Cookie Party and More!

Our Young Adult Bible Study decided to have a cookie exchange this year. We made it festive with lots of decorations, food, and also through in a surprise baby shower for one of the couples. It was a wonderful Sunday morning of food and fellowship and our family has been enjoying the cookie treats all week--did I mention I had 3 snow days this week--wow! The kids were home with me two days, Layne was home with us one day, and then I had one day all to myself--I don't think my house has been this clean since Brynn was born! It was a nice little break for all of us, but it is back to work for one more week!

Getting ready for the party!

All the yummy cookies!

Let's eat!

More cookies and more fun.

The juice bottle entertained Brynn for a while.

Happy Baby Shower Tamara and Steve!
--and big brother Isak!

After church, we took Isak and Caden to the mall for some play time on the slides, a train ride, and to see Santa.

Head first all the way Isak!

Let's race!

What a cutie!

The highlight of the trip--the train ride!

They loved watching the water fountain during the train ride.

Caden helping the ticket lady close the gate.

Waiting in line to see Santa--and that is where Santa ended for the boys. As soon as it was their turn, they turned into clingy monkey's onto their parents and wanted nothing to do with Santa. Layne told me I need to give up on getting my Caden Santa picture, but I will try again--you never know!

Brynn did awesome--lots of smiles and even yanked his beard a couple times--way to go girl!

Time at Home

This week, Caden got to lay eyes on all the fun decorations at the Salina Mall--and he did not disappoint me! From--Wow, Mommy--look at big tree--it goes to the ceiling Mommy! To--Train Mommy--red train, blue train, yellow train!--this little guy is taking Xmas in. The train was closed earlier this week, so I promised on Saturday we could go.

Waiting in line to ride the train with his triplet girlfriends--I have no idea who these adorable girls are, but they were all dolled up to see Santa and I could not resist a picture!

All Aboard--he walked right in and sat right down and loved every second of the ride!

Caden on the train ride.

Back home, he and daddy are busy making cookies for our cookie exchange party at church.

He loved licking the beaters and made Layne's day by saying over and over again--You good cook daddy--you cook good! The cookies were awesome--way to go dad and Caden. Layne was also on cloud nine this week as Brynn started saying Da-Da!
(darn it--why not mama!)

And many evenings find 3 of us in a chair--our cat Isabelle jumps on us as soon as we sit down--she does not like this cold weather!

Caden was having fun in the diaper box and asked us to get the camera to take his picture--so what could we do!

Layne and I had his work Xmas Party this weekend and since we were dressed up and are getting ready to celebrate anniversary number 5--why not take a picture! Love you honey!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It was so nice to have a break from work and enjoy the holiday with family and friends! We ate well, got some shopping in, took a couple of naps, and started putting up all the Xmas decor. Our family spent Wednesday and Thursday at the Parry house in Morganville. Thursday morning led to some excitement as it was decided that today was the day to cut down a huge tree at Grandma's house. I missed the excitement, but got in on the picture fun afterward--between saws, tractors, and people, the tree fell down. Caden was scared with all the noise, but afterwards was super excited that Daddy pushed down that tree! Only at the Parry's do people cut down huge trees on Thanksgiving!

Grandma Dorothy Parry with her fallen tree and most of her children and their spouses!

Caden and daddy on the fallen tree.

Kristi and her one and only--Buffy dog!

Happy 1st Thanksgiving Brynn--now let's eat some sweet potatoes and rice!

2 of a kind!

The Lady of the House going first for a change!

Caden with his pal Buffy.

You are in charge Uncle David!

Hanging out with cousin Sarah while the grown-ups were raking leaves.

Aunt Mary is showing cousins Caden and Mason how cute they are!

Besides cutting down a tree, the Parry family also put in a new swing door for Grandma.
Busy, Busy Bees!--and did I mention raking leaves?!

Caden and Mason had a blast playing in the leaves.

Brynn got some outside time as well with cousin Amber.

It was a long day--finally a short nap with Grandma.

Friday

Some shopping, some naps, and time to put up the Xmas lights--Caden was a big help telling daddy where to put the lights and Brynn supervised. Caden is already facinated by Christmas and all the lights and trees. The joys of a 2 1/2 year old!

