Cleveland

Stratton loves to play in the leaves while his dad rakes them up. Doesn't he look peaceful?

Snacking cousins at the zoo on a 65 degree day in November!

Stratton has decided he likes whipped cream.

Stratton walked into the living room this morning wearing my sweatshirt...I guess he must have gotten cold!

$1.93

I just filled up our car for $1.93 a gallon. I can't decide which is worse...that I am so excited about it, or that I was paying almost twice that not very long ago.

Halloween!

I may be biased, but I'm pretty sure this is the cutest
lion in northeast Ohio.

Showing off his roar!

Dragging his dad trick or treating at top speed

A cute little lion with his good looking dad

The Family

Giving Up and Giving In

So, I finally decided to cave. And yes, Kayla, your email was the last straw! Actually, I realized that I don't have a chance of keeping in touch with anyone individually after the baby comes...not that I'm doing too well now. Considering that my computer time is limited to when Stratton is sleeping, and guessing that this baby will never sleep while Stratton is sleeping, I decided that I should probably put all our news in one place and make it self-serve from here on out. An all you can eat buffet of Neibaur news...sounds pretty gross... we aren't always the most appetizing family. For those of you who haven't heard from us in a while, I apologize. Now you can check up on us whenever you want! And so, a quick update on our family comes next. Brigg is midway through his third year of dental school, and doing great! If any of you feel the need to get work done on your teeth, you are welcome at our house any time. I am staying at home with Stratton and doing my best to keep up with him. He moves pretty fast all the time, but now that I am 7 months pregnant, it feels like he has gotten even faster! Stratton is growing up as fast as he can and keeps us laughing. He has the silliest sense of humor and is a complete ham, but we've found out that he saves it all for us at home. Put him in a public place, and you have never seen a more serious kid- although he did take his pants off in the middle of his music class a couple weeks ago, if that counts. I didn't think it was too funny, but he seemed to. And the baby is anxious to come join us. We tell it "just two more months", but it still seems to be getting antsy! And once again, we didn't find out if we are having a boy or girl, so feel free to submit your vote and be surprised along with us. Last of all, our dog Piper continues to act like a puppy in fast forward. We have never known a more energetic dog. She does her best to be running all the time, and when she isn't running, she is crying and whining to go running again.