Warm Winter Fun

February 12th, was a beautiful day outside with fresh, fluffy, packable snow.  Denver was so excited to be able to actually play in the snow and make a snowman.  He also learned how to make a snow fort which brought back a lot of good memories for me.  I have to admit the next day I was pretty sore, especially in my back from bending over a good chunk of the afternoon rolling snow balls.  Kenna missed out on the fun as she took an extra long nap that day.

Denver and Daddy throwing snow balls at each other.

Getting ready to throw his snow ball.

Denver and Daddy finally helping me with the snowman!

Helping Mommy make a fort!

I think the cutest thing was the next day or 2 the snowman melted and fell over and Denver's reaction still makes me laugh to myself.  We pulled in the drive way and I think his words were "thunk" and hit his hand to his head, shaking his head as he saw the snowman was no more.  Thank goodness for no tears!  We had several nice days following and all Denver wanted was more snow to build a snow man and we kept telling him summer is better.....it won't be long and he'll remember, summer is better!

A few of their favorite things...and mine!

I captured a couple pictures one morning realizing there was a theme of the kids' favorite things and mine.

Both kids LOVE this stool and carry it every where to be a part of different things.

Here Kenna is watching the bread toast; eating toast is another favorite thing of hers.

Denver watching Bambi, his current favorite movie.

Another movie high on Denver's list is Toy Story, which is what's on his jammies.

And a favorite of mine...my babies sitting together, loving each other....even if they won't look at the camera.

Another favorite of mine is Makenna's curls! 

They can be a pain to keep looking nice, but I just LOVE them!

Other things the kids love include:

Denver: playing with cars, tractors and his farm animals, equipment, etc., his "bicycle" (big wheels), story time with Dad, along with fishing and hunting whether it's watching it on TV, telling stories about it, pretending to do it, or actually fishing.  He also can't wait to be able to go play outside every day!

Makenna: her baby and blankie would have to be top of the list, then her kitchen, stroller, Little People castle, and anything girly!  She too loves to be outside, but she doesn't like to be cold nor the wind blowing in her face.

Kenna and her friend, Elmo

Kenna has another friend besides her babies and its Elmo!  Now that its taken me a month to blog this, her interest in Elmo is starting to fizzle.  She never had a true love for Elmo like Denver, but definitely took a liking to him.  Here's some pictures from the evening of February 4th playing with Elmo.

Sharing her snack with Elmo

Snuggles

Elmo's jokes are funny!

A big squeeze for Elmo

Denver's first real Slumber Party with his BFF Abby

God has blessed us by putting a special family in our lives.  Evan and my dear friends Keith & Aimee have 2 beautiful children the same ages as ours.  Due to them having to move for Keith's job shorly after the little ones were born the youngest two are still working on their relationship, but the rest of us have friends that some people don't have in a lifetime.  Even the miles that have been put between us hasn't changed Denver and Abby's friendship.  They both still talk about each other, can't wait to see each other, and have the best time together!  It breaks my heart when Denver hangs up his "phone" and says "Mom, Abby's coming over on Tuesday", when I know that's not the case, but all he wants is to see her face.  Or as he'd say "just a quick little peek Mom!".  So, Aimee and I started looking at dates and finally it became a reality and Abby was able to come stay with us a couple days.  The kids had a blast together and now Abby has a little girl who looks up to her too!  We were lucky enough to have gotten some good snow prior to her arrival and then some nice days to play in it.  They kept busy playing with toys inside, coloring, and playing outside along with more giggles than one can count.  I also some how managed 3 kids 3 and under at the clinic as Makenna had to finish up her Rocephin shots for her ear and sinus infection while Abby was staying with us (which Kenna could use the prayers for her ears to clear up as she's still struggling with the same ear infection from December and if it isn't gone by the middle of April she'll be scheduled to get tubes...thanks for the prayers in advance!).  Here's a couple of my favorite pictures from our time with Abby.

The first morning, eating breakfast.

Abby and Denver

Coloring...of course Makenna had to get in on the fun too.

Playing in the snow.

Snow angels.

Kenna had to try too, but was not impressed!

Investigating.

Daddy & Kenna

They say a Daddy and his little girl are the most precious site and I think I may have to agree.  Its been amazing watching their relationship flourish.  Makenna has truly become Daddy's Little Princess and I KNOW that this relationship is only going to grow bigger as she gets older; she has truly melted her daddy's heart.  What better than for the 2 of them to share a bowl of popcorn, right?

She loves to feed people!

Love both of their looks here! :)

Kenna & her Baby

Kenna LOVES her babies.  She has 2 favorites, 1 which we call Baby Abby and the other which needs a name.  Baby Abby is almost always a necessity whether she's going to bed or leaving the house for some thing she has to have her and her blankie along.  When she's playing "babies" we often catch her with her other baby.  I love finding her pushing her baby in the stroller, feeding her baby a bottle, rocking her, burping her, etc.; its just too cute!  Makenna is definitely a girly-girl and since I'm doing every thing so late in order this next comment maybe doesn't belong here, but she also LOVES the colors pink and purple.  We went out to eat the other night and they gave her a cup full of colors and she picked out all the pinks and purples and then gave me the cup!  Also, don't try and put a brown or boyish looking sandal on her or she'll chew you out; it must be girly!

Makenna and her nameless baby!

A trip to the Dentist...

So the bad mom never took pictures at Denver's real first dentist appointment, but I did for his 2nd appointment which was his FIRST real check up!  Denver had a previous trip to the dentist in 2008 due to a tooth that came in perpendicular to the way it was supposed to.  This time they actually counted his teeth, attempted an x-ray (he bit down on the x-ray film, but quickly spit it back out which they tell me is normal), and "painted" his teeth with flouride.  He was such a trooper and I was so proud of him.  Although I was truly hoping for an x-ray to see if he has a tooth under the one that came in wrong and/or any problems we may encounter.  When we were previously in our dentist said that some times this happens and that it doesn't mean he'll have any problems so we're hoping and praying that's the case!  Here are some pictuers to document Denver's dentist appointment.

Playing while waiting to see the dentist.

Sitting in the chair with his cool glasses!

Denver got to pick out a toothbrush and I think there are no surprises to anyone who knows him well he quickly asked for a "Buzz" toothbrush!

New Years Eve 2010

This year was the hardest, most difficult New Years Eve.  We were supposed to spend New Years Eve in Fargo celebrating and getting ready for the wedding of my dear friend Kara and her fiancee (now husband) Noah.  The wonderful winter blizzards had to make there way through right before we could leave for Fargo which prevented us from being able to be a part of their special day.  I don't think I could have ever prepared myself for the emotions I felt and the days leading up to the wedding and following knowing I had missed such a special day in such a great friends life.  Denver was crushed when he found out he was no longer going to get to be a ring bearer and cried and cried and kept asking when he was going to get to be a ring bearer.  That didn't make it any easier for me.  None the less, we are so happy for Kara and Noah!

While I was super bummed and not in the best spirits we made do with the weather and still tried to have a good time.  My parents made it to Sioux Falls before the bad weather hit Sioux Falls.  On New Years Eve we stayed in a hotel with them and our friends Brandon, Ashley, and Berkley joined us for the evening.  We had a good time swimming, eating, and playing cards.

Believe it or not, the only photography done was by Evan so thank him for documenting this holiday!

Berkley swimming with her Daddy

Kenna swimming with Grandma

Kenna with Papa

Denver floating around.