Frosty

Hooray for snow!!! Kaitlyn has been talking about seeing "Grandma's snow" for weeks!! Wednesday was a beautiful day to play in the snow! Getting dressed to go outside was quite the chore. Kaitlyn didn't understand why she needed to have so many clothes on.

Once we were outside she said, "have to build a snowman!" With Grandpa's help, we built a nice little snowman (in the fire-pit). Then Grandma helped to complete our "Frosty" and brought out a hat, scarf, and carrot. We tried to make snow-angels, but the layer of ice on top of the snow didn't make it work too well.

Then, Grandpa and I took Kaitlyn for a ride in her sled, down the driveway. She thought it was really fun going up and down the driveway :) "Now, do that again!?" she asked with a BIG smile! She must have gone up and down 20 times!



Then we took her (and the dogs) around the block for a walk. Bailey didn't like the icy-snow, and wanted to be in the sled with Kaitlyn.

After being outside for about an hour, we came in for some hot chocolate to warm up. Maybe next time we will take Kaitlyn down the big hills :)

Carousel

We made the big trip north to Michigan for Christmas, starting at my parent's house in Stevensville. We have quite the activities in store during our two week stay. Tuesday we went downtown St. Joe to ride the carousel and eat at Silver Beach Pizza. This is the first time Mike's been there, and the kid's second time (their first was in October).

We were the only family on the carousel. And since no one was waiting in line, we got to take lots of pictures and learn all about the history of the carousel. This carousel is made completely of wood, including all the animals. It has twice as many lights than any other carousel, and has mirrors on the inside to add to the "sparkle". Plus, there are 6 white horses that are exact replicas of the horses from the past carousel. There was even a model of the past Silver Beach Amusement Park. The worker there knew a lot about it, which made it more enjoyable for us. The pizza was delicious to top it all off :)

replica horses :)

half of the "old silver beach" model

the other half :)

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

This video explains itself ;) This one's for you Renae :)

Creepin' UPDATE!

Jacob is getting around creeping across the floor. If he wants it, he will find a way to get it! We may have to re-baby-proof our house...






Here's the video of Jacob creepin'. This is happening too soon :(

Mmmm Peas

Jacob is taking a step forward in his solid foods :) Every couple days we can try something new. We will have him start with vegetables, and decided to give him peas first. I LOVE peas, but my family does not. Jacob's first time eating peas I got on video. Just like the cereal, he was a little uncertain about them. He only had a few bites and was done. Good thing I spooned out a few bites and saved the rest for dinner.

I'm ready to try peas :)

why did you do that to me??

I gave Jacob the rest of the peas we opened at lunch for dinner. This time he gobbled them up! Maybe now that he's had a chance to taste them, and think about it, he realizes how delicious they really are :)

Jacob's excercising now

We got this exersaucer from a friend of ours. I am so thankful she gave it to us. Jacob loves playing it! It keeps him occupied for quite a while. I noticed that it also folds up :) We may have to see about bringing this to grandma's house... if there's room :)

Christmas is upon us

My favorite season is here!! I LOVE Christmas! I love the meaning, I love the music, I love the lights, and I love the warm feeling I get when I drink hot chocolate by the fireplace. AND 3 weeks from now we will be in Michigan with our families. We cannot wait to see everyone! It will be here before we know it! 

Here's our decorations :)

No post is complete without a few pictures of our sweet kids!
Jacob can sleep anywhere :)

and he's really good on his tummy :)

On Thanksgiving day, Jacob started creeping! I changed his diaper on the floor, and moved the wipes so he wouldn't roll over on them. Before I knew it, he had reached them. So I put them just out of reach, and watched him creep to them! I grabbed the camera to get the moment on "film". I am not ready for Jacob to be mobile yet!! It seems like yesterday we were jumping for joy because he was sleeping through the night. Where has the time gone???

I'll get a video uploaded later today- I was having trouble with the video.

Artist?

Kaitlyn loves to color! I am quite impressed that she can almost color in the lines and she's not 3 yet. She is very detail-oriented, and meticulous. It makes me wonder what God has in store for her little hands :)

she got each doll balanced in each seat all by herself :)

Special Cereal

Jacob has started rice cereal :) He's been having it once a day for about a week now, and has been doing great! The whole family was there for his first bite :) Kaitlyn really wants to feed Jacob his cereal, and doesn't understand why he can't have her cereal. Maybe once he gets better at solids I'll let her help me with his feeding.

4 months???

I cannot believe Jacob is already 4 months old! Time just flies with two little ones keeping me busy. Today we had Jacob's 4 month well check up.

weight:  14 pounds 2 ounces (50% )
height:    25 inches (75% )
wearing 6 month clothes, size 2 diapers

We have been given the go-ahead to start cereal and once he masters that to go ahead with fruits and vegetables. He got 3 shots and an oral immunization today. Jacob tried to be tough, but after the first shot he cried. Once I picked him up he stopped. He fell asleep on the car ride home, getting 3 shots is rough! We will wait for Daddy to be home for the first cereal experience. He doesn't want to miss it :)

Jacob is really rolling over well, and is starting to reach and play with toys. It seems his favorite toys are things that light up, have a tag, and crinkle. He can sit up pretty good with assistance :) He is SUCH a good baby, smiling all the time! He loves to bounce and "jump" high. He is also starting to laugh. We have found that Jacob is really ticklish :)

He is really wiggling more, trying to be mobile too soon! He is more vocal, making sweet baby sounds, "talking".  :) Kaitlyn thinks it's fun to "push" him in the baby swing. She is still a very sweet helper :) After 4 months she's not tired of him. That's GREAT! I'm sure that time will come soon... I'll give an update soon on how he did with cereal. It should be good :)

Here's a few pictures of out BIG boy!

rub-a-dub-dub big boy's in the tub!

comparing how little he is to this plush baseball

mastering tummy time!

