Family Get Together

This last Saturday we had a post Christmas Leavenworth Family Get Together. Lots of yummy food, crazy kiddos, visiting, and more! It was fun to see everyone and spend time catching up.
These were the kiddos of the evening. Paige didn't make it into the photo, but she was also with us! They all played really well together and had a lot of fun dressing up and running around.

Sick Babies and Sleepless Nights

I've got a sick little girl that was up the last couple of nights. She just has a mild stomach flu with a fever and some congestion. She seems pretty happy during the day, just a bit more sleepy, so I'm not that worried. It just always seems to be harder at night. She has come into our bed around 200am the last couple of nights and I just don't sleep as well. I worry that she is too hot or that we will have to make a quick run to the bathroom. Her fever broke mid morning and I finally fell asleep around 430am/500am. Anyway, today I'm sleepy and wanting to go back to bed. Any advice for taking a day off while you are taking care of little ones? I would love to hear your ideas.

Christmas Cards 2009

Last night I just grabbed all my cards and started cutting away. Such an easy project!

Almost 18 Months

This goofy guy is almost 18 months!! He loves to run and play all day long!!! He has been wanting to play outside a lot lately. He wants me to carry him down the stairs even though he knows how to go down the stairs. He likes to feed himself and has a hard time letting Mom or Dad feed him. He loves baths. He says mama, dadee, thank you, ba-ba, kitty,ohhhhhh, and ball. He does a great job of pointing and letting me know what he wants. When we get him out of bed he directs us to pick up each of his blankets and animals that are in his bed to carry out of the room with him. He loves bottles and will ask for them throughout the day. We are trying to just give him a bottle in the evening before bed. His bottle days will be over when he is 18 months and I think he will have a hard time with this. Church has been hard for this guy. He will last sitting semi-quietly throughout sacrament meeting, but one of us will spend most of the next two class hours out in the hall. He takes one nap a day and goes down around 11:30am. He is very loud. He loves to scream and carry on. He does this when he is happy and when he is not so happy. He loves playing with his brother. He is enjoying playing with his sister, though at times they don't always agree.

My favorite thing right now with Karter is that he will come to me at anytime of the day and take me by the hand. He points and lets me know that we must pick up a fluffy blanket and a book
and directs me to the chair where we will seat. He cuddles up and I wrap him in the blanket. We rock in the chair and I will read to him. I just love this time with my goofy guy!

Dining Room Light

I had fun with these ornaments I got from Pottery Barn at their after Christmas Sale. This is the light fixture that we hung over our dining room table. I thought that it needed a little something.
So fun to have our house back to decorate as I see fit. I have a few home decoration ideas twirling around in my head. Hoping I can find some quiet moments to get some things done.

2010 Word of the Year

I have finally decided to join many in choosing a word for this next year. My word is CHERISH. This next year I want to cherish all the moments that come my way and embrace, appreciate, and enjoy each new experience that I encounter. Cherish my family and friends. Cherish my talents and abilities. Cherish books. Cherish work, play, and rest. Cherish peace and calm. Cherish laughter and good times. Cherish all the good I have in my life on a daily basis.

I wanted to answer a couple of your questions you left in the comments.

Some of you asked what Karter was doing in the tub. So, if there is water in the tub Karter always tries to get in and he finally made it. Let me tell you that his diaper was oh so fun to change.

One of you asked where the microwave was in the kitchen. I didn't plan a microwave in our kitchen. I'm trying to not use one. Steve was not excited when he figured out we would not have a microwave. He decided he would make sure the cabinet under the stovetop did not have shelves so he could put the microwave in there. So, in answer to your question, our microwave is in the cupboard under the stovetop. Not a convenient place to have it, but I like that I didn't have to find a place for it somewhere else. Marcy, I'm impressed with how observant you are!

I love, love, love, love your comments!! Love this blog thing that keeps us all connected!! Thank you for all the sweet things you had to say about my kitchen.

Our Kitchen

I'm finally posting the pictures.