Holidays 2008

Justin and I had so much fun this year for Christmas. Kaelin, who is now almost 2 & 1/2, really enjoyed the lights, presents, tree and overall season. We made several trips to see Santa and have our picture taken. We also rode the holiday train at the mall twice! it was fun to see her enjoy the tree and decorating. She loved to ride in the car and look at lights - usually screaming - Look, more lights, mommy!! It was also nice to spend the first Christmas since 2004 with Justin's family! Another bright spot was that Justin got to be home from December 20-January 4th! Kaelin loved that Daddy did not have to go to work!

I missed my family a lot, but tried to remember we will see them in June! I really wish they could have seen Kaelin at this fun age - and see/meet Hailey as she is becoming more active at almost 5 months!

Both Justin and I are grateful to have our family together again, our house in Chicago sold, and that our beautiful girls are healthy. We are so blessed! We pray your holiday season was as wonderful as ours was! Happy New Year's! We know ours will be - as well have many plans to visit with friends in the next week!

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas Day this year was wonderful! We spent the mroning at home. Both girls slept until 9am - this is a miracle in our house as Kaelin is almost always awake by 7! We then opened gifts, ate breakfast and spent the rest of the morning getting ready for the day!

That afternoon we drove to Grove City to eat dinner with about 40 members of Justin's family on the Magee side. We do a name draw between the children on that side of the family. Kaelin got a pair of adorable cow poop boots, some Dr. Suess books and a cute stuffed lamb. Hailey got a rolling horse toy and some outfits. They also received gifts from their great grandparents - a pillow for K, and an ornament for Hailey.

Here are some pictures of the day:
Our tree

Santa's snack

Kaelin - trying everything on at once from Grandma Donna and Papa Bob.

Kaelin already wearing her pretty from Aunt Brenda and Uncle Dude.

Justin helping Hailey with her stocking.

Kaelin loving her new book.

Hailey unwrapping her gifts.

Paper - fun - who needs toys?!

Look at Kaelin's face - it reads, (sarcasm) great, books! Really - she did like them!

K - in her pretty dress with her lamb.

K getting her new boots.

That morning Kaelin and Hailey got the rest of their gifts from us as well as other family members on Jodi's side. Some of the things they received were: A farm kick toy for H's crib, a ballerina outfit for K and her doll Daisy, pretty jewelry for both girls, K's first tv computer, chatter phone, a new mobile for Hailey, purses, aprons, carseat toys for H, keyboard, books, pj's and several more outfits. Again our girls were very blessed! Thanks again to all!

Christmas Eve 2008

This year for Christmas Eve we opened presents at both Papa Tom & Grandma Barb's and then at Grandma Cindy and Papa Keith's. We had a ton of fun at both places with lots of toys for the kids, visits from Great Grandparents and time spent with the girls' aunt and uncles.


"Can we just open presents please?!"


Hailey opening her alphabet train.


Hailey eating her alphabet train.


Grandma Barb and Kaelin playing with Mr. Potato Head.

Hailey and Great Grandma Magee.

Both girls recieved a lot of wonderful gifts including: a remote control train, a band in the box - complete with drum :), a Mr. Potato Head kit, an electric guitar, Barbie's, an Alphabet Train, an Animal Train, pop up tent, doctor kit, glowing seahorse, ball Train, magnetic dolls, Playskool gears, Build a Bear kitty, Vtech crawl ball, an Aquadoodle wall poster, a new bundle me for Hailey and several outfits! All of the gifts were very appreciated by both the girls and us! Justin and I are so blessed to have family that loves our girls as much as we do and are willing to give to them! We had to buy a new toy shelving/bin unit to store them - but I can guarentee they are being played with already!

Christmas Cookies 2008

Last night we decorated Christmas cookies! It was a fun mess! Enjoy the pics! Also below is a picture of the Christmas wreath Kaelin made this year.

A Compassionate Heart

Most of you know that Kaelin is an outgoing, very active and smart two year old. What some don't know is that she also has a very compassionate heart - she doesn't like to see anyone sad or in pain. Today she showed me her compassion several times!

I have been sick for over 2 weeks now, and am really tired of it! Hailey had a fever this morning, and I was just overwhelmed.

