Slippers, mittens, and pot-holders....

For Christmas the boys all recieved slippers.  They are kind of a mix between slipper and sock.  However, Keagan thought of all other kinds of uses for them....

This was the first time wearing them.  He really liked them and actually would bring them to me so he could wear them.

The following day he brought them to me again but kept saying "am, am."  I finally figured out he wanted them on his arms. 

Yep....he's a little bit of a handful....

Then he decided to use them like oven-mitts.  He brought every one of the remote controls to me like this.

And there we have it.  Slippers, mittens, and pot-holders!!

Keagan turns two!!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEAGAN!!!!

Friday, January 21st was officially your birthday.  We had a birthday party a couple of weekends ago with family so on your actual birthday it was just us.  Friday afternoon Kellen and Mommy fixed you cupcakes.  Then friday evening we opened a couple presents and had cupcakes.  Pretty much a low-keyed evening. 

When we asked you to  blow out your candles this was the look you gave us.  I thought since you had practiced this several weeks ago you would be a pro by now.....but you had other ideas.  Kellen blew out your candles and you kept saying: "again again!"  So I obliged....yet you still would not blow out the candles. 

Another googlie-eyed shirt that says "Later Gator" 

Last night we celebrated with an evening out at Gattitown.  We ate first and then played games the rest of the evening. 

I think you boys like the bowling the best.

Oh what a year it has been! I cannot believe you are 2 son! At the beginning of your second year you were barely walking....and now you're running!  You were saying a few words a year ago and now you can say complete sentences.  You talk all the time and sometimes I have to hush you just so I can figure out what is going on.  You also became a big brother this year!  You my dear son are a whirlwind of emotion and activity.  You wear your emotions on your sleeves and aren't afraid to voice your opinions and concerns.  You are so strong-willed and I pray I will learn how to channel that into positive behaviors and character in the future. I think some day you  would make a great comedian!  You love music and love to dance.  If there is a beat you're on it!  You also idolize your big brother and dote on your little one.  If Kellen is doing it....so can you (or at least you think you can).  You are not content without a bat and a ball.  You carry balls and bats around with you all day! I call you bam-bam sometimes because well, I think you act just like him!  The "terrific twos" are here.....I'm gonna brace myself!! This year we will be moving to a new place and then probably again a year after that! Whew...what a year we have in store..I can't wait to see what this year brings.  I love you!!!



Kade's 6 month update

You're growing way too fast my boy! We went to the  Dr. this morning for your well-baby check and shots.

The shots went pretty well - you conked out on the way home from the appointment though. 

Height: 28 in (90%)

Weight: 19 lbs even: you went down to something in the 70th %

This month you have accomplished a lot.  You are also going through some very obvious seperation anxiety.  You learned how to sit up well and just this week learned to roll over from your back to tummy. You are still taking two good naps and sleep about 11 hours or so at night.

We love you so much and your brothers adore you.  Keagan thinks you are big enough to wrestle with.  The last several nights we have really had to stop him fom tackling you when you're on the floor.  You take in stride though and most times think it's pretty funny.  You love to squeal these high-pitched squeals - you definitely have found your voice! We love you!!

Happy early birthday Keagan!!

This past weekend I decided on an impromptu birthday party for Keagan.  His actual birthday is not until the 21st but we were all together anyway and hey - why not shove one more activity into the already hectic weekend?!  We were really not going to have another chance to celebrate and this helped everyone not to have to travel again in a week.

The Cars cake

We all sang happy birthday and he just stared at us like "why in the world is everyone singing and what am I supposed to do about it?" I really thought he was going to start crying.

Nana had to help him blow out the candle.

I think I'm beginning to like all this attention!

Let's just say it came out blue on the other end too!

Kaylee and Keagan.....Kaylee was serving at church so she was a little late for the party.  When she arrived Keagan stopped unwrapping his presents, ran up to her and hugged her.  It was the sweetest thing.  Keagan has a special attachment to his older cousins Kaylee and Kobe.

Kade checking out Keagan's new bowling set

Of course the older brother has to help unwrap.  With all the commotion it was forever before Kellen got the bright red icing wiped off his face.

This is the new zippity that Keagan got for his birthday.  Kellen LOVES it! He already knows how to hook it up and play all the games. I love how birthday gifts for one child are actually for all of them! 

