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Showing posts from 2010

Christmas Eve Service

My favorite Christmas tradition by far is our church's Christmas Eve program. The church is filled to the brim with people, many that I may not have seen for a long time! Each year, the children are invited to prepare a piece to share during the program. This year, Cambry still had enough courage to get up there with her friend, Jake Flaming! They did a poem that they learned in pre-school, with a few changes at the end! I wonder how many more years she'll agree to it!

Delaney Finds Her Thumb!

Christmas Happenings

We ancticipated Christmas this year with many preparations and excitement! It was another special year because there is a baby in the house. Christmas always seems extra-special when there's a new baby! While she was sleeping -- We baked, baked, and did more baking, we made cinnamon ornaments, we saw 2 school programs, 1 church program, celebrated at Grammy and Papa's house, participated in the first grade Christmas party, and hosted both sets of grandparents at our house for Christmas dinner. Whew! It sure makes for a busy season -- with more to come. Chelan's brother and family get into KS tonight! We're gearing up for Christmas -- part 2! Here are a few shots from our Christmas: Caiden, Cambry, and Delaney with some of their gifts. Highlights were: legos for Caiden (a big tub-full) and farm equipment, an easy-bake oven for Cambry, and a glow-worm for Delaney Playing "Trouble" with the grandpas -- we have been playing a lot of this game! After a bus

The Santa Discussion

It's not as if we talk about Santa a lot. The kids don't even get gifts from "Santa." Yet somehow, they both believe in Santa Claus. A small part of me hoped that this year, Caiden would figure it out on his own. While we don't make a big deal out of Santa, I don't want to be the one to inform them of the reality! So, here are 3 discussions I've had with Caiden and Cambry in the last 2 weeks! Caiden: Mom, Logan doesn't believe in Santa. Mom: Well, what do you think? Caiden: I know he's real, Mom! (I guess nothing is changing his mind)! Mom: I guess it doesn't matter what Logan thinks, then, does it! Mom: I should go get Delaney's sippy cups for her stocking. Cambry (laughing): Mom, Santa brings things for our stocking, not moms! Mom: Ohhhh, yeahhhhh -- maybe Santa will bring her some sippy cups! Caiden to Dad: Dad, we have to remember to leave the front door unlocked on Christmas Eve because we don't have a chimney for San

Caiden's first Story

Caiden came home from school today with a couple of stories he had written. It was so fun to read them, and he did such a good job on spelling words like they sound! If you can't read it very well, it's about an afternoon during Thanksgiving break that he played football with Chelan. He was so excited about his diving catch!

On To Solids . . .

Delaney's attempt at eating rice cereal! She did actually get some IN her mouth, although it doesn't look like it here!

Happy Sounds!

Delaney is nearing the 4 month mark, and with it is coming a new variety of sounds. She seems to be exploring her voice! This morning, she was particularly happy on the floor!

Cambry's First Play Date

Cambry was invited over to a friend's house for the first time on Wednesday. She was excited to go to Jasmine's house, a pre-school friend! Delaney and I stayed, too, but Cambry and Jasmine had a good time together, especially when Jasmine's mom got the play-doh out. Jasmine was adopted from Thailand during this last year, and I have been amazed at how fast she has picked up English. It will be fun to see this friendship develop over the years!

A New Season

Lying under the Christmas tree makes me . . . HAPPY!

Multi-Tasking

We call this multi-tasking!

Silly Pilgrim

Somehow, Thanksgiving came and went without me taking many pictures. However, I did get this one of a silly pilgrim girl. The pre-schoolers made these hats last week. Cambry had fun wearing it -- at least for a little while!

Baking Bread

Today I had the urge to bake bread. I hadn't done that in a while, so when I found my Grandma Betty's recipe for French Bread, I got started. Turns out, it was almost easier than baking a regular loaf of bread -- it didn't take as long. Anyway, when I'm using my Grandma's recipes, I feel like I'm making something really good. She was an amazing cook -- the kind that altered every recipe to her liking. It is almost impossible to copy any recipe from her books because even if we follow the recipe to the letter, it still doesn't taste quite like Grandma's! The bread was delicious -- Caiden had 3 slices at supper!

