Where is Jingles??? (12.21.2011)

Kendall and Sydney have not been very good girls this week. They have been talking back, not going to bed then extremely crabby at daycare all week. So this morning when they woke they did not see Jingles (Elf on the Shelf) any where. Chad informed them that maybe he was so sad that both Kendall and Sydney have not been very good and decided to not come back.

When we got home later that day, a letter was in the mail to Kendall and Sydney...

Dobbelaere Christmas (12.18.2011)

Thanks everyone for a fabulous day! From a visit from Santa to the dice game.

Lots of laughs and lots of smiles.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas with Papa Mike & Grandma Elaine (12.17.2011)

Thanks Papa Mike and Grandma Elaine for an AWESOME Christmas!!!

4 Years Old!!!

4 years ago today, we welcomed two very precious girls into our life. A bit early, as Kendall decided to join the world 7 weeks early...but you'd never know the difference today.

Each day our girls amaze us with the things they say and do. They always make us smile and know how to cheer us up. They are our shining lights that keep on burning.

Happy Birthday Kendall and Sydney...Happy #4!!!

The girls have had a weekend birthday that has been full of fun and excitement. It all started on Friday with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe to celebrate not only their but also Grandma Shelley's birthday.

Then it was off to Build a Bear...a special birthday gift from Grandma Shelley. Kendall picked a white bunny with pink flowers and proudly named her Flower. Sydney picked a brown bunny with pink ears and named her Sunshine. After giving their animals a heart full of love from them, they then got to choose outfits to complete the process.

The adventures continued Friday night when 3 of the girls cousins arrived at our house for the weekend. Elliott, Avery and Cecelia brought yet another birthday gift for the weekend. Then on to Saturday the BIG birthday party. And of course the presents...what good is a party without birthday presents?!?!?

Then it was on to treat time. Where the kids had the opportunity to decorate their own cupcake...frosting, sprinkles and why not M&M's. And if I do say so myself...the buttercream frosting made by Mommy and Elliott was delish!!!

As the day turned into night, the kids also began to slow down. You can definitely tell we are in a new age of fun. As all the kids gathered on the couch to play...yup an electronic device. We had Ipods, LeapPads (girl's birthday gifts from Mommy and Daddy), Kindle Fires and IPads...

Splish Splash...let's have some fun in the tub. And the final act of the birthday weekend...a bath to wash the cupcake mess away, with the best people in the world...our cousins!

Fun At Bentleyville In Duluth (12.3.2011)

We spent a great weekend in Duluth with the Krattenmakers and Lees. The Krattenmakers were wonderful host. We ventured out and visited Bentleyville on the Bayfront Festival Park where we saw lights, lights and more lights. With over 3 million lights, it was spectacular.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend!!!

Carter Krattenmaker, Cam Lee, Sydney, Madison Lee, Kendall and McKenna Krattenmaker

Fun at the Dells (11.2011)

Last weekend was spent at Wisconsin Dells with some GREAT friends (Schickedanz, Williamson and Cole families). We had a wonderful time at the Wilderness where there was much swimming to be had. We learned our girls have NO fear of water, slides or waves that are larger than life.

We had a ton of fun. Thanks Lisa for a great weekend!

Visit to Papa Mike & Grandma Elaine (10.2011)

We loaded up our bags, the car and set out to visit Papa Mike and Grandma Elaine in Wisconsin. Our time there was filled with lots of fun! A visit to Papa's work, the Madison Zoo, Pumpkin Patch and an Apple Orchard. The girls learned how to carve a pumpkin with electric tools...then got to enjoy a nice fire down by the lake.

Thanks Papa Mike and Grandma Elaine for a fun-filled weekend! Love you!

Daddy Daycare (10.9.2011)

This past Friday night we decided to watch a Netflix movie with the girls.
Mom and Dad not wanting to watch another cartoon, picked the movie Daddy
Daycare. The girls loved it and decided the weekend at home was actually
"Daddy Daycare." Daddy Daycare consisted of Daddy having fun with the
girls by playing games, dancing to music, going outside, walking through the
woods and of course play time at the park. Daddy Daycare did not consist
of Daddy making breakfast, lunch or dinner...nor did it consist of Daddy
picking up after the girls. Daddy Daycare employed Mommy to do these
services...unpaid by the way.

Monday morning when Daddy arrived at the "real" daycare, Kendall looked up
at Daddy with a sad look and said "is Daddy Daycare all done?"

Daddy said it was very cute as though she truly enjoyed the weekend at
home.

Monday night at dinner, Daddy asked the girls "So, did you like Michelle's
(real daycare) or Daddy Daycare better?" Both without hesitation
said..."Michelle's."

I guess Daddy Daycare was fun for a short period. Daddy, might as well get
use to it. This is one of many times they will say they preferred
something other than Daddy or Mommy!

Summer in October????

October 5th and the girls are swimming in Lake Marion...while the leaves were changing colors and dropping to the ground?!?! The night started with Daddy working late and Mommy NOT wanting to make dinner. So a quick run through the McDonald's drive thru, then off to the park for a picnic. The girls quickly ate their nuggets then scampered off to play. Then it was determined that they needed to see the lake...where boats, jet skiers and swimmers were enjoying summer in October.

Seeing the lake became feet in the lake, which then became knees in the lake, which then...yup, might as well go swimming...in our shorts and t-shirts. How often can you say, we went swimming on October 5th!!!

This weather is crazy, not that I am complaining!!! Our air has been on a few times...again it's October! But the part we like the most, is having our windows open each day and night!!!

Mother Nature must have realized how unfair she was to us this spring...thank you!

Fun on the beach

Cold and not happy that it's time to leave

Weekend at Grandma's (10.1 - 10.2.2011)

While Mommy and Daddy closed up the camper for the season, Grandma Karen watched the girls for the weekend. It was a fun filled weekend with many visits, play time with cousins and hanging with Auntie Missy and Auntie Tricia. By the time we picked them up on Sunday, they were tired and a bit on the crabby side...but all for the right reasons!

Thanks Grandma Karen, Auntie Missy and Auntie Tricia for such a FUN weekend!!!