Mean Girl

Early in my pregnancy with Kathryn I knew she was a girl, and I knew she was going to be a mean, little girly girl. I guess predicting personalities during pregnancy is my other talent. I asked Kathryn's teacher if she's mean in class. Her teacher gave me a closed-mouth grin and nodded her head yes. I told her how mean and annoying she is to Nate at home and her teacher said, "She's only mean to the boys, if that makes it any better." My class and Kathryn's class have the same outside time so I was watching her on the playground one day. She walked by and shoved a little boy into the fence then went on to about her business. For absolutely no reason. I went over and gave her a mommy's homestyle "talking to," not the friendly preschool teacher way. Notice how she ignores me when I get into specifics about hitting. Anytime she doesn't want to listen she starts bouncing around and dancing.

Notice how she says, "Mommy" after she says something. She always ends her sentences with "Mommy" in her own little mumbled style.

Cereal Killers

Nate isn't so into commercial-free Nick Jr. anymore. He's moved on to big kid Nick and Disney. He's learning there is more to life than just the things he currently owns, thanks to the commercials they show. Now I'm making trips to the grocery store for specifics like Trix yogurt, Lucky Charms and Cocoa Puffs. He's an advertiser's dream. When I came home with the box of Lucky Charms last night, Nate got so excited and yelled, "I can't wait to see the tasty red balloons!"

He has Kathryn excited about food now too. She was running around the house carrying the box of Cocoa Puffs and yelling "Cocoa Puffs" even though she had never even heard of any cereal other than Cheerios before yesterday.
Here is Kathryn hoarding the marshmallows in her cash register drawer.
Neither kid eats anything but the marshmallows in Lucky Charms. I ordered a bag of cereal marshmallows for them off of Amazon to keep them from fighting over the bag of cereal.

Nate like a repeat Joe Haggerty (on so many levels). I remember my brother getting so excited over food commercials as a kid too. Especially Goober Grape. I didn't know what Goober Grape was until my mom bought it for Joe and he was so excited to show me how the peanut butter and jelly were combined in one jar.

Happy Bappy

Steve suggested that he do a post about his and Nathan's trip to Minnesota, but I can't wait any longer. I've got some blog readers anxiously awaiting another blog! I don't like going out of order, but I have a lot of other stuff to share until Steve "finds time" (quits playing Spongebob on Wii) to share his visit with us.

After Nathan's Minnesota trip we took a trip to Georgia for Allison's baptism at Paw-Paw and Lady's church. Everyone was there to meet Allison and celebrate her baptism with her. We got together for dinner at Paw-Paw and Lady's house, but before we ate, all 6 of the great grandchildren got together for some play time. It was so cute to watch as they played together while Great Grandma Gerken held Allison.
Then we attempted what we all thought was going to be way too much to as ask from 6 children, but to our surprise they all cooperated and stayed on the couch for pictures.
The kids and Paw-Paw at the kids' table.
The guest of honor.
Kathryn looks like she's keeping an eye on Andrew being so close to her cake.

It seems like it was just Emma and Nate for the longest time and then all of the sudden there are kids all over the place.
Allison weighs almost as much as Grandma.
Allison after church with the pastor.

Nate couldn't get enough of Allison during church.

Steve and I with our new goddaughter.
The whole crew.
Nathan always finds his way back to Allison.

Pure Boomba

Kat is completely fascinated by cats. She loves everything about them. As we were watching funny cat videos on YouTube together we came across a cat dancing to Peanut Butter Jelly Time. A cat dancing turned into a Kat dancing. This is pure Boomba.

And then like everything else these days, her baby needed to join in the fun.

And then she figured out if she pushes enough random keys it will take her to other videos. She had a serious look of concentration and realized she was watching other Peanut Butter Jelly Time videos, not just of the cat dancing.

Then she continued on with her own little dance party.

And here we are waiting at the Pensacola airport for Steve and Nate. Every minute of her life is a dance party. I like her style!

There you have it. That's a snippet of typical day spent with Boomba.

While the Dogg's Away

Before Nate and Steve left for Minnesota, Nate made it clear that we weren't supposed to do anything fun until he got back. His exact words were, "Don't do anything fun until I get back. Just stay home and play baby dolls with Kathryn." Well, we have been playing with baby dolls, but not just at home. This baby has been making the rounds with us.
The Chick-fil-a lady asked Kathryn if she wanted to help her get her ice cream. Absolutely!

Why couldn't this privilege have happened to Nate instead of Kathryn? He's the one who dreams of working in fast food. If only Kathryn knew what a big deal this would be for Nate, she could taunt him with it forever.