Jesus Loves Me

Cambry is forever singing! She can make anything into a song and Delaney seems to enjoy her performances. She belted out "Jesus Loves Me" for Delaney the other day. And yes, Cambry's hair really does look like this most of the time. :) Enjoy!

3 Months Old

Already it's been 3 months! Delaney is starting to develop a little personality -- always ready with smiles, and her big blue eyes can tell quite a story! She likes to make gurgling and cooing noises, too - quite a treat when I'm changing her diaper. She's become a cat-napper some days and a lengthy napper on other days. In other words, no real schedule yet! She can usually make it until 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning before she needs to eat -- a welcome change to her nights! We are enjoying her immensely and always look forward to what's coming next in her development!

Waking Up

I often get this face as Delaney wakes up from a nap!

A Touching Conversation

As Cambry was getting ready for bed tonight, I had such a touching conversation with her -- I just had to share it! She got started talking about bows, somehow . . . Cambry: "Hey, there are bows in rainbows!" Me: "Yes, that's right,: Cambry: "I have set my bow in the clouds!" (remembering part of a memory verse from Sunday School) Me: "Yes -- do you remember who said those words?" Cambry: "My Sunday School teacher!" Me: "That's right, but do you know who said it in the Bible?" Cambry: "God did." Me: "Yes, a lot of things we read in the Bible are God or Jesus talking." Cambry: "And Grandma Betty, she's up there too!" I was so touched to hear her say this -- I don't know if she remembers Grandma Betty at all or if we just talk about her enough, but whatever it is, I'm happy to know that Cambry understands that Grandma Betty (my grandma) is in Heaven!

A Special Visit to our School

A couple of months ago, I nominated Goessel Elem. to receive a $500 check from EMC Insurance and KAKE TV. Much to my delight, they picked our school, and yesterday, Mr. Pauls (our librarian) received the check. The fun thing about this award is that Susan Peters, one of the KAKE news anchors, comes and reads a book to the whole school. I was able to go and watch the presentation -- it was so much fun! She read a pirate book that Mr. Pauls had picked out and he even made her put a pirate hat on with some "gold" and "pearls." She had fun with it, and the kids had a great time! There was a short 30 sec. spot on the news yesterday. On Saturday (the 6th) there will be a 1:30 spot on the 6:00 news (channel 10). What fun! And what a great way for our school to get some extra funds!

Trick or Treat

It was that time of year again -- Halloween. I have to be honest and say that I've never been real giddy about this holiday, but it is fun to see the kids dressed up. This year, Caiden had the idea to be a cowboy (even though we couldn't find cowboy boots to borrow), and Cambry had a perfect cheerleader outfit that she got as a Christmas gift (thanks McCabe's)! They both had a great time trick-or-treating while Delaney slept in the van!

Delaney Update

At almost 3 months old, Delaney's neck is getting stronger -- she can hold her head up for quite a while!

Fall Harvest

We finished the fall harvest yesterday -- Yay!! The kids and I walked to the field for one last ride, and Delaney's FIRST ride in the combine! The cab gets kind of crowded with 5 of us, but did enjoy ourselves. We even saw 2 pheasants, 1 coyote, and 3 rabbits in the field! Caiden's spot on the floor of the cab Dad in the driver's seat Delaney's first ride

Autumn Craft Project

It's not very often that I get "crafty," so when this idea popped into my head today, I got excited to craft with the kids! We went out looking for leaves of all sizes, and then we created pictures with them. I know it's not a new idea, but I was proud of myself for coming up with an idea the kids actually liked! Cambry's Creation My Creations! Cambry helped with the mouse. Caiden decided to make our whole family -- including Grandma/Grandpa and Grammy/Papa

Pumpkin Carving Time

Today was pumpkin-carving day. We had one small pumpkin that Caiden had picked out on his field trip. He actually carved some of it himself (after planning out what he would carve with a marker)! He's getting to be so grown-up! Caiden worked very diligently! Cambry worked on sorting seeds from "guts" This is about all Delaney could contribute to the project -- a cute smile with the finished product!

