Christmas Morning 2008

We had a great christmas morning with Grandpa Bill! Santa was very good to all of us! Fortunately, Santa wasn't able to fit Caleb's electric drum set on his sleigh! He was most excited with his snow ball maker/hurler, scooter, and trash truck! He continues love trash and recycling trucks and has an amazing ability to hear them from several blocks away. He is all boy! Katie was most excited with her make-up and new baby (whom she immediately named Jillian). She loves music, dancing and all things for girls. She spends a large amount of time, categorizing things as being "a girl thing" or "a boy thing"! She is certain she should own all girl things!

I could not resist this picture! Caleb is so focused on his new racetrack, he doesn't realize his pants are falling off!

Opps, she missed her lips! But looks good with a pink, glossy nose!

Caleb has been very happy and playing with all of his toys and riding his scooter. Katie on the other hand, started her birthday list immediately. For those of you that are interested, she wants a girl scooter, a real electric guitar, a computer to do work on and make money for Lolly (her favorite baby), a sled, anything yellow, and all the other "girl things" she doesn't have.

Princess Katie has Arrived!

One of Katie's favorite christmas presents was a pink chest full of princess dress-up clothes from Aunt Karen and Uncle Bart! She could hardly contain her excitement as she opened "the castle of pretty clothes"! Typical of most two year olds, she could not wait to climb into the box and sit on top of the "pretty things"!

Princess Katie learns to use her brother's new digital camera (top) and recieves her first haircut (as royalty) from Lauren! She is very serious about this haircut, as she is with all of her pretend haircuts.

Doesn't she look absolutely precious admiring her jewels! Last night, she told me "I have holes in my ears like you (pointing to my ear canal) and I need earrings like you too"! Then she said, "When I grow I gonna be a ballerine...and an angel....what does a ballerine do anyway MaMa"! I told her they "dressed up in pretty costumes and danced to pretty mingos (music)". With great enthusiasm, she exclaimed, "Just like a princess!"

Santa Photo 2008

On December 23, the kids and I were decorating cookies in our pajama's at 5:00! Yes, our pajama's! It was a very cold day and as far as I was concerned we were not going to leave the house. When I suddenly remembered I forgot to take the kids to see Santa! I quickly ended the cookie decorating, dressed everyone, and as soon as Daddy came home we headed to the mall. After waiting in line for over an hour, one of Santa's most disagreeable teenage elves told me "that Santa was leaving for the day!" I couldn't believe it, we were literally the next people to go in! Needless to say, I was furious!

The next morning, we got all dressed and headed to a diffent mall. I did not want to see the disagreable teenage elf again. I was braced for a mile long line and arrived loaded down with snacks, drinks and entertainment. But to my great surprise, we were the very first people there and Santa actually had to wait on Caleb to finish building his lego sleigh. It was awesome!

Thanksgiving 2008!

This year for Thanksgiving with headed to MeMe and Papa house in Virginia. We had a great time with Aunt Kristen, Uncle Kevin, Baby Geoffrey, Aunt Julie, and almost Uncle Roger. Caleb had a marvelous idea to have everyone choose an indian name, he chose "Smiling Horse" and Katie "Smiling Hat"! Other names that made it to the table were Chatting Chipmunk, Lounging Lizard, and Dances with RoRo! Caleb also enjoyed making all the girls a paper flower for the table and a special napkin ring with tractors and firetrucks (made from toilet paper rolls, tin foil, and, stickers)! Surely not what MeMe pictured with her fine china! But she never let on!

"Smiling Hat" makes an appearance! Caleb and Katie entertain Geoffrey! I was not sure who was most enamoured with who in this situation!

Fortunately, my cousin Susi sacraficed her nightly workout to have dinner with us one night! The kids really loved seeing her again and showing off for her!

Extreme Makeover of 3916 Kingston Court

The Extreme Makeover of 3916 Kingston Court began on Oct. 11, 2008. Caleb got right to work installing a garbage disposal when he heard me shriek "Stephen! Did you know there isn't a garbage disposal"! I couldn't believe anyone could live without such a necessity for 43 years! Thankfully, we have our own personal Mr. Fix It!

