Santa and the boys

We were able to join Karl at the JD Employee and Family Holiday Party. It was wonderful. This is different than what they have done in the past. It was nice to take the kids with us to see where daddy works and meet other people he works with.

Santa and a few of his elves were there.

All three of the boys sat with Santa (only to get a candy cane). The kids and I had a great time and we will look forward to the next function.

They had food all over the place. Kaden found a balloon and he and Landon played with it the majority of the time we were there.

We had a blast.

Leland is 9 months old

Again...we are thankful for healthy boys that are growing.

Leland will be 9 months old Thursday, December 23rd.

28.8 inches long (71%)

20 pounds 14 ounces heavy (58%)

and his head is 45 cm round (43%)

Leland loves to eat. He is taking five bottles a day (6 oz each). He can pull up on anything and loves to stomp. He is babbling "mommy, daddy, bye-bye". He has a short temper and loves Kaden (as long as Kaden doesn't try to man-handle him). He is crawling all over the place and loves his daddy with a passion. He will crawl to Karl first....usually. He blows raspberries, claps his hands and loves to splash water. Kaden has told me on more than on occasion, "Brother is ready to get out". Gross and fine motor skills are developing well. He is a mess. Will not eat baby food. Prefers to only feed himself. Favorite foods: green beans, cooked carrots, olives and peas. His favorite toys are stings and anything that has sound.

Life is good when he is able to have two naps a day (uninterrupted)...some days he takes three.

He will not walk any time soon. Kaden carries him anywhere Kaden wants him to go.

They love each other and Kaden and daddy can make Leland laugh better than any one else. He loves to cuddle and be held but will go down for a nap without a fight if you put him in his crib awake.

Leland is a good baby and again...we are VERY blessed!

Our 3 year old!

Kaden turned three on December 4th! We have been talking about his birthday ever since Thanksgiving. We decided we wanted to give him a party. Kaden is a sweet boy and we are blessed to have him.

About Kaden:

38.3 inches tall (0%)

37 pounds heavy (91%)

Kaden wouldn't hear anything but the sound of waves. So, we booked a hotel and organized a swim party! He loved it. He told Karl and I (at least every hour), "thank you for my birthday!".

He talks in complete sentences, articulating very well most letters of the vocabulary! He loves to play with animals (his favorites are the aquatic animals). He has a silly laugh and loves to perform songs. Kaden loves to stack/build things. His favorite thing to do with daddy is fish or play trains (depending on the weather). His favorite place to play is in the bathtub. Whenever he gets a new animal his first request is, "May I take a baf, please?".

Thanksgiving 2010

Early November my wonderful husband (after being gone to India for 10 days, having visitors and then one hectic week) allowed the little boys and I to go to Texas (early for Thanksgiving)! We stopped off first in Paris, then on to Neil's then a swing by Arlington and finally ended up in Paris again! It was a wonderful trip...short of seeing a few people.

It was Mom's birthday, so we stopped by her house and stayed for a long weekend. It was GREAT! We hadn't seen mom and dad since July and our visit was WAY over due.

Amy came and stayed the weekend with us and Kaden loved being around Amy. He loves his aunts...and we have some good ones! Amy brought a cake for Mom's birthday and we had a blast singing (about 20 times most days).

Our Rock(s)

Da and Leland chilling before we went to church on Wednesday evening.

Amy and Kaden getting some yummy food ready for Sunday lunch @ Mom's!

After the boys and I rested up from an 11.5 hour car ride, we headed west! Kaden was ready to see Bractn, Brazas and Brayson. They greeted up with fast legs and HUGE smiles. The boys (for the most part) traveled well. On the way to Paris, Leland made it about 10 hours but the last 1.5 was hard. On the way to west Texas the last two hours were not so much fun. Kaden did fantastic. He has his movies and he was set!

Brayson - Leland - Andrea - Kaden

We were able to eat lunch at Super Kids with Brayson...we were his family....awww! Loved being their with these boys...and Neil!!!! WHOOP!

