Polar Vortex (aka really really COLD)

The crazy weather people claimed that the cold spell was a POLAR VORTEX but I have a feeling they just like to dramatize a strong cold front.  Whatever.  It basically meant that we were stuck in our house for days.  I wouldn't have opened the doors at all if not for the dogs.  I was also very aware of little cold air leaks in our home (like most of the upstairs windows!)

Unfortunately, Mr. Kam loves the cold weather and snow but he doesn't understand dangerous cold.  He was not happy that he couldn't play outside when it was about 4 degrees.  I brought a little of the fresh snow in the house for him...

Once it got a bit warmer, Kam loved some time outside...

He takes shoveling very seriously, and insisted on cleaning off his car (like mom and dad).

 

More 4 month Brody

Brody is happy and fun at 4 months old.  He rarely cries and is an amazing sleeper.  He is sometimes very generous with smiles and giggles but, he is often a little more serious.  He quite often sports the serious/concerned expression.  During this little photo session, he is showing his common look...

This kid really love his fingers!

... and drooling! (but no teeth showing yet)

You would not believe the amount of convincing and bribing that went into the following picture. Kamden, literally, had a (small) cookie in each hand to get him to sit next to his brother.  Brody loves to watch his brother play and act crazy all day long.  Kamden definitely acknowledges and loves his brother but the affection is still to come.  Not that I mind... as a 2 year old boy, Kam doesn't really understand how to be really careful with a baby! 

4 Month Update - Brody

A link to the 4 month Kamden update.  Most importantly, Kamden was almost 3 lbs heavier than Brody!  I am a bit hopeful that Brody will actually fit into 12 month clothes when he is 12 months old!  WEIRD!  After my sister's boys being huge, and kamden being huge, I assumed Brody would be, too.  We will see!

Happy 2014!

Christmas Day

After a fun morning we headed out to the country.   This was the first year in Grandpa & Grammy's new house!  We made it there in time for a quick lunch and naps.  They have a tradition of fondue for Christmas dinner followed by chocolate fondue for dessert.  Kamden thought the chocolate fountain was amazing!  Imagine that :)

Yes, seemingly endless amounts of flowing chocolate are a hit with this kid.  Keep in mind he didn't actually eat this strawberry... just licked the chocolate off.  

When Aunt S was in town to meet Brody, Kamden and S went on a walk and found a lot of trucks, diggers, bobcats, etc.  Aunt S made it into a story book.  Kam thought it was very fun!

G&G gave Kam a fishing pole!  He LOVED it but we learned that is definitely a supervised activity... even without a hook on the end.   

The kiddos had a really rough day.  This baby, while adorable, would hardly sleep all day.  Kamden took a short nap after over a hour of trying to get him to sleep.  When both kids were still awake at 9 pm, we decided to throw in the towel and drive home.  We had hoped to spend the night but it didn't work out... too many crazy days in a row and a new location didn't make it easy. 

Christmas Morning

We are very lucky to have all of our Christmas celebrations within about an hour of our house.  This allows us to always have Christmas morning at home with just our family.   It was a really fun year with Kamden.  He knows who Santa is but doesn't quite understand what Santa means.  I am sure next year will be even more exciting.

I didn't know that Santa is "supposed" to bring the "big" gift.  I don't really know who sets those standards... and not sure I will stick with them but, this year Santa filled Kam's stocking with cooking tools to help Mommy in the kitchen and a harmonica.  This kid thinks the harmonica is hilarious and he loves to help cook in the kitchen.   In fact, today I asked if he wanted to help me cook dinner and he ran to the pantry to find his new tools and helped me cook the entire time I was making dinner. 

Brody got some toys that he had not yet seen of Kamden's and a new play mat.  Yes, we put used toys in our child's stocking.  In our defense... we spent a lot more on the play mat than we did for Kamden for his first Christmas.  

Kamden opened some new matchbox cars... apparently you can never have enough of these.

Little did he know, a big present went with those cars.  In fact, the present was about as tall as him!

It is a 3 story garage for his cars.  It includes a car wash, gas station, elevator, ramp, etc.  Lots of fun for this kiddo!

It was a fun, relaxed morning.  In the past, Joe makes me banana crepes but there was no time for it this year.  We had to get packed up and headed to Grandpa & Grammy's house!  (post on Xmas day to come)

Christmas Eve

Look at me ... on top of things.  I can't believe I am blogging about Christmas Eve the night of :)  It helps that I have learned to keep things a bit more simple than in the past.

For Christmas Eve we were at Joe's Mom's house.  We were there in time for a late breakfast (biscuits and gravy are a family tradition).  Present opening happened before naptime for the kiddos.  Kamden wanted to help EVERYONE open presents....

This "digger" was the second thing he opened for himself.  I was almost certain we would never get past this one gift.  It doesn't take much for a toddler :)

Nana recently spent a week with the Chimps at the Jane Goodall Institute in Africa.  She didn't have a chance to buy much to commemorate this amazing experience so we got her a free-trade necklace from the Republic of the Congo to help represent her trip. 

Kamden was completely obsessed with a kids Bosch power tools set.  It was really representative of real tools.  Here he is taking the chain saw to the Christmas tree...

Safety first!  He, literally, fell asleep with these safety goggles on at nap time.  

Group photo... not to bad for a rushed photo with very little effort!