ouR 2009 CHRiSTMaS CaRD

I am in TEXAS!!! I can't even begin to describe how happy being back in Texas makes me feel. Even the air tastes better here! It was a stressful night at the airport, but it turns out that I stressed for no reason and my kids are AMAZING! I did have a ton of help from such nice people (complete strangers) at the airport though. This was really hard for me to swallow b/c I try to take pride in the fact that I can do things for myself...by myself, but it was really humbling to have so many people just walk up and do such amazing things to help me out. There was a guy who watched me load up a cart and both kids to walk into the airport..he just took over and walked/pushed us into the airport and through the lines all the way to my check-in. I didn't know who he was but he was a huge help. (I must have looked really pathetic.) I was so impressed with how willing people were to help out...especially since I didn't ask.
We have already had so much fun (minus the fact that Kai got sick this morning. I think he is on the mend though.) I will have to do a HUGE post when I get back.
I thought I should post our Christmas card before time gets totally away from me. This year our Christmas card was a total team effort. Our neighbor (Jackie) took our pictures (I will post some more of the pictures she took when I get home. There were sooooo many that I loved.), and my amazingly talented cousin (Krista) put together this adorable card. I know some pretty talented people huh?! I absolutely LOVE our card this year and am so happy with the way that it turned out. Thanks guys! We couldn't have done it without you!
Front of card:

Back of card:


Happy Holidays Everyone!

Our Very Own "Lady In Red"

I know, what a HORRIBLE song! "Lady In Red" simply put, just reminds me of the youth church dances that my parents used to make me attend. The awkward rock back and forth "dancing"-sweaty palms-trying to come up with something to say to boy (who you have nothing in common with except religion) who just asked you to dance...those dances. This song was played at EVERY SINGLE one I ever attended. And if by chance I was wearing something red...even more awkward when the said boy would point it out.
But, the title absolutely describes Cici's Christmas dress.
When I was younger, my Mom would ALWAYS buy me a Christmas dress, and my brothers would get a new suite or tie. I was so excited to buy Cic her first Christmas dress this year and kept putting it off b/c I didn't want to spend a ton of money on it. I was waiting for the big "sale". We finally went to the mall to buy the dress I had been eyeing (thanks to my friend Emily who is such an amazing shopper). It was the last dress in the store and it just happened to be her size. Ahh....FATE! (At least that's what I told Ben.)
I was whole heartedly expecting every girl at church today to be wearing Cici's dress b/c I swear EVERY person at my church shops Children's Place for their kids. I kept looking around and I was shocked that NO ONE was wearing her dress.
I totally forgot to get pictures of the kids today before church (when we were all smiles) but luckily remembered after (when they were not so happy.) Kai didn't get a new suit this year. (I couldn't find one I loved. I just told him that he will get a new suit for Easter.) It helps that he still can wear his 18 month suit.
Expect to see many more pictures of this dress to come. She will be wearing it to Texas when we visit my folks this week to attend Quinton's wedding. Wish me luck. I will be flying solo with two kiddos...I AM SCARED TO DEATH!!!

I just love this kid. Her dress is so "girly".

I can't even describe how much I love this picture. I haven't been able to capture Cici's HUGE smile. I have been trying to get it on camera since she was born, and today we got it! This is the smile we see all day long. I just wish that Kai was a little more in focus.

Thanksgiving Weekend

This year we had Thanksgiving with our wonderful neighbors the Newells. They are so much fun. We are lucky to live next to people we get along with so well. Jackie is an amazing cook and so anytime she cooks it is a real treat. Ben cooked the turkey and I cooked rolls. Jackie did everything else and it was AMAZING! It was my favorite Thanksgiving yet. Thanks guys we love you!

I am so grateful that my hubby is willing to take on such a big part of the Thanksgiving meal. I cannot cook the turkey. It is so sad. I can't help it. I think it is b/c the raw turkey is a recognisable animal to me. I can't bring myself to touch it (raw that is). After it is cooked I am fine. Ben does such a good job each year and it is always delicious! Thanks Babe!


Our Christmas Tree 2009...

This year we cut down our tree with the the Fitch's, the Amberry's, and the Boyd's. It was so much fun. We are blessed to have such great friends in our lives. Thanks for the memories this year guys!

Great job on picking out the tree this year, Ben. It is the best one yet!!!

The Fitch's and their tree...
The Amberry's and their tree. Kelly was such a trooper. She only has SIX weeks left til her due date and didn't complain once!!!
The Amberry's tree was like a 20 foot tree. It was gi-normous!

