We made a gingerbread house!

We All Fall Down!

Having Fun in KC

We visited Union Station and saw lots of train setups! We went next door to Crown Center and played at the Crayola place as well as saw Santa and ate at Fritz's! It was a quick trip but a fun one!

Halloween-our little Spooks :)

Our first trick or treat at Carolyns! She gave them the sweetest treat bags.

My fantastic 3!

Knight in Shining Armor

Nutcracker Ballerina

My football player (Chiefs)

Vogel Update

Well, we are hanging in there this Fall. It's cold ALL THE TIME but we are managing to still find things to do and stay healthy (knocking on wood as we speak!)

We had Clares first parent/teacher conference. It was interesting because I am in there so much and I am always curious how she is when I am not in there. She seems to be doing well/excelling at most if not all of the "basic" stuff! She is beginning some sight reading stuff so that has been exciting teaching her stuff at home!

Will has been doing tball and is doing really well. He is actually listening and is enjoying it! It's cute as can be to watch him, he's always looking over and giving me a big thumbs up! He's had a pretty nasty cough for the past week but isn't running a fever so he hasn't been his normal onrey self! But, I am sure we will kick it this week and be back in full swing!

Xavier still only really has 3 teeth. He is starting to say some words....no and more mostly but with two older siblings, that's about all he can get out! He is practically running and is into EVERYTHING (I don't remember the other two being as bad!) So, he keeps me on my toes!

He managed to drop a baking stone on his big toe the other day so I anticipate him loosing it soon. He has a large gash on his head that is now healing from when he him it on the chair in the living room, and the list goes on! You are probably thinking, who watches this kid??? Well, I swear I do but if I tell him no about something or divert his attention, he's into something else! He's just "that kid!"

Well, enjoy the pics. I was able to get Clare and Xaviers pics at the pumpkin farm but only got the back of Will on several occasions so I opted not to post that pic! The other is of the kids dancing! I don't know why it's so dark but it's pretty funny! Then, there's my prince

charming at tball ;) Enjoy!

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons are going well. Xavier loves it, talks the entire time! He kicks and splashes, he's a fish! Will is doing very well. He does everything assisted but is really catching on and is comfortable in the water! Clare is swimming "to the flags" which is about 1/4 the length of the pool. She does very well both on her back and stomach and swims mainly unassisted! It is really awesome to watch--I am so excited for her to be on swimteam! Enjoy the photos!

Random Vogel Photos

"Daddy and Baby Xavier" taking a stroller ride (that poor stroller!)

Will LOVES to do puzzles lately. He did these four (and they aren't easy!)

Clare in her "on-ba" position! She LOVES her dance class!

Will packed himself in a suitcase (he thought this was hilarious!)

Clare posing before school! Such a cutie!

Random Vogel Photos

New family pictures!!!!!!!

My Helpers

My house should be spotless with this help.

