Merry Christmas!!

We had a nice Christmas morning. Of course after staying up late buying batteries at the gas station late Christmas Eve, we were up before 6 a.m. (Why, you ask, on the one day that I can sleep in am I awake before the sun?? A good question!! And no good answer!!) Kaitlyn, on the other hand, was smart enough to take advantage of the looming laid back day and woke up at 9 a.m. She did, however, quickly determine the day was slightly different when she immediately noticed all the new toys to play with in the front room by the tree. What was even more out of the ordinary, she knew things were different when she was encouraged to go into the front room near the tree that had been off limits for almost a month!!

Kaitlyn's favorite gifts were her new piano and baby doll with stroller. She loves to sit down like her idol Schroeder (Peanuts) and pound out some Beethoven or Bach (often giving herself a standing ovation as Mommy and Daddy shout out "Encore!!"), then sit down and feed a bottle of milk to her baby's eye. She is a good Mommy and pushes her new baby doll all over the house so she doesn't miss out on anything. Hopefully she'll make just as good a big sister someday.

Kaitlyn and Mommy got new Christmas jammies and special matching slippers to keep their toes warm. Daddy prefers his cold scratchy feet to stand out in the jungle so he passed.

It was a nice day and we enjoyed being together as a family. Some of our friends are still overseas so we definitely thought of them and their families and hope it was a nice day for all. We enjoyed using the webcam to visit with grandpas and grandmas later in the day and even snuck in a nap during the afternoon. We enjoyed our traditional Christmas breakfast (from the Oldham side) of orange juice, hashbrowns, link sausage, eggs, & toast and had ham later in the day. I baked cherry rolls in the evening and oh they were heavenly!!

Kaitlyn meets Santa!!

We took Kaitlyn to meet Santa today. We had heard that Santa visiting the North Star Mall in San Antonio was really good. So we didn't see Pajama Santa at South Towne in Sandy when the line was very short over the weekend. Of course we didn't get out the door as early as we had hoped and by the time we got to the mall it was noon. After standing in line for an hour, they cut the line off one person in front of us so Santa could go feed his reindeer. After debating what to do for a few minutes, we opted to wait another hour while Dasher and Dancer and Rudolph and gang got their gingerbread treats. Kaitlyn did amazingly well through this very long wait. She even didn't seem to mind sitting on Santa's lap -- initially. However, by the time they were ready to take the picture, she had had enough of this jolly old elf. Luckily Mom saved the day and got in the picture too!! Thankfully Kaitlyn didn't ask Santa for an ice cream maker two days before Christmas -- it's just not an easy thing for Santa's elves to put together in the middle of the winter. But Santa did come through at the last minute somehow for Kaitlyn's cousin Aaron -- way to go Santa!! :))

The Center of our Life

If for some reason after reading our blog you weren't absolutely sure what the center of our lives is . . . we'll just have to come out and say it with all these cute pics -- enjoy!!

Kaitlyn is doing so many new things. She has become quite the gymnast . . she will arch her back leaning her head backwards until gravity does its thing and she falls on her head. She also has decided that though she still doesn't like to cuddle, hugs are pretty cool. This was great because she started doing this just before we traveled to Idaho & Utah the week before Christmas so all of our friends and family were the recipients of her great hugs!!

She has also become an amazing dancer. She has gone from dancing to the music on TV commercials to hopping around the kitchen to the Christmas music on our iPOD. We took the young men and young women in our ward to a rest home to go caroling and, of course, Kaitlyn came too. One sweet lady asked the youth to sing her favorite carol Silent Night. While they were singing, Kailtyn decided she wasn't getting enough attention so she began break dancing right there on the floor to the tune of Silent Night (yeah, we were kind of suprised to see our little girl do the worm too!!). It's hard to tell what kind of dancer she'll be because in addition to the break dancing, she is practicing her ballet by walking around the house on her tip toes all the time. Who knew she was so talented and versatile?!?

