Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year! We knew we were staying home this year and it would be pretty low key but it turned out really nice. Aubrey was able to come down on Friday and stay until the following Wednesday so that was fun.  The kids love when she is here!

On Christmas Eve we went to look at lights and came home to open our one gift (new pjs) and set out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Karlee was so excited to do this! When it was time for bed Karlee made sure to close her eyes and go right to sleep so Santa could come:)

Luckily the kids are still young enough that they slept in on christmas day (we actually had to wake Karson up because Karlee couldn't take it anymore.) They went out to see that Santa had come and had filled their stockings.

Then we all opened presents.  Both the kids have been so good at not touching the presents that have been under the tree so they were so excited they could finally open them. Karlee got everything she wanted and said christmas was so fun!

Everyone got new church clothes from my mom since christmas was on Sunday.

Karson liked unwrapping his presents and wanted to play with all his new toys right away. 

We were all spoiled way too much! Between santa, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and each other we got plenty for christmas. Karlee even said she can get rid of some of her old toys since she has so many new toys.

 After eating our traditional christmas breakfast we got ready for church and went and enjoyed the christmas program.  The kids looked darling in their outfits.

Our fam

Aubrey and the kids

After church we came home and skyped with my parents and called other family.  We played with our presents and ate dinner.  It was a nice day.  We wish we could have been with more family but we feel so blessed this christmas and are excited for the new year!

Karlee's 1st Dance Recital

Karlee danced in her first recital today! I was a little nervous that she might just stand there when she got on stage but she did awesome! After she got done with rehearsal yesterday she said, do I get to go back on stage? She loved being up there and having everyone watch her dance.

She looked adorable in her costume with her hair in a bun and a little make-up on.

Jeff also got to experience his 1st dance recital! He loved watching Karlee but wasn't too excited to watch all the other numbers. He needs to talk to my dad who did it for years and years with me and my sisters. We are so proud of Karlee for doing her best! I can't believe I finally get to watch my own daughter dance after dancing myself all those years.

18 Months

This little guy turned 18 months on Thanksgiving! We can't believe how big he has gotten eventhough he is still really little. I put him in a size 6-12 month pants the other day and they actually fit ! He is really fun right now. He is starting to talk more. He will say dada, mama, kar kar, cheese, hotdog and please. If you ask him what sound an animal makes he can usually tell you. He LOVES animals! Karson loves reading books and pointing to pictures. He also likes to help! He wants to vaccuum, help put the laundry in the washer, and make dinner. You can imagine how helpful he is:) He also likes playing with Karlee when she is being nice. They play hide-and-seek together and he runs and hides in the same places everytime. He also likes being silly and randomly laughs at himself or others. Karson is still really mellow which is so nice. He went to nursery on Sunday and wasn't the biggest fan but I'm sure he will learn to like it pretty soon. We just love our sweet little Karson!!

Halloween

Halloween was a lot of fun this year but I was so happy to see November come. It seems like we celebrate Halloween for a couple of weeks so I am tired when the actual day finally is here. Since Karlee loves Ariel that is who she wanted to be. I thought it would be so cute if Karson were Flounder or Sebastian. I didn't realize that it would be so hard to find him a costume. Anyway, I thought both of their costumes turned out super cute!

Ariel and little SebastianWhen Karson's costume came in the mail Jeff tried it on him and he flipped out. I thought for sure he would freak out when we tried to put it on him for the trunk or treat but he did great. He never really smiled when he was in the costume but he never cried. :)

Karlee was a little hesitant to get her hair spray painted red but after we did it she wanted to keep it in. We ended up doing it three different times and she loved it and loved being Ariel.

When Karson realized he was getting treats he was pretty happy. He would not let go of his bucket. I have had to hide the candy because he knew what was in his bucket and that is all he has wanted the last several days.

Karlee was pretty happy with all her candy too! She liked anwering the door on Halloween and handing out candy as well.We also went to the pumpkin patch one day for play group.

Karlee and I made our pumpkin cookies that we make every year.

Preschool was at my house on Halloween so we had a little party and played games.

Now we are looking forward to the cooler weather and Thanksgiving just around the corner.

Little Ballerina

Karlee started ballet today! She did really well for her first time. She looked so little standing there with her class. She tried doing all the things the teacher was doing and was just so cute to watch. I think I have been more excited for her to start dance but I think she had a lot of fun.

My Little Guy

I just love this little guy!! Karson has been such a good boy from the beginning that I couldn't ask for a better child. He has been an excellent sleeper, he is so mellow, and has always been pretty content and happy.

He is growing up and acting like a little toddler. He doesn't talk a lot yet but can sign more, please, treat (Aubrey taught him that), and thank you. He recognizes so much what we say we can't even believe it. He goes and puts his clothes in the hamper and puts trash in the garbage can and goes to the pantry and points when he is hungry.

This boy LOVES to eat! He is 16 months and still only 19 lbs but he can put down some food. I don't know how he is so little. When I say it is time to eat he runs to his chair and gets so excited:)

Of course he tries to do anything and everything that Karlee does. We keep reminding Karlee she needs to be a good example because Karson is watching her. She still bugs him a lot but they are playing together some and it is fun to watch. We have been so blessed to have good and happy kids!

Family Pictures in MO

While we were in Missouri we took a few family pictures since we are hardly ever all together.

My family minus Jeff and Jake (we still weren't all together)

sisters

all 5 kids

the girls

Missouri Part 2

After we got to my parent's house we continued to stay busy. We went to the fair one day. I haven't been to a fair in a long time and don't think I need to go back for a long time but we had a good time people watching and eating!

Karlee loved feeding the baby animals.

Karson thought it was pretty cool too.

Karlee loved all the rides.

Karlee and Grandpa

We had to try a fried oreo. Just thinking about it kind of makes me sick but if you are at the fair you have to experience the food, right?

The kids loved the fair but like I said we are good for awhile.

Another day we took the kids to feed some ducks at a park.

Karson even got the hang of throwing bread into the water.

My brothers with the kids.

Another day we took the kids to a bounce house. Since it was during a school day we basically had the place to our selves.

The kids had no time to get bored. They literally got to do something fun everyday! It was also fun for me to spend time with my parents and siblings. When we got home both the kids ran up to Jeff at the airport. They had so much fun at grandmas but missed daddy a lot.

Missouri Part 1

The kids and I just got back from spending a week in Missouri. We had such a great time spending time with my family. My mom planned something for every day we were there so we stayed plenty busy. The kids loved all the attention from everyone and got spoiled rotten.

We stayed in St. Louis the night we flew in so we took the kids swimming at the hotel.

The day after we got there we went to the St. Louis Zoo. It is a really neat zoo with tons of animals and it is free. Both Karlee and Karson love animals so I knew they would like the zoo.

After the zoo we took the kids to The Magic House. It is a really neat place that has so many cool things for kids to do. Karlee said that was her favorite part of the trip.

playing in sand

playing with blocks

pretend grocery shopping

going fishing

Dr. Karlee checking a baby at the hospital

touching a ball that made our hair stand up!

grandma and Karson taking a turn:)

more sand

karson playing with blocks in the water area

We did the zoo and the magic house in one day so we were pretty tired at the end of the day. We drove to my parent's house that night to stay for the rest of the time.