The real reason for the season

Amidst all of the Black Friday shopping, seeing Santa, all the presents under the tree we need to remember without Christ there would be no "Christ"mas.  I'm so happy, that even though Kaidrie looks SO forward to all those fun things she does know the real reason and talks about Jesus' Birthday. 

Last night before venturing the 1 1/2 hour drive back to our home we went to a parade with mimi and grandma that reminds us just that - there was no Santa to be found in this parade, just reminders of that day long ago..

Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and their donkeys

Grandma Lu and the kids waiting in the cold.

And then it starts and Kason is barking at the horses... he's a little mixed up!

Brrr... the kids with their grandmas..

Cool camels

Lots of goats

They also had little angels, Christmas carols, horse and carriage, and of couse what parade would be complete with out some snowmen and candy!

A fun day

Some daddy snuggle time

then we went over to our friends home.  It had been so long since we have been together to play!  The kids had a great time, and the moms did too!  :)  The boys trying to escape!

My attempt at making Turkey cupcakes!  The kids ate them up, so they must have at least tasted good!

Kaid and Brandon have almost outgrown this little table - but the boys Kason, Dylan and Ayden fit perfectly!

Just a little something I found funny.  Kason had snached a baby wipe and tore it up like he likes to do.  I found most of the pieces, but couldn't find the rest... and then a while later, I found it.  It was shoved in our on/off gas valve for the fireplace.  Good hiding spot!

I am Thankful

God has blessed us so much this past year. We have so much to be thankful for! I think back to 2 years ago when we were so broken and were expecting a new little miracle - but were so unsure if he would make it here safely. Here we are now with 2 beautiful healthy children! God has blessed us so much! Then I think of some family and friends who are going through such hard times and I am aware that we can not take forgranted one day we spend with our loved ones or one more pay check we are able to bring home to our family so we can live comfortably. For all of those out there who are lonely - yet everyday we are surrounded by many we love. Those who go hungry and we have our fill. There is not a day that goes by that we can not look around us and see so many blessings. We have great role models in our life that have taught us to be the people we are today. Thank you mom and dad and Paul and Lu! Even if you are going through some tough times won't you try to look around and see all the areas you have been blessed? I pray everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Christmas is on the way!

We have a problem part 2

I tried to upload this video on the last post, but couldn't get it to... so here it is. Part 2 of this ornery boy.

I was taking Kason downstairs to say night-night to daddy and daddy was watching one of those movies all men love - the "shoot em up, bang bang" movies. As soon as Kason heard the gunshots he started laughing, squealing and flapping his arms. Then the house on the movie blew up and he was so excited he could hardly contain himself. So - not sure what this all says about my son... I'm a little concerned. But, I guess his daddy likes that stuff and he turned out ok, so we do have hope!

We have a problem!

We do have an ornery one on our hands!!  This little guy looks so sweet and innocent, but he's really the silent dangerous type! 

Many times I find him here... just hanging out...

and the latest one... I ran upstairs to do something quick and Kaid starts yelling for me. "Mom, Kason's on your computer"  I was thinking he was messing with it like he normally does, but NOPE... this time he was litteraly ON my computer.

Ahh, yes and now trying to stretch him self out.

But then he's scared when he climbs up 2 steps to look at the fish, go figure.

Here is one of his newest favorite tricks.  I was relieved that he chose to go over the arm this time instead of over the back of the chair.  He loves flipping off everything.  He did it over and over and over until he stood up and went head first over the entire thing... kind of scared him so maybe he won't do it for at least a day.  The kid never once cried.  We aren't entirely sure there's a whole lot in that hard head of his... haha

He smiles the whole way!

What a wild ride - I love his face on this one!  Hilarious!

Yesterday while Kaid was at Preschool I set him up in his room to play while I took a 10 minute shower.  Yep, the kid had a blast.  There was nothing left in his drawers other than the diapers.  Every single one of the wipes in the FULL box was emptied out onto the floor.  Yep, the boy had a blast.

But look, he's really sweet and innocent... honest!

Kaid and Kason being goofy...

Weee... going for a ride.  This day, Kaid was "Kristin" the girl going to the Bible study.  I knew "Kristin" was back when she came up to me with her backpack and her Bible and talked in her "grown-up voice"  Such an imagination.

Snuggling on the couch

So pretty even fresh out of bed

Just being goof balls!