Thursday night we went over to Pa Dale's and brought a lot of energy and fast boys to eat with him. Leland just loved on Pa Dale. They were pretty good buddies. While we were there, Braxton found an implement magazine. He asked Pa Dale 15-20 times what different implements were (what kind they are and who makes them....poor Pa Dale's eye site just went with it.)

Leland getting in some Neil time! Have I told you how much we love our aunts!!!!

This picture is priceless! Braxton is exerting energy, Kaden is sleep deprived and Brazos is contemplating what he should do next. The day before we left for Arlington, we were able to eat Thanksgiving lunch with Braxton and Brazos at New Home. It is fun to see where the boys went to school!

Kaden is Captain Random Man....They were being cowboys. Kaden grabbed two hand towels and they put them on their heads...

Leland chilling in his chair at Neil's

After a little over a week at Neil's we headed to Arlington to see Murr's. Murr's had never seen Leland (8 months old)...We were in a serious need to see her. Murr's is one of Karl's grandmother's. Took the boys to Marty and Murr's and had supper, put the boys to sleep and headed to the airport with my father-in-law to get my good lookin' hunny! WOOHOO! Highlight of the trip!

Four generations: Kaden - Robert - Karl - Murrs - Leland

We were only there one night. Robert had to work Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. So, we headed to Paris. We spent Thanksgiving Day with some of the Zant's at Amy and Jorge's Casa. It was great and the AGGIES WON!!!!!

Mom and Amy getting on the first round of grub!

Leland asking for more cranberries!

Three super women...Sue - Mom - Amy

We had a blast at Thanksgiving! Thanks Perez for loving on our kids and letting us crash at yo place!

Kaden bringin Da and Leland toys....after he took something away from Leland (for the umth time)

Kaden enjoyed going outside every day with Da to check the cows and goats...he asked every morning before breakfast if Da was ready! Every day, Da found enough patience to take him out and sometimes to town! Kaden was in his own perfect world. Saturday Da took him to the sale barn (by himself) and they purchased two nanny goats...(Z was so proud...lol)

Da entertaining Leland while I finished up Kaden in the bath.

Leland found a friend in Paris. He watched this guy for a while and finally decided he was a nice reindeer!

The Sunday we traveled back home we helped celebrate Eli's 5th Birthday! Kaden loves being around all of his cousins...who doesn't?

Papa and Leland

We enjoyed our time in Texas.

Could have seen more family, but we made the best of what had!

Ready to get our Christmas on!

Halloween and It's Guests...

Halloween came around and Karl was in India for all of the "pre-Halloween events"....but Andy was here. We are thankful for so many things...

Here are some of our captured moments from Halloween.......

Andy took the boys and I to Night Eyes (our Blank Park Zoo's Halloween Event)

one cute bat and one wild zebra...

Ava and Kaden were so excited to be at Living History Farms they just let go...

Leland the bat. He has two top teeth and two bottom teeth. His top teeth are just outside of the bottom ones so he looked the part of a bat!

Daddy and his wild animals on the hay ride at LHF.

Max and Leland enjoying some down time...they didn't get much of this while Jennifer and Micah were here because we were just always on the go!

Saturday we ventured out to Geisler Farm's (a pumpkin patch and corn maze). We had a blast and enjoyed our fellowship with the church out there!

Jennifer and Karl carried the smaller boys all the way through the maze. We made it through without getting lost! Thanks Micah! Ava and Kaden walked most of it...

Ava and Max giving the go-cart a try!

Leland wanted to eat the corn. Kaden and Ava would have stayed here most of the day if we had let them. The corn vat was inside. It was so beautiful that day we didn't go in the building except to check in and out...

covering Karl...

my little helpers...the brownies were a hit...before and after they were cooked!

Monday morning we went to the Science Center of Iowa! We love our SCI. It was Karl's first time to see the center. The Davinci is here on display...as was Micahinci.

Max and Jennifer. Max is just a happy baby. He was crawling everywhere!

Micah and Karl playing at the SCI...

And here is the tail of our tale...or weekend! We had a blast. Thanks Micah and Jennifer for bringing your kids to visit us. Kaden misses Ava and has asked to play with her many times. We are thankful for such great friends!