Busy Weeks

Well, school is officially in full swing. I just received paperwork for Clares trike-a-thon! Her school pictures are coming up! I am excited for her and all her big girl stuff! She also gets two fieldtrips. I like how her school does it, it isn't like a glorified "playgroup" where everyones siblings and parents come but instead a few parents and her entire class get to go and it's very organized.
Clare started Dance class today! She enjoyed it. The first 20 minutes were ballet then the last 20 were tap. I have yet to get her tap shoes--I need to get on the ball and do that. It about killed me to buy a little leotard for her, but I need to let her do things SHE wants to do. I have such a terrible attitude about it, I don't know why. I guess I just really want her doing SPORTS vs this tap and ballet stuff. But, she loves it and that is all that matters!
Will starts baseball in October and he can't wait. He is talking more and more about going to school so I am SO GLAD I held him. He needs that time with me and Xavier--the boy time! Plus, lately, he's been like a sponge so it's nice to teach him. He was making his letters the other night and I just watched in amazement at how much he's picked up on his own! I forget how quickly they can learn!
Xavier is off and running now. He's kinda like a dog who loves to go outside. To come in or out of our doors you have to stick your leg out to keep him back. He would be outside 24 hours a day if he could! He is really starting to interact with us and it's so much fun. Now I KNOW what he wants by just seeing his expression in his eyes! It's a good feeling to see that! He has quite the temper on him so that's been interesting to see. He definitely lets you know what he doesn't want! His hair is growing in more too so he is starting to look more big boy. It's kinda sad......he isn't my big baby anymore--he's a toddler!
Clare, Will, Xavier and I are also taking swimming classes. Clare does the starfish, Will does the angelfish and Xavier and I do bubble babes. Clare is swimming about 6-7 strokes on her stomach (freestyle) and she floats very well on her back! I am SO PROUD! She is becoming a fish! I get anxious just thinking about the possibilties for her! Will loves to swim. He isn't nervous or anxious, he just takes it all in stride and is starting to really figure things out for himself! Swimming takes a rhythm and I think he's starting to figure his out! Xavier LOVES the water. He's in there just babbling and babbling and pointing at C & W. It's lots of fun to have them all at the same time. The bubble babes class is real low key too so I can keep my eyes on all of them!
Michael and I enjoyed the U2 concert the other night. I know we really needed it. Just to sit and eat a meal without cutting everything up for everyone, blowing on it, making sure we had enough napkins, etc! But, I wouldn't have it any other way! We were anxious to get back but we really had fun when we were there! We mainly just walked around and window shopped and ate before the concert. Then the concert was great--long, but great! The hotel was nice, so all in all it was a nice little "vacation." The kids did great for my parents and they came back happy so what more could we ask for!
Have a great week! I will be sure to post more pics!

Will is 3!

Pics from the Childrens
Discovery Museum!

It was a dramatic birthday! First, Monday night, Carrie & Eric came over as they had plans for the rest of the week. Tuesday we hit the Discovery Museum and Emack & Bolios for Ice Cream then went to Wings for dinner and face painting! I made Will a batcake that he was less than impressed with! Friday night was the par-tay at our house! We had haybails, a campfire and a haybail dressed as a horse to ride complete with a saddle! I am including pics. I think by the time Friday rolled around he was exhausted and ready for it to be over with. But, all in all, he had a good time. Just to show you how exhausted he was, on Saturday they (C & W) went to bed at 7 and slept until at least 7 today! Big week ;)

Will singing his Big Green Tractor Song to the Music!!!!

I hope you guys find this as adorable as we do!

He was singing along and he didn't realize I was

filming him until after!!!

Can't leave Xavier out of the blog.....

My sweet one year old playing in the rocks. Michael freaks out about the kids playing in the rocks so I think that's why Xavier likes doing it! And, he enjoys throwing them out so I have to pick them up. Fun game, fun game!!!

Cute videos of the kids singing

Stupid Old Pickup Truck

(Taylor Swift) by Clare Vogel

and an even cuter song by Mr Will Vogel

Big Green Tractor (Jason Aldeen)

Clare Starts School

So far so good ;) Same teacher/same place as last year (Holy Trinity) so she is really enjoying it! She goes M, W, F from 12:30 to 3:00. Next year she will be in full day kindergarten and I can't even think about that now without getting a lump in my throat. She will be the cutest little Catholic School girl there is.

As I sit here listening to my baby cry......

We've been doing the "cry it out" to help Xavier sleep better. It works fine but I still feel bad for how unconditioned you get with each child to the crying. It's not because I don't care, I guess it's more because I know it's for his own good. I don't feel good about myself as I sit here listening to it, in fact I am doing this just to keep me from running up the stairs.....
I am wondering....does he need his "night-night" or does he just need me? Is he maybe not tired and I have his schedule off today? Is he going to wake up the other two? UGGGHH~~~why can't these children come with instruction manuals??
Anyway, Clare and Will and myself went to the dentist today. Clare had full-on going out clothes-her purple skirt (like a tu-tu) and a cute little tank with sparkley flip flops and matching bow! Will had full Cubs gear! I just had a boring old summer dress compared to the two! It was cute to see them be such "big" kids in the chair, answering every question and just going with the flow! They even sat while I got mine done. I just had to snap my fingers once and give Will a dirty look once! Not bad! Then we big kids went out to lunch~and Xavier played at our neighbor Carolyn's house! (He is still screaming!)
So, back to Xavier, who's still screaming and I think Clare is waking up! Shoot! Anyway, he'd been doing so well with the cry it out, last night he cried for all of 30 seconds and was OUT! Now I am REALLY wondering if I need to go up there and just get him since he's been crying for what like, 10 minutes now? UUUGGGHHH! I feel bad.....
Well, I decided I am going to get him because I'm about sweating, but I just had to do this to keep my mind off of it and it isn't working! Sorry you got drug into it ;) Have a good weekend, my BABY is turning 1.

