What Kate Remembers about Grandpa Bill

I like his Santa that sings.

He showed me his stamps, but they don't work anymore.

He has a lot of things. He makes lots of things.

He told me that his leg hurt.

I know he loves me because I am his grandchild.

But I am a little sad because he is far, far away.

Walker Chirsmas

While John's parents were here we celebrated Christmas with them.

Unfortunatly, Ben's hat didn't quite fit.




Our little family has grown to a size that makes an all eyes open, all looking at the camera, no one crying, or no goofy faces family picture impossible.

2 looking at the camera

One escaping

At least John is doing what he is supposed to

Nice toasted look, mom. Nice tongue, Jonas.

Can't get through a series of pictures with out a crazy Kate face.

Blessing & Stuff

By the way, we blessed Benjamin last Sunday. It was quite a different experience than the other two baby blessings which were big productions. I think we began getting our yard ready for Jonas' blessing before he was even born.

I missed everyone terribly, but it was nice to focus on the blessing and not be fretting about the food for the after party. I was glad that at least John's parents and a couple of friends were able to be there. We weren't all alone. It was touching experience to see John and his dad stand together to give Ben his blessing. John did a fantastic job. The blessing was beautiful.

Sorry Ben, we didn't take a lot of pictures (actually your papa took these, not us). You were starving by the time we got you home and I didn't want you to yak all over the blessing outfit, so we took some pictures quick and then changed your clothes.

And some bonus pictures of the other kids also taken by papa.

Pretty Good for First Timers

We made a Gingerbread House!

It was a kit from Costco Grammy bought for Kate to make.
I have to admit I was a bit worried. I didn't have faith in the frosting actually holding the thing together. I am also quite unskilled in all things baking, frosting, and food decorating.

But somehow we managed to get it all together and decorated without any major casualties. I did break the tree in half, but Dr. Grammy, like always, saved the day by suturing it back together with frosting.

Putting up the Tree

Part of our Thanksgiving festivities (or lack thereof) was putting up the Christmas tree. Now that we have a fake we can put it up as early as we want and don't have to worry about a having a dead and sad fire hazard by the time Christmas day actually arrives.



We let the kids put the ornaments on themselves, so all of them are hanging on about 3 different branches all on the bottom of the tree. Jonas would grab an armful of ornaments, go to the tree, dump them on the floor and then put them all on the tree in the same place.

What are you thankful for, Kate?

"I am thankful for my friends because I love them.

My pets 'cause I love them too.

Gentry

Kitty

my dogs

my daddy

my mom

for the frog. I love my frog.

I am thankful that we have money so we can buy food.

I am thankful for my teacher too.

I am thankful for my harmonica (John and I are not thankful for the harmonica :-p )

I am thankful for the dentist, so he can clean my teeth everyday, and my mom too.

I'm thankful for Jonas 'cause he's my brother.

Benjamin. I like him.

I am thankful for my colors.

And that's all I am thankful for!"

Thanksgiving Luncheon

Kate's preschool had a little Thanksgiving luncheon today. This is the performance the little ones did.

These were the cookies they served. Are they not the cutest thing you've ever seen?


The bodies were cherry cordials though. Not a good choice for Jonas. He was sitting on my lap so I didn't see him grab it. He had it all over him, me, the chair, the table. I think there may have even been some in his ear.


P.S. Be sure to check out the Kateisms on the side. There are some new ones.

Goodguys

John's Half Brothers' Step Brother, John Drummond, a.k.a. Big John works for Goodguys Auto Show and was in town this weekend. He got us into the show free and drove us around in a golf cart like VIP. The kids loved the golf cart ride the best, otherwise they were pretty much bored.

This was Kate's favorite car. It's pink of course.

The kids got their faces painted by the clown. Kate got a unicorn and a heart. Jonas got a spider.

The clown gave them balloons too. Kate got a butterfly and Jonas got a sword. We told Jonas not to drag it on the ground, so from that point on the end of the sword was on the pavement. Of course it popped in about 2 minutes.

Unfortunately as Uncle John was heading off to announce for the award show, I realized we didn't get a picture with him. Bummer! Maybe next year.

Angel Baby

Trying to capture what I see when I am holding him

Oops, I forgot.

I forgot to post Halloween pictures on the Blog. If you are on Facebook you already saw most of these.


Our friends came over to celebrate with us. We BBQ'd and passed out candy on our driveway. John and I attempted to make root beer but it was a complete disaster. Jonas was the only one that liked it.


The kids enjoyed passing out candy more than they liked going around to houses. Kate would call out to everyone on the street, "Come and get your free candy!" She called them all her customers.

Jonas did NOT want to come in.

He got even more mad because I was taking pictures. Right after this one he shoved the camera out of my hands. I just couldn't resist though. He looks like he is about to swallow me whole!

Smile Ben! or as Jonas Puts it "Mile Mem!"

Smile!

Or Not.

Cactus, Cactus Everywhere

More pictures from the Desert Botanical Garden