Christmas 2007

A Celebration of a life well lived...

My Grandma Kay died three days before Christmas...under Hospice care in her home, surrounded by her things. Although very difficult and emotional at the time, I was grateful I was beside her with other members of my family when she left this earth to meet the Lord and those who had gone before her, including my brother, Danny. She was a fighter and loved life and held on longer than anyone could have imagined. I think all the women in the family of my generation would agree she passed on her strength of character (iron will, discipline, and drive for higher education and career). I can only hope to live as full and as impacting a life she did. She will be dearly missed.

Maybe? Quite Possibly?

Perhaps we won't have three in diapers afterall...

Our awesome babysitter and friend, Nicole, has been working with Jonathan for the past month with going to the bathroom on the "big boy potty" with M&M's as the reward (nothing else worked). We have graduated to Cars and Elmo underwear and so far, he doing GREAT!!! We'll see if the trend lasts, but we are very excited about this possible transition before baby Katherine comes in Feburary. Even Nicholas is almost completely weined off of formula and wants NOTHING to do with baby food...

The M&M's...5 for each successful attempt...he loves his M&M's (just like his mamma!)

Big boy underwear!

Our big 1 year old.

Nicholas' First Birthday Party!

It snowed, and snowed, and snowed today, but everyone still ventured out to celebrate Nick's First Birthday (a week early). How fitting his "theme" was considering the weather (snowflakes and snowmen). Our little party animal consumed an amazing amount of cake for such a small fry...a sugar high soon followed, then he crashed and burned...taking one long afternoon nap! :)

Nicholas' First Year Video

A Year in Pictures: Our Little Nickle Pickle turns 1 on Dec. 21st!!!

ICE DAYS!!!!

ICE DAYS!!!
...mommy got two exhausting days off from school! It could have been much worse, but the warmer weather during the day made for mostly rain and we kept our power, unlike 1,000 others here in Liberty. We did venture out to get Nick to the doctor to find out he has another ear infection. Poor fella.

DECEMBER FUN

SLEEPY BOTTOM! Jonathan still sleeps like this occasionally and I found him like this last week when going in to wake him up...I had to get a picture. His head is buried under his favorite blanket!

THE FIRST SNOW OF THE YEAR-I'm not sure Jonathan remembered snow from last year...he refused to touch it at first, but after just a few minutes, he was having a great time.
"Let me out!!!"

"Mom, let him out!"

"Mom, take me back in!"

"Mails here!"

TIME WITH FRIENDS

Kendric and Jonathan hanging out reading (well, mostly jumping off the bed) in Jonathan's room.

Hanging with galpal, Sydney Parks in Lee's Summit.

Nick with St. Nick...Jonathan would have nothing to do with the old stranger!
DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS

THANKSGIVING 2007

THANKSGIVING
We enjoyed a long weekend in Clinton to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. The boys and I left on Tuesday afternoon after my doctors appointment in Olathe and headed for Clinton. I was spoiled by the gift of a prenatal massage the following day...boy could I use one of those EVERYDAY!!! We spent this Thanksgiving with my family (we switch between Jason's side and mine from year to year). This year was extra special having my grandfather with us since he recently moved to area. We also went to the downtown lighting ceremony in Clinton where there was a live natvity, a lighted Christmas parade and an opportunity to get some free books courtesy of one of the local churches.