Sleepover!

Nolan, Cyler's buddy, came to our house for a sleepover for a couple nights while his parents went to the hospital to await the arrival of their newest addition to the family.

Madeline Josephine was born at 6 lbs 11 oz and she looks just like Nolan. She's such a little peanut and has a full head of hair. Nolan and Cyler had alot of fun playing, but he was very excited when I told him we were headed to the hospital in the morning to see his new baby sister! It was great holding a new little one, makes you look forward to the future....and I didn't say the near future, I'm talking the distant future!:-) We've definately got our hands full right now with Cyler, school, job hunting for myself, and of course planning a wedding!!!

Cyler enjoyed having Nolan over for a sleepover TWO NIGHTS in a row! It was a task getting the boys to sleep as they just fed off of eachother's excitement. However, it's always fun watching Cyler interact with other children his age. His little personality comes out and it's amazing watching him change every day. We know he doesn't like to share, but he's definately getting better at it! He gets to play with Nolan at daycare and his current daycare has been the best thing to happen to him. He's talking really well and brings home arts and crafts projects frequently, which is always fun to see!

Christmas Vacation!

So this year was as busy as the last. We had a total of eight Christmas gatherings and needless to say Cyler was as spoiled as ever!

We began with the Dykstra Christmas the second weekend in December. The 23rd rolled around and we had the immediate family Christmas at Mark's parents house. Christmas Eve morning we celebrated Christmas at my dad's house in West Bend while my sister Payton was home. Christmas Eve was at the Benjamin family christmas at Wanda Benjamin's in Gilmore City. Surprisingly Christmas morning was actually a relaxing one and then the afternoon the Cirk's Christmas was celebrated at Dave and Patti's again. Cyler and I left to go to my grandma Shirley's Christmas in Bode. The 27th we traveled to my sister Lacy and fiance Josh's house in Alexander where we had Christmas with all my family. Cyler got to see all of his Aunts, his one uncle, and his Grandma Jacque. We stayed the night at Lacy's and traveled back the following morning. The 30th we had a small Christmas in Bode at Jake's (My grandma's helpers) which completed our Christmas gatherings.

It was great to see everyone again and we enjoyed watching Cyler open presents, as this was the first year he really understood what was going on. Of course, he wanted to open everyone else's presents as well!

We had some excellent news from my sister over break as well. Josh had proposed so they have set a wedding date for August! On the 3rd we went to Mark's cousin Mitch and his wife Laurie's wedding reception in West Bend. They were married in Key West and had then had their reception. It was not the best weather, but they still had a good turnout!

Upon returning back to our house in Boone, our living room was filled with boxes we unloaded from Christmas! I was able to find a place for all of our gifts and am glad to be settled back in! Now it's time to focus on a little wedding planning:)

Engagement Photos

My Aunt Jackie took some engagement photos this past October at Ledges State Park. The colors were beautiful and the pictures turned out amazing! We are so lucky to have some one as talented as her in our family! She also had a chance to capture some pictures of Cyler while we played with his Grandpa Curt and Aunt Payton. Our wedding is in May and the pictures she took will be used throughout our reception venue. It's going to look amazing and I'm super excited! Only 145 days left:)