Indoor Aquatic Center

Todd was off work for a few days after Christmas so we decided to go to the near by indoor aquatic center for some fun.  Our friends Angie and Josh joined us.  Madison had a blast playing in the toddler area.  She really wanted to go down the big slide but wasn't tall enough.  Kaden enjoyed sitting in the water and splashing.  I'm sure my water babies are looking forward to summer just as much as I am.

Christmas

This Christmas season was fun since we had a 2 1/2 year old running around.  We talked about baby Jesus every day and read Christmas books each night before bed.  We made cookies, sang jingle bells a hundred times and decorated the tree.  Madison loved it all.  On Christmas morning, Madison was an expert at opening her (and everyone else's) gifts.  It was fun to watch Kaden during his first Christmas.  We had a nice meal with my parents and my aunt and uncle.  We felt very blessed this year. 

Kaden's 1st Haircut

Mom says my hair is getting too long and I need a haircut.  Sounds like fun!



Uh, wait a minute... what's that sound?



What in the world are you doing to me!?  I am NOT OK with this!




I guess it wasn't so bad.  I sure do look cute!

You can still have fun in the cold...

7 Months

Still not sitting up unassisted, still no teeth, but still super cute & almost always smiles!!!

Now that Kaden is eating solids, he has started to chunk up a little in his legs, but he is still no where near as chunky as Madison was at this age.
I've said for a long time that due to the large amounts of drool, he must be getting a tooth soon.  Still no tooth but I'm sure one will be here soon ;)
Kaden LOVES to bounce in his activity seat.  He also thinks his big sis is the coolest person ever. 

 Learning new tricks with his tongue.

A few facts
Weight - 18 pounds
Height - 28 inches
Diaper Size - 3
Clothing Size - 9 Month
Sleeping - Since moving to Michigan, Kaden's wonderful sleeping habits have disappeared.  He wakes every 2 - 3 hours.  This mama is tired!









left: Madison 7 months, right: Kaden 7 months

Thanksgiving

My brother's family came up from Dayton to my parent's house for Thanksgiving.  It was great having the entire family together.  Madison LOVES her Aunt Shawna and has the best time playing with her cousin Christopher.  My mom made the traditional meal and we all stuffed ourselves. 

I know the lighting isn't great in this picture, but I wanted to show off the snow outside.

Madison loved her turkey outfit from Grammy!

The kids went sledding during the week and Madison built her first snowman! (with a little help from Christopher)

Moving!

After a lot of talking and praying, Todd decided to accept a job at Grand Valley State University which means we will be moving to Michigan!  The University is only 10 minutes from where I grew up.  He will be doing very similar work as he did at UK.  We accepted an offer on our house after only being on the market a week.  We will head to Michigan on November 16 and will be living with my parents until we buy a house.
We are very excited for the changes, but we will miss our dear friends and family in Kentucky!  We'd better buy some winter coats ;)

1st Meal

Kaden is 6 months so it was time for his first bowl of baby cereal.  I can tell he has been ready for awhile, but when exclusively breastfed, they now recommend you wait until they are 6 months.  I positive he has been staring at me for the past month during dinner, begging me to give him a bite.  Today was the day he got his wish.  He loved it!  Kaden knew what to do right away and I was actually able to thicken the cereal.  He kept grabbing my hand for more.  I would say it was very successful.

I'm ready!

Keep it coming!

6 Months

Our little man is 6 months old!
He is such a sweet boy who loves to laugh and play with his sister.
He is starting solids and sitting up in him Bumbo seat.  He's growing up fast!  We got out his bouncing activity center and he is starting to realize he can bounce and have fun.

A few facts
Weight - 18 pounds - 50%
Height - 28 inches - 90%
Diaper Size - 3
Clothing Size - 6-9 Month
Sleeping - Sleeps around 7 hours at a time







left: Madison 6 months, right: Kaden 6 months

Halloween

This year the weather forecast for Halloween night was severe storms so last minute, trick or treating was moved to the next night.  A local church decided to move their outdoor trunk or treat event indoors and still have it Halloween.  We went their with our friend Amanda and her son, Alex.  Then the next night the weather was great so we went around the neighborhood as a family.  It was also Todd's birthday so we had some cake with our candy :)
Happy Halloween & Happy Birthday to Todd!

Beautiful Babies

I might be a little biased, but I think my kids are beautiful and wanted to show them off :)

Must watch sermon

I copied this post from a good friend of mine. It really is a MUST watch.  It makes me so thankful to have the parents I did!

This video is a must watch if you're a parent!!  Please take some time to sit and watch it.  I know it's kind of long, but so worth it.  You'll be really glad you did.  The President of Ozark Christian College came and spoke about parenting at our church and it was great!  6,570 is the number of days we have with our kids from birth to 18 and each day counts.  Every parent is going to leave a legacy and it will have a multi-generational impact.  "The problem with America is not the government shutdown, but the breakdown of the family.  As goes the family, goes the nation, goes the world."

To view: http://southlandchristian.org/series/one-hit-wonders/#six-five-seven-zero

Your greatest legacy is a Godly lineage.  Some ways to make that happen:  1.  Set a Godly environment - cultivate a heart that loves God, write on the door post of your house, use visual symbols, have scripture cards readily laying around the house;  2.  Set a Godly education - implant a love of God's word, read the bible daily;  3.  Set a Godly example - a heritage of faith.  Be a Praying family; Be a Responsible family;  Be an Obedient family;  Be a Compassionate family;  Be a Truthful family;  Be an Overcoming family;  Be a Rejoicing family. 

Deuteronomy 6: 4-9  "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that  I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Orchard Fun!

We went to Evan's Orchard with my mom group.  It was a perfect day and actually a little hot for October.  Madison had a great time and would have stayed all day if I let her.  We went on a tractor ride, had some cider & doughnuts, pet a few animals, picked pumpkins and played in a very large play area.

The 3 amigos!