Other than my text post earlier today, it has been FOREVER since I've posted on here. What have we been doing? We've just been busy, and I haven't had the chance to sit much and spend time on the computer. As my knee has improved (slowly) I've returned to working out, playing more with the children, and I've generally been doing more things that fill up the day. I haven't forgotten the blog though, and I'm back with many pictures!!!
What have the Aupperlees been doing over the past month or two?
Well, a long time ago we celebrated our first Christmas of the season with the Vryhof side of the family. Kate was teething then, and she's still cutting teeth left and right, so she loves chewing on everything in sight. Great-grandma was amused by Kate's chewing!
Drew loved passing out presents at every single Christmas celebration. He likes being in all the action.
Until he gets a book, then Drew plops down and immediately starts reading the book. His world shrinks and you can't pull him away from the book until he's checked it out. This might be a learned behavior (from me) or a genetic behavior (also from me), either way it's startling for me to see how difficult it is to tear Drew from a book!
Kate was busy all Christmas going from lap to lap. She loves being held!
Kate has been full of smiles.
Drew has been a great boy. He's a wonderful big brother, and it's been delightful to parent him. He's quick to learn new things and he's constantly talking with us about everything he sees or thinks. It's so much fun to be around him!
We've been doing a LOT of reading!
Drew has been riding his new Big Wheels around the basement. He calls it his red fire engine motorcycle. That's quite the combination isn't it?
Kate's been riding around in our new Ergo. She fits on Jana's back snuggly and it's very comfortable. It's been great for walks!
Drew was really into opening up his stocking at my parents' house.
Kate was a little less interested in the whole present thing.
Kate has been warm and cozy in a new hat from Grandma (she's gotten a couple hats from Grandma).
Despite Grandpa's efforts, Kate remains an MSU fan. Go State!
Drew has been making fun shapes with his new playdough.
Kate stands next to anything and everything.
Drew has been helping me shovel all the snow we've had in Lansing. It's been a snowy winter!
We've also managed to do some projects. Drew loves taking out his drill and helping me with a project. One night I had my DeWalt drill and Drew had his drill and we were working together. I think he was about overcome with joy (me too :)
We celebrated Christmas with Jana's family too.
With it being Kate's first Christmas, she was usually the center of a lot of attention.
While Drew got right to the hard work of playing.
We ended up back at my parents' house for another celebration, and this time Uncle Todd got a turn with Kate.
Kate had a wonderful first Christmas.
Kate has been fun to hold after a bath. She's so cuddly!
Kate is always wide-eyed and always exploring.
Kate's full of smiles whenever Jana or I walk into a room.
Drew and Kate have been enjoying great times in the bath together (Jana and I enjoy it too!).
Kate never stops working it for the camera.
At times, we've gotten pretty tired out and we've had to take a little nap on the couch. Jana found Kate and me like this one night after getting home from a meeting.
Usually though, Kate is on the go opening doors, trying things out, and moving all around.
Kate has learned to stick out her tongue, cluck, do "so big," clap, wave, and be super-cute (that's her most consistent skill).
Drew, as usual, has been obsessed with firefighting. He often wears his firefighter hat for the entire day. He wears it out running errands, he tries to wear it to daycare, and he only hasn't tried to wear it to bed.
Drew also likes to wear his fire coat everywhere. This too gets worn on errands, around the house, and about whenever he can have it on. We've had MANY conversations with total strangers about Drew's outfit. We've had even more knowing smiles from other moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas.
Kate crawls all over the house.
She can really move!
Drew brought his bug cupcakes to daycare. They consisted of bug graham crackers on chocolate frosting with "dirt" (crushed graham cracker) sprinkled on them. They were a big hit!
After eating at the peanut restaurant (Texas Roadhouse), Drew ate some birthday cake to celebrate his third birthday. He blew out his candles several times, and only our decision to eat the cake ended that fun.
Kate liked sitting next to Drew and watching him blow out his candles.
Phew! That was a lot to catch up on! That's some of what we've been doing lately. From now on, I'm going to stay caught up with the updates!!!
Kate and Drew had fun making hats out of their bath toys the other night. Drew helped Kate get her hat on and then they both giggled away when it fell into the water.
I thought it would be fun to capture both kids in one picture . . .but they don't both sit still at the same time much anymore.
Kate crawled over to Jana to get a veggie puff (in Kate's left hand). Drew and Kate are fun to play with in their pajamas after their bath. They smell so good and they're so cuddly in their pajamas! 
Now that Kate is on the move in her crib and usually sleeps most of the night in the same position, we occassionally give her a blanket to keep her warm. Last night she grabbed her doll and was smiling up at us as we turned out her light. It was hard to put her to bed!
Drew's latest thing has been wearing socks on his hands that he calls his gloves. He helped me outside for a little while this evening, and he first had to have his hat and gloves on!
I think I've mentioned it before: Kate clucks! Here is a video of her clucking. She can always get Jana and I to laugh by doing this!
