Did 2016 fly by for anyone else other than me? 2016 was a pretty big year for this Tobler family. We were busy with trips, and family visits. With moving (again) and big purchases. Here is a round up of this years highlights.
1. Playing in the snow with E. We came home from Canada and she was so sad that there wasn't any snow. So one day during nap time I looked out the window and it was snowing. I went and got E up from her nap and we caught snow flakes on our tongues. It was a fun memory.
2. I have very few pictures of Gretchen and I together which will be fixed this year. 2016 was a year of PROJECTS! I usually have one or two things on the go but this year we took things to a whole new level. This picture pretty well sums up how we roll. 5 kids, two mamas and no fear!
3. Manfred's hair got pretty long. One day we decided to try and slick it back for church. It was so gosh darn cute!
4. E turned 4! How this is possible is beyond me!
5. E had a mermaid themed birthday party and it was pretty intense.
6. Pa and Grammy came to visit and we had fun!
7. E made her very first purchase. I was so proud of her. She had saved up her nickles and dimes from all of her chores and bought herself a My Little Pony. The cashier was so sweet and took her time with E as she counted out the correct change.
8. E adopted a cat (that decided it wanted to come and live at our house) that she named Swishy. Swishy only lived outside our house for 24 hours before the neighbors called animal control and she was taken away. Both E and Daddy were rather upset.
9. Duke started a Speech Therapy Program. Ms. Kathy came to the house once a week for an hour to work with Duke. Some days we just played and other days he would really work hard. He came a really long ways in this program!
10. Oma came to visit for her spring break!
11. All matching for Easter Sunday.
11. In an attempt to surprise Jakob I arranged for Uncle Duke to come and visit. Jakob had no idea. I had told him that I had booked him a dental appointment and that I had one the same day so he should just take the day off. The night before he explained that he had a company work party that he had to attend. Uncle Duke was only going to be here for 48 hours, so taking an entire evening for work just wasn't going to line up. I ended up telling him that Duke was coming and we arranged it so that Duke and I could go to the baseball game that Jakob was attending for this work party. It was so nice seeing Duke and Jakob was pretty excited. Finally a present that he actually liked!
12. E caught her very first fish! She was so proud of herself!
13. Royals game in the Diamond Club courtesy of Tortoise.
14. We hosted our first yard sale, which was a lot of work but rocking it out with these ladies made it so much fun!
15. I dipped my toes into the pool of wood working by building a little kitchen for E. It was a serious learning curve but I think I'm addicted! This has opened up a whole new world!!
16. Oma's birthday present to E was dance lessons. She had such a wonderful time especially dancing with her BFF.
17. She had her very first recital and I think my heart just about burst with pride. She was so cute and did such an amazing job!
18. Daddy needed to study so the kiddos and I took off to Vegas for 3 weeks.
19. We practically lived outside.
20. Duke was fearless when it came to swimming in the pool! He would jump in without a care in the world.
21. We went on lots of adventures, hiking, feeding bunnies, and so on. It was a super fun trip!
22. Jakob won tickets from his company and we got to go to the Starlight Theater and see Beauty and the Beast. It was amazing!!
23. One Sunday morning we were all loaded up in the car headed out to church and Goldilocks just died in the driveway. After lots of research Jakob decided it needed to go to the mechanic. Which began the car exchange for the summer of 2016. We have the most amazing friends who were either on vacation or were not in desperate need of their second car and they lent it to us. Every week we would have a different friends car. Goldilocks was in the shop for 3 weeks and our friends were life savers!!!!
24. Duke Manfred turned 3! Talk about mind blowing! He's not a baby anymore!
25. Duke had a Young, Wild and Three Birthday.
26. Goldilocks was stolen from our driveway and found three days later lit on fire. There was so much drama that came along with this event, especially since this was our only vehicle. Thankfully Gretchen was able to loan us her car for the next two weeks while we moved.
27. We bought our very first home. Jakob and I went looking at houses, saw three one of which came with a frog (yes, a frog) in the basement. Decided that we wanted to go in a slightly different direction. That evening I went online and picked out two more houses to see. I went without Jakob and that was it. I was hooked. Jakob and I made an offer on it that evening. We re beyond excited to start laying down some roots and (hopefully) we won't be moving again for awhile (We have moved 5 times in the last 2 years.