Thank you to everyone for coming and celebrating with us. I know it was a little hectic and last minute but we really appreciate everyone for their generosity and willingness to be a part of our children's lives!

Kade: 6 months and sittn' pretty

Or handsome I should say...

Happy half-year birthday son!

You are sitting up really well.  Occasionally you will topple over if you aren't paying attention. 

You make all sorts of noises and love to watch your brothers.  You get so excited sometimes.  You are scared to death of a certain toy known as the ball popper.  I'm not sure why but when it comes out you just sit there and whimper and look for me.

You are drooling like crazy.  I'm hoping it's because you are getting your first tooth.....but it remains hidden.

Yo! What up!!!

You still love the exersaucer.  Most everything entertains you which I am thankful for! You are such a good little guy....except when we travel to new places.  You do great in the car but then have a hard time adjusting to new sights, smells, and sounds. It takes you a few days to adjust to new surroundings....then you're usually as good as gold again.  This month you are definitely showing some favortism....towards me.  You are a mama's boy!  You are still nursing 4 times a day and eating 3 solid meals.  You LOVE to eat most everything.  I am going to start giving you a sippy cup soon for practice...I can't believe we are already there.  You take 2 naps most days...unless it's one of THOSE occasional off days.  You are going to bed around 7:30 and usually sleep about 12 hours.  You are doing great!  I love you so much my handsome little guy.  These next few months are going to be a whirlwhind of activity with moving and packing and selling our house....so hang in there!

My superheroes

Aunt Morgan got the boys matching spider man pjs for Christmas.  I told her I would get a picture of them together so here is my attempt:

Keagan would NOT let go of the ball.

It's surprising that the 6-month-old was the only one who really cooperated!

Christmas #3

Wow! We had a busy weekend and I'm trying to decide what pictures and in what order to do them. This past thursday we traveled to Springfield to Nana and Papa Slaters house and on saturday we celebrated Christmas with the Dudley side of the family.  I think the boys may be confused on to which day Christmas actually is! We celebrated it over several different weekends.  We headed out to Nana and Pa's early saturday morning and hung out with the family the entire day.  Then us siblings and our spouses headed out for an evening without kids! Thanks Nana and Pa and Nana and Papa for keeping our kiddos!

All four grand-kids got John Deere sleeping bags...of course Ruby's is pink though!

Kade and Aunt Morgan

Little Miss Ruby...excited! 

Nana made Kade his sock monkey and his baby blanket.  Kade loved the drum that Nana and Pa brought back from St. Maarten.  And Oscar thinks the blanket is his....yeah right.

The sock monkey.  All the grand-kids have these too.  Esp. made by Nana.

Keagan enjoying his Ugly Doll from Aunt Shannon

Nana opening some of her presents.

Aunt Morgan got all three boys matching spider man pjs.  They are too cute and I'm going to try and get a picture of all of them tonight.

Chaos definitely is the them of our Christmas morning here.  But it's a lot of fun!  We had a great brunch afterwards and played the rest of the day.  Merry Christmas again!

Happy New Year!

 Happy 2011! We didn't stay up late or do anything special New Year's Eve this year.  Well actually, we don't do anything on New Years anymore.  I guess I just don't want to stay up late and then be woke up by little ones early in the morning.  Maybe I'm getting too old!

We got some party horns and made a little sign and celebrated New Years at 9:00 instead.  Hey - they don't know the difference!!

We also broke out the Sparkling grape juice.  The kids love it! 

Kade missed out on the action but I didn't forget a picture before he went to bed.

The next morning we fixed homeade doughnuts

I have and did make these a lot growing up and before we had kids but I can't remember if I have made them for the boys before.  They loved them of course.

Good bye 2010 and hello 2011!

2010 was a good year to us. I have many things to be thankful for in 2010 but am excited to see what this year will bring us.  We welcomed another little baby boy in July among many other things.  We flew the boys to Florida for a beach vacation.  Kellen has flown and been to the beach before but it was Keagan's first time for both.  That is probably my favorite memory of this year.  The memories of the boys in the sand and water is something I won't forget. 

In just a few short days Karsten will find out if and where he matched for a sports medicine fellowship.  We will move again this year and then again the next! We will be putting our house up for sale in a few short months too.  This year will bring much excitement I'm sure.  I'm up for it but nervous at the same time.  Hello 2011!!!