Babywearing Babies

 Baby Alice received a doll carrier from Santa this year and has loved carrying around her baby doll she received from Elaine. She is quite the mommy with the "ssshh"ing and rocking. She pats and kisses baby often and even nurses the babe anywhere and anytime. She is the cutest little thing although she is outgrowing the title of "little" very quickly!

Daily Dose of Alice

Alice is full of personality lately and it is full of laughs hanging out with her all day. 

Alice spent about 40 minutes putting on Dave's socks and finding my shoes to walk around in. It took so much out of her by the end she was exhausted. 

We decorated cookies after dinner. She didn't realize you are supposed to put some frosting on the cookie before eating. She just went ahead and ate the frosting with the spoon. 

She was so proud of herself and thought it was hilarious she put socks on her hands. She was laughing at herself which was the best part. 

When you find a sparkle hat you definitely put it on for some puzzle putting together. 

The Step Stool Stories

Alice has discovered that with the help of the step stool she can reach all of the things. She can also find things to eat, which is her favorite part. She lugs around the step stool all over the house. She uses it to climb up to bang on my computer. She uses is to get into the top bin of her toys. But mostly she just uses it to find food on the counter. The sweeter the better.

O' Christmas Tree

I came across a post about doing a family year book. That was always my goal in keeping this blog is to actually keep record of our year and at the end of it have it printed into a book to enjoy. Life has gotten busy and I haven't been as diligent about posting as I used to. Sometimes I think about all the little funny stories I have missed, especially for Alice, on this blog and I get a little bummed. But, I am going to attempt to get back in the game. I think I say this pretty much every December when my fall season quiets down and I am left with more time. I am not sure what happens to it all.  So today I will have a new start.

We put up our Christmas tree yesterday and filled the front of our house with lights. We are slowly accumulating more Christmas decorations. Dave is always excited about this as his house growing up was always decked out in holiday decorations.

This was the first year Alice really took notice of the tree and was in aww. She has tried to grab a few ornaments here and there but is getting the hang of looking, not touching. She walks over to admire it often. Asher loves decorating the tree. He couldn't wait to get started from the second we picked it out at the Christmas tree lot. Jaxson has taken to some traditions this year more noticabaly. They had a friend over yesterday as we began decorating and when he went to put an ornament on the tree Jaxson asked he pick a different one because that one Dave needed to put on the tree. He would hand Asher "his" ornaments and took special notice to his special ones too. It is nice that he is getting a tad taller and more particular where the ornaments are put. He was in charge of making sure the bottom half of the top half was decorated and kept Asher from filling up one section of the front of the tree too much. Pretty soon we won't need to help at all!

From Delivery Truck to Top Bun Food Truck

It's been almost exactly a year since we were the co-owners of a brand (old) delivery truck. It was big and loud and came rumbling into Des Moines the day after Thanksgiving last year. After a road trip it was sitting in our driveway along with Dave and Hopper who had big plans. They knew it was going to be the newest food truck on the block but it had a long way to go. Over the last year they have brainstormed and had plenty of of trial and error to get it to where it is now. It turns out building a food truck is tricky. The trickiest part was working with local electricians, HVAC, welders, and plumbers along with other general contractors who also have never built a food truck before. Since the equipment needed and the size of the truck are always a little different they couldn't just find a plan and follow it. Many of the food trucks are built in places like California who have professionals that are experts in building food trucks. Dave can probably add himself to a very short list of the most knowledgable in town when it comes to converting a delivery truck into a working food truck. If not at the very top of that list.

Enjoy a few photos I found of the truck from start to finish! I know there are more and will add them as I find them!

The first photo of the truck! 

Left is photo of the inside when they bought it. Right is just before opening day! 

Taken the day before the grand opening! 

A fresh coat of gun metal grey paint! 

The truck started with an overhead door but that wouldn't work for a food truck.
So they had to come up with a plan to put in a regular door! 

The truck started with an overhead door but that wouldn't work for a food truck.
So they had to come up with a plan to put in a regular door! 

Fingers crossed we drew it the right size and in the right place. 

Window in and ready to take orders! 

In progress covering all the interior with stainless steel and other washable surfaces. 

Uncle Phil is a talented metal fabricator. His skills came in quite handy!  

Flooring is in! 

They found a stove at an auction for a great price.
It did not come with someone who would clean it for them. 

Looking fancy with a nice coat of paint! 

Trying to figure out what decals to include on the outside of the truck. 

The final logo choice! 

Jaxson seeing if he is tall enough to help customers! 

All three littles helping set up before the grand opening! 

Top Bun for the baby

Jaxson working on making some fries

Cheese curds anyone!