28. Oma came to help us pack, unpack and make the big move! Thanks so much Oma!
29. We bought a new car!! We love our CRV! We only wish there was a money tree in the backyard.
30. Grammy and Pa came to help us settle in and do some slave labor! Thank you so much for your help!!!!!
31. We went to the Renaissance Fair twice this year! It was a blast!!
32. We went to the sunflower field, which will have to be a yearly tradition!
33. At the end of August Duke transferred from Infant Toddler Services to a Speech Therapy program with Ms. Cole in the school district. I have nothing but respect for this lady and for all of the hard work that she put in for Duke.
34. We got to go to the Night at the Museum Gala. This year it wasn't black tie, and I was the only one wearing a floor length gown. It was a bit awkward but fun being the best dressed. That dress made me feel like a rock star though!
35. I still nanny little Gretta. Some weeks I have her more and others I have her less. She has become part of our family and E loves having a sister. I usually say I am the Mom of three because I count G as one of my own.
36. We announced that we are expecting baby number three in April of 2017! We couldn't be more thrilled or nervous. It will be very strange going back to sleepless nights, feedings at all hours and having a tiny human again. However we are thrilled and can't wait to meet this little one!
37. E carved this little pumpkin all by herself. I was really impressed!!
38. Jakob and I went to a free Simple Plan concert which was rather wonderful!!
39. For Halloween this year we went as a Brave family. Daddy was a Scotsman, Duke was a Scottish Lad, E was Merida and I was a bear. You'd have to see the movie Brave for it to really make sense :)
40. After 8 weeks of Speech Therapy for twice a week for 1/2 an hour. we realized it wasn't enough and we tried to get Duke into a different program. He was accepted and at the beginning of November he started going to a Special Ed Pre-School four days a week. It is AMAZING to see how much his has improved. He is throwing less tantrums, saying so many more words (one and two syllable) such as apple, ouch, hot, mine, my turn, open, thank you, welcome, bye bye, dad-ee. (The list goes on.) He also knows his colors (can recognize blue, black and red without prompting) and can count to ten. Let me tell you people this is HUGE!!!!!!! I am so in love with this program and I am SOOOOO PROUD of Duke!!!!
41. This big boy also rides the bus to and from school every day! He is so grown up and he {loves} the bus!
42. Jakob's company sent us to the symphony twice in November. It was amazing!!!
43. We had Friendsgiving this year and had Caleb and his wife Tiffani come up. It was so nice to see them. Jakob and I also baked our own turkey. We were pretty proud even though we have found it is super easy to do.
44. E was asking to go to Pre-School and Mrs. Cole suggested that become a peer model at Duke's school. She was accepted and she absolutely loves it! It is great for her to learn to be a good helper and be more responsible. She is doing great and learning things as she goes! Very proud of this sweet girl!!
45. We had our gender reveal. IT"S A BOY!!!!!! I couldn't be more excited! Hopefully number 4 is a girl so E will have a sister but I am thrilled to welcome another little man into our family. In case you are wondering, no, we still do not have a name. Yes, it is driving me insane. We have a few favorites but just when I think I've settled on one... I change my mind. He was named for a solid week. I had decided and then overnight I just felt like it was wrong. So.... the hunt continues or he may just be named Guy, Kid, or Boy. :)
46. Family Christmas Photo 2016
Family Santa Photo 2016
47. This year for Christmas we did quite the tour. Our first stop was in Vegas to spend time with Mom and Dad, see Star Wars with friends and just enjoy going back "home."
48. Our next stop was 36 hours in Dallas to see family there. It was a quick trip and next time we will have to stay longer. The kids had so much fun and I really need to pick up a few cooking/ baking tips from Amy.
49. While in Dallas Jakob's brother Jeff did some work on Jakob's teeth.
Thank you Jeff!! He looks very handsome!
50. Our final stop for the holiday was in Houston. It was so much fun being with family for the holiday!!!
And that's a wrap!! I really can't believe it. While we had a few bumps in the road this year we really couldn't be any more blessed! 2016 was a good year and I can hardly wait to see what 2017 has in store. It is going to be one busy year!
