Happy New Year: 2014

2013 has been a good year for the Luther family.  We are blessed with our health, family, friends, and above all, our God.  While there was a tragedy within our close friends circle, we try to lean on God's understanding and plans and not our own.  I know that 2014 is going to be a great year because we will continue to put God first and rely on his plan for our lives.  I am not a huge resolution maker, but this year, I do want to start letting go of the small things (house being cleaned and straightened, etc.), and I want to be "unplugged" more.  My goal is to not be on my cell phone each evening until the kids go to bed.  In our world, we are so tuned in all the time to our phones, and I feel that I am losing out on valuable time with my children, and I don't want to look back and regret that.  Kathryn and Kaden are only going to be little once and that time is now.  So, I am putting my phone down, and I am not worrying about the house being perfect all the time.  Here's to 2014!!!

Last Family Pic in 2013...Take 1

Take 2

Me, Haven, Fran, and Jennifer

All the kiddos (the real party animals!)...they had a BLAST playing at the Bowles House

Thank you Haven for having us all over for New Year's Eve dinner and play time!  Kathryn and Kaden were in bed and asleep by 8:00 (which was late for them), and Kyle and I were not too far behind.

   

My Stinker Bug!

Loving his broom

CHEESE!  And loving his wagon too!

This 16 month old wears me out, but he is sweet and cute, and my life certainly would not be the same without him.  Kaden, you have completed our family, and we love you so much!!!

Kaden's Current Favorites at 16 months old

1. His Sleep Sack...he has never taken to a stuffed animal or "lovie" but he loves his sleep sack.  I may have to find a way to convert it to a blanket once he outgrows it. 
2. Playing in the play kitchen and fridge...he loves to "cook" and make a big mess
3. Bailey...he has to pet Bailey first thing each morning
4. Papa...he is a Papa's boy FOR SURE!
5. Going to bed and taking naps...my boy loves to sleep and is a great sleeper
6. Taking Bailey outside to use the bathroom...he gets so excited about this
7. Riding in his little red wagon that Santa brought him
8. Jumping on the miniature trampoline and jumping on beds
9. Taking a bath
10. Any drink (milk or juice)
11. Bananas, cookies, muffins, waffles, yogurt, grapes, cheese, spaghetti, mac and cheese...and he wants to feed himself...he does not appreciate anyone feeding him
12. Running (all around the house) and Climbing (on furniture)...he is a busy boy!
13. Kathryn...he loves his big sister!!!
14. Singing Songs (If you are happy and you know it, The wheels on the bus, etc)

Kaden currently weighs 25 pounds.  His bedtime is between 6 and 6:30.  He generally wakes between 7 and 7:30.  He naps from 11 to 1 or 1:30.  He sleeps a lot, but when he is awake, he is on the go.  He eats breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, and then dinner.  He is saying lots of words...Mommy, Daddy, Bai (for Bailey), Ball, Pop, Nigh Nigh (Night Night), Thank You, and Bye Bye (with a big wave).  He uses sign language for "More" and "Please."  He can identify his nose, belly, head, mouth, ears, and nose.  Developmentally, I think he is right where he should be. 

Kathryn's Current Favorites at 5 years and 4 months old

1. Ducky
2. All things American Girl (and Bitty Baby)
3. The movie The Little Mermaid...she watches it daily
4. Snacks...yogurt, ice cream, cookies, chocolate...really any snack
5. Being a Big Sister...she adores Kaden and loves being the big sis
6. Play Dates (with anyone)
7. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches and Mac and Cheese
8. Dancing
9. Crafting....any and all crafts
10. Playing by herself (she is really starting to play on her own these days...becoming independent)
11. Bible Stories Book and any night time story
12. Snuggling...my girl is a big time snuggler
13. Her new short haircut (she absolutely loves it)

She had fallen out of love with gymnastics...She decided December would be her last month.  She says she wants to possibly play soccer and dance again.  I am giving her a couple of months to think on it. In the meantime, I am going to try to find some craft classes for her...I am hoping Hobby Lobby will have some upcoming kids classes.  She wants to learn how to knit (or as she says "threading").  This momma is unable to help her with knitting or "threading."  Here's to hoping Hobby Lobby can help us out!

Kathryn currently weighs around 35 pounds.  She is starting to grow longer (I can tell by her pants...they are almost too short).  She goes to bed around 7 or 7:30 and generally awakes around 7.  She is loving Kindergarten, but she also loves her stay at home days.  She is starting to read words, and it has not been super easy for her, but she is catching on.  She knows ALL of her color words...pink, blue, brown, etc.  It's the words like his, her, etc. that trick her up.  There is no doubt in my mind that she will get them all.  She is a bright girl! 

