First time in a pool!!!

Kinley got to go swimming tonite for the first time!!  I wasn't a bit worried as she LOVES her bath....it was fun!!  What made it better as we met great friends there!

My disclaimer is for the below pics is that....do you know how hard it is to get to cute kids to look at the camera with all the distractions of a pool going on around you!?!?

Anyways....Kinley & Abbott

 Soren & Scott going down the slide!

 Holly & Alec!!  Alec and Kinley are the same age....but he's got a few cute rolls on her!!  I love it!

There aren't any rules against having your nuk in the shower are there!!?!?  When it's past bedtime, you haven't had your bottle, and you are getting a SHOWER....we decided it was allowed!! :)

Christmas

 This year Kinely was definately more interested in the paper and eating whatever was handy....so Soren got to *help* open most of her gifts!!  He thought that was pretty awesome!!

 Showing off his new tool set....a HIT!!

 When it's late a nite and you get a cute blanket....what better thing to do than snuggle up with it!!

 Merry Christmas!!!

 Loving his new Richard Scarry book!!

 Soren got to hold the candle during church....and did a fantastic job!

 Running off some energy with Aubrey after church on Cmas eve!!

 Love those smiles!

 Obligatory Cmas PJ pic!!!

Getting some snugs from Grandpa Gary after opening presents!!



6 months

 Kinley is 6 months old!!  WOW!!!  She weighs in at 17lbs 9 oz!  She is such a delight...we are well blessed this Christmas season!

 Random pics of trying to get one of her NOT attacking her buddy!!!

 "I don't know how that buddy fell over mom!!"  "Surely, it wasn't me!"

:)

Annual outing

This past week has been filled with many holiday events!  Some with great friends, others with family (extended and just ours!).  One of our annual traditions to go Lorie Line downtown Mpls with a yummy meal at a new place beforehand!  This year we at at Fogo de Chao!!  It was absolutely delightful but even-more-so because the Brandel's were there!  You see, had it not be for Matt & Nancy, Scott & I wouldn't have met & married!  We have a lot to thank them for!!  It was great to see you both (and baby#2)!!!



Giggling all around

This past week we were able to have two of our favorite kids stay with us!  Abram & Abbott came to hang out with us as their folks spent some time away.  I wish you could hear the giggling, pure joy, gut forming laughter that filled our house this week!!  It was a great week and we enjoyed every bit of their time here!

 The two little ones did well to hang out 'by' each other a giggle!

 Bath time is always better with a friend!

 We spent one evening caroling around town!

Despite the rather unexcited looks here...both Abram & Soren asked the next morning, "We can we go caroling again?"

 Glowsticks in the dark bathroom/tub were a HIT!!

 Making our homemade birdfeeders!!! 

 Decorating Cmas trees!

Pure joy!!!

I do have a feeling that when Monday afternoon rolls around and Mitch & Emily come to retrieve their boys'.....there will be some tears of sadness as the built-in playmates must leave!! What a good time we will have had!!

Misc. photos

 Our church Cmas program was this last Sunday.  Here is Soren's class singing their three songs!! :)

 When we were at my folks for Thanksgiving, Kathy (church lady/friend of my folks) gave us some tractor lights!!  Well, we 'gave' them to Soren on Dec 1st and he is/was beyond excited!! 

He spends many hours checking them out!!