Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas this year!!

I was able to start a few new traditions now that Kaitelyn is older and Reed is here. This was the first year we put cookies and milk out for Santa. This was the first year Santa filled stockings. This was the first year to track Santa. And this was Reed's first Christmas.

After dinner, Kaitelyn picked out her one gift to open and picked one for Reed as well. Afterward she said the cutest thing, she said "Mommy, I really like my new gift". My heart just melted, she's so sweet. Then we checked out the Kitsap Sun online to track where Santa was and it showed Fargo, ND. I explained to her where we live and where Santa was at the moment. She thought it was neat when I told her that Santa had already visited our friends Kevin and Betsy in DC. Shortly after, she was ready to get to bed but not before we set out the cookies and milk for Santa. Before she drifted off, she said she wanted to give Santa a kiss when he arrived.

Kaitelyn and the cookies she made for Santa

Santa sure enjoyed those cookies and milk ;o)

On Christmas morning, bless Kaitelyn's little heart, she remembered that she wanted to give Santa a kiss. She was so sad that she missed Santa. She quickly got over it when she stepped into the living room and saw her new dollhouse. She was so surprised that she just stood behind the couch staring at it. For a little while, she forgot about all the other presents under the tree, she was having so much fun playing with her new dollhouse.

where's Kaitelyn???

She loved that snow globe, too bad it didn't last the day. I found it broken in our laundry room with 2 wipes lying next to it. When I asked who broke it, Kaitelyn fessed up to it. She said she was trying to get it to play music. (it wasn't made to play music)

Reed enjoying Kaitelyn's gifts

Kaitelyn sportin her new hat from "Auntie Allison"

I think Kaitelyn was getting tired of me taking pictures, but this was the nicest one I got of her.

who will win in this staredown?

That afternoon, the Mintling's came over to enjoy a wonderful Christmas meal with us. It was so nice. Reed absolutely loves little Caleb. He just smiles ear to ear and watches Caleb.

Cute little Caleb relaxing and watching the ceiling fan.
Reed just realized Caleb was down on the floor.

It was a great day.

Reed is Walking!!!

OMG!!! I cannot believe it still, but Reed is officially walking now. He's been practicing quite a bit the past week taking 2 - 6 steps at a time. Now today, he started walking everywhere. It's so exciting to see him reach this milestone. My little baby is almost a toddler now :-(

Excited for Christmas

This year, I am totally excited about Christmas. It's been a long time that I've been this excited about the holidays. I think with our new home and having two children now, it's become more fun to begin some new traditions. In the years past, we never took the time to decorate. But this year Kaitelyn is really getting into it and I can't wait to set out some cookies and milk for Santa this year :-)

Each year my friend Maddy and I get together at her home and make a wreath for our front doors. Then the first part of December, we caravan with a group of friends to the Olympics for our annual tree hunt. This year, my children will have a stocking and we will bake cookies for Santa and his reindeer.

Growing up, I never really had a chance to help decorate for the holidays, nor did I have a stocking. I vowed that I would have stockings for my children and have them help with the decorations. In doing so, I found a deal through Walmart online for some personalized stockings. I had Kaitelyn pick out hers and I picked out the moose for Reed. The personalization was free and shipping was only $.97. The stockings are hanging on our mirror in the foyer for now until we get our Christmas Tree.

An afternoon in the park

A few weeks ago, I stopped by the Credit Union to visit my old work pals. It's always a treat to stop by and visit for an hour with everyone, I miss those marketing folk. The boys are so good with keeping Kaitelyn entertained while I catch up with everyone.

Afterwards, the kids and I walked over to the downtown water park. It was our first time visiting it since it's completion earlier this year. Kaitelyn loved the fountains and climbing on the big rocks.

I love this picture of Reed taking in the views.
Reminds me of a little old man.

Kaitelyn tasting the water

Hmmm....now how do I get over this wall and into that water?

Kaitelyn being a teacher

trying to catch up

two little cuties sitting on a farm

Kaitelyn sportin her quad

those are some pretty cool wheels

bike buddies

look mommy...i'm all clean

help....i'm hangin by my fingertips.

Mommy, I love you this much!!

