The "new" Jessica.

Jessica had surgery on Wednesday.
Her tonsils and adenoids were removed, and ear tubes were replaced in both her ears.

Since then we have noticed several improvements - her hearing, talking, eating (swallowing), smelling, and most importantly - her breathing have all improved.

No more sleep apnea! (scariest thing we've been through as parents)!

Jessica can now sleep soundly and quietly, breathing through her nose.



Here are a few pictures of Jessica's stay in the hospital (she had to stay over night in the hospital since she is under the age of 3).






First picture at home...not doing so good...



...the next day, feeling much better!



We are SO happy we had this surgery done for Jessica. Her quality of life will be forever changed because of it.

You know you're deep into motherhood when...

...you pick your child's nose with your bare finger, in front of other people, and proceed to flick the booger into the nearest trash can.

School is fun!

Jackson loves going to school.

Can't imagine why...

Here is Jackson working at "Santa's workshop" to make toys for his family.


Grandpa Bob went on a field trip with Jackson's class; they walked six blocks to the Onalaska Public Library. The theme was 'Gingerbread Man' --there was a story and an activity for the kids.
Thanks Grandpa Bob!


The Giant snowhill!!!
Jackson is sliding down the hill on his bottom in this picture.


And those were just a few of the activites Jackson has taken part in at school lately.
Jackson's teacher, Mrs. Lang, posts pictures of the Pre-K class on their website.
These pictures were taken off the website.

Lia - 7 months.

Hello family and friends!


I am 7 months old now!



I like to sit up and play with my toys.


Although I can roll around on the floor, I prefer to stay in one spot and have my toys placed in front of me...preferably, in my hands, but I'll settle for them being within my reach.



Hey, I got my whole life to move around...might as well enjoy livin' life in the "slow lane" - while sister and brother are so eager to cater to my every need!



Oh, and one last thing about me:
I love to suck on my fingers --I think my middle finger and ring finger seem to taste the best!


Merry Christmas everybody!
Maybe next year I'll figure out what this whole 'santa business' brother and sister keep mentioning is about.

Playing hooky??

You'd never guess it, but almost exactly two hours after this picture was taken, Jackson and I found ourselves sitting in urgent care at Gundersen Lutheran clinic.

Jackson had a high fever and extremely sore throat.
Turns out, he had strep throat.

After starting a round of Amoxicyllin, Jackson felt better the very next day.
He missed two days of school that week; but, he was able to return for the last day of school before Christmas break--the day his class celebrated their Christmas party.

Jackson's birthday party.

We had a party at our house on Friday, December 17 - the day Jackson turned five years old.
Jackson was very excited, and had a super fun time with his friends during the party.





Linda's Bakery, in West Salem, did a nice job with his dinosaur cake.


Playing "tiger" with some friends during the party...


It was a fun night.
Jackson had a blast!

Record snowfall. December 2010.

Early December this year, we received about 1 1/2 feet of snow in a single snowfall!
Absolutely incredible!

Of course, Jackson and Jessica couldn't wait to get out and play in it...

Christmas pictures at Grandma Barb and Grandpa Terry's

It's not an easy task getting five young children to all look at the camera and take a good picture...


...sure is fun trying though!

Lia's Baptism

Lia was baptized on Saturday, November 27th, 2010 at First Lutheran church, Onalaska.

Lia was 6 months old during the baptism; she wore a gown passed down on the Aeling side of the family. It was the same gown worn by both Grandpa Mark and Mommy Lisa.

Lia's godparents are: Aunt Laura, Uncle Chris, Uncle Ryan, Uncle Zach.

Family members at Lia's bapism were:
Great Grandparents - Grandma and Grandma Gundy, GG Clare
Grandparents - Grandma Chris and Grandpa Bob, Grandma Barb and Grandpa Terry, Grandpa Mark and Bonnie
Sponsors - Aunt Laura, Uncle Chris, Uncle Ryan, Uncle Zach
Other relatives - Great Aunt Cheryl, Cousin Alli

Family advent calendar

This calendar is something Laura and I would enjoy as young girls.
It was made by Grandma Chris, and has now been passed on to our family for Jackson and Jessica (and eventually, Lia) to enjoy.

The idea is for the kids to open a small gift every morning during the month of December. It is a special way for them to count down the days until Christmas.

So far, they have received a wooden puzzle, chapstick, xmas socks, wooden space shuttle and police car...
Jackson gets so eager to open up the next day's gift; he has been getting up at 5:45 in the morning!

DISNEY at the La Crosse Center

Fun, fun, fun!











None of the three kids (Jackson, Jessica, or cousin Alli) had naps that day...
they were troopers--considering how tired they all must have been.