Enjoying the fruits of her labor.
Nate and Steve flew out of Pensacola, so that gave us the opportunity to meet Uncle Joe and Jessica for a bite to eat at Panera Bread. (One of Kate's favorite dining spots.)
We also went out for lunch one day.
Here we are waiting for our food.

We'll show Nate he can't tell us what to do. We'll not only go out, but we'll go to a restaurant with his same name! Actually, that was just a coincidence. I had a coupon.
While Nate was off frolicking on ice, Boom was out sinking her toes in the sand.
After lunch we went to the beach playground.
All I heard during our playground visit was, "Now Mommy do it" after everything she did. Oooh-weee! I have a bossy little girl on my hands!
Another day, I took Kathryn to open gym at a gymnastics place. She had so much fun doing anything she wanted with an entirely open gym. She gave everything a try.
She's not afraid to hang on her own and swing. She surprised me!

Bounce houses are always fun.

Running on soft, cushy mats is always a plus.
She's good at climbing and walking across narrow objects, just like you would expect from a Kat.
Sliding into the foam pit. Major fun.

We already have a trampoline and a bounce house at home, next on our list is a big foam pit. Make it happen, Steve.

I promised Kathryn I would let her put makeup on me. I wonder why she's so big into drawing eyebrows.
Little diaper diva.

I just had to get a picture of her with a side ponytail while I was fixing her pigtails. Maybe we've found a new hairstyle for 2012.
Newest addiction... lip gloss.
We've been out on the town every afternoon. You can't expect us to go out without our makeup on.

Hello 2012!

We had a fairly low key New Year celebration. Much to our surprise Nate and Kate both stayed up to see 2012 make it's way in. We went over to our friends' house to celebrate, which worked out perfectly because the kids got to play together and watch movies while the adults hung out.
Kathryn lasted about 20 minutes on the floor watching a movie until she felt herself getting too sleepy and had to get up and play.
In true Boomba fashion, Kathryn brought the new year in by dancing her little butt off, but Nate struggled to stay awake. He passed out at 12:05 a.m.
After the entire family slept until 10 a.m. New Year's Day, I went out for lunch with Cousin Laura to a restaurant overlooking the beautiful beach. Not a bad way to start the new year. Well, that beautiful view and a whole lot of shopping isn't a bad way to start the new year!

Soccer Super Star

Nathan was nice enough to allow Paw-Paw and Lady a chance to watch him play soccer. He doesn't really like bringing grandparents around his friends because he says, "My grandparents embarrass me." When I asked him to elaborate he said he's embarrassed by everyone except for me. I just had to throw that out there.





Apparently Nate forgot about being embarrassed by Paw-Paw and Lady because he was excited to run up to them during water breaks and afterwards.
He posed with his best soccer buddy, Claire, for a few pictures.

Redneck Retirement Party

It's not every day you get to retire, so when Steve found out about Lady's retirement from GE he wouldn't let her off the hook. He made sure she celebrated her new jobless life. Steve actually looks for every opportunity to have people gather at our house.
There's our guest of honor.
Steve introduced Lady to adding Bailey's to her McDonald's frappe. You know, now that she's retired and can drink all day.You may want to double check Lady's drink next time you see her with a McDonald's frappe.
Steve's chatting it up with our future Florida family. Aunt Ruth and Uncle Larry even came to the party.
Here is everyone psyching themselves up for the big competition.
Warming up before the big cornhole competition.
Steve and Uncle Larry battling it out in cornhole.
Aunt Ruth and me battling it out.
This bounce house has already paid for itself in babysitting hours. They stay in one place on their own free will.
This is one gift that will be hard to beat.
As much as I would like to say that's some little homeless kid that wondered into our yard I can't. She's just a mess.
I'm surprised Joe allowed Jessica to hang out with the competition.
The retirement party doubled as a housewarming party for Kathryn and her new house.
Paw-Paw and Uncle Larry.
When I told Nathan about Lady retiring his comment was, "Since Lady doesn't have to go to work anymore does this mean I can have her all to myself?"
Cheers to that!
After the competition we all gathered around the kitchen to hang out.
When Mace thought no one was watching...
Old School Hagg and New School Hagg, first and second place respectively.
Lady and Aunt Ruth.
"Nathan's" helicopter always makes an appearance thanks to Steve. That was Steve's favorite Christmas present.
We sure know how to throw a party. Look at how excited everyone looks as Steve flies the helicopter around the kitchen.