Post Holiday

I LOVE Christmas, but once it is over, I am ready to pack it all up and return to normalcy.  So, it is our tradition to completely undecorate and put away everything the day after Christmas.  Our house is over filled with toys (I plan to purge sooner than later...gotta see which toys the kiddos are still playing with), but other than that, things are back to normal.  Yesterday, we went to celebrate Harper Hand's 1st birthday.  We had a fun morning of playing and eating a delish breakfast.  Once we got home, Kaden took a nap and when he woke, he was running a fever.  I went ahead and took him to Doctor's Care.  I am ready for my baby to feel better.  Since December started, he has had croup, a double ear infection, strep, pneumonia, and now (diagnosed yesterday) another ear infection.  He is on his 3rd type of antibiotic in a three week span and on his 2nd round of steroids.  I am hoping this is the end of this illness, and he will be well for the rest of this winter season....fingers crossed! 

I meant to post earlier...this was from our Bunco Progressive Dinner that was on December 20th...fun times!

Christmas Morning 2013

Kathryn woke around 6:45 Christmas morning.  She came downstairs to our room full of excitement.  We all went to the den to see if Santa had arrived...and sure enough, he had.  Kathryn was in awe of all her gifts.  She got everything she wanted.  She got the American Girl doll Caroline, the wheelchair, crutches set, doll clothes, stroller, the American girl dogs with bath set and party set, a Seat Pet, Glow Pillow Pet, a Knitting set, some games, and lots more.  We had to wake Kaden up around 7:15.  Kaden got a train, action figures, blocks, a wagon, a flashlight buddy, and several other toys and clothes.  Our children might be slightly spoiled, but they are only kids once!  The morning was spent playing, eating, and enjoying time with one another (and we stayed in our pjs all day!).  That evening, we had dinner at home and enjoyed more time together.  Minus illness, it was a pretty perfect Christmas.

I'm pretty sure he was told "no" for something...

Kaden with Papa and Mimi

Cheesing with Papa

Kaden with Momma Pam

Kathryn and Kaden with Momma Pam

More pics to come from Momma Pam's camera...

Christmas 2013

As usual, this season was here and passed by in no time.  We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  We began our festivities in Camden the Saturday before Christmas.  The kids enjoyed spending time with Aunt Sandy, Grandmother (their great grandmother), and cousins Jonathan and Greg.  We ate a great lunch and played. 

Opening gifts in Camden

Kathryn was so excited about her Baby Alive and Kaden loved his blocks

The ride home from Camden...he was exhausted

Kathryn watching Christmas movies on our way home...Baby Alive in tow

Sunday we headed to Hopkinsville to celebrate Christmas with Momma Pam, Momma Hope, Jeff, Aimee, and Maxx.  We all had a great day.  We started out with yummy appetizers and then opened gifts.  And, the kids had a blast all playing together.  I am beyond thankful that Kathryn and Kaden have cousins to grow up with. 

Christmas at Momma Pam's

Kathryn, Momma Hope, and Maxx

Kyle was not feeling well...he had bronchitis

Momma Pam's festive snowman cheeseball

Gift time

Momma Hope being silly

All dressed up

Kaden loved playing with the trash...go figure

Uncle Jeff...he does not like having his pic made

Momma Pam opening her gifts

Monday evening, we went to Mimi and Papa's house for pizza and to open a few gifts before Uncle Jay left town.  Kaden and I were late getting there due to a doc appointment that ended with us going to the hospital for a chest xray (which confirmed he had pneumonia...this is a whole other story).  None the less, we got there and celebrated a little.  Kathryn was so excited about her gifts.  She was especially excited about her new Bitty Baby twins (brunette hair).  Uncle Michael and Uncle Jay enjoy spoiling Kathryn and Kaden, and we are so thankful for the precious relationship they have with their uncles. 

Kaden loved his wooden bulldozer

Pure excitement on this girl's face

Kathryn and Kaden with Papa

Christmas Eve we went back to Mimi and Papa's to celebrate some more with Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Joe.  We hung out and ate snacks, opened gifts, then Kyle and I went to church, and once back at the Luthers we had a delicious steak dinner. 

Uncle Joe and Aunt Charlotte with Cricket

Uncle Michael

Christmas Eve night, we did our traditional preparations for Santa...cookies, milk, letter to Santa, reindeer food, and read Twas the Night Before Christmas...this year, Momma Pam came over and stayed the night so that was an extra surprise and Kathryn so super excited for the sleep over.

Kathryn looking for Santa

Kathryn with Momma Pam

Reindeer Food time

Final peek to see if she can see Santa

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Santa Came!!!