4 month/25 month updates

ashton

• lifts his whole body and tries to sit up when laying on a pillow, wriggles out of his bumbo
• can put his paci in his mouth after many attempts
• giggles SO MUCH it is awesome!!! belly laughs like crazy when kaleb makes goofy faces and laughs with him
• rolls over from belly to back
• sleeps 6 hours at night very rarely...mostly still nurses every couple hours!! sheesh!! but he gives me the biggest smile when he sees me and then I don't care anymore that i never sleep!

kaleb

• reading sight words: baby, boy, girl, fingers...
• our little parrot!! As I'm having a phone conversation and saying "hello...yes" I'll hear "HELLO...YES!!!" in the background from kaleb. Then as Derek was telling his mom "Kaleb is a parrot" Kaleb echoed "kaleb is a parrot!!" Child is hilarious! He says "i love you honey" and mimics everything we say ALL DAY LONG!

• can count to ten (but ALWAYS skips 5 and 9 so does that count? I think yes!)
• proudly walks around the house pointing at objects and saying its color
• favorite snack is still avocado (or OTTY-TAH-DOH as he says!)
• favorite books are 5 little monkeys, Biscuit, and Going on a Bear Hunt!
• finishes sentences in his Biscuit book from memory or looking at the pictures

5 Christmases

It's so much merrier when we get to celebrate 5 times! On Christmas Eve our first stop was Deb and Aunt Becky's! The freeway was flooded and I'm pretty sure the tires were lifted off the pavement at one point in flowing water. We would have turned around if we could have but there was no where to go! Flowing water was on each side and cars were stacked up behind us! Thankfully we arrived safe and sound and enjoyed an awesome feast!

This was Will's favorite gift!! Is he not the cutest?? He asked for a war hero outfit for Christmas!
He then regaled the group with tales of battle

Kaleb and ashton got too many gifts and matt and coy were pretty excited about theirs!

Then it was on to Nana and Papa's. It's pretty serious! Nana has 4 different themed trees, one for each entertaining room!

kaleb adores his cousins! they are so silly when they get together!

Cassius and his christmas cast! poor puppy!

This was the first year we were able to celebrate Christmas morning at our own home with children! I got way too excited! Christmas has always been my favorite time of year and I want to make sure each Christmas is memorable for our boys!

derek's gifts consisted of survival gear for his solo hiking adventure! He braved the elements in 16 degree weather along the buffalo river the weekend of New Year's. He took nothing but a sleeping bag, freeze dried food, knife, and some fire starting essentials!

We had too much fun playing with toys and then we were off again to mamaw's! There were too many kids to get together for pics. Kaleb had tons of fun!

Off to Grana's (or Nina's as Kaleb says!)

Papa Carl entertained kaleb and lily way too much!

a very exciting christmas indeed and a very exciting trip back home! A normally 45 minute trip took us 2 hours! The freeway was closed due to flooding and nearly every road we attempted to take to get around was blocked! We finally found a road and found ourselves in stop and go traffic! I guess it just made christmas last longer! What a whirlwind weekend!

Christmas at Big Cedar Lodge!

We were so blessed to be given a 4 day vacation at Big Cedar Lodge from Papa Carl and Meemaw! Especially since we weren't able to fly to California this holiday season it was the perfect family vacation! We headed to Branson the weekend before Christmas and were just in awe of how beautiful the resort was at Christmastime! The resort is set on Table Rock Lake and all the cabins were lit up along the water. In fact, all the lodge facilities, walk ways, bridges, restaurants, and activity centers were adorned in white lights! Carriage rides were abundant, elves tucked children into bed and read stories (we opted out of that one!), the views were just gorgeous with the lake and all the lights, and the dining was great! We definitely want to make this a family tradition each year!

We started out with a family brunch at a great restaurant along the way where they fire up cheese dip at your table and I got to enjoy my favorite drink of all time, cherry Italian cream soda! Then Kaleb and Ashton passed out in the car.

Upon arrival Kaleb loved riding the "choo choo train" with daddy and watching the tractors as they were continuing to build on next to our lodge

so precious. getting their beauty sleep

I LOVE my little thumb sucker! TOO SWEET!

Kaleb slept in a big boy bed in Branson since we will be transitioning him just as soon as his bed arrives! I told Derek to put cushions all around so he wouldn't fall off. Derek forgot so Kaleb fell off! He was just fine and was well cushioned the following night!

We hit up a great restaurant and play place the first night and then quickly found our way to the pool. Kaleb loved watching the kids go down the water slide. After cracking up after kid after kid splashed in the water he eventually worked up the nerve and went for it! We didn't get a pic since derek had to help him up the ladder and I had to catch him in the pool but he did great! He only went once though! It was a pretty big slide and a pretty big first for him! We were so proud!

Then me and my boy warmed up together in the outdoor jacuzzi. Kaleb LOVED it but it was 20 degrees so we didn't stay very long!

CHILLY

So we warmed up again in the jacuzzi tub! This is the life!

We all cuddled on the couch in front of the fireplace, watched Madagascar, ate sugar cookies daddy made and Ashton and Kaleb both fell asleep on me! This is the life!

we walked the bridge to get to dinner reservations at devil's pool restaurant

this kid loves vacation!

another restaurant lit up for the holiday season!

tram ride! Kaleb's favorite! He only wanted to sit with daddy on the tram! Mommy had to find another seat!

warming up and cuddling in the resort next to the fireplace was our favorite way to wind down each evening!

Kaleb gets the biggest grins from Ashton!

we hit up the arcade again and daddy hit the jackpot! kaleb was happy to collect our winnings!

kaleb got to bowl with us and nearly got a strike! It's so fun seeing him able to join in our activities!

