1st Snow!

After church, we all bundled up and went outside to enjoy the snow. A snowman was built, a hill was sled, snow angels were made, and a driveway was shoveled.

The day after Thanksgiving

It is a tradition at our house to decorate for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. We put on Christmas music and burn Christmas-scented candles. We put up the tree, stockings, and all other decor around the house while we sip on eggnog. And it's the first night we turn on the lights outside.

And she is baptised...

Our good friends Kim and Tom drove up from Illinois to partake in the baptism and be Caitlyn's Godparents. Brian's dad (an episcopal minister) also took part in the ceremony. We had a wonderful service at the Coralville United Methodist Church and joined family back home for lunch and cake.

I made the cake, my first time using fondant frosting. It was a lot of fun, but I used too much pink coloring and what was supposed to be a pastel pink cake turned out to be a hot pink cake. Oh well.

Leaving Comments

Okay...I changed my setting so anyone can leave a comment now :) So please do!

Conferences

We had our first parent-teacher conference EVER Monday night, and it went really well. I took a bunch of pictures to show what Aidan's pre-k classroom looks like. His teacher, Mrs. Vahle, said that he is doing really well and is a pleasure to have in her class. She said he does need to work on self-control when answering questions. He really likes to answer all the questions, and he's been doing better at raising his hand, but now he needs to remember to stay in his seat while raising his hand. I thought that was pretty funny, and I wish I had the opportunity to watch Aidan in action. She also said he has an amazing memory. When they all gather in the foyer at the beginning of the day during dropoff, and it's approaching 8:30am, Aidan can tell her which students are still missing. He can also remember the first and last names of all the artists they've been learning in art class, and they only meet once a week!

Here is Aidan's locker (the one with the red mat):

His desk:

Go Hawkeyes!

Brian took Aidan to the last football game of the year at Kinnick. They had a great time- watching the game and eating LOTS of food. Plus, the Hawkeyes won! Aidan was all bundled up in two pairs of pants and his snow suit!

Brian and Aidan on the bus to Kinnick from the parking lot:




Hawkeyes won!

Potty Training

We're not quite there yet. Alex is terrified of the toilet. But he is constantly taking his pants and diaper off. I've taught Aidan to yell "ALEX IS TAKING HIS DIAPER OFF" as soon as he starts to, so that I can avoid all accidents.

He wants to wear underwear, but he doesn't want to use the potty. What should I do?

Caitlyn is 5 months old (last Saturday)!

She is really doing well. She sleeps through the night! All the way until 6:30, eats without waking up and then doesn't get up again until 9! Now if I could just get the boys to do that :)
She is a very easy baby...doesn't cry much and really well tempered. She just fell asleep on the couch next to me without me doing anything. vote for the picture you like best...I want to get one enlargment for our house.
#1


#2


#3


#4

#5

Chicago

Brian had a conference in Chicago earlier this week, so we decided to make a mini-vacation out of it. The weather was cold, but we bundled up and braved the elements. We really didn't do much, as it's very difficult with three small children. But I did get some shopping in.

The tall building on the left is where Brian used to work when we lived in Chicago. This is a view from us looking into the "bean" at Grant Park.

Happy Halloween!

We had such great weather this Halloween...75 and sunny! We didn't have to wear coats or bundle up underneath our costumes for a change :)

Aidan was Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and very excited about it. He got a big smile on his face anytime anyone would ask what he was going to be this year. He originally wanted to be Spiderman, but changed his mind a couple weeks before the 31st.

Alex was also very excited about being a cowboy. But when it came down to it, he didn't want to wear much of his costume. We tried to get a good picture with the hat, but didn't have much luck. And there was no way we were going to get the chaps on him. He had a blast trick-or-treating. He would go up to every house and say "trick-or-treat" way before he got to the door. Then he would take his time deciding on a piece of candy, changing his mind several times. At the beginning, he would take one piece of candy from one house, and deposit it at the next house. I guess he thought he had to keep trading pieces.

Caitlyn was a pea (in a pod), but several people thought she was a caterpillar (on a leaf). I guess it could go either way. I did sew this costume myself (and Alex's too).

Election Day is around the corner...

Election day is almost here and the 2008 campaign is nearing an end. Thank you to those that have voted early and to everyone that has passed the word of Brian's campaign along to friends and colleagues. We are now in the home stretch and every vote counts!
To celebrate the end of the campaign and the beginning of a new democracy, we are going to gather at the Vine in Coralville on election night. Anyone and everyone is welcome – Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Greens and the independents in all of us! The festivities will begin around 6PM and last until everyone leaves or they kick us out.
In these last days, remember to keep spreading the word about the campaign and directing people to the website: www.brianwhite2008.com. Thank you!

What: Election Party – Brian White 2008

Where: The Vine (on the Coralville strip)

When: 6PM …Who: Family event – all ages welcome