Thanksgiving '09

We went to my sister-in-law's, Justine, for Thanksgiving this year. The food was great and so was the entertainment. The kids put on a show for us with the girls cheering during intermission. Cori chose not to participate, so there's just a picture of Katie. There are also some quick videos at the bottom. See if you can guess the theme songs, leave a comment of your guesses.

Matt and his trumpet.
Chris and his clarinet.
As you can see...Caden was really interested in what was going on. He also liked the girls' pom-poms.

Katie cheering during intermission.

The finale - Chris and Matt sang a few songs.

Caden loved tackling this bear.


Matt is playing what movie theme song?
(Jaws)


Chris is playing what cartoon theme song?
(Scooby-Doo)


Caden cheering for Chris.

"Sit Down!"

The past few days we've been hearing a lovely phrase, "Sit down!" coming out of the mouth of our 20 mo. old. He says it with such firmness, you feel like you have to listen. I guess that's the way he hears us say it because he's usually trying to stand on the couch or chair. It was so cute before when he would just tap the floor or chair.

Another cute thing he's been saying is, "Daddy J." I guess he hears "J" enough too!

"PUSH"

While Jason was in Michigan, Caden and I went to "Mammy's" (her new name since that's a name he can say) house. He had a lot of fun with one of the doors that can close off the kitchen.

"PUSH"

(that's what he's actually saying here)

"I really want to give this ball to Mammy, but how?"

"Here Mammy!"

"PUSH"

(he likes that word)

Monkey Invasion

Since Caden was just too cute in that monkey costume, I had to take it home to show GG and Pappy. Fortunately, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Bonnie were there too and got to see him.

"Look at my big padded belly GG."
"Oh, what's that on your shirt Pappy?"

Just hanging out with Uncle Jeff.

Happy 60th Birthday Jimbo

To celebrate my father-in-law's 60th birthday, Justine, Randy, Jason, and Brooks drove out to Michigan last Thursday for a birthday surprise. Jason's parents flew out on Friday morning to spend the weekend with Melissa who works for Univ. of Michigan. They had a fun filled weekend full of Michigan including a basketball game and then the football game against Ohio State on Saturday.

Justine, Randy, Carole, Jason, Jim, Brooks

on the field in the Big House.

A New Name & New Foods

We've been working on getting Caden to say his name, and finally last night he said it...or something close to it. It came out sounding like "Kay-Ken." It's a start!

So, besides yummy beets, Caden likes cabbage and grapefruit too. For the past 5 years I didn't have to share my grapefruit with anyone since Jason doesn't like it. Now I have to get used to sharing. Anyhow, I guess he's willing to try anything new! I just wish/hope that will last.

Fun at Our House

Kitchen Fun

One of Caden's favorite toys to play with when we go other places is a kitchen. So, my mom located the old Holly Hobbies kitchen my sister and I played with. She kept it for like 25 years or so! Anyhow, it's really not in bad shape at all. We did "update" it a little by painting the doors, and I guess made it more neutral by covering up poor Holly.

Caden's Nana also found this little kitchen set at a second hand store. We've "updated" this one too with jungle stickers (not shown) and took off the rotary phone :). Here are some pictures of Caden's process of trying to sit in the dishwasher.

I love how he leads with his behind.

"What's up there?"

"Here I am!"

We went to visit Jason's sister and family for the day last Saturday for Matt and Cori's birthday party. They had it in a large gym, and everyone had a great time. We took the boys with us in the car, and Caden was thrilled. He just pointed to one side and said, "boy." Then he pointed to the other and said, "boy" with a big smile on his face. He didn't have a nap that day, but it didn't seem to bother him. We got him ready for bed before we left so that I could just take him right up to his crib. It worked well!

(Top to Bottom) Katie, Chris, Cori, Caden, Matt

BTW - Caden can now say Cori and "Ma" for Matt

Toddler Time Take 4

This was the craft from last Wednesday's Toddler Time (11/4) which ended up being our last Toddler Time. He didn't even mind getting glue on him from the glue stick. Caden has caught a cold, so we did not go this Wed., and it's only 6 weeks long. I'm glad Caden got a chance to get out and meet some new people. We're looking forward to starting up again around March I believe (as long as I'm not too uncomfortable at that point).

16 Weeks

I'm a little behind on some of my pictures/blog posts. We took this last week at 16 weeks. There's a little bump forming!

Under the Table without Pants

This is a new favorite place to play/hide when we need him for something like a diaper change. Usually he's under here before the diaper change. In this case he went there after when I was trying to get his pants back on.

"Mom...must you take my picture?"

"Maybe if I lean down she won't see me."

"I have my toes, and I'm happy!"

Christmas Wish List

I was thinking he was too young to make a Wish List...but based on the determination and interest on this face, he's thinking otherwise.

Little Pumpkin

I just love this cute little outfit my friend Jen had given to us.

This is Caden's newest thing. He loves to cover his head with his blanket. It makes me really nervous, so I check on him a million times, but he's comfortable at least.

Halloween Day/Night

During the day of Halloween, Caden decided to try on his Daddy's costume. He looked a little more like a banana bush than a tree.

Halloween night was a lot of fun. We went with our neighbors which made it nice for Caden. They had a really nice wagon that Ella and Caden rode in most of the time. There was time when Caden was in there alone, and he yelled for Ella almost the whole time.

Then even walked to some of the homes hand-in-hand (made Caden's day).