An End to the Blog

I apologize for not posting in awhile. Due to lack of time, I've decided to stop posting to the blog but will be posting on my facebook site since most of you have access to that also. If we're not facebook friends yet, please look for me on facebook listed as "Nicole Brice VanLangendon". Thanks! Nicole

Weekend in Madison

We took a road trip to Madison a few weekends ago to visit the Corderman's. We had a lot of fun boating on Lake Mendota and hanging out with our friends. Gracie enjoyed watching Ella and Drew chase each other other around the house. Good times!Jeff & Gracie walking on State StreetDan teaching Ella how to drive the boatJeff & Ella riding in the boat, downtown Madison in backgroundElla & Daddy swimming in lake MendotaGrace proudly sitting up

Drew and Grace ready for lunch

Ella is 2 1/2 years & Grace is 8 months!

So I'm officially a horrible blogger, it has been so long since I've updated this. My only excuse is that I have been too busy enjoying the beautiful summer weather and trying to keep up with the girls. They are so much fun these days!

Grace is now 8 months old, has 2 teeth, sits up completely on her own, loves eating baby food and has started with some finger foods. She is threatening to crawl any day and gets around quite well, so I have to keep my eyes on her constantly. She absolutely adores her older sister, no one can quite make her laugh the same as Ella can...and all Ella has to do is make a few funny noises and Grace thinks it is the most hilarious thing she's ever seen (as in picture below). Ella is approaching 2 and a half at the end of this month and is still quite the little chatterbox...sometimes I feel like I'm talking with an adult. She is starting to work on potty training and has been taking summer swimming lessons. Her favorite things at the moment are: reading books, Dora the Explorer, making us food in her kitchen and taking rides in the Burley (the bike trailer). She has become quite the negotiator and has mastered the art of stalling her bedtime as long as she possibly can.
We have had a fun eventful summer so far with trips to Madison and Green Bay and have a lot more planned in the next several months. When we're home, we have been spending time enjoying the beautiful Minnesota lakes and have gone boating a few times with the girls. Summer is flying by but we are trying to enjoy every minute of it!

Enjoying the Beach at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park:

Boating on Lake Minnetonka on July 4th:

Trip to Madison

We brought the girls to Madison for the first time and had a blast! Ella is already convinced she is going to college there...mostly because she loved running around on Bascom hill and enjoyed Ian's Macaroni and Cheese pizza on State St, but also because she loves Bucky Badger and had to point him out everywhere we saw him! We met up with the Bakers and the Cordermans and were able to celebrate with Angie, who graduated with her Master's Degree. Congrats Angie!

Mommy & the girls on State Street

Daddy showing the girls his old stompin' grounds...State Street Brats!

Hanging out on Bascom...

Mommy & Gracie, in her new Badger attire

Ben & Jack meet us for lunch on State Street

The graduate and her proud family

The Burley's Maiden Voyage

We recently purchased a Burley bike trailer for Ella (& Gracie soon too) to ride in when we go on bike rides. Ella & Daddy tested it out for a few spins around the neighborhood. Ella was quite excited to wear her new pink bike helmet!

Daddy putting on Ella's new helmet

Ella in the Burley

Let's hit the road, Dad!

Gracie praying for Ella's safe return

Off they go!

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend back in Green Bay. The girls got to meet the Easter bunny, have a playdate with some of Mommy's friends from high school and their daughters, and hang out with their grandparents, uncles and aunt. The Easter Bunny did not disappoint and Ella did quite well with her first Easter egg hunt. She even helped find all of Gracie's eggs.

Ella coloring Easter eggs

Gracie with her new Easter bunny

Ella hunting for eggs

Reading new Easter books with Daddy

Gracie loves her Bumbo!

Ella enjoying a Cadbury egg

Playdate with friends

Gracie is 5 months old!

We had an exciting month full of "firsts" for little Gracie. For one, she is rolling in both directions now (back to belly and belly to back). She also had her first taste of rice cereal and loved it! We also introduced sweet potatoes and they are also a big hit. Grace is now enjoying sitting in the Bumbo seat and the exersaucer, and continues to love lying on her activity mat. She is very smiley and giggles a lot now too, especially when her belly is tickled or when Ella talks to her.
First taste of rice cereal

Gracie loves the exersaucer!

Ella appointed Grace to assistant chef in her kitchen

Happy after a meal of rice cereal... yum!

Visit from Ben & Jack

Angie, Marc, Ben & Jack visited us earlier this month and we had a blast! Gracie enjoyed playing on the floor with the boys and Ella especially enjoyed trying to guess which baby was which.

Grace & Jack playing on the activity mat

Now its Ben's turn

Grace is 4 months old and Happy 30th Birthday Jeff!

Gracie turned 4 months old on March 6th. At her checkup on Tuesday, she weighed in at 13 lbs, 8 oz and measured 24 1/2 inches long...she's really growing! She is such a laid back and happy little girl and loves her big sister! She also started noticing the dog and scoots herself around the room.

We had a lot of visitors over the last few weeks. Dan, Julianna & Drew visited in late February. Ella and Drew had a lot of fun playing together, especially in the ball pit. We also ventured out to the Mall of America with the kids. Ella's favorite part was the escalator rides, which was a new thing for her.

Ella & Drew in the ball pit.......... Shopping at Mall of America

Grace helps Daddy shop........Ella & Daddy on the escalator


My dear hubby celebrated his 30th birthday on March 1st. We celebrated with Dan & Julianna while they were visiting and also had a date night to Ruth's Chris (yummy!). Check out all the candles on the cake, we almost started a fire! And notice how smoky the room got after blowing out all those candles. What an old man! :)

"Grammie" & "Grampa" Van visited last weekend. The girls had a blast playing with them and Jeff appreciated the extra help while I had to work. Ella & Grammie took advantage of the nice weather and took a wagon ride outside.

Miscellaneous Pictures:

Ella & her deer antlers from "Grampa"

"A little more salt dad"...helping Dad make mashed potatoes

Ella ready to play in the snow

Ella likes to serve Lambeau food in her kitchen