A walk through Manchester Park:

Halloween 2009

This year was Kaitelyn's 4th Halloween and Reed's first. Kaitelyn could not wait to go trick or treating this year. When I asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween, she said "A Princess". So, we were at Costco one day and she picked out this Cinderella dress. But...after a couple of weeks and up until Halloween, she kept telling me that we needed to get a new costume, she wanted to be "Ariel, the mermaid". Needless to say, we stuck with Cinderella and she felt so special all evening.

Reed got to be a little monkey from Kaitelyn's 2nd year. The costume fit him perfectly. He wasn't too fond of the monkey hat though.

We headed to downtown Gig Harbor, the businesses were handing out candy all along the waterfront. Kaitelyn had lots of fun. Our friends, Chris and Paige joined us and they enjoyed walking along with us and seeing all the cute little trick or treaters. After our workout, we had dinner together at "Blazin Onion" off the Olympic Dr exit. It is now my favorite burger joint. The prices were decent and the amount of food was perfect. I had a Hickory BBQ Burger, it was perfect!!

After our dinner, Kaitelyn wanted to do more trick or treating. So we stopped in on a neighborhood we were kinda familiar with and let her do the door to door treating. Luke went with her while I stayed behind with Reed, but she thought it was really neat. Apparently we picked a good neighborhood, there were lines of cars parked all along the streets. Kaitelyn came back telling me how much people liked her princess dress and princess wand.

It was a long day and evening, but we were able to wrap the evening up by spending some time with our good friends, the Conraths. Kaitelyn was excited to stop by their home to see Clara in her bumblebee outfit and of course to load up on more candy. This was the best Halloween so far and it's only going to get better. I'm really looking forward to next year's festivities and the joy and excitement from both Kaitelyn and Reed. I am incredibly blessed!









Kaitelyn reminded me right before we loaded up in the van that we forgot to put here earrings on for the pictures. So I had to snap a few pics of her with here earrings on in front of the garage.

She is so precious!!

Beautiful Baby Girl

My little Kaitelyn is growing up so fast. Lately, it's been tough getting pictures of her. She doesn't like me to take many pictures of her anymore.

She is doing well with the idea of wearing panties now. We've only had a few accidents, but I never fear going out in public with her anymore. It's been nice taking advantage of the Fred Meyer babysitting option. Going to the grocery store has become easier now that Kaitelyn is potty trained. I just drop her off at the Playland and come back for her when I'm done. She had her first accident in her sleep Wednesday night. I think it's because I was busy with Reed at bedtime and didn't get a chance to make sure she went potty before going to bed. Thursday morning she woke up and said "Mommy, I'm all sweaty". So I checked her over and noticed that she was only sweaty on her bottom, that's when I realized what had happened. I'm so proud of her.

Recently she has taken more interest in her big girl bike she received for her birthday. She's been afraid of it and wouldn't ride on it unless she was forced. Now...I can't get her off of it. She loves that bike.

Kaitelyn has gotten to that age where she can't keep a secret from you. She will tell you when someone says something or does something that is supposed to be a secret.

Getting this girl dressed has become a bear. She's gotten to the point where she won't wear half of the clothes in her wardrobe because it's either not pink or it's not a dress. Kaitelyn wants to look like a princess and dress like a princess.

Sleeping so soundly in daddy's arms

Ornery Pants!!

Reedo Burreedo

We've started calling our lil man "Reedo Burreedo". Doesn't he look cute wrapped up like a messy burrito?

Now that Reed is crawling like a pro, he has mastered the ability to pull himself up and take small steps (with assistance). Just today, he made it all the way to the top of our stairs on his own (I followed him closely). That little devil.

He's so funny about what entertains him. I will catch him in our master bathroom standing at the tub talking with one hand in the air. Or, I will catch him hanging out inside the shower splashing in the puddles after my shower. He's so silly! Or when he's ready for a nap and can't find me, he will do laps around the kitchen or laundry room trying to find me. I guess it's obvious where I spend most of my time.

Date Night

A few weeks ago, I made arrangements with my friend Nicolle to watch the kids while Luke and I spent an evening in Seattle. Well, we didn't make it to Seattle, but instead we enjoyed some good company with one another over dinner at Anthony's. It was nice to sit at the bar and enjoy a nice cold beer and sit down at a table to enjoy a nice dinner. It's been since San Diego (2007) that we've enjoyed a dinner by ourselves.