The Boyd's and their tree...

After tree hunting for a while, the boys finally decided they would have a better/faster time finding the perfect tree without the kiddos, so they left us in a sunny spot where there wasn't much snow. We had a good time waiting on them to return and luckily while the kids were playing no one fell down the mountain.

Emily, Grace and Matthew

Kai in his backpack. He loved sitting in there and just walking with Ben. I think he felt safe in there b/c when we took him out he asked to get back in. Ben told me that this was his last year in it. Next year Cic will ride in it and Kai and I will walk.


All the kiddos (minus baby Matthew and baby Cic). Kinda crazy that we took all these kids up the mountain huh? It was SOOOO much fun though!
Why is there a picture of my butt on the blog? Well, if you look close...NOT TOO CLOSE THOUGH, you will see a wet ring. No I did not pee my pants.
Going uphill with a baby in the snow is so much easier than going downhill. I was slinging Cici (Thanks to Julie for the AWESOME sling by the way) and Grace didn't have a way down the mountain. I thought it would be easier to just sit and slide down the snow with two kiddos rather than trying not to fall. I wish I had a sled, but we used my butt instead. I laughed the whole way down. When I got down to the bottom I did have to feel to make sure my jeans didn't tear and I could have sworn I was going to have frost bite on my butt. It all worked out and made for a pretty funny story in the end. That was Cici's first time sledding.

Just finished hanging the lights. This takes me a while, but I want each branch to have lights on them. Each branch has lights wound all over it. It is heavy on the tree but so beautiful at night when all the lights are off.

Ben's Grandma Nield always sends us ornaments every year. We hang all the gold ones on our three small trees in the dining room. Kai noticed that one of them was a train. (Oh great). We let him hang that one and re-hang it everyday when he takes it down. I know he has taken it down b/c all of a sudden he is "choo choo"-ing all over the house with it.


This ornament is hilarious. "First Born Mom's Favorite"
Kai loved helping us hang all the ornaments on the tree. This year has already been so much fun with him. Can't wait til Christmas morning to see his face!!!

My mother bought Kai this music box when he was about 6 months old. Santa plays the drums when a button is pushed. It is the most annoying music box ever but Kai loves it to death. His face lights up every time he sees it. Just look at his face in these pictures. He is showing Ben his "toy".

Here is the finished product...
As much as I love the holidays, I always think of those who aren't around. It's like a curse. Just be happy already...I miss all our friends who have moved away or just aren't around anymore. I hope EVERYONE has a wonderful holiday. You are missed.

Polar Express in 3-D
Kai is obsessed with trains. I mean, he is hard core....will throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the store EVERY SINGLE TIME he sees ANY sort of train. We thought he would like The Polar Express movie this Christmas and we were dead on. He likes it to much that he hid the movie from us. (Probably storing it in a safe place for use at a later time). We searched the house EVERYWHERE. One night Ben and I stayed up til 11:30pm (which is really late for me) just looking for it. It is gone...or maybe only Kai will be able to find it.
Anyway, we always go to Target the day after Thanksgiving (after the tree hunt) just to see what "bargains" they have.
We found The Polar Express 3-D movie (which included the original movie as well) for $5! YAY! So, after we put Cici down and Kai was fed we pulled out the glasses and enjoyed the movie as a family. It was our first 3-D movie and it was awesome! I had to put a beanie on Kai to keep his glasses on b/c they were a bit too big. Kai LOVED the movie. It was the first WHOLE movie that we have been able to sit through with him. It totally kept his attention and he was "choo choo"-ing all night long.


Church was short lived on Sunday. I went to drop Kai off at nursery and when we walked in there were a couple of kids with a horrible cough. We walked right out. I don't understand why parents bring sick kids to church. I was so frustrated b/c Kai is much too loud and busy to take to class with me now. So, after interrupting Sunday School a few times we left and headed home. I am afraid that this will be a frequent occurrence b/c I will just not put my kids into a classroom with other kids who are contagious...especially church.
We got home and I put Kai down for his nap but Cic was wide awake. I let her sit by the Christmas tree and snapped this shot of her happy face. I love this face.

Happy ThankMas.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS. Who doesn't? But can't we celebrate Thanksgiving first?

