First Snow!

We had a few inches of snow right after Christmas this year, and the mild temperatures made it perfect for snowmen-building! We joined our neighbors Dylan and Noah for some morning fun in the white stuff (fun, at least, until Siena got snow in her boots! Time for some proper snowboots, it seems).

There's never too little snow for a snow angel!

A winter swing... what a treat.

Siena helps Dylan put the finishing touches on his snowman family.

Dylan, Libby, Siena, and Noah gather for a rare group shot. What fun to have such great neighbors.

Christmas 2011

Shall I declare my 2012 New Year's resolution "keeping the blog updated more regularly"? I'm sure many of my readers would say "YES!" I'm doing my best here, folks... Life is busy. I will try to post some new videos soon, though (that's for you, Uncle Andy). Anyway, our Christmas this year was a whirlwind of family and fun, with more than a few presents from Santa thrown in! Siena is at the age where she's finally REALLY into the Christmas stuff, but also realizes the true meaning of the season. I caught her the other day saying to Libby, "You know, Libby, Christmas isn't just about Santa and presents. It's really about Jesus being born." It's good to know that some of our preaching is rubbing off! Here are some highlights from this wonderful season:

Siena gets some help from Auntie Putz decorating Christmas cookies. What fun!

Mmmm... The yummy icing was definitely Siena's favorite part.

Libby snuggles up with a great buddy (her great-grandfather Daddio) for some Christmas Eve reading.

Christmas morning madness! We had quite the haul this year from Santa.

Daddy poses with his new firehouse playset. If the girls are lucky maybe he'll share!

Libby gives her new Plasma Car a try.

Siena is thrilled with her #1 requested gift: a pink fairy. Unfortunately Santa couldn't find one that flies around by remote control per her request, but he'll keep looking.

Baby Jesus, meet Mr. Stegasaurus.

Honing our geography skills with the new globe.

Picky hand-picked (ha, ha) the girls' new dollhouses and worked hard furnishing them on Christmas morning. Quite the sight!

Siena poses with her favorite ornament at Christmas dinner. I had to sqyeeze in a photo of her adorable smocked dress!

Sweet Libby enjoying some reading time with Auntie Putz. How fun to have her home for the holidays.

Christmas photo 2011

Merry Christmas from the Sustars!

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus (and Santa too)

I realize this post has been highly anticipated and apologize to my readers for the delay. We had the great honor of attending the Missouri Botanical Gardens' annual Breakfast with Santa with our very own Mrs. Claus, played by Winnie. It was the role she was clearly born to play, and we spent the morning feeling like we were related to a celebrity. After years of speculation, the truth has finally come out -- my mom IS Mrs. Claus.

Come in and meet the Big Guy!

Photo with a young fan

Greeting more adoring fans

Libby was a bit wary of Mrs. Claus at first -- I think it took her a minute to realize it was her very own Winnie!

A close second to Mrs. Claus: Rudolf. Siena can't get enough!

As usual, Siena wanted nothing to do with Santa this year. Thankfully Mrs. Claus stepped in to help out!

Libby wasn't a huge fan of Santa either, but at least she remained composed.

Hey Sis, are you going to share that candy cane?

Thanksgiving with the Yaks

It was another wonderful Thanksgiving in Wisconsin. We broke up the trip this year with a stop at the Wisconsin Dells, a resort-type area full of waterparks and mini golf (and only about 45 minutes from Grandma and Grandpa's!). We chose to stay in one of the many huge indoor waterparks / hotels, and the girls had a BLAST. It'll only get better as they get older and are able to ride more of the slides. I think our stay there has forever ruined all future hotel stays -- at the "regular" motel on the way home, Siena asked, "where are the waterslides, Mommy?". Unfortunately I didn't get any photos this time around, as I was a bit nervous leaving my camera around all of those pools.

As for the Domes and yaks, they didn't disappoint (do they ever?). We had so much fun with the aunts, uncles, and cousins -- Siena especially loved going on walks with Aunt Mary. She really made herself at home this visit and happily played independently, which was a nice break for us since Libby was into everything -- including the wood-burning stove! We loved visiting a local quilt show and seeing so many of Grandma's beautiful quilts on display, including a "Sudoku" quilt she lovingly made for our family. We can't wait for our next trip north!

Helping Grandma sort through quilting squares

Siena meets a new friend

Smiling with Mommy out on the land

Everyone pitched in to help Grandma plant her peonies

Failed Christmas card attempt... Libby is a tough smile!

That's better -- my Daddy is so silly.

Hooray for our wonderful family -- here are Patrick, Grandpa, LJ, Emily (and baby on the way!), and Mary

First Trim

Libby has had a nice baby mullet for awhile now which has continued to grow longer and longer in recent months, and it was time for a little cleanup in the back. I hesitate to call this her first real haircut since it was such a minor change, so we'll just call it her first trim. She did a great job sitting still in the pink racecar chair while watching Elmo -- gotta love the kiddie cuts place.

Before...

During...

And after. So much better!

Fall Fun

It's been a fairly low-key November for us, and we've been lucky that temperatures have been mild for most of the month -- we're soaking up the playground time while it lasts! The girls have been big helpers with the fall cleanup, too.

Happy, Happy Halloween

We had a western-inspired Halloween this year, with Siena dressing up as a cowgirl and Libby playing the part of the cow. Unfortunately Libby wasn't too happy about that role, and insisted that her costume be removed ASAP. Oh well! We had lots of fun nonetheless, especially now that Siena is old enough to REALLY get into trick-or-treating. Thankfully she forgot about her candy loot by the next day. :)


We decided to skip the Cardinal celebration parade and stay home to carve pumpkins instead, which was definitely a good call. Siena loved getting her hands dirty with pumpkin guts. Libby, on the other hand, was not at ALL interested in touching the slimy stuff. The girl sure has her opinions! Maybe next year.

Admiring their creations. Siena designed her pumpkin herself, requesting that it have 5 teeth on top and 5 teeth on the bottom.

Libby approves of Daddy's bat-cat pumpkin. Her one-sock-on, one-sock-off look is typical.

Happy Halloween from the Sustars!

Rounding up the cow.

Seriously, Mom. Take this costume OFF.

With best bud Dylan the dragon.

Winnie manned our house again with the treats. It's always a favorite last stop!

Siena is THREE!

Happy Birthday, Siena! We had the BEST birthday party this year out at Braeutigam Orchards for sume pumpkin-picking fun. Animals for the kids to feed, a great farm-themed play area, a cute bunch of decorated tables for our guests, and a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Throw in a clear, warm day and it made for the perfect party. We could be back next year, Braeutigam's!


The birthday girl brushes up on her cow milking skills.

Mooo... The kids loved feeding the cows.

Chicken roundup!

Argh! Chicken pirate Dylan.

Loading up and heading out to the pumpkin patch.

We're off!

A most sincere pumpkin patch.

Farmer Dan helps Siena with her chosen pumpkin.

Pumpkin cupcakes! Happy Birthday to me!