2009 Christmas Card

Preschool Christmas Festivities...

Gavin had a preschool performance this year. They sang a song called "Christmas Cookies." There was a screen above the children so you could see them in video while they were singing. As soon as Gavin realized he was on tv he turned around and started waiving at himself while the rest of his classmates carried on with the song.

The kids sang again at the class party. Maybe it's because I'm his mom, but Gavin always seems to stand out to me in a funny way. You see him with his class... off to the side. He is often in his own imaginary world.

The kids were supposed to decorate cookies. Gavin and Parker pretty much just ate the frosting and moved on...

Mrs. Claus

Picture day.

Star Wars

Gavin spends much of his time pretending to battle the dark side. A couple of days ago poor Joseph from our Nativity scene was accidentally decapitated due to an important battle. Boys...

When Gavin saw this picture he said, "Uh dad, Darth Vader's light saber is waaaaaay too close to my face!" He was dead serious. He also asked that we add in Yoda for reinforcements.

Oh... and another thing....

Kendall is looking more and more like her dad every day!

smiles...

I know I just posted pictures of Kendall yesterday.... but I took this today and couldn't resist! She is starting to get some cute chub!

Pretty baby

So far, Kendall seems to be a very social girl. When she's not napping, she LOVES face time. She smiles with her entire body and squeals in delight. She is the sweetest little thing!

funny boy.

Dad: "Gavin, you can do it because you're a big boy - you're four now!"

Parker: "And I'm two!"

Dad: "That's right Parker, you're two!"

Parker: "And you're fifty-two"

Who's gonna carve the bird??

Okay, okay.... so our rotisserie chicken from Savemart technically counts as a "bird," right?

In the interest of keeping our sanity, we decided not to pack half of our house, our pre-schooler, toddler, and newborn into the car for any long trips. Since my family lives 5 hours north and Franklin's family spent Thanksgiving at Morro Bay.... we were left to our own devices...

We spent the morning at the park, then made a quick trip to Savemart for a pre-made Thanksgiving feast. The boys thought it was great and had lots of fun playing with mom and (mostly) dad.

We have lots to be thankful for!

The boys

Two months old!

Kendall is two months old and feeling less and less like a newborn each day. She is a happy baby and gives us lots of smiles when she's awake. She naps a lot and is getting better about sleeping during the night.

She weighs 11 lbs 7 oz and is starting to chunk up a little (both Gavin and Parker were about 13 lbs 10 oz at their two month check-up). What a blessing this sweet baby girl is to our family!

I am speed!

I came downstairs today to find Parker racing around the house like this....

Happy birthday Franklin...

Newborn pictures...

Here are some newborn pictures of Kendall I never got a chance to post...

Six weeks already!

Just doing what she does best... eating, sleeping and pooping!

It all passes so quickly...

These pictures are from the summer while I was on bedrest. I was looking at them and reminded how quickly the stages kids go through pass by. For the longest time, Gavin insisted on wearing his underwear backwards because he wanted to see the picture (why do they put the pictures on the back anyway?). I just realized..... he doesn't do this anymore....

Go ahead.... eat more candy.... you're sick anyway!

This year we had a Halloween party planned. Franklin even got into the festivities by decorating our house with orange lights. Having kids, we know that all plans should not be held too tightly! Sure enough, Gavin developed a fever and threw up the night before. We cancelled the party and had a lazy day of rest.

I was bummed, but when I put Parker in his costume, seeing him dance around the yard shouting, "to infinity and beyond" gave me pure joy!

This is how Gavin spent the day....

Sweet Kendall

Gavin felt good enough to walk around a little....

I could not get over how festive our neighborhood was.... some people wend ALL OUT setting up their front yards for the trick-or treaters.



Nothing like candy to make you feel better!

Parker did some taste testing!

One month old...

I can't believe Kendall is already a month old. I feel like I was just pregnant last week. She is opening her eyes a lot more, but still likes to sleep a lot. She wakes up several times in the night, but occasionally has some longer stretches of sleep. Hopefully I am seeing the light at the end of this sleep deprivation tunnel!

At her 4 week check-up, Kendall weighed 8lbs 11oz.

The boys are doing great with her. They don't really mess with her and haven't really shown any signs of difficulty adjusting to the new little person in our house.

Brothers

I took these a while back. Parker was more than happy to participate..... I had to bribe Gavin with fruit snacks!