Sully and Suzie do St. Louis,

After our practice trip to the airport last month, Sully and I gave St. Louis another try this weekend. To say it was a success is a complete understatement. I picked him up from school on Friday and off to the airport we went. He was so excited to see his packed Paw Patrol suitcase and quizzed me on the way to the airport to make sure I didn't forget any of his essentials. "Did you remember my cozy? Gino? My Star Wars jams?" Fortunately nothing was forgotten and we started the trip on the right foot. We had lunch in the airplane (jet, according to Sully) and quickly made our way to our next flight in Minneapolis. Before we knew it, we were in Stacy's car headed for an evening of fun. We had dinner with her family and then went to the Myseum, followed by ice cream cones, and then a ride through a park full of lights where the kids got to pop out of the sunroof and take it all in. When we arrived at their house, Sully's mind was blown by the amount of toys he got to play with. We finally got to bed around 10 and before we went to sleep he said, "mama, St. Louis is so fun!"

Saturday was filled with more fun. Plenty of play time in the morning followed by lunch at P'sgettis, more play time and then an afternoon of fun shows and snuggling on the couch. The kids had pizza and got to watch a movie while Stacy and I went out for dinner(!!!!). For me, this was a major win. In the last three years, one of us has had a baby, wether it was one of hers or me bringing one along, so the excitement of our evenings usually included ice cream and '20/20,' which, don't get me wrong, was great, but being able to go out and enjoy a little nightlife was really fun, and good for us. We got home and did sneak in an episode of '20/20' but Sully was restless, so we hit the hay early.

We had a long travel day home on Sunday, but it was tolerated so well by Sullivan. He is definitely at a golden age and we can't wait to get back to see Stacy and her family. It was so easy. Sully hit it off with all of her kids, but her oldest, Sam was a definite favorite. They were buddies, she is so good to him. I was honestly sad to come home, and Sully was, too. He is already asking to go back.

Dave did great at home with the girls. They stayed busy baking cookies, taking naps, playing at home, and the girls went to an evening drop in at Miss Jaspers' house. On Sunday they had lunch with the Olivers and then visited Grandma Helen, It was a good weekend all around.

Greta had her three year appointment the morning before our flight and she is growing exactly as she should. She is 30lbs (25th percentile) and 3ft 4 inches (75th percentile). She told Dr Sam that her favorite food is grapes dipped in ketchup, so our secret is out ;). Piper is walking more than crawling these days, she is wobbly, but so so darling.

Greta's check up. 

Pizza on the jet. All set for take off. 

Myseum fun with Sam.

Already a success when the Myseum's mascot is a robot. 

Christmas light fun.

Sully, Joe, and Tom working on a puzzle. 

Afternoon quiet time. 

Photo with Snoop.

Airport Christmas tree.

Lots of tram riding while searching for a toy store. 

The latest and greatest happenings.

We have had a full and fun November, between mild and wild weather, holidays, and three busy kids, we are on our toes. 

My last entry was right before a trip Sully and I had planned to take to St. Louis (which was delayed, more on that later), and it feels like life has been on fast forward since then. I had geared up to wean Piper completely while we were gone and as life would have it, she took her first attempts at consecutive steps the evening before our flight. I was thrilled, but sad as I knew the following morning was our last nursing moments. Right before I knew it, she was turning into a toddler. As it turned out, we were socked with a snowstorm and our flight was delayed 10 hours which was a disaster considering our trip was less than 48 hours total. After a couple of important phone calls and lunch, we decided to delay the trip for two weeks. We made the right decision as our original flight ended up departing after midnight and arriving in Mpls around 1:30am, where we would have been stranded until the next flight to St Louis the following day. We ended up having a very low key weekend; I got lots of Christmas shopping done, an evening in with Maggie, and we bought our Christmas tree. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving the following week with a gathering at my parents' house. We had a small group this year; Maggie and her family, Sam and his family, my parents, and us. My cousin, Sara stopped over with her family for a visit, but otherwise it was very low key. We had the usual spread and the kids had a blast. We hardly knew they were around as they do such a good job entertaining each other. We were grateful for the food and family time. 

Sully and Greta are getting so fun. They play inside games together and I love to hear them run around here entertaining themselves. As long as we are not dealing with tired or hungry kids, they really are the best of friends. I have been meaning to include a couple of Sullyisms. He refers to packages as 'wrapages' and when he came home from school last week I had asked him what he had for a snack and he said 'mom, today we had graham crappers.' Greta has her own, she has turned into a master negotiator. I will ask her to get her cozy for quite time and she follows it up with, 'how 'bout I watch my iPad for just a few minutes.' or when telling her to finish her dinner, I get 'how 'bout I eat my dinner with just a couple of halloween candies.' Stay tuned for more. 

Sully and I are reattempting our trip to St. Louis on Friday. We are really excited to see the Winters! 

One last park outing before the snow comes in. 

The neighborhood girls on the stroller.
Piper, Khloe (both 12mos), Annika (4) and Greta (3)

Greta is SO excited about her holiday dress. 

'Say cheese and look at me!' 

Matching sisters. 

The first experience in the snow. 

She is thrilled! 

