max is 2!

we celebrated max's 2nd birthday yesterday! he had a packer themed party, since he loves watching the game with his dad:)

max in full gear.

touchdown maxers! it's time for cake.

we finally found out what max's favorite flavor cake is,

and he inhaled it! yum:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX!!!

happy thanksgiving:)

happy late thanksgiving:) we had a wonderful family filled day. we started be having a thanksgiving lunch at my mom and dads, then headed over to the pingel side for supper:)

lilly, max, and baby grey.

the elrick family, all 18 of us sitting around the table.

the other half of the elrick table:)

five of the pingel side cousins eating together:)

and the newest two just hanging out with their dads on the couch:)

there is a a lot to be thankful for this year, but my number one is my family.

wordless wednesday.

never forget:)

throughout life you get these moments, usually time passes and we forget.... this is one that i pray i will never. i have posted in the past that max's language has really picked up. but for some reason this event truly hit me, let me explain;

it all starts that i got a 30% off at kohls so my mom and i went after work to shop. by the time i got home it was dark. normally anytime that i get home and the kids are already there max and lilly come running to the door, lilly normal saying your home! and max normal yelling some type of cute gibberish. but this night it was different max greeted me at the door silent. he looked up at me and then did the sign for "na-night" (to sleep) no sound, no noise, no yelling, just a sign. i said to him "no max you don't need to go na-night you play." he just looked at me, it's hard to find the right words to describe it. it was a look of... you understand me:) all this time yelling i did this, and you finally understand me! then he just smiled turned around and walk away.

now, i know that he has asked for "more" and has done all of these other signs that i am very proud of. for some reason, this to me seemed like my first conversation with him:) sure, it might have been a one sign conversation, but to me it felt like we were really connected with words:) i've been waiting to have this moment, and i thought i would have to hear him vocally to feel that connection but i was wrong and that is why i hope i never forget it.

here is max signing na-night.

a visit.

this past weekend we had one of nick's closest friends over, it also was the first time we got to meet his daughter. dallas(nicks friend) and his wife windy live out in colorado, so it's always a special occasion when they come home for a visit, but like i said it was extra special we got to finally meet skylar:) max loved having a friend smaller then him:) he followed her while she crawled around on the floor. he was just so fascinated by her, he wouldn't take his eyes off of her:)

she seemed to like him too, as long as he wasn't pinching her:(

we were lucky enough to capture their first kiss:)

a bug.

the flu season is here and it hit us fast and hard. today i had three sick little ones:( this morning i found it challenging to cuddle all three at the same time, but we found our way through it. by one o'clock max was off the couch up and walking around. baby grey slept most of the morning and afternoon, oh, and i am pretty sure lilly watched enough tv for a week but like max, now is up playing again!

my littlest one:)

this little boy is six weeks today. i am noticing he is not as quiet as little max was when he was a baby he is more like lilly. he is not sleeping though the night (i know that is normal but i forgot how it can affect you during the day, not getting that sleep.) and just like lilly was, if he is not being held he is crying. i can say the difference now is that i know it doesn't hurt a baby to cry. so there is a lot more noise in the house:)

he is just so small, it's hard to remember the other two so small. he is most definitely growing, a few of his sleeves are getting short on him already! but he is still fitting perfectly into newborn diapers:)
lilly and max are loving taking turns to hold him, and just the other day lilly wanted to help with a diaper change! it went well, she just kept saying "oh, you have such a tiny little butt, cute."

the whole family is truly enjoying the newest member of the family:) (even with less sleep and all the extra noise:))

happy belated halloween

here are a few pictures of our halloween.

max, lilly and baby grey.

the elrick cousins and two neighbor friends before trick or treating on sunday.
grandpa and grey.

our little bunny:)

sorry for the spill aunt dana.

there was a hotel that had trick or treating for kids and families with for any child with a different ability. i knew i wouldn't be able to take all three kids by myself so my mom joined us:)

lilly with cat in the hat. lilly and max with the spooky skeleton!

max.

standing like a true super hero:)

lilly with scruff mcgruff:)

wordless wednesday