Busy January

January ended up being a lot busier than I thought it would be. Hence, the lack of blog posts. We also have had a lot of sick around here. The doctor said that studies have show that kids who are sicker when they are younger are less sick when they are older so I am trying to embrace the sick:) My cousin Alison came to visit and was it ever fun! I wish she lived closer. So do the kids! We went to Altitude Sweets and Levi got to share a cinnamon roll with his first-cousin-once-removed. (It took me so long to figure that out that I have to use it whenever I can!) Katie would be shy around Alison at first and then not stop talking about her. How much she loved her and wants to give her hugs.

We went to the zoo. It was a little chilly, but I think we saw a total of 5 other people the whole time we were there. Alison and Katie even got to pet a skunk. I passed on that opportunity. I also figured out a way to get to the zoo that is only 1 minute longer and doesn't have any merges!

I think Levi had the most fun bouncing backward down the staircase.

We took Alison skiing for her first time ever. She did great! I was very rusty and slow. It was so cold. About 11 degrees and snowing all day. It was some of the best powder I have ever skied on! We got a great deal on ski tickets which was negated by the $180 speeding ticket we got on the way up:(

Cousin time! We let the kids start a movie at about 8. I was sure they would be asleep in 10 minutes. The older girls were. Katie was bright-eyed at 10:15 and running around. She was a crank-pot the next day. I love that we have family close that we can spend time with.

Building a giant tower! This is how we spend our nights that Taylor isn't in school. So much fun!

This month wasn't quite the slow-paced refresher month after Christmas that I thought it would be. However, we have spent some great time together with family and friends. We are really trying to make it a point to get back to church. We have missed a lot since November with how sick we have been. I have been able to go the past 2 weeks and it was exactly what I needed. The worship has been amazing and we are starting a new push with life-groups. We have had a life-group since this summer that has been mostly fellowship. We are now starting to really get into the groove and have 5 regular couples. 10 adults and 9 kids. It is wild, crazy and something we look forward to each week. Chuck started again and Survivor is coming soon! Taylor is back to school. I feel like this will be the last long semester and then we only have 1 1/2 years to go. That seems so much better than 2 years for some reason. We are trying to let Taylor have 4-5 hours each Saturday to get a chunk of homework done. Hopefully that will help keep his nights less busy. Have a mentioned yet that Taylor got a promotion at work? I am so proud of him. He works so hard for our family and he is really looking forward to his new role. Hopefully I will get back into the blogging swing now. Tomorrow is supposed to be a high of 1 degree here! Brrrrrr!

Happy Bithday Levi!

Levi is one year old today. He is walking, talking, playing with Katie, climbing, exploring and dramatic. He loves taking his time deciding if he is going to cry or not. He has had "the lip" since he was a few weeks old. He sticks out his lower lip, crinkles his eyes up and waits for the emotions to overcome him. He is my snuggler, horrible napper, and has the best baby giggle. I am so thankful for the joy and craziness that he has brought to our lives. Happy Birthday sweet boy.

Levi's First Birthday Party

Opening presents. Levi was cool with Katie opening all of them for him.

A puppy cake for a puppy party.

Singing Happy Birthday.

The first taste.

Loving the frosting.

Digging in.

Cutting the cake.

The last Christmas post!

I'm hoping someone got a shot with Levi looking a little better! The brothers. See all the stocking behind them? One for each of the immediate family!

The kids breakfast table.

Katie and her pink, flashing princess snow boots. She wanted to wear them to bed.

Katie and her big cousin Adrienne. Everything she opened that was wearable she immediately put on:)

Levi and Uncle Kevin.. The Stejskals got all the guys marshmallow shooters. Within seconds of opening there were marshmallows everywhere. Randy had a really hard shot!

Leslie got zinged right in the head.

Taylor liked to try the sneak attack. Typical.

Christmas Day!

Katie has literally only asked for a purple christmas tree since Halloween. We went out and got one the day after Christmas for her. She loves it! Next year it will go in her room.

Cookie and milk for Santa. We were talking about Santa and how he was going to come down the chimney. She ran to Daddy's lap and said, " I don't want him to get me!" She was not too happy about the idea of him coming in our house. I guess it is kind of weird when you think of it that way.

Christmas Eve

Blowing out the candles on the Happy Birthday Jesus cake.

Opening presents with Levi. He had no idea what was going on, but loved playing with everything! Katie really understood Christmas this year. She would tell us about Jesus. And that he came to earth to get in trouble instead of us. And she loved the presents. Santa was another story.

Ready to go cut some slash with Grandpa.

Taylor and Emi trying to unwrap all the kids' presents.

The North Pole

Katie loved going to the North Pole. We weren't sure how she would react to going on rides by herself, but she acted like it was no big deal.

She did not like the honking horns at all on the car ride. Cute almost 1 year old in his puppy hat. He did get to go on one train ride we all went on!

Santa!

The Stejskals had a party and Santa came! All 10 cousins were there and were super-excited! Katie was listening to The Night Before Christmas. She heard the door opening and Santa was coming and was overcome with excitement...

That quickly led to sheer terror at the sight of Santa. It took her quite some time to calm down. She really didn't like the beard.

When she found out he had a gift for her she went close enough to get it with Mommy and the bribery of fudge.

The whole fam and Santa!

Special Times with Miss Katie

Nana took Katie to Build-a-Bear for the first time. She picked out this pink bear with a sparkly sweater. Perfect for Nana and Katie. She had so much fun and hasn't slept without "Bonnie-Bear" since. We got a sitter for Levi and went to make Gingerbread houses, or in our case, castles with Katie. Poor Katie spiked a fever right about the time we got there. She ate some candy. Helped a little with the castle. Had a complete melt-down and we went home.

You can see her poor little flushed cheeks:( But isn't the castle amazing!

Posting Overload...Starting with my Birthday!

We celebrated my 28th birthday at my parent's house. It was a fun evening and I got some really thoughtful gifts and fun new clothes. Katie, of course, helped me open. Mom made this cake for me. Well, I made the cake after she messed up 2! But she frosted and decorated it. And Mom, I think it looks great, and I'm the only one that matters!Cake and blowing out candles. So much fun with 2 helpers!