Airport rehearsal.

We found the tree!

Kids table at Thanksgiving.
Hudson (10), Isaac (8), Sully (4), Greta (3), and Anna (5)

The whole crew.

My baby girl, getting so big. 

Three dinosaurs.

Christmas jammie photo shoot.

Photoshoot fail. 

My first attempt at HyVee with all three (in jammies).
Yikes!

Lots of celebrations, and Greta turns 3!

It has been a whirlwind of celebrations around here (except for the election, which I will not spend time on, I'm exhausted of that topic).

We had a combo party for Greta and Piper on 11/4 which was great fun and absolute chaos. We had lots of family and food, and another bounce house for the gathering. We ran wild with excitement and a flurry of gifts. Greta mastered the surprised face as she opened each gift. Its safe to say her mind was blown with all of the great surprises. Piper was showered with so much love, too. We are so thankful for our village of family who love our kids.

On Greta's actual birthday (11/5) we celebrated again at our great niece, Maddie's house who turned 2. We love that Greta has a birthday buddy. Piper snuck in a little fun of her own with taking her first baby steps. We are not walking yet, but she is gaining confidence. Greta opened a few gifts I had set aside for her on her birthday morning and was equally as thrilled as she was the evening before. She is wild and sassy and so so sweet. She gives the best hugs and can make you feel on top of the world when she is giving you her love and attention. Her love is the greatest kind of love.

On election night we celebrated with Dave's family again for a gender reveal party for Lauren and Elliot who are expecting (a girl!!!) in March. Lauren fills such a large space in Dave's heart as she resembles her late mother in so many ways. We have waited a long time for her to be a mother herself, and to hear she will have her own baby girl to love on is so amazing. No doubt, it will be bittersweet as she misses her mom greatly with the exciting days ahead.

We transitioned Sully and Greta to their own matching twin beds this week, and it has been major hit. They are so excited about their new set up and love to play in their room. Sully even stayed in his bed ALL night the night we set them up. Greta came in at some point and sweetly asked my permission to get into bed with us. This is the first time in three years that we have not had two cribs set up. And, Piper and I are weaning. I am officially out of frozen milk and we have transitioned to whole milk for all feedings except for one nursing session (usually early in the morning) each day. It is a transition I am ready for, but will mourn when it is complete. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.

Being silly with daddy. 

John Mellencamp with Maggie and her fill in date, Wosje.

Birthday girls with their Hello Kitty cake. 

All three. 

Mama and her babe. 

Walking practice.

Munce family fun/chaos.

Opening presents.

This photo captures her personality perfectly.
Christa Ballard Photography

Making banana muffins. 

Its a girl for Elliot and Lauren! 

He voted. 

Twin bed fun. 

Magnatile creations. 

Hi Piper!

A sorta successful selfie. 

Piper turns one!

Our baby turned one on Sunday, it was a great day. We woke up and celebrated with doughnuts and presents followed by playtime and naps. She is as sweet as they come. She loves to play with and pester her big brother and sister. She is so satisfied when they acknowledge her. She brings so much joy to our family. I love to see them grow and their sibling relationships develop. She is 19lbs and 3oz (50%) and 28 inches long (25%). She is a speed crawler and gaining confidence on her feet. No official steps yet, but it isn't too far off.

We were excited to celebrate with family at Maggie's house for dinner and a reveal party for my brother, Sam and sister in law, Shelley who is due with her second baby (a girl!!) in April. Their son, Hudson is 10 and had the honor of cutting the cake. Everyone was thrilled with the results. We are looking forward to having another baby in the family (and thankful that it isn't mine this time around ;)).

We followed up the birthday fun with Halloween on Monday. The kids were SO excited to get their costumes on. Sully asked if we could go 'Halloweening' as soon as he got home from school at noon. When I explained that people wouldn't be home to pass out candy until after dinner, he was baffled. He said 'but why are you and daddy home now?' We had pizza for dinner and hit the streets. We have an awesome neighborhood for Halloween. The boulevard around the corner get 1,000+ trick or treaters each year. They go all out with decorations and sound effects. We love it. Sully was a pro, he would walk up and say 'trick or treat!' with such pride. Greta followed right behind him and quickly made her way back into the stroller so she could binge eat candy between houses. Piper and I cut the outing short so we could come home to hand out candy. We had about 285 kids at our house this year and were happy to get rid of most of our candy. Dave and the kids came home around 7 and Greta helped me pass out candy while Sully went out again with our neighbor Aidan. He returned on Aidan's shoulders around 7:30. It's safe to say his year was made.

We are already looking forward to next year and have even started to talk costumes ;).

Breakfast with the birthday girl.

Sweet Piper. 

Present fun. 

Everyone helps. 

Big girl! 

Sam, Shelley, Hudson...its a girl!
Julie Prairie Photography. 

Birthday songs to Piper.
Julie Prairie Photography.  

Greta butters her up...
Julie Prairie Photography. 

And she goes in for the taste ;).
Julie Prairie Photography.

Sweet dreams sweet girl. 

Halloween fun.
Hello Kitty, Ladybug, and Green Spiderman (with a mask).

All loaded up and ready for fun. 

My partner in crime.