Vogel "Campfire"

As close as I'll ever get to camping, we had a little fire tonight and had smores! It turned out great, the kids had a blast, and we ate too many smores. Here is an adorable picture of them. All are doing well. Xavier is working on some more teeth--has had a few days of CRABBY. But, he is back to his happy go lucky self!!! Will is completely pottytrained. He is proud as can be of himself! Clare is heavy into soccer and is loving it! She's also been doing quite well! We are headed to KC in a few weeks and are excited about that! Even more exciting is that Xavier is turning 1 this Saturday!

Another week, what to do what to do!!!

Well, after another round of antibiotics due to sinus infections I am happy to report we are on the mend~the kids and I at least! Michael is tired (as always) but doesn't seem to be getting sick (knock on wood!)
We had an exciting morning....Clare had her first swim lesson for the parks and rec (a 2 wk program at an outdoor pool!) We decided to go early and play at the playground. That was only fun for about 15 minutes and we needed to kill 30. So, we watched a guy skateboarding nearby and watched a guy drag the ball field for a later game! Then we headed to Clares lesson. I explained what level she had completed at the Y. Appearently the girl did not listen to a word I said. So, she ended up in the 4ft area being tested. I hovered over to make sure she was being properly watched. At one point the kickboard slipped out of her hand and she was basically head only above water trying to make it over to the lane line. I started yelling and the guy luckily turned around and grabbed her. I about had to jump in. So, she started crying and freaked out. I walked right up to the lady in charge and explained what happened and I had her put in the easiest class. She probably needs to be up a level but after being scared to death, I thought this was best! Tomorrow I will probably have her up to the next level. UGGHH! I guess you get what you pay for!
Afterwards we went to the library for our weekly library trip. We had a good time, thankfully we found plenty of books and videos to our liking and we left in one peice! Only two more books for the kids and we get our summer reading rewards!
Clare had her first soccer game on Saturday. She had quite the cheering section, my mom and dad and Carrie were there along with the boys and Michael and I! It was pretty cute. I will post pictures when I get a chance! She did pretty well despite her goofiness. Sometimes you could tell she was out there daydreaming or just totally oblivious and other times she was right in there doing what she was supposed to! By that afternoon, our entire house was worn out (combination of not feeling well/week of little to no sleep) so the rest of our weekend was spent doing basically nothing! (besides laundry and I swept/scrubbed floors!)
Have a good week.

Update on the Potty Training--Success!!!!!!

Our Hulk Impression!!!!

We had SUCCESS with all functions today! So, we will be making a trip to Chucky Cheese as promised! Feel free to join the germ fest....... No accidents (yeah!) We are so very very proud!!!

Cutest Little Soccer Girl EVER

Isn't she just adorable! And, of course, she's THRILLED because her color is PINK!

Xavier--11 months old tomorrow!!!!

Here is my little sweetie on the swings today!

We went to a different park for the heck of it (not in our usual roster of parks!) and they loved it!

How could I not post this cute little picture????

Will pees on the potty

The best part of pottytraining--seeing their cute little butts in underwear ;)

Yeah! My sweet little boy is going on the potty. 100% pee, about 5% the other. But, we will take it! He is so sweet and he just is so proud of himself when he goes. He's earned a batman and batmobile (thanks Grandma Terri!) and of course, plenty of candy! If he goes all day without #2'ing in something other than the toilet, we are headed to Chucky Cheese! I know those of you who read this without kids (my sister and brother in law mostly!) probably read this and are horrified that I would even publish something like this but this is HUGE and such an accomplishment. I just hope his tummy issues can be helped and maybe

we can figure out a way to help the #2 along ;)

Big things to come for Little Will.