Packer Christmas

Last night we had our first Christmas celebration. Jared and Carrie are going back to IL this week for the holiday so we did Christmas with them last night. It was also the Packer game and my Grandma Gerre's early 75th bday celebration. We watched the game. Okay so Gma's and the boys watched the game. I cuddled my Taylor girl and Carrie played with Kaykay. Half time was presents and cake! Then it was home for the Thie's. We missed the end of the game- which was perfect. Jared and Gma Gerre are pretty serious Cheese Heads and a loss to the Bears is pretty devastating, no one needs to be around my brother for a good day after something like that (sorry Carrie). That is the first of many Christmas celebrations between family in and out of town and our work schedules. Stayed tuned for more holiday cheer....

Family Pictures

Here are a few of my favorites from our family photo shoot. We love our photographer and have really decided outside rather than the studio is much better for our family (the two year old especially). My mom went to help with the girls. Some photos Josh and I are laughing out loud as my mother is jumping and barking like a dog. But the girls would smile and look at the camera, so hey whatever works!

Luminaria

We took the girls to Luminaria this year at Desert Botanical Garden. Kayleigh of course loved it! She loves being outside and loves music (especially Christmas music). Her favorites were the bells and the musician that looked like Santa. I cuddled Miss Taylor in my sling and Kaykay walked or wanted Papa or Sharon to hold her. My poor mom pushed a double stroller through the gardens full of our bags- no kids. Sounds about right!

Thanksgiving (finally- i know)

We spent Thanksgiving at Jared and Carrie's (Emmie's) house. Carrie's parents and brother were all in town. Kayleigh loves Sharon (Carrie's mom) and is still talking about her. She made a gingerbread house with her and loved the snow on the house- yum. Josh's family came over as well. I just love when we get to spend time with everyone together. The food was awesome. Jared did a deep fried turkey and Carrie did one in the oven. I am not sure who's turkey won, but they were both delicious.

Important Life Lesson

It does not matter if you win or lose. What is important is how cute you look at the game!!

Potty Stickers!!

Finally!!! Kayleigh and I worked so hard like over 2 weeks ago making her beautiful potty poster and going to Target to buy some special potty stickers. Each time she makes potty or poop in her big girl toilet she can pick a sticker to put on her poster. That dang poster has stayed blank...until now! Tonight Daddy read her Once Upon a Potty- like every night. Well when we were cuddling and I thought she was asleep she said, "I think I want to poop like Prudence on the potty." Heck yes! Probably a stalling technique to get out of going to bed, but whatever. She successfully peep and tried so hard to poop that I thought she was going to pull something. She picked out a Tinkerbell sticker and was so proud of herself. Daddy poured the pee down the toilet and she said "goodbye pee pee" and then she washed her hands, and was "a big girl, just like Prudence." Maybe this is the start of something. Keep your fingers crossed for me- this child has a mind of her own!

ps Is there a good way to clean those potty bowls? They totally gross me out. I was thinking antibacterial wipes? Josh brought it to the kitchen sink and used dish soap. Then almost brushed it clean with the dish brush! Seriously Josh- we wash the dishes with that- would you stick it in our toilet? It scares me to think what he does when I am not around.

Get Your Wild On

We spent the day at the zoo! We just got our yearly pass. Kayleigh started a bit crabby. After a little time out with Daddy we were good. Kayleigh loved the monkey village. She thought she like the tractor, "Dad- put in the token. Where does the money go." When she realized it did nothing she was like "get me off this thing!" She thought she liked the elephant until he threw dirt all over his back and she decided he was too dirty and smelly. Taylor loved being outside all day and taking a snooze in the fresh air.

Auntie Jenny & Calli

Last week Josh's sister Jenny was in town with our adorable new neice Calli. Calli is two weeks younger than our Taylor. The girls had so much fun playing with each other and holding hands. Calli is a little rolling machine and such a sweet cuddly girl. Kayleigh adores her Auntie Jenny and had so much fun playing with her. We will have to make a visit out to SD sometime for some more fun.

Nap Time at the Thie House

This picture sums up nap time in our house perfectly....No Sleep!! This is how I found Kaykay after what I thought was a great 3 hour nap. Pretty much the entire floor was covered with what was once in her drawers and behind the dresser is where you could find all of her diapers. I was like "What are you doing?" "Just reading my books Mommy!" 'All I could do was laugh. This has been an ongoing battle that she is clearly winning. I tried taking all the books out of her room, but I guess I forgot the ones on the top shelf of this dresser. I don't know what to do! This girl will not sleep. Then come bedtime she is a beast! She cries almost every night now when I leave the room and just fights sleep with everything she has. I guess the good thing is she loves her books! What a stinkin' monkey!!!

For Grandma Lou

Kayleigh got a cute little Halloween card in the mail last week from her Great Grandma Lou. It was a hit! This video was taken about ten minutes (which is like ten days in two year old time) after she opened the card and she was still fascinated by it. It was a Cinderella card that played music. I let Kayleigh open it right before bed, not thinking she would stall going to bed just so she could play with it. I gave in and let her take the card with her to bed. Well that dang card is still in bed with her tonight- a week later. She is still loving it. She takes it with her all over the place. First thing in the morning I will hear it on the monitor. She loves her "Grandma Lou card". Her Grandma Lou lives in California, but we are lucky enough to see her a few times a year. I am so amazed by a two year old's memory. Kaykay will point out things Great Grandma has given to her and often will take my cell phone and pretend to call Grandma Lou- just to say I miss you and I love you too. So thank you so much Grandma! We love and miss you so so much!!!

Happy Halloween!!

Pumpkin carving in the morning started a bit rough, but ended great. Kayleigh thought we were going to paint the pumpkins (like a Carter's party) so when we said cut them, she was like- I don't think so! So we compromised and let her paint hers and Daddy and I would carve ours. Then she saw all the fun stuff inside and decided she would help carve Taylors. Poor Josh headed to work and we headed with Grandma Lisa and Grandpa Mike to Uncle Jared and Auntie Carrrie's house for dinner and some Trick or Treatin'. Kayleigh was incredibly shy but managed to say Trick or treat and Thank you at all of the houses. Taylor dressed as a banana and loved to try and eat her costume. After a few houses we headed over to see Grandma Mona and her fun Halloween house. Lastly we stopped at Daddy's work so he could see his girls all dressed up. Kayleigh really got the hang of eating all that candy. The second she was done with breakfast this morning she was like "How bout some more candy?" I think she may have her fathers sweet tooth!

Sunshine Baby Slings

Taylor and I are officially super models! We did a photo shoot last month for our friend Dawn and her Baby Sling business. Taylor was of course wonderful! I, on the other hand, felt like a dork and was definitely not meant to model, but still had so much fun. Our friends Kristin and her son Landon were there as models also. We loved getting to meet Landon and I think he may have had a crush on Taylor! I encourage everyone to check out the website http://www.sunshinebabyslings.com/ and order your own sling. If you click on gallery you can see more photos. If anyone has a child or knows someone who is expecting this is a great gift. Taylor and I do not leave the house without it. I have two other slings and this is by far the best. If she is sleepy and we are out shopping she will often fall asleep before I even have the thing tied on. Such a great product and we are so excited to be a part of it!! Thanks Dawn.