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.