Sweet Baby Girl

I had such a great day with Kensley today. I guess maybe because it's the first day in a while that we've stayed at home the majority of the day. She was so sweet all day (not that she is normally bad, because she's not... just extra sweet & cute today). She laid in bed with me this morning & cuddled after the boys left for school, then we got up & played & ate breakfast. She is SO funny & animated. Her expressions are hilarious! I took a bath & she tried to get in with me... she's trying to get in the tub now & almost did. She hugged me a bunch & gave lots of kisses. We played with the baby & gave it nummy, nummy & she took all of her babies for lots of "strolls" in the walker she pushes around. She also took a forever long nap & I got a ton of stuff done. It was just a sweet day with her. I love the mother/daughter bond that we are developing. The boys were always really sweet too, but it's been so long since I've had a baby at home with me.

Chandler had his Christmas Around The World program at school tonight. I didn't get any good pictures because my camera does horrible in dark rooms & we were sitting to far back. He did so good! We've got a busy weekend coming up, so I might not have a chance to blog for a few days. I'll have lots to catch you up on when we get back.

Uh... is it December?

I can't stand this weather. It is December, not September! Some of you may love it, but when I am sweating in December, that's not a sign that Christmas is around the corner. It's supposed to be cold and I'm supposed to be bundling up on the couch with warm blankets, not turning on the AC and the ceiling fan. I don't know the official temp today, but it was over 80 I'm sure. I sent my kids to school in short-sleeves (and probably could have put shorts on them too... but I refuse). I'm ready for winter to come back. Can we say 'global warming'?

Kensley is walking some, but we've not been home much for her to actually practice. It's been a busy few days and the rest of the week is pretty busy as well. I am one present short of being completely finished Christmas shopping... woo, hoo! Carter had his Kindergarten Christmas program last night at GWU. It was really cute... he's holding the W in the first picture. The second pic is of him singing at church with the WeeWorship on Sunday.

Step by Step

Well, she's finally done it.... Kensley is taking steps. I wouldn't say she's walking yet, but she is making her way there. We've been trying for a few weeks to get her to take steps, but as soon as you let go of her hands she would sit on her bottom. She's been walking with her baby-block walker like crazy for a few days, so I guess she built up enough confidence to try it on her own. She loves to prop herself against the couch, so I decided to take advantage of it today. I got in front of her and said "walk to Mommy" and she took 3 steps to me. Of course I was by myself and have no pictures or video of this.... ugh! She kept getting up and wanting to go again, so she would do it over and over. When Corby got home, we had her walking outside back & forth to us and she's taken 7 steps so far. I WILL get this on video and pictures tomorrow... even if I have to rig up something. My baby won't be a baby much longer... she'll be a TODDLER!!!

A Visit with Santa

We went to Uptown Shelby tonight to see Santa. We've done this for the past 3 years & it's so much fun. They have a Santa house every Friday night before Christmas in Dec. and they offer lots of games & activities for kids, horse carriage rides (we've never done that), Christmas music, free hot chocolate and the court square is decorated so pretty with lots of lights in the trees. We got there at 5:10 and stood in line until 7:45 to see Santa. Yes, it's ridiculous when you can go to the mall and spend about 15 min... if that much... from start to finish. But, I really didn't mind it. I was freezing and my big toe was numb, but we knew plenty of people in line around us and the atmosphere is great. The boys always look forward to this. I wasn't sure how Kensley would be, but she didn't care too much for Santa (as you can see from the picture). She didn't mind looking at him or him talking to her, she just didn't want to sit near him. The boys asked for their video game and a bunch of other stuff I've never heard before and we were on our merry way.

Focuntrate

Chandler has created a new word... "focuntrate"... the other day he was doing homework & it was kind of loud and Carter was bugging him, so he screams "i can't focuntrate!" I just busted out laughing because it's a pretty good word I think. He combined focus and concentrate... therefore we now have "focuntrate". He's used it a lot this week. I think I should send it into Websters... hee, hee!

Haneline Family Christmas 2007

We had Christmas this weekend with Corby's family. This is the second year that we've done it early & it's great! With 22 people in the family and lots of kids and parties and Christmas plays and functions, it's much easier. I really gets you in the holiday mood. The kids of course love it because they get presents early.

We had pictures made on Saturday morning of the whole family. I'll post those when I can. I think they are going to be great. Then we all went to lunch on Saturday. The kids played hard all afternoon and Sat. night we opened presents. His parents are building an addition onto their house, but it wasn't quite ready yet. However, it was far enough along that we got to have Christmas in the new part. We pulled out lawn chairs, put down a tarp, hung some festive decor & the kids helps decorate the tree. It was great. Sunday we went to church and that afternoon the kids opened their stockings. We had a great weekend.

Kid photographers

Inevitably, my boys are goof balls every chance they get. When it comes to picture taking they do great until I say that I'm done & then all I hear is "let me take a picture" until I hand over the camera. Here's the results of tonight's "after photo shoot" in front of the Christmas tree. Kensley didn't cooperate much tonight, so I didn't get the picture that I wanted of all of the kids. It was fun seeing the boys being silly though.