Saturday

Saturday took us to Ellsworth for Thanksgiving with my parents. Once again we ate well, watched some football and spent time at the park. Layne and I also got to enjoy their new hottub. We are sure thankful for all our family!

Brynn and daddy reading the newspaper.

More chewing time.

Time to play tractors--play Grandpa play--we may have heard that once or twice!

What a wonderful Thanksgiving break--how far away is Christmas?!

Byrnn--7 months

Wow--7 months old!

No Dr. appointment this month, so unofficially Brynn weighs around 16 pounds. Just this weekend we felt the sharp edges of her 2 bottom front teeth coming in--that poor girl has been chewing on anything and everything all day long, so I am sure having these teeth come in will be a big relief!
Brynn is eating baby vegetable food once to twice a day, cereal once or twice a day, and she has started eating puffs as well--she is like a little bird with puffs--if you feed them to her, she will eat them--she can pick them up great, but can not quite get them into her mouth.
Brynn goes to bed around 8:00 and usually sleeps til 6:30ish. She is still full of smiles and loves playing in her activity center and watching Caden. She is rolling and scooting all over and loves bath time--especially splashing! I am sure crawling is just around the corner!

Caden through a fit that he could not be in Brynn's 7 month picture, so after he had calmed down, we took some of them together--Brynn looks like she is going to give her brother a run for his money!
A side note on Caden--Layne took the kids to the Parry Farm a couple of weekends ago and Caden rode with Kristi in the combine for about 3-4 hours straight--he loved it and I was very impressed that he could sit that long! I think he and Aunt Kristi were both pooped when they finished as Caden fell asleep on the way back home and that does not happen much anymore!

Brynn and her love of toes still amaze me--feet in her mouth happens several times through out the day and just cracks us up!

Family Time!

With the nice days getting fewer and shorter, we grab each outside moment that we can!

Caden loves his Tonka truck and he wanted to make sure Brynn could see his truck. Most of the time he is a wonderful big brother and loves showing Brynn everything!

A good family friend in Ellsworth made Brynn this cute stocking hat--she was such a great model!

What a happy girl--and loving being outside--just like her brother!

Family Pics 2009
Once again, it is Christmas card season, so I had my friend Mindy come to Salina to take some pictures of us. As always, she did an amazing job and Grandma Parry came along to help get two children to look at the camera--and maybe to smile. She had some great dance moves by the way! Although I did not get my dream picture of both kids looking at the camera and smiling at the same time, we got some wonderful pictures to keep.
Stay tuned for Christmas cards!

Ladies Day Out!

Recently, I and several of my college friends turned 30--or are getting ready to turn thirty. To celebrate, we made a trip to Rock Haven Spa, near Hays, for a day of pampering! The setting was beautiful--in the country, in the middle of trees and hills, and the spa was very classy! We were treated to our own changing rooms, champagne, big fluffy robes, and a trip to the hot tub with cheese, crackers, and muffins.

Mindy, Beth, Sarah, and Tiffany--we have our drinks and are ready to be spoiled!

All decked out in our robes and ready for the hot tub.

Outside by the hot tub that was in a nice, secluded area--we got time to relax, eat, and talk before our massages.

Our yummy brunch at the hot tub.

All four of us are just out of the steam room/shower and ready for our hour long massages.
I had never had a professional massage before and I really enjoyed it--as did we all--
Amber, we missed celebrating with you, but I think we would all be happy to meet here and celebrate again soon!-

Leaving Rock Haven Spa--totally refreshed and relaxed and ready for lunch at the Brewery in Hays. What an amazing time with friends and what a way to celebrate turning 30!

Fall Fun!

With this amazing weather that we have had the last couple weeks, we thought it was time to get some yard work done. I had been promising Caden we could play in the leaves, and he loved the idea! Layne and Caden mowed, and used the leaf blower to create a big pile. We then buried Caden and the mower in the leaf pile--Brynn just hung out in the stroller and enjoyed all the action. Fall is one of my favorite seasons!

What a lot of leaves to mow Daddy!

Time to bury Caden--and the mower!

So much fun!

Time to get back to work.

Such a happy girl watching the world go by!