Lexi

Meet Lexi. The newest addition to the Helton family. She was a Christmas present for me from James. She's a french bulldog and is a perfect fit! The kids love her and she's very sweet. Loves to play and enjoys cleaning the kitchen floor after meals.

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.