Christmas 2009

Christmas was fairly quiet and relaxing this year. No big snow storms, no big meals to worry about (because no one came to visit this year). We had crab legs for our Christmas dinner this year. That's right. You know why? Because we are adults and we can eat whatever we want for Christmas dinner!
Bella loved all the toys. She laughed and smiled the whole time we opened gifts.

Kayden got a "Fur Real" kitty cat from Grandma and Grandpa Stockman. It meows, purrs and is motion activated. So, when you walk by it, it meows at you. It was meowing under the tree. Try to hide that! As you can see, he loves it. He also got a puppy that whimpers and moves its head. Bella is infatuated with it and carries it around. It's the one toy they fight over. She loves to tote it around, pet it and kiss it. Kayden typically only wants it when she has it, but such is life as a 4 year old!

Family Pictures

My new goal is to have family pictures done at least once a year. This year, we braved the cold for an urban shoot. It was so cold, I don't know how we all didn't end up with hypothermia. Here are a "few" of my favorites. I always have a hard time just picking one or two, so here are several...

This last one is in honor of "A Christmas Story". I saw the pole and it was the first thing that jumped into my head. Hopefully one day Kayden will think it's as funny as I do!

Bella's 1st birthday

Bella turned one on the 20th. Where does the time go? She's walking and babbling, clapping and, frighteningly enough, showing a little attitude. She's quite the little princess and she knows it too. Unfortunately, she was sick for her first birthday, but she hung in there while mommy took lots of pictures.

Kayden's 4th Birthday

We braved Chuck E Cheese for the first time ever, for Kayden's 4th birthday. We survived for the most part, minus the nasty colds we ended up with a few days later. To be expected I guess!

Christmas time is coming!

I did lots of shopping last weekend, and we managed to get the Christmas tree up and the gifts under it. Getting 2 kids to look at and smile at the camera - at the same time - is no easy task! But, I got one, and called it good. Bella is learning so much so quickly; it's amazing to watch all the firsts with her. She's clapping, waving, saying bye-bye, mama, dada, and even took a couple steps the other night. Kayden is such a good big brother. Bella loves to tackle him and hug him, and he just hugs her right back. Wonder how long that will last.... Kayden is doing great in preschool. They are caroling at a retirement home next week and I've decided to take the day off from work to go with him. After caroling, there will be a visit from Santa! I've already got my list of wishes ready! He he he, er, I mean, ho, ho, ho!

Gingerbread Houses

Kayden and I tried our hand at building and decorating a Gingerbread House for the first time. James bought it yesterday and told Kayden I would help him make it. (Thanks honey!) Anyways, we gave it a go, and I think it turned out okay. There wasn't as much frosting as I would have liked, and I think at least half of the candy ended up in Kayden's mouth before I was able to get it on the house, but we had fun nonetheless! Next year, I will take a different approach now that I know what I'm doing! It was great to spend some time with Kayden working on a craft.

Halloween

We had a pretty fun Halloween this year. Kayden was so excited to go trick-or-treating, that he was up very early on Saturday morning. As you can see, he was Woody from Toy Story and Bella was a very cute pink lady bug.

Fall is definitely here

Kayden and I spent a lot of time together today. We went to the mall for some shopping this morning. When we got home, James and Bella decided to take naps (wussies). The yard needed raked, so Kayden and I headed outside. I raked all the leaves into a big pile and let him have at it.

We even had time to play on the swing before Bella woke up.

The House. Before and afters

We had vinyl siding installed, about 2 months ago. And yes, I'm just getting around to posting some pics. Here are some before and after shots.

Side of house before installation

Back of house before siding installation

Front of house, after siding installation

Front of house, after siding installation

Pretty tree in the yard

Back of house, after siding installation

Side of house after siding installation

Wapato Park

We went to Wapato Park this past weekend. Trying to enjoy the relatively nice weather before it's gone!

The geese were very friendly, though probably only because they were hungry. A nice couple gave Kayden a hot dog bun to feed to them and showed him how to do it while I snapped pics. Kayden did let one eat right out of his hand, but once was enough. I couldn't get him to do it again.

The princess and I played with a ball in the shade while James and Kayden played at the playground.

Pictures of the kids

Pictures by Kamieo Fox Photography. I happen to think that Bella is the cutest little fairy *EVER* but I guess I'm a little bit biased. Kayden had a great time in front of the camera, which is rare. He usually runs instead of hamming it up. Kamieo, I guess you truly are a "baby whisperer". Thanks for the great photos.

Been awhile...

It's been awhile since I posted a new blog. I have a ton of pics on the camera to download and go through, but thought I'd post something real quick. Life has been crazy as always. I'm starting a new job, full time, in a couple weeks, so I'm trying to spend as much time with my precious babies as I can.
Bella is obsessed with Kayden's work bench. The drill and saw make noises and have flashing lights, and she's drawn to it like a moth to a light.

This is Kayden at the Museum of Flight. James took him there a couple weekends ago. Kayden had a blast! He didn't know what he was posing for, so he was shocked to see the photo with him looking like an astronaut.

Fun in the sun

We went to Mud Mountain Dam again this weekend. I gave Kayden a number of choices of things to do on Sunday; movies with Daddy, all of us going to the zoo, etc., this was his pick.
He started off in the fountain/pool.

Bella was hanging with Daddy while I walked around in the fountain with Kayden. Isn't her hat cute?

Kayden and I then ran around the playground.

Bella loves the swings....

And the slide.

It was still super hot when we got home, so everyone, except me, jumped in the pool. I didn't get in because I was already soaked from holding Bella while she splashed and jumped around.