Family Time

Here are just a bunch of random pictures taken from the past week or so. We haven't really done anything to blog about, but I figured I better post some pictures to give everyone something to do when they get to work on Monday.

This was the beginning of our snow storm. It was so pretty for the first day, then it turned into every other ugly snow storm.
All of Santa's reindeer, and then some, were hanging out across the street. Nathan and I were standing at the front door looking at them, then a jeep drove by and they all took off running. It was like a deer stampede across our side yard. After that, Nathan kept asking to check outside for more reindeer.
This is how we play in the snow when I'm in charge.
Me with my perfect little angels. Can you tell they've been good kids today? Ask me again tomorrow.
Steve and his babies.
Coaching Baby Sister on her head lifts.
Baby Sister and Big Brother.
Taking a break from all those head lifts.
One of Nathan's favorite games... playing on his bed. He has all sorts of games he makes up with his pillows.
Imagine that, a picture of Nathan kissing Baby Sister.
Kathryn doesn't realize this yet, but as long as she's nice to her daddy, she'll be given the world. Nathan... not so lucky. Sucks being a boy.
Lounging on the quilt Oma made. It matches her outfit.
He entertains her and she loves it. He says, "Do this Baby Sister" then he makes a silly face at her.
She thinks Nathan is so awesome. When she's crying, he pops his head in front of hers and she immediately stops crying and begins studying him.
The second Nathan hears Baby Sister cry, he's the first one to jump up and rush to her. That means that I have to jump up right behind him. He yells, "Baby Sister is crying! Hurry! Go check her!"
His crazy picture smile.
The wind blows about a million mph here, so a lot of houses have problems with snow blowing into their attics, then melting, then the ceiling comes crashing down. Steve sent Nathan up to check the attic to make sure we were okay.
Steve and I were watching Aristocats with Nathan when he yelled out, "stupid cat!" Then we both realized that Nathan hasn't been yelling "stupid a$$" all this time. He got the movie last summer and has been saying that line ever since. Naturally, I blamed Steve for that and naturally, he agreed that he was most likely the one to blame for that phrase.
Kathryn was grumpy one day and didn't like anything I did, so I gave up and put her on the floor and told Nathan to take care of her. It worked. He showed her his toys and she was content.
Today's 'do, sleek and stylish. When she was finished with her bath, I carried her out to the family room and Nathan said, "She doesn't have any hair." He got used to seeing her with spikey hair.
She is definitely not hurting for attention.
Nathan showing off his creative skills.
I had to take a picture of this when I saw it because I was very impressed. It's a face, and it even looks like a face, complete with hair.
I am so lucky to get to spend every day with these kids!

Family Time

Here are just a bunch of random pictures taken from the past week or so. We haven't really done anything to blog about, but I figured I better post some pictures to give everyone something to do when they get to work on Monday.

