Breakfast with the Ladies!

Last Saturday, I had the priviledge of having breakfat at Panera with some ladies from church! It was a great time to connect with other ladies and moms--We are so thankful for our Church Family!

Silverware Supervisor

Chuck was unloading the dishwasher earlier this week, (yes, he's great, I know!) and he showed Kieran how to put the silverware away. So, now we have an anxious little "silveware supervisor" in our house--always ready to put the clean silverware away!

Kiptyn always wants in on the action too:

Kiptyn likes the silverware too--he likes to grab it and run!!

BounceU

We joined some friends for a playdate at BounceU today!

Kieran had a blast with everything, especially the slide!

Kitpyn didn't want anything to do with these big, inflatable, bouncy things! He was much more content to play with the car and run around in the big open space!

"Can I go outside?"

We had our 1st snowfall of 2011 a few weeks ago and of course, Kieran couldn't wait to go outside! Finally, I sent him out the door to help daddy shovel and to get his "snow fix!"

They also did some sledding in the backyard. Kiptyn watched from the window:

I think Kieran got his fix:

We received an additonal 9-10" of snow this past weekend and Kieran wants to know why we can't go outside everyday?!

Wordless Wednesday

Gone Fishin'

Kieran learned how to use scissors at preschool and he enjoys cutting all sorts of paper--into little itty bitty pieces too! When the toy catalogs were arriving at our house before Christmas, Kieran started cutting out toys and games that he wanted. Well, I told him we would just pass those clippings onto grandma and grandpa! (Tee hee hee) One of the things that he cut out was a fishing game--and he got it!

Kieran got grandpa Lyle to play with him:
Kieran's great-grandpa Seems even played a game or two! I love this picture:

Kieran plays his fishing game at least once a day--and mommy likes it too because if I'm busy he can play it by himself!

Wordless Wednesday

Guitar Man

Before Christmas came, if you asked Kieran what he wanted for Christmas he would tell you a John Deere weedeater (like daddy) and a guitar. I wasn't surprised by the weedeater, but I was surprised by his desire for a guitar! He had seen a kids guitar in a toy catalog, so I figured it was one of those "seen it, want it" type of things.

Then I was reminded of the "guy with the guitar" at his preschool. One of the employees at the church where Kieran attends preschool has a guitar and he comes into their classroom, plays his guitar and they all sing songs. Kieran thought that was pretty cool! Kieran also made a comment one day about wanting to play guitar like the "big kids" at church!

So, I went researching for an inexpensive, child-friendly, QUIET guitar! I found one for $10 on Walmart. com--and it's even a Toy Story Woody guitar!

Kieran was very excited when he opened the guitar:

Occasionally, you will find him standing in front of a Cedarmont Kids Songs video, playing his guitar and singing along. Or he follows me around the house, telling me to sing while he plays--and he's quick to tell me when I'm singing the song wrong!:

He says now he can take his guitar to church and play like the big kids! Maybe Kieran's interest in the guitar will continue and someday he can use that skill for God's glory--and he'll be one of the "big kids" playing in the worship band at church!

Champion of the World

We made a quick trip to Iowa this weekend for one last Christmas gathering with some of Chuck's cousins. It was fun--as always--and his cousin, Andrew, brought over his X-Box 360 Kinect, which provided lots of entertainment! I'm happy to say that I blew my sister-in-law away in the dance competition--and here's some other photos of our fun:

I had to do a boxing competition against Chuck's cousin Andrew--yep, I wiped him out--insert happy dance!

Even my Mother-In-Law got in on the action!!!

Kieran had his turn too! He loved it!

Chuck's cousin, Melody, was great with the boys--Kieran kept her busy most of the day!

Wordless Wednesday

Bear Family Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with the Bear family yesterday in Omaha. It was a fun, relaxing day with food, family and gifts.

Kiptyn likes to push cousin Eden's baby stroller around--complete with baby dolls and the pink cell phone, of course!

Kieran cooks us supper in cousin Eden's kitchen

The kids table!
We were missing 5 other Bear cousins

Kieran opening gifts

Kieran received a REAL tape measure from Grandma.

He now measures everything--including his little brother!

Kiptyn opening a truck

Kieran received a "Don't Spill the Beans" game!

I remember playing this game at my GREAT-GREAT Grandma King's house

when I was a little girl!

Kiptyn opening a gift

Kiptyn and cousin Luke were much more interested in the fish tank than gifts!

Christmas Afternoon

I'm playing a little "catch-up" with the blog--still posting Christmas pictures! But, this blog was created so that you, our friends and far away family could keep up with the Bear's--so, how can I not post the FAMILY Christmas photos?

Ever since I was little, we always went to my grandparents' house on Christmas day--and the tradition still continues! After opening gifts at my parents' house, we headed down to KS for some extended family time! You might notice a trend in these pictures:

Kieran opens a truck:

Kieran opens a Green John Deere Tractor:
Kieran opens a Red Tractor:

Kiptyn decided the laundry basket worked well for gift opening:

Kiptyn opens bath toys:

Kieran opens a John Deere Truck:

Kiptyn opens a gift---What could it be??

It's a Red Tractor!!:

Kieran opens a semi-truck:

Kiptyn opens a John Deere Tractor:

Did you catch the Tractor/Truck trend? Yep, my boys love their trucks and tractors--and my family knows it!