Christmas 2009 - New Year's Day 2010

I'm so far behind, I'll never catch up. And, admit it, you only want to see pictures of the kids anyway. ;) Look for more posts like this in the near future!

November

In November we went to the zoo & a few other fun places around town.

But the best part of November was Turkey Day! We had a great time at Rob & Kim's house.
Playing games...
Lily was fascinated by cousin Sarah's headband.
But the best part was Chris proposed to Tereasa after dinner! It was a complete surprise to most of us, but we couldn't be happier!

August - October

I know, I know...its been a long time since I posted anything but we've been busy. Here goes...

August & September:

Lily turned 6 months old in August. She doesn't seem to want to crawl but is scooting around on her bum. Sometimes she tries to use the furniture with funny results. She knows how to get where she wants to go so that's all that matters. She really likes sweet potatoes & carrots.
Max is enjoying school. He has made a lot of new friends & we've gone on a few playdates so far. At home (if we're not outside) Max has really been into building elaborate structures with his blocks.
October:
The sunflowers Max & Pop-pop planted in July grew tall & Max had a great time checking on their progress every day.
I got to play with my camera a bit more.The kids & I took a trip to NW Arkansas to see the newest member of the family. Maggie was born to my cousin Brad & his lovely wife Christal. We got to see lots of family & had a great time catching up!
Max had a great time playing with his cousins.
Lily isn't quite sure what to make of Maggie.Max & Pop-pop even carved a jack o'lantern!

The kindergarten Classes teamed up to put on a music program. All the kids had a great time singing Mary Had a Little Lamb in various styles. Max got to play an instrument called a boom whacker & did a really good job! It rained a lot during the month of Oct & on the 30th we went from having a nice area to watch tv & play to having a small lake in our basement. After working all day with the wetvac, we decided that the carpet needed to go. So Ian & our friend Craig ripped it all out. What a soggy nasty mess!
Halloween was great! Lily was a dragon & Max was Optimus Prime. After finding very few of our neighbors giving out treats, we headed to Aunt Debbie & Uncle Scott's neighborhood. Max raked in the loot while Lily & I hung out with Debbie.

Stay tuned...

Sometime in the next 4 weeks I will update my blog, complete with pictures & a list of the many things that have been occupying my time.

First Day of Kindergarten *Update*

Today, at 8:20 am, Max officially started Kindergarten. He has been so excited about this day for weeks. Last night he picked out his clothes & really thought about his choices. (Everything matched!) Even though he was tired-couldn't sleep from excitement-he jumped out of bed this morning to get ready. He insisted on putting on his backpack immediately & wanted to hold his lunchbox during breakfast.

Time for breakfast

Here we go!

The school was a madhouse with all the kids & parents waiting outside. Finally, everyone lined up by grade, the kindergarteners (and their parents) marched into the building.
Getting ready to line up. Max refused to smile, just gave me his "tough guy" look instead.

Once we got into the classroom & found Max's chair, he dismissed us. Literally. "Mom & Dad, you can go now. But first will you open my play-dough?" Getting a goodbye kiss was like pulling teeth & after that, forget any sort of communication. He was in the "Kindergarten Zone".

So now, Lily & I get to figure out what to do with ourselves until 3:00pm. I'm sure we can find something...

* Max's first day went wonderfully! He came home chattering about his day & some of the new things he did. In response to a few of my questions, I received the proberbial "nothing" or "I don't know". I thought that didn't start until they were just a little bit older?

Between then and now...

So yes...it has been a really long time since I posted anything. But I know you will forgive me. We have been crazy busy since the last post!

*Note on the pictures at the end

I started a new job at the end of May & am much happier! I get to work at home about 95% of the time & the kids get to go to the office with me when I go in to pick up my work. Max loves it since the guys in the office always stop what they're doing & play with him for a bit. I am so thankful to have this opportunity!

We went to Arkansas in June to see family & friends & be generally wild & crazy. We had a great time seeing everyone & Max had such a good time playing with his second cousins. And the cousins got to have a little grownup time thanks to some fantastic grandparents & great-aunts & -uncles! We missed those that couldn't make it but next year I hope we can ALL get together!

Lily had her first taste of cereal which she ate enthusiastically &wore herself out.

She has since had carrots (delish!) & yellow squash (NOT a fan). We're going to try butternut squash tomorrow! She is also rolling over & sitting up & babbling non stop! Not to mention learning how much fun hamming for the camera can be. She loves to blow raspberries & is starting to play peekaboo with her blankets.


Max turned 5 at the end of July & had a Spongebob Squarepants party. We had a lot of friends & family over to celebrate & everyone had a great time.

I made the cake. Really, I have proof! See...



Somewhere a pinata-maker is laughing hysterically!


Aunt Becky & cousin Lizzie came to STL so that gave us yet another excuse to get together for good food!


While Mum-mum & Pop-pop were here we visited the Science Center, went fishing & just ran around being generally crazy!



And, surprise...we had another BBQ!


Max starts Kindergarten on August 18th & we have been getting up early everyday this week & walking to his school in preparation. He is so excited & so am I! Stay tuned!

*It drives me crazy when Blogger won't let you arrange the pictures the way you want them! I really didn't want everyone to wear out their index fingers scrolling but...