Presents and such...

Last weekend we hosted a Christmas party with G's family. It was great to see everyone again, unfortunately the snow cut the festivities short.
Here K is with her cousin Emm@ chillin' out on the couch waiting for presents.

K playing around with Aunt C.

K woke up Christmas morning to lots of great gifts from Santa. He must have known she was really wanting some books, bath tub paints and Abby Cadabby in Wonderland DVD! Of course there was more as well...


And of course what would be a trip to see M's family without a picture of K and N0ra together on the couch?!?

After Christmas, we headed down to Indy. We caught up with some friends and their kids got Guitar Hero for Wii and K had to jump in on the fun!



Here are some more fun pictures of K from the past week...

A long, relaxing bath... 2 year old style!

After the exhausting performance, the princess needed to come home and take a long relaxing bath.

Who needs words when you have a bell??

Oh, what a sight to see! Tonight was K's big Christmas program at preschool. She had a blast and you can see for yourself here...


K is very fond of her amazing teacher. She has so much patience with these little balls of energy! Miss Kristene did a fabulous job getting these little guys ready for the big performance!

Holiday Spirit Performance!

Here K is doing another one of her performances at Grandma and Papa's. She is standing on a stool and just watch what happens when grandma tries to step in! She definitely has the Holiday Spirit in her!

Calling the baby~

Wednesday M had an OB appointment. K really enjoys going with because she gets a sticker at the end. And believe me, she knows exactly where the sticker drawer is and helps herself when the time comes.
During the appointment the Dr listens to the heartbeat of the baby and K always gets excited to hear the baby "talk" to her. This past visit as the Dr was listening to the heartbeat, K goes "oh, baby call" and pulled her play phone out of her bag. She then proceeded to act as if she was talking to the baby. It was a RIOT!! We were all laughing!
That night she was trying to get G to listen to the baby with her Dr kit. K climbed up on a tote that was upstairs from Christmas decorations and lifted her shirt so that her belly was exposed. She kept saying "call baby?" Luckily I got a photo! Too stinkin' cute!

Around the house...

Last Friday Kayker's preschool had a Parent's Night Out, so G and M took advantage of it! We had a wonderful dinner and did some scouting for Santa. K had a great time and brought home an ornament for the tree and a giant cookie she decorated. It ended up being a late night for her by the time she settled down Friday night to go to bed, so much of Saturday looked like this:

She lounged around the house while G and M tried to get things together for the Christmas party and get things done around the house. Once and a while she would come to life to let us know she needed a drink or something to nibble on!
In the process of putting away things and going through totes in the basement we found a large tote of her toys and several totes of clothes that had been misplaced (the movers kinda did their own system of stacking and sorting- what did we expect?). In that large tote was her one man band set and she took no time to bust that out and parade around the house! It's so fun to watch her! She has grown so much and she more and more creative each day!

What a week!

Last week threw a HUGE curve ball our way.
Sunday morning at the wee hour of 4 a.m M woke up in excruciating pain. Thought maybe a muscle was pulled or laid wrong...oh no! Instantly got sick and woke G up and begged him to rub my back. After no avail, called the doc and she urged us to go to the ER immediately. So we reluctantly woke Kaykers up, with no other choice. At the ER they pumped M with pain meds that were safe for the baby and after an ultrasound of the kidneys determined that there were 4 stones fighting for evacuation. Being that M's blood pressure was at the least, out of control, they admitted and M stayed there for three days. Kaykers went to M's parent's house for the week so that G could still go to work while M was just sitting in the hospital waiting for the inevitable. MISERABLE!!
Thursday instead of heading up to WI we headed south to see Kaykers for the holiday. We couldn't imagine not being with her on Thanksgiving since she is the biggest thing in our lives! M's whole family met at her sister's and it was great to see N0ra again as well.
Friday G took M to Wicked! It was her belated birthday gift. One word: INCREDIBLE!
When we got back that night we took Kaykers to see Santa! She was so thrilled to see the big man in flesh!
There were dozens of Christmas trees all decorated there too which has become one of her favorite things to point out! She is just beside herself with all the holiday decor!
Saturday M and her sisters went up to the Chriskindlmarket in Chicago. All the handmade ornaments, winter decorations, European food and candy as well as clothing was amazing to all take in! We bought some ornaments, sweater for the girls and M picked up G some chocolate. He loves European Chocolate. While M was out having some fun, G was changing the brake pads and routers on the car. He started BEFORE we left and was still at it when we got home. Apparently there was a bit of a battle getting some of the routers out. Noetheless, we now have amazing stopping capability in that bad boy!
Saturday night we headed home and Gma L came over for the night. We had a good time and Kaykers was in her prime entertainment mode. Thanks again for dinner! :)
Sunday we headed up to see Great Grandma M. Kaykers was still in performance mode and entertained us all! She found a Burger King Crown that said "The Winner" and put it on as well as rang a bell and tried singing Jingle Bells. It was so funny! She also would hold Great Gma's hand while G pushed her chair!
Too stinkin' cute!

