Friends Galore!

Today we hosted about 15 friends from the Twin Cities area! It was such a blast! This is a special group of friends who really act more like family when they are together. Everyone (except a few of the spouses - me included) went to University here in Eau Claire and were Young Life leaders together during that time. Its hard to believe that was about six years ago! Well, you wouldn't be able to tell that much time has passed since these folks we roommates, co-YL leaders, and classmates. We are fortunate enough to usually see the group a couple times a year, but this time we were really lucky to have everyone come to Eau Claire!

Logan and I had a busy week, so we were especially busy on Friday and Saturday morning preparing for our guests to arrive! The first guests arrived around noon and I think most everyone stayed until about 9pm. It was a great day! Logan really loved all the action and luckily napped early on Saturday so he didn't miss out on anything. He quickly made friends with everyone, showing off his skills, bossing them around, playing ball, and handing out plenty of hugs. It was so fun to see him warm up to people so quickly and easily. He was also thrilled to be joined by Kyle and Jen's 2 year old son, Caedon. Logan loved watching Caedon and copying his every move! It was so cute! I just wish we lived closer so we could have the boys together more often.

Kyle, Jen and Caedon came over early in the day to give the boys a chance to play. Caedon even brought his kids' aero-bed so he could nap. After his nap, the boys had fun running down the hall into the nursery and jumping on the bed. It was hilarious!

Here they go...

Logan likes to collapse onto his knees all the time. He runs around the house and then falls - I guess he thinks its funny because he laughs at himself all the time!

At one point I said, "Can you boys go nigh-nigh?" and this is what we got!

So cute! And so tuckered out!

Logan was so bossy...I was a little embarassed at times and started to think that I let him get away with a little too much around here. He kept making Emily lay down, then get up, then repeat. Then Logan would copy her and just giggle, giggle, giggle!

The UWEC boys and their kiddos!
Kyle with Caedon (2 years), Matt with Emery (5 months), John with Logan (18 months)

The boys kept going over and leaning up against this wall with an
"I'm-up-to-something" look on their faces!

Logan and Caedon did a great job playing together and Logan really did a great job sharing. He would often bring toys over to Caedon to give him. I was proud of Logan for being such a good boy all day with all the commotion!

Thanks to all our friends who made the trip! We don't often get visitors and we just loved hosting everyone! You are special to us and we can't wait to see you all again soon!

Hallelujia!

Our 6 month long project of installing the fireplace is complete! John did the whole thing on his own - by himself. I am so impressed! It was such a long process, using free time and working in the evenings when he could to finish this great addition to our house! I know John enjoys projects around the house, but I also know he is really glad this one is now complete! Now we can just sit back and enjoy!

Mantle detail

Stone detail

The finished product!

"Dot-ter"

We've had a very busy week back from vacation. Monday was Logan's 18 month pediatrician appointment and house refinancing; Tuesday was our brand new mom/kid play group; Wednesday was Sammy's bible study, Nana's visit, and our OB appointment; today was music class and lunch with friends. Whew! Its been great to keep busy now that we're back in the cold! Logan has done a great job of getting back on schedule with sleep - he's a happy boy!

Hanging out in the toy basket!

On our way to the pediatrician, we told Logan we were going to see the Doctor. So, that was the word-of-the-day: "Dot-ter". It was so cute! Logan really is at a point where he literally repeats everything we say (which means we have to be careful!) and its so much fun!

Logan's appointment was great! We love Dr. Gilmartin and enjoyed catching up with him on Logan's development and needs. He told us we can start 1 minute Time-Outs when we need to discipline him. We are also starting a new multi-vitatmin. As far as potty training, Dr. Gilmartin says we're on the right track introducing Logan to his potty chair, but not pushing it. He reminded us that kids who stay at home have a real disadvantage because they don't see older kids use the potty...it sounds like it could be a looooong road ahead!

We clap for everything at this house! Yay!

Healthy as ever, Logan measured 34.5 inches (90th %) and weighed in at 28 lbs (80th %)! He was so content on the table that I think those measurements are pretty accurate. His head is still huge...95th percentile! He also passed his autism screen with flying colors: stacking blocks, following directions, understanding words, and motor skills.

High stepping with a little help from Mom

"Gimme that camera, Mom!"

100 Days (and counting!)

Tuesday marked 100 days away from Baby K's arrival! Oh boy (or will it be "oh girl!"??)! We are getting so excited! In the last two weeks, I feel like I have become very pregnant: growing a bigger belly and feeling the baby at all hours! My lap is starting to get smaller and its getting harder to ignore the baby bump when picking up Logan, carrying the laundry basket, and playing on the floor. Thankfully, everything seems to be going great and we are so looking forward to meeting this new little one! We do have some names narrowed down (and a few others on our list as well). We still have girls' names leftover from when we found out we were pregnant the first time, so those were easy to come up with. The boys' names are a little harder this time around, but you can see them on the right hand side of the blog under "Choice Baby Names!". Enjoy!

25 weeks!

Mexico, por favor!

We would like to go back to Mexico, por favor! It was paradise with sunny, blue sky, warm temps and no responsibilities (well, except for being a parent, of course!). It was relaxing and wonderful! I don't think I have the energy to post lots of photos from the trip, so here are a few teasers! I will put together a slideshow or something this week and attach that so you can see more of our time in Mexico.

Logan was GREAT! He was a super duper airplane baby and so adaptable to the trip. He absolutely LOVED the water, sun, and warm temperatures! It didn't take him long to get used to no socks, no shoes, and playing outside all day! Thanks to SPF 70 and lots of great swim gear from Nana, Logan didn't ever get any sun overexposure. Whew! He was swimming, splashing, jumping all day long. I think it was hard to him to nap because he didn't want to miss out on any of the fun! Logan also learned lots of new words, learned about new animals and reptiles we saw, and loved the quality time with his aunts and uncles (Papa and Nana, too!).

The whole crew!
(Yes, I look as big as a house in the photo...no, I am not really.)

More updates later!

Happy Love Day!

I tried my best to get a cute Valentine's Day photo of Logan this year, but I just couldn't seem to have the right touch. This is what happened when I tried - for the last time - to get him to do what I wanted! Oh well!

Logan and I have Valentine's Day cards that we didn't quite finish before we left for our trip, so those will be going out late (very late) this year. It will make for a good project for us on a snowy March day, I presume!

Hope you all had a festive Love Day with family and friends!

While we were gone...

While we were away on our vacation, one of my very best friends had her beautiful baby girl, Grace! You will have to check Mike and Sarah's blog to see photos of their new little one! Its so exciting...we are looking forward to learning from them as they grow into their "family of 4" just before us! Congrats Mike, Sarah and big brother William!

Our friend Ben Dodds launched his professional photography website, complete with portfolio, etc! We are so excited for him as he uses his great talent to capture many memories for other families! Check it out!