She has also starting climbing everything in the house. This, of course, is Nell's favorite thing!! A few nights ago I caught her trying to climb over the gate we have to keep her away from the top of the stairs. Later that same night we started the water to fill the bath tub and then went into her room to get everything ready for bed after her bath. While I was getting out her jammies, Kaitlyn disappeared. I found her back in the bathroom trying to climb into the tub with all her clothes on. We find her trying to scale the back of her high chair and also caught her trying to get her leg up over the rail of her crib one afternoon after her nap. Though she's still too short, the mattress too low, and the rail too high, I can't believe that her mind is processing that all she needs to do to get out is put her leg over . . . hmmm!!

In tribute to her cousin Aaron, Kaitlyn has started running around the house with her arms stretched back behind her like Superman. She is so fast with her superhero speed, we can hardly keep up. :))

She also has become a much more finicky eater -- though, as you can see, she doesn't seem to have any trouble eating all of her chocolate cake!! I think we all wish vegatables and healthy things tasted more like chocolate cake!! Thankfully Kaitlyn does enjoy having her teeth brushed -- that is if she is not actively teething of course.

We are so grateful for our little PK (Grandpa O calls her PK, short for Princess Kaitlyn). She keeps us hopping for sure, but the smiles she brings keep us going everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We had a great Thanksgiving this year!! We were excited to travel to Round Rock to spend a couple of days with Heiner's. We had such a wonderful time visiting, relaxing, & laughing with them. Kaitlyn has two great friends in Eric and Danny who doted on her the whole time we were there. They were all so cute together. Dinner was WONDERFUL as both Melissa & Jared are amazing cooks!! Last year we brined our turkey and Melissa did this year as well!! So moist!! I really think it's the best turkey I ever had this year. After dinner, the kids played outside for a little while, we went for a walk, and played Ticket to Ride. We had first been introduced to this game last Christmas, but hadn't played since. Love it!! We'll have to put it on our Christmas list for Santa!!



Jeff and Jared went golfing on Friday morning and Melissa and the kids and I went to Ready-Set-Play. Kaitlyn was in heaven! She had so much fun climbing around after the boys and going down the slides. We probably had more fun than the golfers (though they might dispute that).

Another fun part about this Thanksgiving was the cute turkey shirts Em made for the girls. Of course Kaitlyn was too excited to sit still for the photos, but she did offer to help out in the kitchen. :))

My Favorite Things

So after the "I'm Thankful For" post, I've had all kinds of ideas floating in and out of my head today. Though I am also thankful for these things, I thought maybe they were a little more inconsequential in the grand scheme of things so I decided to do a separate post. So in no particular order, a few more of my most favorite things . . .

• the yummy smell of fresh-cut grass - especially on a Saturday nite as it reminds me of days growing up when the house would be ready for Sunday and the country quiet of a yard well-taken care of


• spray-on sunscreen - what a novelty that I only discovered this summer; smart skincare has never been so easy


• pumpkin pecan cheesecake @ The Cheesecake Factory - always a fan of anything on the menu, but this seasonal favorite can't be beat


• Food Network - I'm an unabashed fan


• a great pair of jeans - a wardrobe staple


• scenes from next week - I get more excited about the scenes they show for next week than I do about the show we just watched


• Christmas carols - all time favs are The First Noel & Angels from the Realms of Glory (arrangements sung by the Tab Choir) and O Come All Ye Faithful (any arrangement)


• girly slippers - I'm in love with the cutest leopard print slippers at Nordstrom; the best part is that they come in my size and Kaitlyn's size
• Cafe Rio - nothing compares

I Am Thankful For . . .