Sorry ahead of time...

Just wanted to say that since I changed the layout of my posts I can't find my spell checker!  And for those of you who know me well, know that's not a good thing!  :)  So, for the time being.... you're just going to have to put up with it! 

Welcome little baby!

I was so excited to go visit Amy and Todd!  Todd Isaac was born on Monday, November 9th after a very LONG labor then C-Section.  Poor Amy - you get the gold star! He was 8 lbs 10oz and 21 in long.  What a big boy!  He is so sweet!  The proud momma and her little man.

Sorry Amy, I know you did all the work - but this boy is going to look like his daddy!

"Aunt" Janna trying to get a burp out of him.

Isn't he just too cute!

He was so wide awake for about 45 minutes when I was there.  He really responded when Amy started talking to him.

Kason can't wait until he's big enough to play!

Congrats again Amy and Matt!  Thanks so much for sharing him with me!  Hope all you girls have fun looking at the pictures!

The simple joys...

I know it's about time I get my butt in gear and post my pictures from last weekend!

We went back home to meet a very special little man - he will be in the next post!  While we were there we obviously had some fun with family! 

The kids were back in my old room playing and all of a sudden we hear really loud noises coming towards us... which is not unusual for when these two are together....

and here they are in their whole get-up.  Clay said "yeah, I'm sorry I got the shoes out"  He was meaning "sorry" for his own ears.  And the part of the picture you don't see was Kason following them holding his high heals... Probably a good thing he wouldn't hold still for the picture!

Kaid wouldn't let me take a picture of her, so I tricked her to get this one...  hot stuff!

It's never a quiet moment when these three are together!

Kason is getting to be such a silly guy.  Here he was trying so hard to put his shirt on, but this is as far as he could get it.  He was so proud of himself!

The hangout for the moment...

Not much new going on here other than a very welcomed slower pace to life this past few weeks.  Ahhh we can breathe again!  Kaid is so funny.  She comes home from preschool alot lately and says "mom, I didn't eat a snack today - I was so busy with all my work I had to do" meaning her tons of crafts she does every day!  Then on the way home from school I told her we had to make a stop before going home and eating and she replied with "mom, you're wasting my time!"  Followed by giggles and "mom what does waste my time mean?"

Kason is starting to talk more... I'm hoping not much for at least a while.  Mommy can't take 2 big talkers yet - although maybe they will just talk to eachother and my ears can rest a little... just hoping.  :)  Anytime I tell him not to touch something he blows and says "hottt" Says "Wow" about everything.  And recently started saying cup, which sounds more like "butt" than cup!  There are many other things that we think he is saying, but he doesn't repeat them enough for us to know for sure!  He's a huge jumper, climber, and flipper.  Kaid and I were laughing so hard a few days back when he climbed on the coffee table... I said "Kason, sit down.  You don't stand on the furniture" when he jumped on to our laps on the couch.  He did it over and over.... I know mommy should have stoped him, but I was laughing too hard to even talk to him!  The next day he moved his riding car to the back of his Buckeye's chair and climbed over the back of it and flipped over and over and over again.  Oh great fun!  I told Randy I am expecting many broken bones with this kid - I just don't know when it's going to happen!  What a stinker!

Who would have thought....

it would be warm enough for the zoo!  This past Sunday we met our friends, Tricia (I went to college with Tricia), Brian and Emmy to enjoy a beautiful day!  It was cool to see the animals out and about for once.  We usually end up going on days that are so hot all they do is sleep!

The wolves.....

the Bison...

Then we went on to the petting zoo.  Kaid loves combing them and Kason just... well loved everything about them.

and was trying to give them hugs and climb on them and talk to them

a look of joy

Emmy is just too cute!  She is 3 months older than Kason and makes the funniest cheese grin!

just one more hug dad!

Last time we were there this monkey was only a few days old.  This time it was so cute jumping all over!

sweethearts

and this was right before they smooched!  I was so bummed I didn't get the picture - it was so cute!

The cougar out and about - what a beautiful cat

The kids both loved the Aquarium

We had such a good time, as always when we get together with them.  We hadn't seen them since Kason's birthday party, so it was way over due!  I think everyone was getting grouchy and ready to eat when we left (espically my husband!) so got so got some good eats with them.  They are expecting there second baby at the end of March and will have a family much like ours!   How exciting!