SiX MoNTH CHeCK-uP

Cici is just a few days shy of being six months old. We went to the doctor today for her six month check-up and flu shot and it was horrible. She was so happy all morning long and even happy at the doctors office until the nurse started talking to her. She cried the ENTIRE appointment. Yup, all thirty minutes. I felt terrible for her, b/c she was so worked up that she was even sobbing and trying to catch her breath. She didn't take her morning nap so I am pretty sure that is the cause of her horrific meltdown. I think they were happy to see us leave the doctor's office, needless to say.
These are her stats at 6 months~
Height~ 25 3/4" (50%)
Weight~ 14 lbs 13 oz (30%)

I have been going through the great debate about the H1N1 shot and have decided not to make the kiddos get it. I know, everyone has different opinions and I have just decided that (hopefully) this year it is not necessary. Neither kid is in school and we are home A LOT. They aren't around enough kids to be at a huge risk for it. Hopefully this decision doesn't bite me in the butt later.
The kids did get the seasonal flu shot today and Cic screamed (through all four shots) but Kai was surprisingly AWESOME! He just sat there like, "what's the big deal, Mom?" I bribed him with a Happy Meal if he acted like a big boy. He wasn't phased at all and so happy to get a band aid.
Here is happy Kai today, so happy to be eating his chicken nuggets. I wish chicken nuggets made me this happy.

Then he decided it was time to go "Nigh Night" and assumed the position. Kai is an avid thumb sucker. ..Right thumb in and left hand plays with the hair.

(If your wondering why Kai ALWAYS has tattoo's on his hands and his ENTIRE body for that matter, it's b/c they are his "potty prizes". Yes, he gets a tatoo if he goes poo poo in the potty. Potty training hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be. He does really well actually. Since he doesn't really communicate with me (in English) yet, I just have to watch him for the signs or listen to his language of telling me he needs to go. He wants to go in the potty which is a HUGE success. We are still in pull ups for naps and sleeping. That is my fault though...I am too strict and have taught Kai that he doesn't decide when nap time is over, I do. So, he doesn't come out of his room til I get him. I also put him in pull ups when we leave the house b/c I am too afraid of an accident happening. Luckily, he never really has accidents.

It was hilarious at the doctor's office today when they went to give him his flu shot, I pulled his pants down and his legs have tattoo's ALL OVER THEM. The nurse just smiled at me. I totally busted up laughing and explained to her the reason behind Kai's "ink" job. Kai then wanted to point out each individual tattoo and talk to her all about them.
I would take responsibility for this madness, but I am going to graciously have to give my mother credit for the tattoos. She is ALWAYS sending little gifts for my kids...every holiday (or non holiday for that matter). My kids are totally spoiled by their Grandma Lundeen. We love you so much and are counting down the days til we see you again! 3 weeks til Texas!!!

"Cause You've Gotta Have Friends..."

We had the Buckmelters over last night for dinner and games. They have two boys, Luke and Brock, that are around Kai's age and Kai loved every minute of it. It isn't that often that Kai gets to play with boys his own age. After dinner we put a movie on for them and attempted to play games in the kitchen. We heard the boys squealing with laughter and this is what we found. Wrestling! I guess "boys will be boys..."

I love this picture so much. It made me so happy to see Kai playing and having fun with kids.

Can't Do It For One and Not the Other

We took soooo many pictures of Kai when he was a baby. Actually we still take lots of pictures of Kai. My Mom would always tell me, "You know you're going to have to take just as many pictures of your second one."
Well, I guess that has really been hitting me recently. We have so many pictures of Kai around the house and only two of Cic. I decided I was just going to try and match the pictures I took of Kai so that there would be an even amount. That way when they are older no one can say, "You have more pictures of him/her than you do of me."
Ben made me laugh last night when I was telling him this. He said, "I would just tell them, we didn't like you back then."

Anyway, I love this picture we had taken of Kai at 5 months and decided that I needed to get one of Cic. So we took her in last night. (Right before bedtime, so she wasn't the happiest camper for the shoot. We had to go in the evening though b/c I needed Ben there...well, I needed his hand there for the shot.) I thought we got a similar shot for her 5 month photo though. It was a great debate though. I wanted to put her in a pair of jeans just like Kai was, but Ben told me she needed to be covered up more b/c she is a girl. (In my opinion, she's a baby and it doesn't matter.)
So, I found a denim jumper in her closet and it worked. I love pictures in denim.
This was Kai at 5 months...


Here is Cic at 5 months...


They also took this picture while we were there and it totally shows the Cic I see all day long. Thumb sucking.


