Day 765

Kaitlyn decided that Baby Julie needed a bedtime story before she could put her jammies on.

Day 764

Les picked the kids up some giant coloring books at Costco and, much to Kaitlyn's delight, there were stickers to add to the our art supplies.

Day 763

Parker went to his first birthday party for a school friend - Meg. There were just a few kids there and Parker had lots of fun running around playing. And I got to have my first real experience hanging with parents who introduced to me through our kids. I was definitely more nervous than Parker. Fortunately Meg's mom was very down to earth and we had lots in common to talk about.

Day 762

So, when I opened the door to my office after lunch, a life sized card board cut out of Jeff Probst was there to greet me and scare me so bad I nearly wet my pants!

Day 761

A long day at work and Les at a Blazer game meant dinner at "Old McDonald's." Parker tried to coax Kaitlyn to the top of the play structure, but she's recently been afraid to climb up and wouldn't go.

Day 760

Playtime with Daddy.

Day 759

Trendsetter Kaitlyn is insisting that a tutu is once again the style in pajamas. If she had her way, she'd actually be wearing it 24/7.

Day 758

It's practically a miracle, I actually got an recipe for the Internet and tried it. I figured tater tot casserole would be something the kids would eat - however, no such luck. Thankfully Carrie was over for dinner and she appreciated my efforts.

Day 757

The dining room table has officially become art central - I had to find a basket to hold their ever increasing supplies. They now each have their own glue stick - because they used mine up!

Day 756 - part two

Les had a Blazer game tonight and he and Job got their photo taken during one of the time-outs.

Day 756

Once again Saturday brought another visit with Abigail, Kaitlyn was super excited to spend some time with her. It was all I could do to keep Kaitlyn from poking Abigail's eye out - Kaitlyn wanted to touch every part of her, it was very cute.

Day 755

Arts and crafts were once again our evening activity, Parker worked on a Pirate Map. He drew a ship and wrote "don't go in the mud" - although it actually reads "dontgoint hmud." He even cut out an arrow on part of the paper and the glued in by the ship to indicate the way the ship needed to go.

Day 754

Carrie came over to hang out with the kids and I while Les was at the Blazer game. The four of us had a little arts & crafts time before bedtime. Kaitlyn decided that she had cut up enough papers and insisted on having a glue stick so that she could put them back together again.

Day 753

I took the day off work to run errands (including doctor check-ups for the kids). Since I was going to be in and out of the house all day, Les fixed up a pot roast in the crock-pot for dinner. Which tormented me by smelling delicious all day long.

Day 752

Parker loves the Mario Brothers game on his DS and I am impressed at how good he is getting. When he first started playing he couldn't quite grasp how to run and jump at the same time. But now he can beat entire levels all on his own, we may have created a monster!

Day 751

One of the few things that Kaitlyn and Parker asked Santa for was scissors, which they both got. I delayed the opening of them for as long as possible, but they were opened tonight and I think that Kaitlyn has already cut up about 15 sheets of paper and from that look, I don't think she'll be stopping any time soon.

Day 1055

I guess I won't be hitting the Wells Fargo ATM at lunch time, Occupy: Portland has taken over the building . . . I'll be eating lunch somewhere far away from the riot police, thank you very much.

Day 750

With Parker away at Grandpa's house for Sunday football, Kaitlyn decided that she would nap in Parker's bed today. I love that she had to bring all her baby dolls with her!

Day 749

On January 7th, our newest niece Abigail came into the world. However, with three of the four of us being ridiculously sick we didn't get to meet her until today. Welcome to the family Abigail, you'll get used to us soon enough.

Day 748

While waiting for dinner, the kids kept each other entertained by pulling each other around in a laundry basket - a favorite activity at our house. I was surprised how strong Kaitlyn was, she was hauling Parker around pretty well.

Day 747

Horrible cold, thank god for NyQuil!

Day 746

In an effort to stay up later than bedtime, Parker insisted he was still hungry. So we gave him a chance to finish his dinner. After 10 minutes, Les checked on him and he'd fallen asleep at the kitchen counter. As Les was snapping this picture, woke up insisting that he wasn't tired.

Day 745

Today was the Winter Gala at Kindercare. Parker's class acted out the classic book "Where the Wild Things Are" with Parker playing the "bird" one. He was so into his wild rumpus that he fell over! Kaitlyn's class sang three songs, including Frosty the Snowman. And although she didn't quite know all the words, the ones she did know she sang loudly!

Day 744

Finally I have my finished Alaska Album in hand! Carrie and Mindy were very understanding that their Christmas presents were going to be late this year - hopefully they will be just as understanding about the few spelling errors I found!

Day 743

And so it was time to take down all the Christmas decorations . . .

Day 742

Here's Les just after completing his final leg of Ragnar - the team kept track by marking "X"s next to their names. He was the final runner for his van, but they still had to wait for the six runners in the other van to finish before they all could cross the finish line.

Day 741

I am so glad that Les took photos while in Florida, here is the sunrise for Ragnar Day Two.

Day 740

Finding Kaitlyn sprawled out on her bed "reading" quietly just made me smile. I cannot even begin to count the number of hours I spent doing the exact same thing growing up. That's a girl after my own heart right there.

Day 739

Les headed to Miami straight from Louisville and his Ragnar relay team got in some last minute team bonding time by heading out and hitting a couple of bars after dinner.

Day 738

Parker was feeling sick and Grandma was a savior and agreed to come over and stay the day with him. They passed the time by putting together some of the Lego sets that Parker got for Christmas.

Day 737

Les had to work late preparing for a last minute trip to Louisville, so I got to spend some quality time with the tread mill - 2.5 miles.

Day 736

The cats have finally realized that all Kaitlyn wants to do is love and pet them. Instead of fleeing from her, they will actually come and sit with her . . . as long as she sits quietly, so will they.

Day 735

Spending New Year's Day together and having pork and sauerkraut are traditions in Les' family, so we headed over to his sister's. Parker fit right in with Tobey and Sean, all three sat and played Super Mario Brothers on their new DSXLs.