Milestone Week

This week has seemed monumental on many occasions at our house.

First, Marin started wearing these:

and doing more and more of this:

Then, Kaden's bottom front tooth started looking like this:

And finally we ended today looking like this:

I *sniff* on the other *sniff* hand have been *sniff* bonding with the *sniff* tissue box!

Not really, but oh my! Slow down my precious children!

I'm trying to soak it all in...let's not rush it!

My Two Snuggle Bugs

When it's 16 degrees out, just looking at this picture will warm you up!

(photos from last week's ice/snow storm coming soon)

Coffee-Mate Party & Muffin Exchange

Last night I enjoyed the privilege of hosting a Coffee-Mate Flavor tasting party for a few friends. We had a smaller than anticipated turn out, but it was super fun to relax and enjoy each other's company by a warm fire over a cup (or two, or three) of coffee. I asked each of my guest to bring a dozen muffins, so we sampled the muffins along with our coffee. My guests all enjoyed sampling both new and older creamer flavors from Coffee-mate, and all of us had at least two cups of coffee. At the end of the night we bagged up a collection of the remaining muffins to take to our families. Each guest left with a fun goodie bag from Coffee-mate and I was also able to hand out two "door prizes": a nice red apron and a fancy leather bound recipe book. It was a great night and much needed after a week of crazy weather.

Caption This...

I'm sure there has to be a clever title out there for this photo, I just can't think of it. Any ideas?

Go Colts!

(photos taken January 2, 2011)

Christmas 2011 Recap

Ok, so it's been almost two weeks since Christmas. Our decorations are down, the wrapping is all tossed, and we're home from our short trip to Illinois. We had a really nice Christmas weekend and have plenty of pictures to help us remember our fun for years to come. Here are a few:

Likely Kaden's favorite gift...his remote control ("that you don't have to charge") car from Marin.

Marin's most unusual Christmas present...VERY girlie flip-flops for next summer.

Kaden and mommy on Christmas Eve (it wasn't cold inside, he'd just been given a really cool hand-me-down coat from my cousins, so he chose to wear it most of the weekend)

Kaden, daddy and Grandpa plowing snow on Christmas morning. They got about 6 inches, so we had lots of white stuff to play in!

Marin and mommy in the snow. I may never has been as glad to have a pair of Carhart bibs to borrow as I was on Christmas! They were WARM!
Christmas Day with Grandma and Grandpa Steckel

Marin and her stocking at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Marin with her brother's new magnifing glass.

This is how you'd find Kaden on and off all weekend...wearing his motorcycle helment (that wasn't even a Christmas present).

My mom with all the grandkids (ages 1, 2, days away from 3, and 4.5)

Marin's new doll and high chair

Dad and Teri with all the grandkids

Marin and Brayden...so cute together!

Dad trying on Kaden's night vision goggles...another favorite. Is anyone else seeing a pattern in what Kaden likes to do? Seems items you wear and dressing up are high among his current favorite activities. If you're ever at our house for a day, this will quickly be validated!

Visit with Santa & a Jolly Time at the Museum

Yesterday we had the rare opportunity to hit the children's museum with some of our favorite neighbors. The kids had a grand time, especially enjoying the special winter exhibit. They baked cookies, ice skated (in socks), brushed reindeer, had a (fake) snow ball fight, slide down a hill like penguins, sat on Santa's lap, and went down the giant slide. They also hit the ever-favorite dinosaur exhibit. Oh how thankful I am for a FANTASTIC local Children's museum, especially in the winter when we need to get out of the house. I'm also thankful for good friends to share the fun with us.

Marin's first time on Santa's lap. She liked it and told him she wanted a "cookie" for Christmas! So sweet!

Kaden told Santa a couple of the top items on his list (Hot Wheels race track and a Colts jersey) and Santa kept saying "and what else?" UGH! Verbalizing a laundry list really isn't something I want my children to associate with Christmas.

Marin helps brush Comet.

Kaden thoroughly enjoys the snowball fight and was sweating afterwards.

Kaden bakes cookies. Inside this pretend oven, it even smelled like cookies!

Marin LOVED sliding down this slide on her belly, like a penguin. I seriously think she went down 20+ times!

Checking out the dinosaurs on the computer.

Kaden's best dinosaur growl!

Going down the giant slide! Kaden and Marin are on the right.