I wanted to try and get a shot with both kids together, but Cic was done for the night. I am not the mother who thinks that every shot of my kids is cute, but for some reason the photographer printed this postcard (thinking I would buy more). What a horrible picture. She is so sad, trying to fight back the tears. Kai looks great. He is such a poser. He was so excited to get in front of the camera last night. He was all smiles the whole time. Too bad we don't need more pictures of Kai b/c I would have bought some of his individuals.

Hormonal, Sentimental...Call It What You Will.

Today I went through Cici's room boxing up clothes that she has grown out of. This should have be a fairly quick project, but I found myself unfolding each article of clothing, holding it up, and remembering when she wore it and what she looked like in it. Needless to say, it took me a few hours.
Ben has been subtly (NOT SO SUBTLE) saying, "Maybe we're done having kids."

K. We have been married for over four years now and he still thinks that this is the kind of thing you can say to me?! I have the personality where when I am told "No" I dig my heels in and will fight tooth and nail to do the opposite. "No" just makes me want something even more.
I know that Ben hasn't really said, "No" but I haven't made up my mind yet, and I feel like he has. When he says we are done I immediately think, "We're not done." I just can't imagine Cic being our last baby. I was folding up Cici's clothes wondering if I would ever pull out these clothes again...HORMONES, gotta love 'em.

On a happier note~
Cici loves this horse from Aunt Jan (AKA "Janny Pants"). I got these cute shots of Cic playing with it today and thought I would post them.
This is my favorite shot...

I know that her eyes aren't really in focus in this shot, but I do love how blue they are.
Cic is currently in the "everything goes into my mouth" stage. I can't wait till this stage is over. Everything she touches ends up sopping wet with saliva.
Kai has a yellow horse just like this one and he LOVES it.
Thanks Janny Pants. We LOVE you!!!

Halloween Weekend

Our Snow Storm

I totally forgot to post these pictures I took of Ben digging us out last week. Kai wanted to help Ben so I got him bundled up and off he went.

"Once There Was a Snowman, Tall. Tall. Tall."
So happy to be outside. We were practically snowed in for two days. When the sun came out on Halloween it was SO refreshing.

Kai and Benny had a ball throwing snow at each other.

LOVE THIS SHOT!!!

Throwing snow at Mommy...

Whenever I do stuff like this with Ben, I am always amazed at how strong he is. (On the other hand, he is probably amazed at how weak I really am.) We rolled the mid-section and the head of the snowman and had to lift them into place. (Snow sure is heavy!) Ben pretty much had to lift it by himself b/c I wasn't very much help. (I did try though).

Kai helping Daddy pack the snow.

Our finished product...
(I know that snowman doesn't have a face, but we didn't have any objects on hand that we thought would do justice to our "work of art" so we just had a faceless snowman.)

Pumpkin Carving
Kai thought it was so cool that he got to wear a glove just like Daddy.
Love this face.


While Kai and Daddy carved pumpkins together, Cici ate her sweet potatoes. She is quite the eater now. Pretty much anything I stick on a spoon she will swallow. She even had a little nibble of a chocolate chip cookie the other day and gummed it till she was able to swallow it. She loves food!

Trick or Treating
"Come on everybody, just one more picture before we go trick or treating. SMILE!"

All our "kiddos". I know the dogs hate getting dressed up, but it is so funny to see them in their costumes.



I love this picture of Cici. "Dear in the Headlights" look. It totally reminds me of Kai when he was a baby...exact same look he used to give me.

WAAAYYYY too much candy for one kid to eat.

Our neighbors across the street gave Kai these caramel eyeballs and he is obsessed with them.


Our next-door neighbors gave Kai this HUGE Hershey's bar. Ben got this shot of Kai holding it. This looks like an advertisement for Hershey's doesn't it?

Thanks Deedee, George and Omar!

This is the pumpkin we carved this year. (I know, we weren't very creative). It was fun though and didn't take very long at all to do.

Me and my little lion. Ben and I thought he looked just like a lion until someone asked if he was a character from the movie, Where the Wild Things Are. Now, we think he looks just like that character from the movie.
It is so funny to me the things that Kai gets excited about. He loved this bat ring that he got while trick or treating. He wears it all the time, and constantly shows it to us.
So happy to be out of that costume and into comfy pajamas! Kai was such a happy boy when we got back. He loved helping us pass out candy to other "trick-or-treaters" who came to our door.