We hope you had a good week and enjoy the holiday season!

Random Thoughts for Tuesday...

There isn't a whole lot new around here so I'm going to just post some random things I've been thinking about:
1. This morning I woke up to find out that "Lake effect snow slams the Region"! bahahaha!! That is hilarious to me now that we have moved out of that area. It's always good to be on this side of big ol' Lake MI! It also confirms why I put snow in the top five reasons why it was good to move from there!
2. Purdue's basketball teams are proving to be a spectacle to watch! Just last night they force 22 (TWENTY TWO!) turnovers. Impressive- much more so than say the football team who has been rather disappointing this year.
3. Kaykers is breaking two molars through as we speak. How did I know you ask? Do I regularly pry her mouth open and do a tooth count-no. I was tickling her today and as she was cackling, mouth wide open, spitting at me I thought to myself, where is all this saliva coming from? I don't recall being damp after tickling her before. Instantly I remember her about 18 months ago being a drooling fool with some new pearly white residents in her tiny mouth and though- hey could those be the two-year molars finally making an appearance? Sure enough folks! Both are on the bottom, so I suppose anytime now her top ones will be making an appearance as well.
4. Did you know that a before mentioned two year old could eat 3 1/2 ADULT servings of mash potatoes in one sitting? No lie. G and I were sitting in awe just about the entire time.
5. faceb00k has been fun to explore and reconnect with people. G and I are amazed at how you can just pick up conversation with someone you haven't talked to in almost a decade and it's like time hardly passed. We've even connected with some of you which has been nice since sometimes all we see of each other is at holidays.
6. Sunday at N0ra's baptism, Kaykers sat through the entire mass quite well. Just like a little lady. I about lost it though as she wanted to give the Priest a high-five during the recessional. Only K would do that!
7. I think the peace making device known as the portable DVD player should have won a Nobel PEACE prize...I can't even explain to you how enjoyable our car trips have become once again. A little Caill0u can go a long way! Most of you may know that Kaykers has NEVER liked car rides. In fact, we would dread them. Since she was brought home from the hospital there has always been hatred for a car seat. This girl will not be confined to a plastic, slightly padded seat developed by a person who never had to sit in one themselves. Now however, the DVD player has provided distraction and amusement that I am so grateful for!

Until next time...

Say Cheese!

Halloween with the Cousins

This past weekend K celebrated Halloween with her cousins. They all got dressed up and went to the Brookfield Zoo for Boo at the Zoo! Here are some pictures at the house and at the zoo:

Sneak Peek...

We're still undecided...

