We LOVE Christmas

This Christmas started off with a huge surprise. The kids didn't know that Nana and Bompa were going to come visit us, so the Tuesday before Christmas I took Tanner for a little drive, we got lost and ended up at the airport. I got out to check on something in the trunk and said "Hey, Tan, I think there is someone we know." He got out of the car and caught a glimpse of Nana and Bompa, he almost knocked them over he was so excited. It took a while for his chin to get picked up off his chest, he barely knew what to say... he just kind of giggled the whole way home. Bryn was napping when we got home, we barely knew she was awake until we heard this big "NANA!" It was so much fun! I love surprises!

The week was full and overflowing with Christmas activities. Mom and I made Peanut butter balls, and thanks to her help they turned out a lot better than last year. We made cookies for Santa, decorated a gingerbread house, watched our share of Christmas movies, went on a walk at Tanyard Creek, went to the civil war museum in Pea Ridge, and of course mom and I were able to get away for a few hours for a mini shopping trip. We used to be able to take hours and just shop till we drop, but we've had to condense it a bit with little ones around. Its a smaller version, but still so much fun.

Christmas morning it was apparent that Santa had found us and the kids must have convinced him that they were on the good list. It is always so much fun to hear and see the excitement oozing out of them.

Tanner was having a blast, until he hit a few presents in a row of clothes.... that was not on his list if you can believe it. He wasn't too happy about the clothes, but he loves his new DS.

Bryn was content to take things at her own speed and wanted to play with everything before she moved on to the next present. All she wanted was a new baby doll and a cup cake maker. Oh, what fun that cupcake maker has already given us. It was later in the day we were finally able to make cupcakes and she wanted to give the first one to her Dad (I am giggling just remembering about this.) She was so proud and took it out to him. He took a bite and started to tell Bryn how yummy it was... then you could tell the full flavor of this yummy cupcake started to settle into the taste buds. He just looked at me with the best "this is the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten" face I have ever seen. But he held it together for Bryn. I was rolling on the ground it was so funny. (It may be one of those 'you have to be there moments' but I will get laughs out of this one for a long long time. ) I guess I hadn't shared the reviews I had heard about this cupcake maker, that the cupcakes taste like rotten bananas. Oh, how funny, I have tears in my eyes. Greg definitely earned a "Daddy Merit Badge" that day.

Kade couldn't have cared less about everything that was going on... all he wanted was the screw driver that Greg was using to assemble different things and the M&M's that he found in his stocking... maybe that was all the Santa should have brought. Huh.

Christmas was great we love to see it come and it was so fun to have Nana and Bompa with us this year. We know it is a special treat for us and we thank them for coming.

Here are some fun pictures from the week.

Sacrifice Well Worth It

I wanted to try a recipe I saw on one of my favorite blogs "The Girl Who Ate Everything" They were the Gingerbread Bars. My, oh, My they were delicious. I am afraid I ate the majority of them myself. Tanner was at school when we made them so it was just me, Bryn and Kade. The Gingerbread Bars were definitely worth it, and I have to say that the beating my kitchen took from a ignored 1 year old was worth it too. I don't know how I even moved around enough to make our treat!

This is another of Kade's favorite past times. He will climb in the cupboard and shut the door on himself. I've had to empty out this cupboard for him. But it is definitely worth the smile I get every time we play peek a boo.

I think he's climbed in every cupboard in our house- except under the sink in the kitchen. He is such a nut!

Joy

Ok, I've been informed that it's time to update the blog. (Thanks Nik) I admit, it has been a while and a lot of fun things have happened.

We were able to have Grandma and Grandpa Ralph come and visit for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun to have them here and we appreciate the time they took to travel and play with us.

We had the ward Christmas Party where Santa came to visit. Here is a picture of Tanner and Kade with Santa. Kade is still trying to figure out what to think of this guy with a hairy face, and Bryn would have nothing to do with him...in fact my ears just stopped ringing from the scream when she saw him!

We made sugar cookies to kick off the holidays. This is always a fun treat for me. I think, no, I know we eat more dough than is good for us... but it's our way of kicking off the holiday eat fest!

We had a short-amateur photo shoot for Christmas cards...don't worry, they are coming, but they will be a bit late... Notice how I had to do Kade separately? I am still working on mastering this 3 at a time thing. :)

Life is good and full. We hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas Season. I know we sure are!

Kade

I was able to get Kade's 1 year pictures taken yesterday. Here are some fun shots to share!