I like to think that every elementary school student will write something this week finishing the sentence "I Am Thankful For . . ." I think every person has much to be grateful for. Sure everyone has their struggles, but aren't things always so much easier when we focus on what we do have rather than on what we don't. So not surprisingly, as I prepare for another Thanksgiving holiday, I have found myself in a reflective state pondering all kinds of things including my blessings, my struggles, and that for which I am most grateful. In no particular order, here's how I complete the 2008 "I Am Thankful For" assignment.


I am thankfulf for my HUBBY and that he is home this holiday season!! Thanks for being patient with me all those years ago when I wasn't sure sweetie. I'm so glad that you're home from summer camp and that we're celebrating the holidays in the same geographic locale. A girl couldn't ask for a better guy to take care of her!!

I am thankful for two strong SISTERS who have been kicked around and beat up pretty good the last couple of weeks due to the free agency of others. I found this comment on a blog I was reading this week. Though it's referencing a woman's fertility and adoption journey, it made me think of both E & J and the circumstances that have found their way into their respective journeys. "As we started the adoption process 3 years ago someone told me 'God doesn't give us anything we can't handle.' I remember thinking 'well then, I wish he didn't have so much faith in me'." I'm sure you both are feeling this way about now. But I know that God knows you both and is aware of your struggles. Be strong sisters!! You are my inspiration!!

I am thankful for ADOPTION!! I am thankful for BIRTH MOTHERS!! I am thankful that through this miracle we expanded our family and are now a more complete and ETERNAL FAMILY unit!!

I am thankful for a MESSY HOUSE!! For anyone that knows me, a messy house is not my usual method of operation; however, I've determined that it's a good thing as it is a continual reminder of this sweet 15-month girl who is part of our family. I can't imagine life without KAITLYN. How grateful and lucky I am to be her MOTHER.

I am thankful for PARENTS who drove 3 1/2 hours just to see me and my family for a few hours while we whirlwinded our way to and from Utah for Chris & Robyn's wedding. (Landed in SLC @ 4 p.m. Friday and departed SLC @ 10 a.m. Sunday.) It was nice to know Kaitlyn was with Grandma & Grandpa O and BROOKLYN while we were at the temple and luncheon that day. I didn't worry about her for a minute and I knew she was having a great time (milkshaking at McDonalds & carouseling at South Towne Mall). G&G and Brook also spent the entire evening at the reception chasing after my cute daughter who so doesn't want to sit still. I was tired before it even started so thanks for being there and keeping it all together for me!!

I am thankful for dear FRIENDS. For afternoons at the pool and Sunday dinners. For shopping trips to Target & Big Lots. For text updates to the BYU/Utah football game Saturday nite. For spending an entire evening at a family wedding because there was no other time to see us. For a telephone call every single night I was alone the year Jeff did his internship in Boise. For covering Jeff's shifts in Iraq so he could go to church. For lunch dates with the girls. Oh, that I might be this kind of friend!!

I am thankful for my HAIR LADY. She is cute, she is trendy, she is fabulous, she is consistent, she is in the know . . . I could go on and on. I'm lucky to have found her and look forward to my standard 4 week appointment. Love it!!

I am thankful for the best Christmas PRESENT ever!! Jeff is taking me home a few days before Christmas to see baby Justin, the new house, and to participate in my most favorite holiday tradition. I'm so looking forward to seeing old friends and playing in the MESSIAH on December 21.

I am thankful for my EXPLORER. May seem silly, but this car has been the best friend a girl could ask for. Going on 11 years old and pushing 150,000 miles she's still going strong and we're hoping for a long and prosperous relationship for years to come!!

I am thankful for MUSIC MAKERS. I have good friends in Boerne, and look forward to taking Kaitlyn once a week where we sing songs, play games, and tell stories with other moms and kids from the Boerne wards. It's a fun outing and it's been fun for me to notice Kaitlyn developing even since September when it started as she will now [usually] sit through singing time (though after that her attention span is pretty much gone).

I am thankful for YOUNG WOMEN. It's been a learning and growing experience to serve in the Boerne 2nd Ward Young Women. How I love the girls and the YW Board and will be everlastingly grateful for the opportunity to rub shoulders with them!!