Meeting Miss N0ra

This past weekend we went down to visit N0ra. She is just as cute and cuddly as we had imagined. Luckily for her mommy and daddy she seems to be on the right track to finally figure out her nights and days.
It was a great visit- Thursday we rolled in late, Friday K and daddy went to the park and then we walked to their downtown where K played with trains. That night was topped off with frozen custard from the Whistle Stop. That place is a staple every time we go down there. It's a great little walk to the most amazing frozen custard...it makes Culver's look weak- REAL weak!
Saturday we walked down to the farmer's market and over to the coffee shop. Then Aunt Heidi and M went shopping while the boys and little girls watched football and napped. We topped the night with another walk to the "custard Palace". K and N0ra shared a bath and K was quite the little helper. She was so gentle and sweet. then N0ra let her borrow a robe!

Sunday we walked to breakfast and then it was time to hit the road. We finally figured out what makes trips in the car much more tolerable with K...DVD player! All the way down and back there wasn't much more than giggles and a couple requests for a new dvd. BEAUTIFUL!! It was nice and quiet and EVERYONE was happy! :) K and Molly shared a nap on the way home...I guess they were a bit tuckered out!
By the way, we found out Thursday that K will have a little sister. We are truly thrilled! Since we have everything already in every shade of girlie it shouldn't be too hard! Yes- G is really excited! Another girl to have him wrapped their their little pinkie! :)

Oh the peaceful days...

I vaguely remember the days K would sleep for hours. This is an adorable pic of Miss N0ra. She's already changed so much in less than a week!

This past weekend we did some more yard work and started a full on attack on the garage. Largely in thanks to my mom and sister we were again able to get a lot done. G worked at removing a ridiculously over grown mess of an evergreen and in place of that sad excuse of a plant he planted a beutiful tree. Pictures to come of that when we finish planting some roses around it.

Sunday we went up to visit great grandma M. She was quite surprised to see us! We had a nice visit- went outside for a short time, talked with some of her friends and talked about everything and anything. While outside K picked her a flower. K also worked on a lovely note to give to her.

On the way back we stopped by grandpa L's to pick up some fall decorations. It was such a nice day to be outside picking pumpkins and what-not. We will be back in WI next weekend for Uncle Roy's birthday and to stop again by G's dad to visit and see K's cousins and aunt and uncle who will also be there.

New Niece

We are excited to announce the birth of Miss N0ra the adorable daughter of M's sister and brother-in-law. She was born last night and weighed 8lbs. and 2 oz and 21 inches. Heidi is doing great and baby is absolutely perfect! Bryan is already showing to be an excellent daddy!
Here's a picture of her giving mom the wink that everything is going to be ok....

Being Fortunate...

Although we have been through a crazy year thus far, we also have had lots to be thankful for ( I realize it's not Thanksgiving yet, but why wait)...
1. Our little girl is healthy and growing each and everyday.
2. We are having a healthy pregnancy.
3. I am so happy to be married to a great man who loves his wife and daughter more than anything else in this world.
4. We moved fairly unscathed and are now free of the house in Valp0.
5. We were able to build a spec house and sell it for a profit this year in the spring.
6. Our family is doing good..at least what we know of.
7. We have welcomed a new neice this year and a new one to come any day now.
8. We are safe and untouched by the recent effects of Ike.

There are people who are going through so much... The very same young lady who went through her second heart transplant is now reeling from the hurricane. Absolutely unbelievable...she is so strong!! Here's her blog:
http://www.angelamoore.typepad.com/
Please pray for her and her husband. They are such great people.

Sweat and Blood!

We worked our tails off this weekend doing LOTS of landscaping. It would be an understatement to say the previous owners neglected the yard. We trimmed and removed bushes and trees with a total of 17 large garbage bags, 3 large trash containers and 4 large wardrobe packing boxes full of yard waste. Luckily M's mom came up and helped and guided us in trimming and hacking the eyesore that once was...now it looks great! Several neighbors have commented on how nice it looks and that they are so glad that someone who cares now lives here. We were also told that it was amusing to watch the previous owners try to use a shovel in the winter.
K is right at home and is ready to be potty trained we think. That is our next big task. To have her out of diapers before she becomes a big sister! She is definitely interested and probably couldbe trained by this point, but we weren't ready with all that was going on! Molly also has a new friend, a fellow golden retriever named Roscoe. they get along great! :)