Catch up

Just like the song says, it's the best time of the year. I just love hanging out with Dave and our little kiddies. They are so much fun and getting cuter every day. Here's a few pictures so you can see how big they're getting.

Go Ethan! He decided he wanted to try sitting up a couple weeks ago and has become quite the professional.

Yes!! He loves to vacuum!!

Playing with the cousins on my side. So cute.

Ooooohhh...

A constant phrase at our house, "Katelyn, don't sit on Ethan!"

SSSSOOOOO cute. Katelyn was reading a book to Ethan for the first time. She made up her own words and turned the pages for him.

Katelyn has been busy showing Ethan the ornaments on the Christmas tree.

Love this picture. I've been trying to be creative and made this hat for her.

Our mod podge of Christmas (I mean Halloween... thanks for catching it, Jen) costumes. Hawaiian girl, Anakin, White Tiger and a 50's girl. It looks like the 50's girl stole Anakin's light saber.

Katelyn loves to have her picture taken... sometimes. Her favorite pose is the non-smiling look.

Down on the farm

I went to USU and just love getting back to the more rural environment now that I'm graduated, done and living in a huge metropolis. haha. But seriously, I love being on a farm, maybe because my mom grew up on a dairy farm and it reminds me of visiting my grandparents and cousins.

Now that Fall has arrived, there are so many fun things to do. Last week, we went with my

sister Shannon's family to a pumpkin and corn farm. It was huge and we had so much fun.

Here's Ethan in a big 'ol crate of pumpkins.

Katelyn and Ethan attempting to pose. :)

Shannon's family. So cute.

Katelyn is so good at saying cheese, but never looks at the camera. Maybe she's a model in the making.

Here's Katelyn and Sarah having a good time together in the little maze, made out of bales of hay.

They had duck races! It was so fun. You pump the water pump and if you look close enough you can see the little rubber duck going to the other side.

Ethan had a good time too.

Here's one of the pumpkin patches. We picked our pumpkins from another one. I couldn't believe how big they were!

Here's Ethan's first pumpkin.

We were getting ready to pick Katelyn's pumpkin and thought, Oh, we should let HER choose it. Okay. Katelyn, go ahead and choose a pumpkin. She turned around, looked at the closest one to her and said, that one! So much for being picky.

Having fun

Our wonderful friend and neighbor, Sister Whittaker, gave Ethan a Pooh Bear for his baby shower. Well, one day she showed up with a present for Katelyn, because everyone needs their own Pooh Bear. Now they both have one! It's so cute with a bell that jingles inside.

Dave loves to play with his two kids.

Ready.... set....

GO!

He's not crawling yet, but he's figured out how to get to his knees and thinks it's pretty cool. Just check out the next picture!

His cheeks are so cute I just have to squeeze him!

Too happy and two kids

I can't believe how fun it is now that Katelyn is talking more. I've laughed at everyone's stories about their kids and now I get to see it first hand.

Here's a few for my journal. They're probably more funny to me than anyone else, but I think they're pretty funny.

We dropped Dave off at the airport today and after I explained that daddy was on a trip, she kept repeating, "Daddy, trip, daddy, airplane."

Later today I told her that he went to Minneapolis. I was impressed when she repeated, "Apolis." Good job Katelyn. I said it again, Minneapolis. To which she repeated, "Minnie Mouse!"

She was eating an M&M the other day and told me that it was black. I told her, no, it's actually brown. "No mommy, black." "No Katelyn, brown." No mommy, black." Repeat 5x and she still insisted. At least I now she's a fighter.

I entered the grocery store, loaded the kids in the cart and Katelyn told me she was poopy. Okay, we'll be quick. Yep, I'll admit I was embarrassed when she told the woman next to me and she repeated, "Oh, are you poopy?" Me thinking: Um... yep. I guess we'll try and stay away from everyone.

I've taught her how to buckle her own seatbelt and I love the smile of satisfaction on her face after she hears the click. "I did it!"

One of my favorite things Katelyn says is, "Ethan, floor, play." It makes me smile just thinking about it, especially when Ethan pulls her hair. Ha. It's just the beginning. :) But, Katelyn just loves to play with him and even shares her coveted pink, minky blanket. (Minky is really soft, fuzzy material.) She won't share it with anyone, but I frequently find Ethan covered with it.

In trying to get Katelyn to accept the fact that she has a brother, I would frequently tell her that I have "two kids." Well, that has become the phrase any time I'm holding both of them, which is frequent, any time she wants to be held when I'm holding him, and any time she holds two of her dolls.

