Our Baby is growing up

Here is the scene: Kaden is sitting at the kitchen counter. Tim and I are standing there talking to him.

Kaden: "Dad, you can just call me Kade."

(Tim and I pick our jaws up off the floor)

Tim: "Do you want to be called Kade now?"
Kaden: "Yeah, that is what my friends call me."

I am thinking: who are these kids and why is my baby growing up so fast. When we named Kaden we knew there would probably be a time when he just wanted to be called Kade. I didn't think it would be this soon!
This happend a few days ago and he hasn't brought it up again. So, I think we can still call him Kaden for awhile longer. Although, I should probably start getting used to the idea calling him Kade.

Picture with Santa

We went to the mall yesterday for our annual picture with Santa. Every year we take a picture with Santa and then I display all of them at Christmas. Just so we can see what the kids looked like each year. Wow have things changed in 5 years! Anyway meeting Santa went pretty well. The line was really long becuse a few preschools were there to see Santa. At least the mall did something right. The area to stand in line was big so the kids had room to move and they had videos of Rudolph-the-red-nosed reindeer playing. So it wasn't too painful.

2008

And because I can't resist. Here are our pics from the last 4 years.

2007

2006

2005

2004

My favorites are the years where we have a screamer. So far for each of the boys that seems to be when they are 1.

Way to go Kristen!

I am so proud of my sister. Today she graduated from KU with a masters degree in Accounting. Way to go Sis! In 3 weeks she will get married and then start studying for the CPA exam.

By the way I posted several things tonight so keep scrolling down.

"Come to the Manger"

The church we have been attending had a family event last week called "Come to the Manger". It was a hands-on evening for families to prepare their hearts for Christmas. Our family had a great time together. It started with a guided tour or the Christmas story. We visited the shepherds, wise men, and of course Joseph and Mary and each told their part of the Christmas story. Then there were lots of classrooms set up with different things for us to do.

Making an edible manger scene - my favorite activity

Painting an ornament for our tree

Watching our Shrinky Dinks Shrink

Decorating Cookies

Making a Gift for our Neighbors

And of course the boys favorite - the train room. Lots of model trains to watch and some to play with.

Hats & Boots

Jack is such a funny kid. He cracks us up all the time. Recently he started wearing cowboy boots and a hat with everything. Here is a little glimpse of what Jack may come downstairs wearing.

Boots & a backwards KU hat with P.J.'s

Boots with a shirt & diaper. Gotta love those chubby baby legs!

Oh yeah, can't forget the santa hat to complete his outfit

We took the plunge!

Okay, this isn't earth shattering but we entered the world of ARTIFICAL Christmas trees. It has been wonderful!!! The reason we had always bought real Christmas trees is because Tim and I both have fond memories of going to a tree farm to pick out a tree. I grew up about a 1/4 of a mile from a tree farm and every year we played hide and seek while looking for the perfect tree then cut it down and drug it home. I want my kids to have similar experiences so we had always gotten a real tree. Well, this year since baby #3 has entered the picture the theme to everything has been "simple and easy". So I decided it was time to go with the pre lit, pine needle free, no water option. Which is so nice. Then in a few years when the boys will not only remember the experience but be able to help we may go back to a real tree for a few years. I am thinking when they are 8,6, & 4 years old.

Here is our tree.