While Kaelin was eating her breakfast she asked me, "Mom, are you ok?". I answered, "Yes, Mommy's ok, I just don't feel very good.". She responded, "I will hold you and you will feel good, after I eat, ok?" **so cute**

Then about 30 seconds later Hailey started crying. Kaelin said, "Mom, get my sister! She doesn't feel good."

When she was all cleaned up, the three of us were snuggled on the couch, and I was on the phone telling Justin about our morning. After I hung up, a tear escaped in my frustration. Kaelin leaned over and said, " Mommy, tears? It's ok!". Then she gave both Hailey and I a hug and proclaimed, " Now you feel all better!"

I love all sides of her personality, but today I am especially grateful for her compassion!

My helper...

Today after naptime, Kaelin and Hailey were both changed, Hailey had her bottle and then it was playtime! I had Hailey laying on her belly, on a blanket, while Kalein proceeded to surround her with baby toys. Kaelin leaned over Hailey, and I thought,"Aww, first they are playing together and now she is going to give her a hug!"

I was wrong...Kaelin leans over, sniffs Hailey's britches, and announces, "She is STINKY Mom!" and she was. What a helper!

Later this evening, as I was telling the story to Justin, Kaelin informed him that, "There was a big turd in baby Hailey's butt."

Gotta love the descriptions from a 2 year old!

Hailey is 4 months old!

Hailey turned 4 months old on November 30th! Today was her 4 month check up. The doctor said she is progressing wonderfully! She is 25 & 3/4 inches long - in the 95% for her age (Kaelin was 26 & 1/2 at this age). She is 15 pounds - in the 82% for her age (our little porker! Kaelin was 14 lbs, 1 ounce). And her head is 16.5"- the same as Kaelin's was - which is in the 80% for her age.

She is rolling over well now, and attempting to sit up already! She is a very smiley, happy and content baby - especially now that she is formula fed full time (she just wasn't eating enough nursing). She also loves baby cereal already - especially when it is flavored with apples! We will be starting other baby food items soon - because our little one LOVES to eat!

Today she started trying to spit/blow rasberries which was very cute! She is also starting to chuckle a bit (instead of her open smile half cough/laugh).

She is in size 3-6 month clothing - but her feet are smaller than Kaelin's were - I can't even get a size 2 to stay on her yet!

Kaelin is doing well also - over the strep throat- Yea! She loves her 'baby Hailey sister' and usually tries to be too much of a help - yes it can be a bad thing!

Here are Hailey's 4 month pictures that were taken by Jecca on the 30th! Enjoy!

Kaelin's manners...

We have been working with Kaelin on her manners for a while now - please, thank you, excuse me...etc.

Today we were on our way to the mall in the car and this is what we heard from the backseat,"I farted in my butt. hehe Oh my, excuse me!" She definately gets points for the excuse me, but I am pretty sure they are cancelled out by the - I farted in my butt!

Aren't kids hysterical?

Getting ready for Santa...

Today we took the girls to see Santa...for the 6th time this year! We have stopped by several times to say Hi and get candy (warming up). Yesterday we went to have pictures done, and it just didn't happen. Today we tried again - this is the best picture I got....and I give up. :)

Turkey Art

I know it's late, but for those of you who didn't get to see Kaelin's art in person - here is a picture of our Thanksgiving craft project! She thought it tickled when I painted her hand!

A little like me...

Ok - so I am the first to admit that I am a little OCD! I like things in their place - I try very hard to be organized - and I like it that way!

Kaelin is definately showing signs of this same trait! This is what I found when she was playing with her dolls this afternoon. According to my grandma - I had to line everything up by size...Kaelin is getting close!

Thanksgiving 2008

We pray everyone had a good Thanksgiving! We had a great day with Justin's family - here are a few pictures of the girls! Kaelin loved the pumpkin pie with cool whip!

Kaelin Rose

Here are some pictures of Kaelin from the last 2 weeks! She decided one morning that her blocks make great gloves and boots! Also - she loves Playdoh! Taunti Amy made her Playdoh jewelry one night after dinner - so pretty!

Hailey Grace

I haven't posted in about 2 weeks -but we have been taking pictures! Here are some of Hailey. She is eating baby cereal now - and she loves it! She is also a champion roller-over!

Tag your it...

This is my first "blog - tag", and according to Holly it is bad blogging etiquette to not participate s0... (Of course Holly probably thinks I am rude because she tagged me a week ago!)