So, I'm a little slow...

Ok, so I know I am a little slow... maybe it's because I'm still recovering from Halloween! We had such a fun and busy, busy, busy day.
Our celebration started on Thursday when we were able to go to Bryn's preschool and enjoy a fun filled party with her. She absolutely loves school and all the fun that goes along with it.

Friday we started out early with Bryn going to playgroup. The timing worked out great because Kade wanted to take an early nap and I could get some cleaning done. (Thank goodness Kade wanted to nap early too, because there wasn't another time slot available for him to do it in!)

After lunch we headed to Tanner's school for a Halloween parade and party. There were definitely a lot of fun and creative costumes. Tanner LOVES his class and teacher and he was more than excited to show us all everything he could about his class.

Next came a quick photo shoot and trick or treating at Dad's work. Bryn was Tinkerbell, Tanner was Speed Racer and Kade was a horse. Well, at least Kade was supposed to be a horse. He absolutely hated his costume and would scream whenever he had it on.

Trick or treating at dad's work is something the kids love to do. There are just rows and rows of cubicles that the kids just go up and down looking for candy buckets. Then they are given handfuls of candy. We didn't even make it half way around the building before their candy bags were full.

Bryn was completely wiped out by the time we were finished at dad's work... can you believe someone could actually fall asleep like this?

Next we came home and had about an hour to rest before we went to Hoopers for pizza and trick or treating. We always have a ton of fun with the Hoops (as Tan likes to call them) and we are grateful for them. Once again, while the kids were out they filled up their candy bags. By this time I think Bryn had enough sugar flowing through her to keep her running for a week straight.

After trick or treating we went home and got the fire pit hot and ready for a group of our friends to come over and make s'mores. What a fun night! I think this will definitely become a tradition.

So, once again Halloween has come and gone. We love it when it's here, but so excited to see it go too! Now, if I can just sneek the rest of Bryn's candy to the garbage I think we'll be doing good!

I just have to show you these amazing costumes Aubrey made... yes, that's right, she made them! I thought they were awesome! Tanner is already saying that next year he wants to be Optimus Prime. I sure hope Aubrey hires out!

Birthday Pictures

This is one of the reasons I LOVE 1 year birthdays! It is so fun to watch how each child will react to their very own cake. Kade took a minute to warm up to the idea, but then went at it full gusto! He is such a sweet kid. I still can't believe he is one!

Kade is ONE!

I know, can you hardly believe it? I am in complete denial. I can't believe it was a year ago today that we were just about to be handed the biggest surprise of our life: Our Kaylee became our Kade, and we wouldn't have it any other way. He is the sweetest little boy, I love every bit of him. Here are a few things about my Kade:

1) He has 5 teeth

2) He is quite the walker

3) He loves his brother and sister

4) He can be entertained by peek-a-boo for quite a while

5) He loves chicken nuggets

6) He just barely started holding his own bottle (just in time to give it up!)

7) He is my 'lounger.' It isn't uncommon for him to sit against a wall and just lounge. He also loves to do this with Greg.

8) He loves to dance

9) He tries to sing with us

10) He loves to get into the lids of my pots and throw them

11) He can throw a crazy tantrum (it's still in the cute and funny stage though)

12) He can go up stairs, but he isn't quite as graceful at going down them!

13) He loves his soft poka dot blanky

14) He thinks he is so smart when he holds the phone up to his ear (or the back of his head) and says (EH!)

15) He still loves to cuddle

16) He is just starting to enjoy cold milk

17) He LOVES to be outside

18) He hates to be taken inside

19) We think he's left handed. I'm sure it is too early to tell, but he throws left and picks up his toys with his left.

20) He loves to throw things- especially food while he's in his high chair

21) He has a killer smile and dimple

22) He has HUGE hands and feet

23) He hates his diaper to be changed

24) He is on the same haircut schedule as Greg and Tanner

25) He loves his daddy. When Greg walks in the door after work Kade jumps up and runs over to him to for loves

26) He is loved by his family. Three kids has definitely been a different ball game for me, so different in fact, for quite a while I didn't even know what game I was playing. Kade has been worth it all. The past year has gone by quicker than I'd liked it to. I'm afraid this 3rd child gets whisked up into the life of older brother and sister really quickly, and time passes before you know it. It's days like this that make me stop and realize I have to enjoy the moments.

3 months

6 months

9 months

1 YEAR!

Happy Birthday!