Jonah made snow angels, Elliott threw snow at us and Bianca had a great time running in the snow.  We also created a snow “mountain,” pulled up a deck chair and helped Jonah sled down it.  Check out the photos and video below.

“I want Mama!”

“Not me!” or similar “And me!”

“Let’s go!”

“I want more.”

“Naked paaarty!”

I need to get it recorded but it’s cute to note that Jonah comes out sounding more like “JsaJsa.”

Check out the post it note drawings he did for me from the back of the car today.  I think they are pretty good.  Way better than the scribbles I was expecting.  And lest you misinterpret, those first few are of “mama’s drill.”  Can you tell we’ve been doing a lot of work around the new house?

The one with the 2 people shows one running, but only one…can you guess which?

And lastly, a word he wrote out after eating lunch at Johnny Rockets.

I think Uncle Tim’s shirt in the photo below says it all.  

Our biggest news for 2011 is that we moved to a new home.  Not only a home, but a house this time!  It’s big enough to give each boy their own room and also leave space for an office for Chris and me.  Plus there’s a family room separate from the living room and a small family area in the basement.  So far there’s a lot of unpacking yet to do on the house and an endless number of projects, but we love all the new space.  An added bonus is that it’s located almost equidistant between both sets of grandparents, so that’s been a new convenience for everyone.

Come visit! Our new address is 8050 Lowell Av, Skokie, IL 60076.

The family is also doing well.  Jonah is in his second year of preschool.  He started at a new neighborhood school once we moved.  He did well with the transition but we’re happy that this school also houses the kindergarden that he will attend next year.  He’s making new friends, working on learning to read and write and his vocabulary continues to grow.  Outside of school, he enjoys taking swimming classes and loves to play knights, dragon trainers, pirates or anything else he can think of involving a sword.

Elliott is growing like a weed.  He wants to do everything and play with everything that his big brother does.  They get along really well, though, and seem to enjoy each other’s company.  Like Jonah, Elliott is also very active.  He seems fearless when it comes to climbing but he is also turning into our musical kid.  Elliott likes to get the whole family moving with his demanding cry of, “Let’s dance!”  He’s also our go, go kid.  Any time anyone makes moves to head out the door, Elliott is there passing out shoes and standing at the door shouting, “Let’s go!”

Chris continues to like his job working for Experian Automotive and received a promotion mid-year.  Julie started a new job in May for a company called Neutral Tandem.  Though she didn’t love having to go to the office every day again after working from home for 2 years, it is nice to be a full-time employee again after contracting since 2009.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2012,

Julie, Chris, Jonah, Elliott (and Bianca) Diehl

For those who don’t already have it, our new address is:

8050 Lowell Av, Skokie, IL 60076.  The landscaping has been updated but here’s a photo of the new house.