Boys and Handwriting

Except for a male teacher I observed in college, my experience with boys and handwriting has been that it's usually not very good. So, I was so pleased the other day when Caiden exclaimed from the kitchen, "Mom, come look at my beautiful 'a'!" When his report card came, I was delighted to see an "E" (for excellent) next to Handwriting! Will this continue, or will it disappear at some point? I guess we'll be finding out over the years!!

While I was Away . . .

Yesterday afternoon, I actually enjoyed about 4 hours away from home without the kids! I was attending a mentor/mentee activity at Bethel College with Aimee, my mentee. We had a great time, and it looks like the kids had a great time with Dad while I was gone! Caiden decided to put on these goggles so he could literally dive into the pile!

Random Thoughts!

I LOVE Fall -- especially this one! I had a very alarming morning yesterday -- Cambry was standing by my bed, I looked at the clock, it was 7:23! The bus comes for Caiden at 7:27 -- YIKES! You'll be happy to know that Caiden was out the door with a pear in hand right on time! Our kitchen has been invaded by fruit flies. Our solution? The vaccuum! Sowing wheat, combining soybeans, and combining milo all at the same time definitely takes a long time -- especially when you're not the one in the field! I love it when the kids bring home book orders -- almost more excited than they are! I'm excited to go with the 1st graders to Papa's Pumpkin Patch on Monday. I haven't gone on a field trip with him yet! He's actually happy that I'm going!

2 Months Already!

Delaney turned 2 months old on Saturday -- wow, how the time flies! She had her check-up today, and she's grown 3 inches and almost 4 lbs. since she was born. I'm glad she's growing well despite her spitting up issues! She has recently begun to rub her eyes when she's tired -- a rather helpful clue for us! And her smiles continue to capture our attention! The biggest news of all is that last night she slept from 11:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m., a whopping 7 hours!!! Woo Hoo!

Sunday Blessings

I was a little bummed out that we didn't go to Camp Mennoscah with our church this weekend. However, today I was able to find blessings in the little things: Chelan and I made applesauce -- 13 quarts! I think we have about 30 quarts now. Cambry loved waking up in her new "cold weather pajamas" I made coffee for the first time since last spring and this little girl smiled!!

Kids Say the Cutest Things . . .

Here are a few quotes from Cambry concerning Delaney: "Is she a boy? Because she has boy hair!" "It's nice to have a baby, isn't it, Mom?" "Mom, when I grow up, I want to be a baby holder!"

A Restful Place to Sleep

About 7 years ago when we were expecting Caiden, Chelan lovingly designed and built this beautiful crib! Caiden and Cambry were able to sleep in it from the get-go. Delaney on the other hand? She's spending her nights in the carseat in our living room! We do have a cradle, but staying upright seems to be the key with her. This time around, we have a 2nd floor, and we decided that she should stay downstairs until it cools off a bit. Today, at 5 weeks old, she took a 2 1/2 hour nap in the crib. Yeah!! Every time I have put one of the kids down in the crib to sleep, I remember how blessed we are to have a loving husband and dad. A dad who would spend hours crafting a crib (or anything for that matter) for his kids!

4 weeks old

This little lady is already 4 weeks old! 12 months will go by in no time at this rate! How is she at 4 weeks? Well, she's turned into quite a spitter -- I would compare her to our first baby. Many of you know how bad that was! Other than that, she still sleeps a lot and we're still waiting for that first smile (when she's awake)!

Soybean Field

Despite a rather hot and dry summer, this field of beans seems to be doing rather well. Chelan took Caiden out there on Sunday to show him how tall the beans are! We're looking forward to harvest time soon!