Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!!!!!

Last night I booked our tickets to go to Florida in February and I couldn't be MORE EXCITED!!!
I am definitely more excited then anyone in my family....but I think that's just because the girls don't quite understand the adventure they are about to go on :)

Ted's Dad and his wife Mary winter in Sarasota, FL.  We had such a great time seeing them in Kentucky in August that we decided we must go see them in Florida as well.  Marlee is still free to fly until she is 2 so we thought February would be the perfect time to go. 

While there we are going to surprise the girls with a trip to Magic Kingdom!!! We will fly into Orlando, have a day at Magic Kingdom and then drive on to Sarasota the next day.


Marlee will be most excited to see these guys


Victoria will be ecstatic to see these ladies


And I can't wait to see the smiles on both of their faces.  I'm just dying with excitement!!!

Once in Sarasota we get to hang out with Bob and Mary and just RELAX.  We had so much fun doing just that when we visited them in August.  I just CAN'T WAIT.  Plus we get to enjoy the white sandy beaches near Sarasota and I get to see my little babies toes filthy with sand.


YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!!!!!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas from the Wirtz's

2011 Christmas Letter:

-W-

So the season is upon us once again which leaves us this opportunity to share with you what 2011 did provide and where the Wirtz’s currently are. My hope is that in the years to come one of my girls will pick up the pencil and create a wonderfully refreshing note and paints the “Van Wirtz” holiday letter in number… Fun!

I will admit as I write I am listening to a wide variety of artists, so please do appreciate our letter to you with rhythm and a glass of water, cup of tea, red wine or whatever your potion is. I thought I’d do something different and fun and periodically note a group or singer that I was listening to while writing. Again, help paint the picture. –Grass Roots—

The Wirtz’s continue to get wittier! Victoria is smart, beautiful and extremely funny! No I’m not looking forward to her teens!—The Statler Brothers-- She is a story teller! Story time begins early and lasts all day through… Her attention to detail and memory are relentless—Jason Aldean. Victoria has the keen ability to pull you in, keep you intrigued and then leave you in laughter. And she is 3.5 years old! Now here is where we get thrown a hammer… Marlee is just as good!

Marlee has a loaded deck of trump! She’ll hit you with beauty, laughter and hugs. She loves her big sister and follows her around continuously. I tell Erica, “Marlee will be the one that drives her Daddy over the edge because she is just like him…” She has curls and big brown eyes. Again, not looking forward to her teen years! But in all seriousness there is nothing like a child’s laughter and we are blessed with an abundance of it. –Miranda Lambert--
I have the luxury of picking both girls up at the end of my day. It is truly where my day begins and where I want to be. We sing together on the way home with Victoria typically requesting a song from daddy entitled “1941”… Life is good. We pull into the neighborhood as we pass the Park leading up to our driveway. Garage door opens and both scream in pure excitement as if on a roller coaster “Mommy is home!” Now for those of you that don’t know, Erica works from home, so this is like” Groundhogs Day” for me. Erica greets us and our evening takes form.—Springsteen—
I have the honor of being around the best and most beautiful 3 girls one could wish for. As for Erica and myself, we celebrated our 5 Year Anniversary in September. We went back to where it all began and spent the day in Mankato. There we walked through and around the University during the day. We met up with a couple of our great friends briefly that evening before having a late and wonderful dinner. We were quite amazed by how much the city has changed in the short time we’ve been away. It was indeed a wonderful day.
Professionally speaking Erica and I are both with the same companies and are incredibly grateful. She being with Wells Fargo and myself with Thomson Reuters.--Doobie Brothers/Three Dog Night--
When it comes to Erica this part of the letter comes easily. She is a wonderful Mother, Friend, Daughter and Wife. She makes me want to be a better Husband, Father, Friend and Son. For those that know her, and for those that may not really know her, she does not differ or sway. She is incredibly consistent and kind. Erica makes you feel comfortable, included, loved and special. She doesn’t forget you no matter what the circumstance; a quality unfortunately quite rare. –Marshall Tucker Band--

I wish to all our Family and Friends a wonderful and safe close to 2011 and a greater beginning to 2012. It’s about time we paint the picture, write the song or do whatever you feel the opportunity fit. We look forward to seeing you all soon. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays in general. Be smart, safe and enjoy life! --The Guess Who

Love,

Ted, Erica, Victoria and Marlee

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Victoria's 1st Christmas Program

For the past month and a half the Sunday school teachers have been working with all of the kids in preperation for the church Christmas Program.

For months we have stayed for 1.5 hours past each service for Victoria to learn the songs and choreography.


Notice anything missing in the pictures?


Give up?

It's Victoria!!!

Someone got a little stage fright when it came to the big day. Instead of joining in on the fun, Victoria enjoyed the show from the front row on Momma's lap.

I guess we'll try again next year...


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Rough Weekend

Our sweet Marlee had a rough weekend. Saturday morning brought us two trips to the ER/Urgent Care. The first trip was caused by a dislocated elbow. This has happened once before; it's called "Nurses Elbow". And apparently they are suseptible to it happening again and again once it's happened once. It's pretty painful - so I really hope that it DOESN'T keep happening. But as Victoria was trying to pull Marlee onto our bed to watch Saturday morning cartoons, it happened. Quick visit to the doctor and all was popped back into place.

A few hours later, the girls and Daddy were having a dance party. Marlee got a little too into her dance moves and fell...drilling her head on the corner of a wall. She started bleeding immediately and the 4 of us rushed to the ER/Urgent Care. She stopped crying and so did the bleeding before we even left the house but we thought it was best to still get her checked out. Good thing too, because they had to give her 3 stitches. It was definetly harder on Mommy and Daddy then her!! The facility right by our house is fantastic with kids. They brought in toys, movies, DVD player, popsicles, bubbles... They are so great with kids and it makes us comfortable knowing that if we DO have to go to an ER/Urgent Care that our girls are going to get great service with an extra child friendly touch.

Victoria was along for all of the emotional support :)




She recovers and gets silly quickly :)


Pre Boo Boo



Thursday, December 8, 2011

photo fun

Go check out what I've been working on :)


Link: Baby Jens

my little ginger-girl

Santa Visit

The other evening we went to go see Santa at the Community Center.
After waiting in line for 30 min we were finally able to tell him what we want for Christmas.

Victoria was very animated and told him all about the doll house she wants and even described the colors.

Marlee was silent for the first time all night and wouldn't dare leave my arms to get close to Santa.


Victoria giving Santa her Christmas list


Victoria describing her ideal doll house


Marlee telling Santa her Christmas list. I hope he understand baby babble :)



Thursday, December 1, 2011

My little snow bunnies after church...