Bass Pro Shop on the landing was also decked out for Christmas. Kaleb got to decorate gingerbread cookies, play with remote controlled cars, ride ATV's, run around the choo choo train set and Christmas tree with another boy, and sit on Santa's lap!

where there is an ATV there is a Kaleb

This is Our God

freely you gave it all for us
surrendered your life upon that cross
great is the love poured out for all
this is our God

lifted on high from death to life
forever our God is glorified
servant and king rescued the world
this is our God

This song from Sunday's service perfectly describes the reason for my joy and sweetness of the season. What a perfect gift! The ultimate sacrifice from One whose love for us can never be surpassed and whose advent authored Christmas 2,000 years ago. What is so substantial about Christmas is God's gift in Christ and always, but especially during this time of year, I am reminded of the great love poured out for us. Such a simple yet profound message I reflected on as I watched my 2 year old stare wide-eyed at the sea life in the Bass Pro Shop aquarium! One little hand was pressed up against the enormous glass as his other pointed at all the different colors, sizes, and species of life teeming in that comparatively small space. As I took a step back to capture that moment on my camera I was able to take in the picture as a whole. Deer, elk, birds, and pine trees were displayed on the snowy landscape above. In every niche the Lord created he created life to fill it, to enjoy it, to enjoy camaraderie, companionship, and love. Because what is the point after all of life except to know Him, to enjoy those He has created, to be an example in love, and to live and learn in good fellowship. I can remember being very young and reading my precious moments bible. In Genesis I read that there was nothing, and then God created. I would try to reflect on what it meant if God had not created, on a world of nothingness. To not know my family, my friends, and the God which brings meaning and purpose to all...tears fell on my 7 year old cheeks as joy flooded through my heart. True joy is Knowing that the God we serve loves us so dearly He brought us into a world to enjoy and understand love in its purest form. Which brings us back to the Father of all creation. Because of all these gifts that have been given we are enjoined to look to the giver and realize that we are so privileged to be a part of the most important relationship of all. So thankful this season for God's perfect gift in Christ and for all of you we call family and friends! You are so loved! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Derek, Tara, Kaleb, and Ashton

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Being 2 Rocks!

What a fun age to celebrate you! You adore Chucky and the singing animals and you had a blast playing ski ball, basketball, and riding on the cars! You had chocolate ALL over your face! We made chocolate truffles coated in sprinkles and chocolate train molds for your favors with choo choo train favor tags that said "choo choo choo kaleb is two" since trains, motorcycles, and tractors are your favorite things at 2! Mama could have stayed and played all day but you passed out as soon as you got in the car so I guess you were partied out! We celebrated your actual birthday with Grana and Aunt Jenny who you just started calling Aunt Jen-Jen! You kept asking us to light the candles so you could blow them out again! Thank you to all who celebrated with us!

Kaleb is 2 Years Old!!!

I just put Kaleb down to bed and the tears just started flowing!! I can't believe my little boy is 2 tomorrow! It seems like just yesterday he would fall asleep on me and fit so perfectly cradled in my arms...not so anymore! He is such a big boy and is truly Mr. Independent. He knows to hold hands when in the street but don't even think about holding hands as he steps off the curb. Mr. Independent has an entire system for stepping off the curb before reaching up to hold my hand. He has this little man stance he does as he plants both feet far apart then he does a little crouch and takes a big step off! He is a wondrous, mysterious, mischevious, devilishly handsome little boy we love to pieces! We love you so much and are so thankful to God for you Kaleb! Happy 2nd Birthday honey buddy! At 2 years:

• riding a tricycle all by yourself, pedaling like a champ!
• so many new words to count including: sugar, running, raining, baby brother, baby ashton, satey pause (santa clause), chismas tee (christmas tree)...and the list goes on...
• so sweet! at night you take out ashton's paci, give a big smooch right on the smackeroo, and then carefully put his paci back in. In the morning you smile so big and greet me with a high pitched "HI MOMMY!!" Then you pull yourself up onto our bed and cuddle with me while ashton nurses and say "oh tooooodles" with playhouse disney! you absolutely adore your daddy and he just eats up all the love he gets from you. He has such a blast having a "man day" with you as he calls it. He took you hiking at pinnacle mountain this month, took you to home depot, rode you on papa's tractors, and always lets you help him with his tools while he works at his workbench. You also adore Grana as she comes over Monday and Wednesday nights to hang out while mama is at school. You get so excited spending time with her and are just a ball of joy after playing with daddy, Grana, and Ashton! You say "papa tractor" everyday when you see a tractor since you just LOVE your papa and nana and know you get to ride the tractor at their house! Some days it seems all I hear is "papa...nana...papa tractor...papa tractor!!"
• Mama is so blessed to spend time with you and your baby brother every day! I love every minute of our day and seeing your personality shine or your bashful side win over! You love playing with others and are so sweet but it took you a good 10 minutes to even step onto the playground that was dominated by 3 older kids yesterday. You just smiled as they flew down the slide 3 at a time but wouldn't budge from your spot in the corner. Hey, I don't blame you after the gorgeous French girl came up to you and said you had big teeth and big eyes! But one smile from her and you let her take your hand and lead you onto the slide! You had 3 new best friends after that! The 4 of you were inseperable and I saw that proud look on your face as you went super high on the seesaw with the added weight of 4 kids and your squeals of excitement and delirious laughter just made my day! xoxoxo
  

Happy 1st Birthday Owen!

Owl-themed and oh so cute!!! We were so happy to celebrate his 1st and excited for Kaleb to accompany Ashton to his first birthday party!

Ashton has his party face on! Let the good times roll!

just gettin' spoiled...you know, the usual