The kids lately

I know it's been a long time since I've blogged. A friend was teasing that when she saw Karis in person after a few months, she didn't even recognize her since she hasn't seen any pics of her on the blog! And Aunt Janice has been so kindly asking for pictures for over a month! So, the next several posts are an update of our lives over the past few months.

The kids are doing really well. Caleb is an incredibly energetic, smart, sweet, and strong-willed three year old. He is constantly cracking us up with the things he says. Yesterday he randomly started making up songs in the car, which was a first. Most of the songs were full of silly made-up words, but right in the middle of one of them, I heard this line: "I do the things I want to do, 'cause I want to do them" If that doesn't sum of the will of a three-year-old, or all of humanity for that matter, then I don't know what does!

Caleb loves to be outside, and lately soccer has been his favorite activity. Maybe next spring he can play on a team.

Caleb is also fully potty-trained. I started the day after his third birthday, and he did really well. So many friends told me to just wait until he was 3, and I'm glad I did. He was ready and caught on very quickly.
Caleb also loves to fish. Here he is with his very first catch!
Karis is a very happy, smiley, sweet, smart, and determined 16 month old. She started taking a few steps at 13 months and was walking all the time by 14 months. she's getting really fast, and lately I think she is trying to run, which is so cute because she sticks her belly out and swings just one arm. Karis' hair is getting curly in the back. I love the curls - you can sort of see them in the picture below. It's funny to think about all the things I do differently with the second. I never gave Caleb suckers this early, but Karis is at an age now where I can't give Caleb something and not her. My daughter has a great love of suckers!


Once she gets something in her mind, Karis is determined to do it. I was cooking dinner one night and noticed that it got very quiet. As I walked to the stairs, this is what I found. Karis had discovered how to climb through the banister railings, which is pretty impressive considering she isn't that tall yet. So much for safety gates!
She also loves to dig through the pantry. Yet another night I was cooking dinner - she dumped the entire bag of pretzels on the floor and was sitting in the middle of them having a feast!
Mimi and Pappi introduced her to Oreos. I guess she liked them :)


She's getting so big!

Marc's Graduation

He's finally done! In May Marc graduated with this Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. It was a long and wonderful 8 year journey. To celebrate I threw Marc a surprise party at Maggiano's with 35 of Marc's closest friends and our families. It was so much fun, and he was SO surprised! I still can't believe I pulled it off!

Easter pics

The kids had so much fun on their annual Easter egg hunt at Mimi and Pappi's house!
Karis loves her cousin, Rylee!
Aren't they so cute with their matching outfits?! Thank you, Missy!

Her Grammy got her the most adorable Easter dress...LOVE it!

Sisters Road Trip

Back in March I got to go visit my sister in California. It was a short 3 day trip, but we had such a great time. We took a road trip and drove up the coast to a light house just south of San Francisco. We stayed at a hostel at the lighthouse. It was so beautiful. The next day we took our time driving all the way back down the coast, stopping whenever we felt like it. We saw so many beautiful places, but spending so much time with Emily and having some great conversations was absolutely the best part. I love you, Emily!

Caleb's Third Birthday

Caleb turned 3 in April, and to celebrate we went to Thomas' Day Out in Grapevine. We had a great time, though Caleb was definitely not eager to pose for photos. Caleb loved playing with the train tables, the bounce house, and especially riding the train. We had a great time celebrating with our family.








Aunt Janice, thank you for the xylophone! He loves it and plays it all the time....sometimes to a deafening decibel, but we're working on it :)
Caleb requested a chocolate chip cookie cake with Lightning McQueen and Mater on it, so I did my best! I LOVE to make my kids' birthday cakes!

Karis' First Birthday! (a little late)

Ok, I know her first birthday was exactly a month ago today, but at least I'm getting pictures up. I've decided this is just how it's going to be. I always have great plans to blog frequently, and I think of all kinds of things to say, but then there are other things I need to do or I forget.

Karis' first birthday was so great. Her birthday was on a Friday. She and Caleb and I just spent the day playing and then as a family of 4, we headed to Chick fil a for dinner, which she and Caleb both love. The next day we had a family party with all of the grandparents, great-grandparents and aunts and uncles. It was lots of fun, and Karis seriously loved her cake!

It's hard to believe she is already a year old (well, technically 13 months old today). In some ways this year has just flown by, and in other ways it has seemed very long with lots going on. But she is the biggest blessing - such a sweet, sweet girl. I think she just might be as loud as her brother, and she also loves to roar at him and her daddy as a way of saying hello. I really need to get it on video! At her 1 year Dr. appt. Karis weighed in at 18.6 lbs and 28 3/4 inches. She is in the 10-15th percentile for both height and weight - funny after having such a big boy first! My beautiful girl is so close to walking, which is very exciting to me! I can't wait to go to the park this spring and summer when they can both run around and climb and play.




I didn't mean for my fingers to get in the picture, but all I have to do is act like I'm going to tickle her, and she starts giggling. You can also see her teeth, which she now has 8.
Isn't this shirt so cute - made by her Aunt Missy - thank you!
I love making my kids' birthday cakes. My mom always made ours, and I always thought that was so special. I think this one turned out pretty well :)


LOVE this picture. She had such a good time eating that cake.
But it was very clear when she was done! Happy Birthday my sweet, beautiful Karis!