The Dupee Family

February 16, 2011

January & February Update

I cannot believe that it is already the middle of February. We've had a very exciting month and a half in the Dupee household. Here's a snapshot of what's been happening in the bitter cold depths of winter!

Braden started basketball. He is very slow to warm with new activities but I think we're headed in the right direction. He is awesome on defense and is getting better and better at dribbling.

Braden and Olivia made their own chocolate ice cream! We rolled the pink ball around the living room for about 45 minutes while watching a movie. It was really fun but a lot of work.... if I had to do that everytime maybe I wouldn't consume so much. :)

Steve and I were fortunate enough to go to the Superbowl this year. We were guests of the NFL network. It was an incredible trip. I feel so fortunate to have been able to experience not only a Superbowl game but one where the Packers played... and won!

We had a wonderful time and relished in the fact that we had some alone time. My mom graciously watched the kids for us. We owe her big time! She did a great job - they are all in tact and didn't want to leave her!

This was taken while waiting in line for the NFL tailgate - and what a tailgate it was.

And this was of course just after we won! The two guys in front of us (here in this picture) were Steelers fans. :( It was amazing, a trip I will never forget.

Braden celebrated the 100th day of school! He counted out 100 plastic animals to bring in for a collection and took in a box of Honey Comb cereal to make a 100 day trailmix with his class.

Judy is turning 70 so we had a weekend celebration in Milwaukee. Some of us went to Disney on Ice on Friday night.

Olivia and Norah enjoyed sharing their toys with darling Lola. Oh what fun we are going to have as these girls get older.

We went out to dinner at Bucca and sat at the Popes Table. This is Judy, Darrell and their three kiddos.

A very proud grandma! And great-grandma to baby Lola.

The whole gang! We had a terrific time and are amazed that Judy is so vivacious, positive, active, and lovely as she turns 70 years old. We love her so much and are very fortunate to have her in our lives. We hope that she is as proud of what she's done in her 70 years as we are.

So busy, busy, busy as usual around here! I hope to not be away so long and will someday find a routine that provides time for me to do things like this! :)

January 9, 2011

Olivia

Olivia got a cookbook for Christmas. This was her first desert that she made. It's a yogurt creme' brulee.

It was really yummy!!

And this princess tent she got for Christmas from my mom. She has slept in it for naps for the past 4 days. I am however taking it back downstairs because I'm convinced she wakes herself up because she's really too big to sleep in it.

I love this girl. She makes me laugh every single day.

Back at home...

We had yet more celebrations!

Marc and Heather came for the Packer game! Norah sported Braden's Charles Woodson jersey with great class. :)

Marc gave the kids really, really generous christmas presents this year so it was a very exciting visit for them.

The next morning we had our own family Christmas morning.

Braden got a science kit so we were experimenting a little bit here.

Judy and Darrell came down and we had our final Christmas celebration.

For New Years Eve we took the kids to Pump It Up. They ran and jumped for 2 hours!

She is super fun for me to take pictures of because she is not yet moving as fast as the other two.

We even got to sample some bouncy fun ourselves. This is Judy (our fearless grandma) who has just a little fear in her face in this picture. If you can't see it well click on the picture for an enlargement. It's pure glee. :) She knows I think she is an awesome sport!!

This is Olivia catching a parachute. She had a great time but the poor girl threw up on the way home in the car. We're not sure what it was from because she bounced back quickly and ate dinner with us that night.

At one point they turned out the lights and gave the kids glow necklaces. It was really exciting.

We had to have "kiddie wine" with our fancy dinner.

We ordered dinner from a local deli. They prepared the food partially and we brought it home and finished it off ourselves. It was delicious.

I know food pictures aren't much fun but the desert was amazing. I'd love another one right now in fact.

I didn't make it to New Years... I don't think any of us did this year but we had a great time. The visit with Darrell and Judy was, as it always is, a lot of fun and the perfect mix of action and relaxing.

Thank you everyone for a wonderful Holiday. It seems to go by faster and faster with each passing year.

Christmas in Appleton

This year we spent Christmas in Appleton.

My mom couldn't have been more excited that we were there. As you can see, she even decorated her hair for the occasion. :)

We went to Christmas Even service with three adorable kiddos. I love when they get dressed up. We don't do it nearly enough.

And when we got home Santa made an early stop to say hello and that he'd be back later that evening. As you can see Braden was a little apprehensive at first.

Braden's still not so sure...

but Olivia is smitten.

After Santa gave Braden a present he decided that the man in the red suit just might be an okay guy. :)

Santa gave Olivia a ballerina outfit which she promptly put on. You can just see Em's belly in this one. It's absolutely adorable. We can't wait to have another little body at all of our family gatherings.

Olivia would be part of their family if she had the choice!

But we like her a lot and aren't planning on selling her anytime soon!

The annual family dinner ... we've made many memories in this dining room.

Opening presents the next morning was a blast. This little smile continues to greet us everywhere we go.

I love this one!

We had a wonderful Christmas in Appleton. It was nice to be in a beautiful home with a warm fire and people we love dearly. Thank you mom and pa for all of your hospitality and Sam and Em for embracing our kiddos and the chaos that comes with them! We love you all.