7 Random things about me--

1. I love bread - it doesn't matter what kind - french toast, dinner rolls, pizza crust - I love them all! When we go out my husband often teases me - my bread is my meal, and my meal is the next day's leftovers! I think this goes back to Arctic Pizza bread and ranch days. ;)

2. I got married the day after my birthday - yep I turned 22 on May 23rd, and we were married the 24th (2003).

3. I hate seafood -yes I know - I grew up in Alaska - but I still can't stand it - not even lobster, shrimp or crab! I will eat Halibut - but only if my mommy or daddy makes it :).

4. Though I will never admit it to my husband, I secretly love Ohio. I love that we see his sister and her family several times a week - I love that my in-laws and brother in law are a short 45 minute drive away - I love that I can call friends, and actually get to seem them occasionally - I even love that the average age of people around our town is 75 (because they all love our kids!)

5. Though my friends won't believe this - I love to watch action movies - if there are guns, or things blow up, I am very entertained. I also like musicals, kids movies and romances...but my favorite movie is an action movie!

6. I like to go to bed by 9pm - it never happens, but it is secretly my dream!

7. One of my favorite memories is at the Elbert's house with Misty, Jenna, Mike, Holly, Peter...and I can't remember who else was there - we made French toast at like 1am. I don't think I have seen 1 am since College - unless I was feeding a baby of course!

I tag: Mandie, Kristin and Katie!

Unpacking

So I was trying to unpack last night and 'lost' Kaelin - here are the pictures:


Where's Kaelin?



There she is!



Happy to be home!

We're Home!

Yea - we finally made it home! We had a fun - but long - trip!

Saturday night we got to visit with Mr. Mike, as Kaelin calls him!

Then Sunday we had brunch with the Wilson's, and spent the afternoon in Indiana with the Navarro's.

Monday we vistited TLN, had lunch with Mr. Mike and then that evening Amy Z. and I took the girls to Chucky Cheese, while Justin was at a work dinner!

Tuesday was a very busy day - we spent time with Bethany, had lunch with Sarah, and then spent the afternoon visiting the newest Wilson family member - baby Rowan at the hospital.
We started driving home Tuesday night, but we didn't make it very far - we didn't end up getting home until 7pm on Wednesday - the trips are a little harder now that Kaelin is older!

Here are some pictures:

Mr. Steve and Hailey

Jill and Steve and the girls.

Mr. Mike and Kaelin

Hailey's first time in the pool.

Kaelin and Daddy in the pool.

The beginning of our trip...

As most of you know, when our family moved to Ohio in May, we left our home in Chicago still on the market (since February). We finally got an offer on it about 3-4 weeks ago! While we gave in to a lot of demands by the buyer - and feel we are giving our home away - it is set to close on November 14th! Thank you Jesus!

This is why we are now in Chicago (Aurora suburb). We are here for the weekend to visit friends, and will sign our portion of papers on Monday. Then our attorney will handle the rest - Thank you Elsa!

We started our trip Thursday night - staying in Toledo overnight. As we pulled into the parking lot of our hotel, Kaelin said, " Mommy, that is a BIG house!". so cute - and correct :) We finished driving up yesterday and since have been able to enjoy: swimming in the hotel pool, a visit to our favorite chiropractor - Thank you Dr. Dalan, Friday night pizza at Dominick's - yum! , and My Gym class for Kaelin - she had so much fun! She misses class we think!

We have more visits with friends scheduled while we are here, and Justin has some meetings for work. We plan on driving home Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Please continue to pray for this process to come to end this week!! We are ready for this chapter of our lives to be closed, however it has been a little sad seeing our first little house closed and empty! Justin and I put so much work into making it ours! Hopefully we will be able to do the same in Ohio in the next few years.

Big Girls!

Our 'little' girls are getting so BIG! Kaelin is so independant - "I do it myself!" We have let her move to eat at the table all of the time - with her booster (no more highchair seat for her!). She loves it - Mommy hasn't decided yet! She loves to play with her baby sister. Hailey is attempting to sit up and working on rolling over (she did it for the first time this past week!). She is also working very hard at trying to get the toy in her hand to land in her mouth.

Pretties~

The other night Grandma Barb and Papa Tom came over. Grandma and Kaelin disappeared for a while back in her bedroom - when they came out - this is what we saw!