Santa 2013

This year, our only chance to see Santa was at the neighborhood Cocoa with Santa. It was a pretty cold day but we braved the cold and line to see him.  The kids we very excited to see him.

They each took a turn sitting on his lap and telling him want they wanted for Christmas.

Evan said he wanted the golden ninjago legos.

Caitlin told him she wanted gymnastic clothes and Princess Sophia and gloves.

Ryan wasn't quite sure who this guy was...

But he liked getting a candy cane!

And then I got 2 pictures of all 3 of them that were pretty good. Overall, it was fun and I think this is the first year the older two kids really wanted to see Santa and talk to him. Christmas is getting to be such a fun time at these ages!

Thanksgiving 2013

I went ahead and did Ryan's 9 month update, but I wanted to at least blog a little about out Thanksgiving. This year, it was just our family and the Matz' in town for the Holiday so we decided to head downtown to do the Turkey Trot in the morning.It was a pretty cold morning but the sun was out and the kids were very excited.

First up was the Kids K.  This year we let Evan run it by himself and Caitlin ran with Daddy.  Evan did a great job but we lost him for a few minutes in the chaos at the end of the race. Fortunately, Uncle Casey found him!

Go Caitlin!

The two kids after their race

Quick family pictures before the adult races

What a great picture with the skyline! We are ready to run.

I did the 5 mile run which went very well.  Bryce and Evan did the mile run.  Evan actually ran almost all of it!  Baba, Casey, Caitlin, Chelsea, and Ryan did the mile walk. 

Caitlin all bundled up - it was pretty cold!

After the race, we all went home. got cleaned up, and watched the Lions.  I got the turkey in the oven and then we all relaxed (Matz' included) until dinner around 4pm.  What a great Thanksgiving!

Here are our 4 turkeys on Thanksgiving!

Ryan Turns 9 Months

My sweet boy turned 9 momths about 2 weeks ago.  We did have a well check so here are his stats:

Weight: 18 lbs 12 oz (21%)

Height: 28 inches (40%)

Head CM: 17.5 cm (25%)

As of 9 months, he was still rolling everywhere without showing any interest in crawling. (However since then, he now has mastered army crawling and is working on crawling on all 4s and pulling up on things!). He was very mobile and could get to almost anything he had his eye on so I don't think he felt the need to crawl! He also learned how to go to sitting all by himself  from his belly (one morning that's how I found him in his crib).

He is eating all kinds of fruits and vegetables and so far hasn't found one he doesn't like. We will start him on some meat and chunkier foods now to see how he does.  He LOVES those puffs. He is constantly smacking his lips and "chewing".  He is still exclusively breastfed which is a big accomplishment for me... first of my kids to make it this far!

Ryan is still taking a long afternoon nap of about 2-2.5 hours.  If we are home, he tends to take an hour morning nap but most of the time, he catches cat naps in the car.  At night, we have been struggling a little bit. He has been teething a lot (got his upper left tooth on Thanksgiving) and has had a horrible cold.  Turns out he had an ear infection at our well check too.  Thankfully, the cold seems to have passed although it lasted for 2-3 weeks.  

I couldn't resist snapping a few extra pictures during our little photo shoot (which is becoming harder and harder as he just wants to grab and eat the sign).  Everything finds its way into his mouth so we have to be especially careful with the older kids toys.  It's a constant battle... he seems to have a big affinity for their shoes as a chew toy.  I am often reminding the kids to keep their shoes in their lockers.

(One of the few pictures of me!)

Overall though, he is doing great and right on with his milestones. We enjoy watching him grow and learn.  We love him so much!

Evan at 9 months:

Caitlin at 9 months: