Getting ready for Christmas

Less than a week until Christmas...Everyone is getting excited around here!

Caden had to create a unique gingerbread man with his family for a class project. He knew right away that he wanted to make a Spiderman gingerbread man. Curt did an awesome job drawing Spiderman's webbing and details. Caden and I did the coloring. He was very happy with the finished product!

Caden got a phone call from Santa last week. Both boys felt very special and were extremely excited. Caden and Santa discussed being good, his activities, and his wish list. After a moment of shyness, Cole had a chance to speak with Santa too. Santa promised Cole that he would visit if Cole was good, and Cole promised to leave Santa some cookies.

On Friday, Cole's preschool put on a Christmas program. They sang eight songs in front of a large crowd. Cole did an awesome job! I was so proud of him!

Cole was one of the donkeys. He was not thrilled with being a donkey, but he wore the hat anyway.

Watching Home Alone

Slobbery Kieran sporting his Santa outfit

Every morning, Caden and Cole check the presents under the Christmas tree. They've made some good and bad guesses. They are so excited!

Breakfast with Santa

At the beginning of December, we attended Breakfast with Santa at our church. We missed going to this fun event while we were living in Indy. The event includes a pancake and sausage breakfast, music time, cookie decorating, and a visit with Santa.

Santa and Caden reviewing his list

Cole had a nice chat with Santa too.

We were even able to get Kieran to sit on Santa's lap. We might not be so lucky next year.

Nana, Papa, and the boys in front of the gorgeous Christmas tree in the sanctuary

We liked Papa's photo of our family so much that it ended up on our Christmas card.

Thanks, Papa!

Decking the Halls

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we got in the holiday spirit and decorated our Christmas tree. For some unknown reason, Caden and Cole gravitated toward the same area of the tree (pictured below). We finally convinced them to share the ornaments with the rest of the tree.



Cole's favorite ornaments move or make noise (of course).

Caden finding the perfect spot for an ornament

Cole is ready for Christmas!

Caden's turn to put on the finishing touch

Curt was in charge of making the outside of our house look gorgeous. He succeeded!

We are very excited to celebrate our first Christmas in our new home!

Kieran at 4 months...

With holiday and life-in-general busy-ness, I fell a bit behind on blog posts, but I'm finally making time to post some photos from Kieran's fourth month. At his 4-month check-up, Kieran weighed 16 pounds, 8.8 ounces. He measured 25 inches long. He's definitely growing (too quickly for my liking)!

Kieran wore his turkey-on-the-bum Thanksgiving pants every week in November. I loved them!

Kieran's seat for most meal preparations...His favorite toy on the exersaucer is probably the shape sorter/mirror in front of him in this photo.

Here is a very sad Kieran and his puppy blanket on the day of his shots. We had a rough two days, and then happy-go-lucky Kieran returned. Thank goodness!

You can see one of Kieran's newest tricks in the photo above...taking out his pacifier, playing with it, and then trying hard to put it back in his mouth. Occasionally, he is successful. Kieran is continuing to provide us with lots of babbles, bubbles, and laughter!

Thanksgiving 2010

Just a few photos from our Thanksgiving festivities this year...

Caden with a mouthful of food at his Thanksgiving feast

Kieran's shirt states that he is thankful for me, but I'm even more thankful for him!

We traveled to Benton to spend Thanksgiving with Grammy, Grandpa, and Aunt Mariah. Aunt Mariah and the big boys made gingerbread houses.

Grammy was called in to assist with gingerbread house construction.

Caden and Cole with their sweet creations

Three of our reasons to be thankful...

Festival of Trees

The weekend before Thanksgiving, we enjoyed our annual trip to the Festival of Trees. Papa joined us this year while Nana was in Pennsylvania. Before we look at very many Christmas trees, the boys must take a ride on the train. This was Kieran's first train ride.


Cole posing with his favorite tree

Caden posing with his favorite tree

It is hard to tell from the photo above...Caden's favorite tree was Beatles-themed.

Kieran (unhappily) making a handprint potholder for me

We always finish our visit with gingerbread cookies.

It's official! The holiday season is here!

Polar Express

In November, Caden and Cole spent a weekend in Rankin with Nana, Papa, and Aunt Charlene, who was visiting from Vermont. While Papa and Aunt Charlene attended a meeting, Nana took the boys to Provena United Samaritans Medical Center's Festival of Trees Polar Express event.

Cole and Caden in their Christmas pajamas and ready to ride the Polar Express

Everyone meets at Danville's mall to board trains (aka buses) headed to the North Pole (aka the civic center). Here are Caden and a very excited Cole posing with the train conductor.

Nana and the boys

On the way to the civic center, everyone sang Christmas carols. They also stopped at a McDonald's where people in chef's hats delivered hot cocoa and nougats (Charleston Chews) to the passengers.

When they arrived at the civic center, Danville's mayor read The Polar Express to the audience. Santa also made an appearance and delivered bells to everyone. Caden's favorite parts were singing Christmas carols and Santa's arrival. Cole's favorite part was the super fast and wild bus ride back to the mall. Nana and the boys had a wonderful time! Hopefully, Kieran can join in the fun in the next couple years.