If Possible, imagine removing the large plantars boxes you see here, covering up the random 5 holes in the roof, adding windows to the windowless side of the house, removing all traces of ivy, and a fresh coat of paint! This may take a while to get a vision, I know! It has taken us months to come up with one!
Mr. Terry is here to save the day with his Bobcat! Caleb has been waiting for this day! And Katie is scared on the noise! Say good-bye to the plantars boxes and ivy!Caleb and his friend, Sophie (new neighbor) stand on top on the remnants of the large plantars box. What you can't see in this picture is Steve, Katie, and I shovling dirt as fast as we can into the back of a flatbed. For those of you, not accoustomed to manual labor, I don't suggest it. I could not move my right shoulder the next day. We had friends over for lunch (from left to right Belle, Mara, Caleb, Bennet, and Luke) and they all got very excited to watch the men lay the rebar for the foundation of our addition! Caleb has not stopped talking about the sparks from cutting the rebar.

Ready to pour the "phonation" as Katie calls it! Now imagine 3 bedrooms and bathrooms in about ... 6 months!

Halloween 2008

This year for Halloween, Caleb wanted to be a fireman while Katie was a scary spider. We had fun "trick or treating" in our new neighborhood with their new friends Grant and Sophie. Unfortunately, not many people were home but that did not seem to bother any of them. They enjoyed the hunt for a porch light and had plenty of candy by the end of the evening!

Caleb posing in front of his favorite climbing tree

Just Having A Good Time

Happy Birthday Mam Ma!

Trinity River Park

This year we decided to take the kids portraits in the park! It was a very hot and humid morning which quickly put Katie in a BAD mood! Our little princess does not believe in sweating! But our photographer was awesome, she managed to take an abundance of great pictures despite Katie's attitude!


This park is one of my and Katie's favorite places to go when Caleb goes to art classes. We have a little ritual! After we drop Caleb off, we stop at Super Target for a lemonade, water, and loaf of bread. Then we head to the park to feed the ducks and pigeons, as well as collect acorns, sticks, and rocks. Then I do my best at thwarting all of her efforts to bring her treasures in the car to show "BroBro"!

Potty Training by Caleb

I walked in on this scene and heard Caleb telling Katie. "You do it just like this, take your diaper off and sit down. Then just push and it will be real easy! And then you can wear pull ups like a 2 year old should"

Katie's "Pretend" Haircut

A couple of weeks ago, Katie announced "KT need to get haircut mama"! As hard as I tried, I could not contain my laughter. As she has a hairline similar to many of the men in her family.

A few days later she overheard Steve and Caleb talking about getting their haircut. Very concerned, she would miss out! She repeatedly told us "KT need haircut too!"

Thus, we set out to Great Clips for 2 real haircuts and 1 pretend haircut! Angie gave her a great "haircut" and even styled it with the blowdryer. Katie was very serious about the whole event and later told me "I like princess with my haircut"! Which of course, she is!

Little Gym Show Week

One of Caleb's favorite activities is gymnastics at The Little Gym. At the end of each semester, they have a show for the kids to show off all of their "tricks" as Caleb calls them. Mr. Cody is his favorite teacher (the young guy working with him on the beam). The other day, Caleb told me they "love each other".

Caleb with Mr. Cody The Whole Class

When walking to the uneven bars, Caleb announced to the group "I will not be doing the high bar, I don't like it". Personally, I don't blame him. But Katie thinks he is crazy, hanging from the high bar and dropping to the floor is one of her favorite "tricks". She never passes up an opportunity to hang.

A Front Pullover Straddle Hang

His confidence has blossomed with this group and we were really proud of all the "tricks" he did! He is very proud of his medal!

A Big Tada after recieving his medal

Katie was so exhausted from watching

Caleb's tricks, she had to go "Night Night"