 Right before I put Kaitlyn down for a nap (she's napping again! yay!!) I caught this video :)

Our Happy Halloween

Last week was quite BUSY! Wednesday, we went to "Haunt the Zoo" with our friends Elijah and his mom, Jennifer. The kids were crazy excited to go to the zoo, and asking to see the animals. It was dark by the time we got there, and CROWDED!

excited to go!

say cheese!

Sleepy monkey

Spiderman and Cinderella

Looking for Snoopy

My big boy fit into the onsie that I got for Kaitlyn to wear (when she was 8 months old!). Here is Kaitlyn in this onesie at 8 months, and Jacob in it at 3.5 months (haha).

Kaitlyn, 8 months

Jacob, 3.5 months

We had trick-or-treating on Saturday night. It was a BEAUTIFUL night! Kaitlyn was a little tired (and a little pink, ooops) because we had a busy day at the park with Daddy. But she had a lot of fun. Jacob came along for the stroll (and slept the whole time), but he didn't get candy, next year buddy.

Trick or treat!

Here he goes!

I got Jacob rolling over on video :) Here's the milestone on camera :)

Roll over

Our dogs aren't rolling over... but Jacob is! TODAY is the first day he rolled from his back to his tummy. He has been working on this for weeks (maybe two)! He would lay on his side for a little bit, then he would roll back to his back. Two days ago, he was grunting he was trying so hard!! Kaitlyn and I (and Grandma and Grandpa Van via Skype) were cheering him on! He was sooooo close!

Then today right after lunch, we were at a friend's house and he rolled over! It must have been the awesome toy next to him. When we got home, I laid him on his back, and he did it again! It's SO cute to see him try and try until he gets it. He's growing too fast! I don't know what I'll do with myself if he's crawling at 6 months like his sister... I'll see if I can catch it on video soon!

Michigan in the fall

Fall is my favorite season. This year it has been beautiful nearly every day in Oklahoma City! One of my favorite things about fall is the colors changing and the cooler crisp weather, and no place does that better than Michigan. Last weekend, I had a chance to take the kids and fly north to see Grandmas and Grandpas :) Here's pictures (there's lots!) from our travels:

Grandma and Grandpa got to meet us at the gate!

Jacob was a good traveler

I think Kaitlyn was shocked

We flew from Oklahoma City to Chicago (with one stop in Kansas City). Both kids did wonderful on the flight. Once we arrived in Chicago, we had a 2 hour drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Kaitlyn and Jacob took a nap the whole drive, that was NICE!

Grandma got Kaitlyn a little tea set and table to play with.

My little Princess making tea :)

It was such a beautiful day, we went down to Silver Beach to ride the new Carousel and play at the playground. Kaitlyn seemed a little nervous with the Carousel, but LOVED the playground.

Jacob got to ride too (in the Moby Wrap)

On the Giraffe, holding on for dear life!

Weeeeeee! I think Jacob liked it :)

Walking to the beach :)

Running to the slide!

The BEST sight :) I love the beach!!!

Leaving the beach :(

It was so much fun going down to the beach. I really miss having a beach 5 minutes from my house (Silver beach is 15 min). That is one thing that will make going to Grandma and Grandpa's house so special :) Kaitlyn LOVES the beach. Someday she will get to enjoy swimming there too!

When we got back from the beach, Aunt Alli and great grandparents came over! It was so great to see everyone!

Great Grandma Van

Auntie enjoyed pushing Kaitlyn in her car :)

Oh the colors!!! Orange trees!! :)

Kaitlyn loves her Auntie :)

Oma and Opa with the "kiddos" (and Sammy too)

3 generations :) Oma with her exponential bunch!

sisters :)

Aunt Alli had to drive back to school Monday morning :( It was SO much fun to see her. We even had a chance to go to Dairy Queen :) and YES! I FINALLY got my oreo blizzard (after craving one for more than 5 months)!!!

:) Sweet puppy kisses!!! :)

Grandma and Jacob

Sweet boy :)

Monday evening, we had extra visitors... Grandma and Grandpa Fulkerson came to visit! They were on their way back from meeting our new cousin, Leah, in North Carolina and took a detour to see Kaitlyn and Jacob. Kaitlyn kept saying, "I have two Grandmas," "I have two Grandpas." This was the first time she really remembers seeing them in the same place at once. She was so excited!!

Grandma couldn't believe they were here!

two happy grandmas :)

Grandpa feeds Jacob before bedtime

My parents let Grandma and Grandpa Fulkerson stay the night. I think Kaitlyn was surprised to see them there in the morning. It was so much fun to spend the day with them :)

playing with two grandpas :) Showing them how to play with dolls :)

Are you surprised too, Jacob??

We went to the pumpkin patch to pick out pumpkins to carve. Kaitlyn wanted all the pumpkins!

Kaitlyn with her Grandmas and the pumpkin we got

the girls :)

 When we got back to the house, Oma and Opa came over. It was such great fellowship!

Grandpa helps Kaitlyn carve her pumpkin, Mommy carves one for Jacob

Opa holds Jacob, he can't quite carve

carving pumpkins is fun!

Grandpa got Jacob to laugh for the first time!

that tired him out!

 Grandma and Grandpa Fulkerson brought Jacob a few goodies from cousin Luke :) Thank you SO much Aunt Megan for sending clothes for Jacob :) He will be set until summer!

Do you like my new hat?

Jacob's, Grandpa's, and Kaitlyn's pumpkin :)

We had such a great trip! I wished we could have stayed a few more days... a MAJOR thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Van for being so hospitable!!!!! It was soooooo nice for Kaitlyn to get TONS of attention- I know she really enjoyed it (and Mommy enjoyed a little break)!