Artwork by G & Z.

Gracie's Artwork.
Zachy's Artwork.

The Malecek family has produced true Artists!

I ventured fingerpainting with the kids the other day.

I have had the paints for probably about 10 months. I actually had boughten some once for the intention of Gracie and Zach and then I gave them away as a present. I look at the paint and think it would be so much fun for the kids to get their little fingers all gooed up in paint and to make a creation. Then I look at the paint and think what a mess this will create and that I will have to clean it up. Well Monday I must have been in a very good, creative, and daring mood because... the fingerpaints finally came off the shelf in the closet, out of their package, and had to pleasure of being smear on paper by 4 little hands and 2o little fingers. The fingerpaints finally got to meet fingers!

I was thinking this project was going pretty good.

My kids had surprised me and we were having fun...Until.... this happened...

My little Zach. How cute is he?

At least it is washable fingerpaints and clean-up was again not near as bad as I had anticipated.

The kids had lots of fun and we now have their masterpieces hanging up in their bedrooms.

GO VIKINGS! LET'S WIN THIS GAME!

Marty and I went to the 2nd round play-off game today at the Metrodome:

MN Vikings Vs. TX Cowboys... and the VIKINGS WIN!!!

The Dome was packed and was a'roaring today and we stood for 3/4ths of the game.

How exciting. Let's hope they can do this next weekend at the Superdome!

Hankies were a-flying!

(Something funny happened here with Marty and I. I was using the cell phone camera, and I don't think it saves pictures to well...)

The kids of course needed to get into the Vikings SPIRIT too.Gracie and Zach didn't come to the game with us.

They got the pleasure of staying with Auntie Denise and Uncle Jim and Cousin Rochelle.

They had fun.

GOOD LUCK MINNESOTA VIKINGS!!!!!

Winter Fun.

On Sunday Gracie and I got outside for a little bit to enjoy some of the snow. We haven't been out yet this year to play in the snow. Gracie loved it!!! I think she would have stayed out all day... except my cheeks and nose was getting cold, so I am sure hers was even colder. The joys of being a kid and having so much fun that the inconvenience of being cold doesn't matter.Eating snow!

Making a snow Angel. Gracie was pretty good at it.

Until Willie came and stepped all over it. Then she got a little upset.

Gracie and Mommy!

Our Christmas

Last evening we did the Marty/Terri Family Christmas celebration. Gracie is really getting into opening presents and realizing what this is all about. Zach just wondered around in amazement at all the paper on the floor and new things to discover. We will be going to my Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve and then Marty's Mom and Dad's for Christmas day. Always a wonderful time with our families.

Yesterday bowls, Today plastic containers...

So yesterday these trouble-making kids get out all the bowls and play with them... today it is the plastic container drawer. Tomorrow will probably be pots and pans. Who knew a kitchen could also be so much fun. Oh, well at least they are playing nicely together and having fun.

Random Pictures

Well I downloaded 2 months worth of pictures from the camera today and thought I would share a few of the funnier ones. These kids are a hoot sometimes. I don't know where they come up with some of their ideas and actions. Keeps life interesting and definitely no time for boredom.

Enjoy!

Playing Horsey with Daddy

Zach's favorite place is sitting or standing on the coffee table.


Gracie decided to make a little bed for her Curious George on a shelf in the closet. She is very considerate as he gets a pillow to sleep on and her blankie to cover up with.

Zachy trying to get at the crackers himself in the pantry.

He uses the frying pan for a step stool.

Gracie playing night-night with Daddy.

Notice he also gets a pillow and a blanket to cover up with. Then she thought she would lay down too.

Playing night-night on the kitchen floor.

Getting ready for bed and brushing their teeth, then they go hide under the desk.

What are these crazy kids doing?

Zach wanting to wash his hands like his big sister does.

Zachy thinks he can use the potty chair too!

Gracie and Zach spend many hours playing with the big lego blocks.

Wearing Mommy's Army boots.

Oh, so cute, brother and sister hand-in-hand.

Playing in the toy box.

Marty and I ready for a night without the kids, my National Guard Christmas Party.

Good-Bye Vibe, Hello Pilot

So a few weeks ago I had the crazy thought to list our vehicle on Craigslist and see if we could sell it. This was all thanks to my brother-in-law Jesse who successfully sold their car on Craigslist. I thought... what the heck, I can do that too. Wouldn't you know in a about a weeks time someone came to look at it, offered us just slightly below what we listed, and it is SOLD! Our beautiful 2005 AWD Pontiac Vibe was gone. I was more attached to this vehicle than I thought. It was Marty's and I's first big purchase together after we got married. We bought it brand new off the dealer's lot in the fall of 2004. We were very excited. 5 years and 115,00o miles later... it is no longer ours... we brought our babies home in this car. I was so sad. Marty thought I was overreacting just a tad... and I probably was. It's just that I was always so proud of this car and how cute it was... just our size... until we had Gracie... then Zach... now 2 carseats later... it is to small for us. We had talked about getting a new vehicle, most likely doing a trade-in. I just didn't think I would actually sell it on Craigslist that fast. I guess I was wrong.

---2 weeks later---

So for 2 weeks we have been driving Marty's parents van. Yesterday after many hours of searching the internet we went to the cities to look at the few vehicles we had it narrowed down to and we came home with a new beauty. The garage, who was once home to our Little Hatchback Vibe, is now home to our 2009 Honda Pilot EX-L. Some gal had purchased it brand new this summer and after driving it for 3-4 weeks decided she didn't like and traded it in for something else... so it is practically brand new, with only 1800 miles on it. It is always exciting making a purchase and to be able to drive something different.

When we got home and we were showing it to Gracie, she gave us her approval: "Momma's new car? I like it Momma, I like it." She had been very distraught since Momma's other car hasn't been in the garage for the last few weeks. I had to tell her it was broke for her to understand: "Where's Momma's car? Oh, no it's broke?" "You fix it?" Such a sweetheart she is.

Riding Tractor with Daddy

Marty has been busy helping his brother with field work this fall since we don't currently have any pigs. His job has been running the tractor with the chisel plow, working up the dirt. He has been putting lots of long hours, but seems to enjoy it. Gracie has gotten to go with him a few times and ride a long. She gets so excited, because I pack her a little backpack and she gets to "go with Daddy."

Apples with Grandma

A couple of weeks ago my Mom decided to take a day off of work and come to our house to do apples. She came with 3 five gallon pales of apples from their trees and my Aunt Claudia. We peeled, cored, sliced, and cooked/baked apples, apples, and more apples. The end results were some apple crisps, pies, and applesauce and of course lots of good quality time with my Mom and Aunt. Gracie very much enjoyed making the pies with Grandma and Zach was such a good boy. He sat in his booster chair most of the time just watching and playing with whatever kitchen utensil we gave him. Thanks Mom for such a good time and wonderful memories!

Halloween Fun

For Halloween we had a little Elmo and a little Frog. The kids were soo adorable and actually didn't mind keeping there costumes on. My sister had a Halloween/Birthday party for 3 of her kids so we spend the evening at the Daly household. We went Trick-or-Treating in their neighborhood. Gracie learned pretty fast what this going door-to-door stuff was all about. Zach enjoyed his ride in the wagon.

It was a Halloween party so Marty and I dressed up too. We were suppose to be Geeks, but everyone thought we looked like Hippies.