This was the beginning of our snow storm. It was so pretty for the first day, then it turned into every other ugly snow storm.
All of Santa's reindeer, and then some, were hanging out across the street. Nathan and I were standing at the front door looking at them, then a jeep drove by and they all took off running. It was like a deer stampede across our side yard. After that, Nathan kept asking to check outside for more reindeer.
This is how we play in the snow when I'm in charge.
Me with my perfect little angels. Can you tell they've been good kids today? Ask me again tomorrow.
Steve and his babies.
Coaching Baby Sister on her head lifts.
Baby Sister and Big Brother.
Taking a break from all those head lifts.
One of Nathan's favorite games... playing on his bed. He has all sorts of games he makes up with his pillows.
Imagine that, a picture of Nathan kissing Baby Sister.
Kathryn doesn't realize this yet, but as long as she's nice to her daddy, she'll be given the world. Nathan... not so lucky. Sucks being a boy.
Lounging on the quilt Oma made. It matches her outfit.
He entertains her and she loves it. He says, "Do this Baby Sister" then he makes a silly face at her.
She thinks Nathan is so awesome. When she's crying, he pops his head in front of hers and she immediately stops crying and begins studying him.
The second Nathan hears Baby Sister cry, he's the first one to jump up and rush to her. That means that I have to jump up right behind him. He yells, "Baby Sister is crying! Hurry! Go check her!"
His crazy picture smile.
The wind blows about a million mph here, so a lot of houses have problems with snow blowing into their attics, then melting, then the ceiling comes crashing down. Steve sent Nathan up to check the attic to make sure we were okay.
Steve and I were watching Aristocats with Nathan when he yelled out, "stupid cat!" Then we both realized that Nathan hasn't been yelling "stupid a$$" all this time. He got the movie last summer and has been saying that line ever since. Naturally, I blamed Steve for that and naturally, he agreed that he was most likely the one to blame for that phrase.
Kathryn was grumpy one day and didn't like anything I did, so I gave up and put her on the floor and told Nathan to take care of her. It worked. He showed her his toys and she was content.
Today's 'do, sleek and stylish. When she was finished with her bath, I carried her out to the family room and Nathan said, "She doesn't have any hair." He got used to seeing her with spikey hair.
She is definitely not hurting for attention.
Nathan showing off his creative skills.
I had to take a picture of this when I saw it because I was very impressed. It's a face, and it even looks like a face, complete with hair.
I am so lucky to get to spend every day with these kids!

Christmas 2009

I never thought Christmas could be so much fun without having a ton of presents to open for myself, but it turns out that watching Nathan open presents is even better. I never in a million years would have thought I would feel that way.

I decided to give Kathryn an up-do for her first Christmas. She's going to look back at her first Christmas pictures and wonder what was wrong with her mother.He took forever opening presents at first.
He had Great Grandma Gerken's technique at first, and opened them very carefully and very slowly.
He started getting the hang of it by about the third present.

He got so excited over everything. I actually think this picture was taken as he watched me open a pair of socks. They were actually some really good socks, though.

McDonald's cashier in training. This is just in case his dreams of becoming a pilot or a professional basketball player don't quite pan out.

Let me explain his outfit. His Christmas pajamas got split up in two loads of laundry. I meant to get his top out of the dryer before we opened presents, but I forgot. I remembered half way through opening presents, but figured what's the use at that point. And just ignore his Halloween socks with the skull and crossbones on them. They're really easy to get on his feet so he wears them all the time.
Kathryn slept through most of her first Christmas.

Paw-Paw and Lady got Nathan a CAT book just like the DOG book that he got from his cousins, Aly and Emily, a year and a half ago... that I think I've read every day since they gave it to him.
This was my Christmas present this year. Well, until I go to Aunt Ruth's jewelry store anyways.
Daddy and Nathan got some gum balls for Christmas. Nathan already had them taken away, though because he swallowed two pieces.
His very own workshop with even more power tools.
Steve started to put it together.
Then it got too complicated, so Nathan took over.
There it is, Nathan's new workshop.
Nathan went up to Baby Sister and said, "Hey Baby Sister, look what I got!"
This truck sings Funky Town and Nathan runs all over the house jamming to it.
He makes Kathryn dance to it also. She loves it. (Don't you just love her hairstyle!?!)
Opening his gift from Oma and Opa. He got some books with matching character stuffed animals.
Kathryn loved her presents from Oma and Opa, as well.
Good thing we're moving into a bigger house next summer. Until then, I'm going to have to get creative with stashing toys around the house.
Kathryn should feel privileged that her daddy is around for her first Christmas. This is Nathan's third Christmas, but the first one that Steve has been around for. I guess that's military life.
Doesn't this chair look comfy?
Nathan loves his new chair.
This picture makes these chairs my favorite gifts.
As much as I love being in Georgia, I have to say I enjoyed spending Christmas at home this year. Hopefully, Nathan and Kathryn enjoyed their Christmas as much as I used to enjoy mine when I was a kid. Merry Christmas everyone!