This one is my favorite. I was sewing something at my mom's the other day and had put Ethan in the bouncer nearby on the wood floor. Well, he loves to push himself around in it because his feet can reach the floor. Katelyn found him and the next thing I know, they are totally making each other laugh. It was the funniest thing! He would squeal or laugh and then she would do the same, back and forth. I think that is pure joy for this mom.

Happy Birthday Katelyn!!

Katelyn is two!! Where does the time go? Our cute little sweetheart turned two last week.

First, Katelyn loves to make every animal sound she knows. As we drive down the street we are flooded with neigh's! and moo's! from the back seat. She also loves to "call" the cow in my parent's backyard by yelling MOO! as loud as she can. After a little persistence, they usually come galloping over to see their little friend.

SOOO....

We had a barnyard birthday for her! It was so fun planning all of the little things for the party and it turned out so well. I think everyone had a great time even though it was somewhere in the upper 90's that day. HOT! It was also a swimming party, so the kids got to play in Katelyn's whale pool, slide on the slip 'n slide and run through the sprinklers. Ahhhh.... summer.

I made her a sign out of some free scrapbook paper I got and though it fell off before the party was over, it was nice while it lasted.

Katelyn loved playing with "papa" in the pool.

And sliding down the slip 'n slide with her daddy.

And I had a great time making her cakes. Yes, I made two. But, wouldn't you if you found these two cakes? Here's the cow and I added some little piggy cupcakes.

And here's the sheep. I loved making this one because it was sooo easy. You don't even have to frost it smooth... just cover it up with marshmellows and coco puffs.

More of Katelyn's b-day

SOOO cute.  Katelyn and her 3 year old cousin Sarah are getting to be better friends all the time.  I just love watching them interact.  They had such a fun time together while they were eating their ice cream, which you can see behind the cake stuff.

Dave's the man.  He watched the little boys for Shannon and I.

Dad reading to the little girls.  Thanks for the book Scott and Mel!

Me and my baby.

She knew exactly when and how to blow out the candles.  She's been paying attention and now she sings her own version of it.  "Happy... to you.  FFFfff ."

More of Katelyn's b-day

My parents brought down their cotton candy machine, and that was obviously a hit.  Katelyn is having a great time with Tyes and Alicia.

I love this picture with all the girls just sitting there in the pool.  It was a rare moment when they weren't running around.  Here's Hannah, Jennifer, Annie, Katelyn and little Sarah in the front.

When I was in preschool, my favorite toy was that big long tube that you could crawl through.  I was so excited when I saw one at Kid to Kid the other day.  Katelyn knew just what to do with it.

And here we are opening up Katelyn's presents.  Cute pants, Grandma!  Thanks.

Here are some of the party-goers just trying to stay cool under the tarp.

Thanks everyone for helping Katelyn have an awesome second birthday!  We love you all!

Ethan, our cutie

Here are some pics I took of Ethan the other day.  He is now 4 months and a little bit and I just can't believe how big he's getting.  Katelyn didn't grow up nearly that fast... did she?  After the first couple months when I thought I had a colicy baby, he turned into the happiest little guy.  He's so funny and loves to smile if you'll talk to him or smile at him.  He's my little social heartbreaker.  Watch out girls!

Thinking.  Look at those awesome creases in his forehead.

Hey baby

Oh no!

My favorite

And last but not least, here's a 3-4 month old picture of our little (almost 2 year old!!) Katelyn.  Do you think they look alike?  (Minus the bow, of course.)

Some songs for you

I just heard this song today.  I don't know how to post the YouTube video right on my blog.  If you do, let me know.  It's a new Jon Schmidt song/video.

Here's the video.

And just for a quick down memory lane for me...

Our cute little Katelyn (who is turning 2 in two weeks!!) had a favorite song that would put her to sleep or calm her down every time.  This is the cute video with Jim Brickman and Wayne Brady... and a cameo shot of Cinderella and her prince.  (I'm not going to decorate Katelyn's room with princesses or anything, but for some reason I turn into a little girl when I see the princesses at Disneyland.  "... um, Dave, can we get a picture with Belle?...")

Here it is.

In training

Ethan's in training for the next marathon.  It's so cute when he runs, I just laugh every time. Just ignore the commentary. :)    

Like sister, like brother

I caught Ethan putting Daddy down for a nap today.  Good job Ethan.  He looks so tired.  Katelyn was good at that too.  Here's her video.

Taking a dip

Dave is a fish when it comes to swimming and to encourage Katelyn to follow in his wake, he bought her this really cool whale-shaped swimming pool.  It has a spout and everything, which of course, was Katelyn's favorite part.

One of these days, we'll even get her to get inside the pool.  But, not today.   Look at those strong abs!  Go Katelyn!