Baby, it's cold outside.

During the winter, my longing for California always returns...But one plus is just how CUTE winter clothes can be. We've also had to find fun things to do indoors.

Kaden 'helping' mom wrap presents.

Not too interested in Santa. Maybe next year.

Warm BYU beenies.

One of our favorite indoor games--peek-a-boo from the laundry basket.

Making a mess is always fun...

Nice Uggs!

Love that hat & smile! :)

Gotta love the one piece sweat suit.

Thankful.

I have so much to be thankful for and am grateful for this season which makes me remember and count my many blessings. Here are some small things:

• Kaden's words: Amen, Jesus, 'Mmmm' (Moo), baby, dada, mama, 'buh' (button), pop, no, bye, hi, go. It always brings a smile to my face to hear him talking.
• Health: Kaden is still healthy and pretty tall--90% height, 50% head, 25% weight.
• Walking: He will no longer sit or be held at church. He takes loop after loop around the building because he only wants to walk. But it is just too cute.
• Books: lots, lots, and LOTS of books to keep us entertained. Flavor of the week: The Belly Button book.
• Food: fruit (esp strawberries & bananas), string cheese, cheese, yogurt, meatballs.
• Music: Kaden loves to say 'pop' as I sing 'popcorn popping'. He still enjoys his Beyonce. :)
• Generous family & friends: Kaden has so much fun with them and is given so much by loving family/friends.
• Christmas tree lights: beautiful and great distraction for the babe.

Thankful for shoes.
Thankful for playgrounds.

Thankful for swings & smiles.

Thankful for Teddy.

Thankful for working cars.

Thankful for my family.

I love my boys.

Festivus for the rest've us...

...to all the Seinfeld fans out there :). Just some pictures of our Fall Festivities for the year. We went apple picking for the first time and they were delicious! Awesome apple crisp with slices ready for pie. Kaden was super cute in his Halloween costumes, and then our ward Halloweenie Trunk or treatie.

Haha. Love it. First tractor ride: priceless!

The man hard at work.

Happy the sun finally came out.

A successfull day--we found apples.

Little Bones and his cool kicks.

(thanks Aunts Jennie & Janice)

A pirate with a monkey on his shoulder.

Doing what monkeys do best.Ward Trunk or Treat.

Yeah, my 'hippie' person again. About 5 years running...

Kaden's new thing: Dancing.

Let's get this party started.

Kaden threw his first birthday party for his 1st birthday. He had lots of friends come over, and luckily our landlords let us use the first floor. We had all the games taking place downstairs, while the adults hung out upstairs. Our theme was Brown Bear, based on Kaden's favorite book, "Brown Bear." We snacked on teddy grahams, straw/ras'bearries', and gummy bears. We played: pin the nose on the bear, honey honey bear, gummy bear sled races, gummy bear cupcake decorating, and brown bear birthday cake! Lots of fun, and lots of mess. But we survived our first children's birthday! Thanks everyone for coming and making his party so fun-- He loved his trucks/cars, blocks, and teddy bear!

(P.S. thanks Amy for the pictures!)

Waiting for the festivities to begin. :)

Storytime: Brown Bear.

Enjoying his favorite book.

Having fun.

Posing with Mary.

Pin the nose on the...bear.

Kaden almost won. :)

Honey, Honey, Bear (aka Duck Duck Goose).

Gummy bear sled races: Awesome!

I love their expressions as their sled comes in.

The Brown Bear Cake take II

First taste of chocolate cake--not too impressed.

Everyone wanted to help Kaden with the presents.

Presents with Dad.

Our little big one year old!

O.N.E.

Wow. Is he really? Yep. Yesterday was Kaden's twelve month birthday--as in the boy is now ONE. Hard to believe and definitely mixed emotions as my baby has somehow transformed into a--(gasp)--toddler. Kaden loves:

• HOT DOGS!--the boy lives for them...and strawberries, and cheese.
• Dada--can almost say it. As soon as Matt comes home Kaden only wants his Dad and gives him big hugs and grins. Love it.
• Jesus--Kaden says a form of 'Jesus' and loves to point to our picture of Him.
• Phones--everything is a phone to Kaden. He holds all toys and items up to his ear and talks.
• Bacon--had his first taste yesterday and wants to drink bacon grease instead of milk. :)
• Trucks/Cars--must be a boy thing.
• Walking--little steadier at this, but still a ways to go.
• Books--We must read 20+ books a day.
• Talking while eating--almost a hum. Pro at this.
• Weaned--completely weaned. More on that to come.

We made the most of his birthday trying to cover some of Kaden's favorites:

Birthday breakfast.

Of course it wouldn't be a birthday without Breakfast in bed! Or crib.

Love at first taste: bacon.

Birthday balloons."I'm ready! Let the festivities begin!"
A balloon and lunch with Dad!

Petsmart.

We saw dogs getting a haircut and even got to pet one! He also enjoyed the birds and fish.

Chuck E. Cheese

Since his last visit he has gotten so good in the tunnels! Fearless and loves chasing all of the bigger kids.

Grace and Abby let him tag along on rides--the roller coaster ride here.

Tunnels at Chuck E Cheese.

The 'Brown Bear' Birthday Cake.

Demolition. Kaden's first taste of sugar and I think he

may have gone into a sugar coma afterwards...

Presents! Although, the paper was pretty interesting.

More fun with paper and presents.

So much fun.

Exhausted. Birthdays are hard work. :)

Yay for one year olds!

I've never claimed of having a singing voice. Don't judge.