Christmas 2011

4.5 seems to be a magical age, as far as Christmas is concerned.  It's so real, so fun, so exciting!  Leaving cookies (or rice krispies treats) for Santa, running downstairs to see what he brought...  Christmas really is magical through the eyes of a child.

 Obligatory Christmas Eve picture in front of the tree.

 Mimi & Papa Wayne came over Christmas Eve & spoiled Kasen like crazy!  We also let him open his gifts from us.  The theme of the year is a mix between Legos & Star Wars - his 2 favorite things.  He also got lots of new board games & books!

 Mimi may or may not have cried over her gifts (copies of our recent family pics).  I'm not gonna tell you if she did or not, you'll have to ask her yourself.  ;)

 Christmas Eve dinner was at David & Karen's this year & it was a fabulous time!  Lots of food, family, laughs, & a bit of chaos, thanks to the kiddos.  ;)

 The kids got to decorate a "tree" (a human tree!).  Marissa volunteered herself for this without knowing what was coming, but she was a great sport!  The kids had so much fun with this!

 Kasen waited patiently to open his gifts.  He was very spoiled, VERY spoiled.

 Once we got Kasen to bed, Santa came!  He left lots of stuff behind!  (Again, mostly Legos & Star Wars.)

 Kasen left 9 (yes, NINE) pieces of rice krispies out for Santa this year.

 Right on schedule, Kasen was up at 6:30 & ready to check out what Santa brought.  The first thing he saw was the Millennium Falcon he'd practically begged Santa for.  He mentioned that it wasn't the Lego one, which is what he really wanted.  We told him Santa must have just not known ('cause this is probably not what a 4.5 year old really needs - 1,254 pieces, almost all gray?!!?!!).

 Next, he noticed his Boba Fett & Jango Fett costume/zapper/jet pack & was quite happy.

 All the loot Santa brought!  (Santa needs a good talking to, he over-did it a bit this year!)

 We practically had to pry this costume off him.  he LOVES it.

 Christmas lunch was at Auntie's house.  It was another great time of family, food, & fun - and lots of Kasen spoiling (and more Legos Star Wars, of course).

 Lunch was before presents, much to Kasen's dismay.

 I have no idea what this is, Darth Mals' ship I think??  Kasen loved it.

 The Angry Birds sweatshirt was a present too, one he picked out for himself & had to wait 'til Christmas to wear.  he was very patient!

 Ma has started a nice wall o' crosses, so Kasen made her one for Christmas.

 Jesus' birthday cake might have been the highlight of the day.  He had THREE pieces.  It was Christmas after all.

 Kasen had to try out his new games!

 Daddy had to nap.  Christmas is hard on the grown folks!

 Oh, and since we need to catch up, one last thing...  This is Baby #2's *sorta* first Christmas.  He/she will be here in June!!

Halloween & Stuff

As Halloween quickly approached, I realized my intentions (to make Kasen a Lego MiniFigure costume) were good, but not feasible.  So, I asked him what else he'd like to be.

It took him no time to answer - DARTH VADER!  I doubted there would be a costume in his size, but apparently I don't know costumes well.  ha!  So, it was decided, he would be Darth Vader:

 Life before Halloween continued on, as chaotic & fun as usual.  One afternoon I headed out to the grocery store & passed these 2 cute guys on my way:

Kasen is REALLY into games.  Especially ones that aren't your typical board game variety.  Right now, his favorite is Gassy Gus.  We play it A LOT. 

 The weather started to get cooler (briefly), so I had to get out & get Kasen pants that were long enough.  Of course, the week following this shopping trip he had a growth spurt & some of those brand new pants are already too short.  sigh

I was amazed by how well behaved he was on our shopping trip, so I told him he could pick out a toy.  Instead, he asked for another costume (marked waaaay down!).  How could I say no?  

 He ended up going to school as Spiderman Halloween morning & then going Trick or Treating as Darth Vader.  He loved getting to dress up twice!

Getting a picture of him before TorTing proved near impossible.  This is the best I got.

Time is flying by so fast that I feel like I can't keep up with anything!!  It's already almost Christmas, but I swear this year just started!  Slow down already!

September - Half Marathon, Danes', Luke's B-day, Life House...

(Totally not in chronological order, sorry...)

After catching the crazy bug, I ran a half marathon.  (More about that here.)  It wasn't a good running day for me, but I finished (in 2 hours 41 minutes per my Garmin/ 2 hours 44 minutes per the gun time).

The super-amazing Denya was with me every step of the way.  I seriously couldn't ask for a more amazing friend.  I love this chick!

 (Christina was running her first 10K that day, and she did awesome!!)

Denya pointing out Luke & Kasen at the finish... 

 Me super happy to see them (you have to click on the pic to see it bigger in order to see my happiness).

 Kasen liked my medal (as did I!!!).

 We did it!  Half #1 for me, half  #4 for Denya.

 I'm so glad my boys were there to celebrate with me.

 I was so ready to leave, so I could SIT.

Daddy & Kasen, just because.

 Kasen had a trip to the dentist, where he acted like a crazy monkey.

The Danes visited!!!  This time it was Niels & Annette.  It was a great time & I can't wait 'til we do it again.

 We went to the Stockyards while the Danes' were here.  Kasen rode almost every "horse" there.

 Kasen really, really loved Niels.  Especially because Niels played soccer with him.

We took a trip to Trader's Village, where Kasen just HAD to have this hat.  ...Papa Vergil is a sucker for his cute face.  (He's posing as Spiderman.)

 He rode this crazy twirly ride with daddy.

 Kasen spent most of the day on my back.  It kept him out of trouble & from getting lost.  Even if he is *gasp* 4 years old & well over 40#s, I'd rather have him safely on my back than anywhere else.

 We visited The Harbor a couple of times & once we had to check out the lighthouse.

On September 11th, Kasen made this picture for the local firefighters.  We also baked a loaf of bread & made honey butter to take to them.  Unfortunately, Kasen was having an especially rough day (we had been going NON-stop for days), so we ended up not visiting the Firefighters.

For Luke's birthday, Kasen picked out this awesome Ninjago set.  It was totally all about his daddy...  right?

 Katy & Jeremy are some of our oldest, dearest friends.  We have been SO excited about the work they've been doing lately, to open a local, organic coffee/tea house.  (The Life House)  Our first trip there was on a special friends/family night & we have been back many, many times since.  It is an AMAZING place & we wish them all the best.  (Oh, they also have a disc golf shop in the House, isn't that cool?!)

My addiction is the chocolate croissant.  Kasen's is the chocolate chip cookie.

 Well, the chocolate chip cookie is actually second to one thing...  getting to see Aislyn!!  That's really the only reason Kasen wants to go to The Life House.  ;)

 One morning I woke up to find this in my bedroom:

I think this picture totally sums up September.  Exhausting!!