I am thankful for randomly RUNNING INTO PEOPLE YOU KNOW!! I love to see friends when I'm out - especially here in Texas as it means that we're making friends in our new home.

Chris & Robyn's Wedding

Chris and Robyn were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Saturday, November 22nd. Robyn was beautiful and Chris, with good reason, never stopped smiling (see his post on the subject).

We stayed at the Marriott Downtown the night before the wedding so we'd be closer on Saturday morning (the sealing was @ 9 a.m.), but we also wanted Kaitlyn to be able to come to the temple for family pictures after the sealing. Being downtown seemed to help facilitate both of these needs as Kaitlyn was able to sleep in a little bit longer and eat breakfast before she came to the temple grounds after we had already departed. BIG THANKS to Grandma & Grandpa O and Brooklyn for joining us from Idaho for the weekend to help keep an eye on our little one. (A little off the subject, the hotel stay was super fun!! The girls had a ball swimming at the large indoor pool after we arrived Friday evening & I loved the door-to-door service from the valets!!) My blood has gotten much thinner since moving to Texas . . . Saturday was a chilly morning as you can see from Kaitlyn's rosy cheeks!!

We also had a great time at the reception. I wish we had a picture of it, but Addy and Kaitlyn were the talk of the dance. They were so cute together and had a great time celebrating with Chris and Robyn!! (Rumor has it that there's more video of the little girls dancing than the bride and groom.)

Brooklyn was Kaitlyn's special friend all weekend. We couldn't have done it without her and especially were grateful to her at the reception as she just followed Kaitlyn around wherever she wanted to go and kept her out of trouble. The girls special treat was riding the carousel at South Towne Mall on Saturday afternoon.

We had so much fun this weekend. It was a fast trip and we were pooped out on the trip home to Texas, but it was all worth it!!

Incidentally, this day has been a long time coming. Chris had seen the future, and knew when his brothers pointed out that this was the day already reserved for the (at the time) 8th ranked Cougars to play Utah that he was actually doing us a favor. He knew BYU would lose to TCU making the late November game meaningless in regards to BCS bowl bids; we’re sure he even knew that BYU would get pounded by the Utes on that day. So thank you Chris and Robyn for a wonderful weekend!! But thank you also for planning your wedding so we wouldn’t have to suffer through another agonizing loss and allowing us to remember this day as the wonderful exciting day Chris and Robyn were married rather than the gloomy dismal day it was for all other BYU fans when BYU continued the 2008 meltdown and allowed Utah to go to their 2nd BCS game before we could even go once. It makes me proud to be an Air Force fan!! :))

Toddler Help

Kaitlyn is begining to really try to help around the house. She even wants to help change her diapers. I don't know what we'd do with her!! :))

Happy Halloween!!

Lady Bug Kaitlyn had a great Halloween despite being stuck home with no trick-or-treating or Halloween parties because of her first case of tonsilitis. She did, however, allow her mom and dad to dress her up and take tons of pictures (sorry, didn't get any good shots of the tonsils).

After taking Kaitlyn to the pediatrician's on Halloween afternoon, we had to stop and buy some trick-or-treat candy because we had planned on going to a Halloween party at the Swick's home (one of the guys Jeff works with at Wilford Hall). Boy are we glad we did. Last year we didn't have one trick-or-treater; this year we had tons!! We sat out on our front porch all evening along with the rest of the neighborhood (a nice Texas tradition to take advantage of the nice weather -- no longer are the days of winter coats over the top of your costume while you run from door to door in the snow), handed out candy, and tried not to let Kaitlyn get too close to any of the other kids.

Thankfully Kaitlyn was able to get 24 hours of antibiotics in her before our ward's Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat Saturday night. She still got to show off her wings and flirt with all the little super heros. FUN!! FUN!!