Twiblings

Everyone has been asking me who Kate looks like. My answer has been Caroline but with dark hair and eyes. In the pictures below can you tell which is Caroline and which is Kate? I rest my case.

Santa's Visit

Santa stopped by our house for a visit! I wish I could say the kids were thrilled. They were kind of scared really.

Well Jonah seemed to like him just fine.The dogs liked him too.But Kate didn't seem quite taken with him. Maybe his beard was itchy.And Caroline. Well Caroline didn't care for poor Santa at all.Hmmmmmm. Santa's eyes seem awfully familiar!

Caroline 1 Parents 0

David and I felt like such smart parents when we figured out a way to keep the baby safe from Caroline's "love and affection."
We quickly realized however that she could still throw things in at the baby. Luckily, she chose stuffed animals.

Kate Noelle

She's here! Arrived 12/13 at 5:37pm. 6lbs 9ozs and 19ins. Very dark brown hair and dark eyes. Beautiful and already so sweet. We're all thrilled! See also http://babycentral.centralbap.com/default.asp?group=51307.

First Snow! (that stuck)

This morning it started to snow. We've had flurries a couple of times already this winter but this is the first time it actually stuck to the ground. Right away Jonah wanted to go out and play, so Caroline of course wanted to go out too. Luckily David was off work today to take her out. I was a little afraid to. I could just see myself falling on my booty, or worse on the baby. So I stayed in and snapped photos and handed out tissues as needed.

What a good daddy!This way Daddy. (She so has David wrapped around her little finger!)Flash and Chase got in on the action too. Can you see Chase? She kind of blends in with the snow. They all had a good time. And I had a good time watching.And new in baby news, I'm scheduled to be induced at 5am on December 16th if I don't go into labor on my own before then.

100th Post!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did. We spent the day with David's family. They only live an hour and a half away. In case I went into labor. I didn't.

David was very excited because Caroline got to sit at the big kids' table this year. Instead of the high chair.I think all she ate were the baked beans. That girl loves baked beans!David was stuffed! Once we got home he had to lie down and watch some football. (Notice the lap top so he can check his fantasy football stats.)He did muster enough energy for us to put up our tree. We get a real tree. We put it up earlier than usual this year because I wanted to get it up before the baby comes. As you can tell by David's expression putting up a tree with a toddler around can be a little frustrating. But hey! she's only broken six ornaments so far. In addition to glass ornaments Caroline also loves the lights.As you probably guessed I haven't had the baby yet. I've made it to December! Which means Kate's middle name will be Noel. Or Noelle. We haven't decided for sure on the spelling. Any thoughts?

Sammich

Friday was the last day I babysat our friends Matt and Kara's baby Samantha. I've been watching her three days a week for about six months now, since she was 2 months old. She is an absolute doll and such a sweet baby. David and I could not believe how good she was. When she was tired she just went to sleep, which was often. I didn't have to bring out the vacuum like I did for Caroline. Caroline fell in love with Samantha immediately. She constantly wanted to hug her and cried the first two weeks every time Samantha's daddy would take her home. Most of the pictures I have of Samantha are on my cell phone (since my camera disappeared over the summer) which I cannot figure out how to down load. But here are some of the ones that I took on my camera.

Caroline giving Samantha a hug. I was so afraid Caroline was going to hurt her but she got to be very good around Sam. Watching Samantha has been such a wonderful experience for getting Caroline used to being around a baby and getting me used to watching a toddler and a baby.

This picture cracks me up (David doesn't think I should post it). Where did Caroline get a G-string? Once Samantha started to sit up she and Caroline really started to interact and even play together.
Caroline could always get Samantha to laugh.


We're really going to miss you Samantha! Tell your mommy and daddy to bring you back for a play date.

The Terrible Two's Stink!

Isn't Halloween Over?

Our next door neighbor (the new really nice ones) gave Caroline some dress up clothes that her daughter had outgrown. Caroline loves them!
Ack! Too much!

Seeing Is Believing

Now that Jonah is in the fourth grade, his report card has letter grades. Before he earned a "+" for doing well, "-" for not doing so well, and an "AC" for area of concern. Something like that. Friday he brought home his first report card of the year. I don't know why they sent them home on Halloween. That seems kind of cruel to me. Anyway here is Jonah's first letter report card......
I hope you all see what I see. All A's and two B's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so, so proud of Jonah!!!!!!!!

Trick or Treat

Here are the kids in their Halloween costumes. Jonah wanted to be a dead robber (????!) and we dressed Caroline as an angel. We only got her to wear the halo for this picture though.
Kids catch on to trick or treating very quickly. "So I take this bag up to the front door and I'll get candy! This is fantastic!"The neighbors thought Jonah was dressed like a terrorist. No. Just an old fashioned robber.
We met up with Jonah's best buddy so they could trick or treat together. Jonah doesn't like being with his folks so much anymore. I had asked him if he needed a trick or treat bag and he told me, "No mom. I'll use a pillowcase. I'm getting older you know."
The kids had a great Halloween and of course Caroline loved it. First thing this morning she started searching for her trick or treat bag and candy.

Happy Halloween!

We carved our pumpkins........and have our costumes ready.Happy Halloween to all our friends and family!

Pumpkin Patch

We took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago. The day we chose to go was hot, hot, hot! I guess we should have waited until later in October to go but then I thought it would be more crowded and the weather might be yucky. Cold and rainy yucky like today. Anyway we managed to have a good time, I think. Caroline was much more into the activities this year, like the petting zoo. She freaked out on the train ride for some reason though. Our good friends Rob and Connie brought their son Alex along too which added to the fun.

You might remember the big chair from last year. The more kids involved the more difficult the photo. Don't the kids look miserable? "Smile and look like you're having fun darn it!" Next outing, torture with Santa!