Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree...

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!  One of my greatest moments of the whole Christmas season is putting up the tree and seeing all of the wonderful ornaments that have been collected over the years.  Both of our parents did a great job keeping all of our ornaments from our childhood, and it is something that we will certainly carry over for Hannah and Caleb.  

This year Hannah was very excited to see the tree coming up the stairs and was delighted to be able to help...

Look--a tree!!

Caleb was content to just sit and watch.

Hannah and Daddy under the tree getting it all hooked up.

Placing ornaments in just the perfect spots.

 Digging into the treasures!

Hannah helping daddy put one way up high.

This was Hannah's signature maneuver this year--putting as many ornaments on one branch as she could.  Of course we had to leave them just like that--it makes me smile every time I look at it!  The tree is the most beautiful it has ever been this year as we have some special ornaments for our newest little man, Caleb!!

Whooo's turning two?? Hoot Hoot-we're havin' an owl party!!

Miss Hannah has loved owls for months now, so how better to celebrate her second year of life than to have an owl themed party?  Grandma helped me make these friendly owls and I spend the better part of a Saturday decorating her owl cake...I think it turned out wonderfully!  

 Some members of Hannah's owl collection...

 Hannah with her new bean bag--she goes nuts over this and runs and dives into it.  She's a riot!

 Hannah with Grandma and Mimi.

 Hannah with Oma, thanking her for the gifts.  

 Opa and Hannah (and Hello Kitty :))

 It's so hard to get a good picture with a two year old...especially when mom and dad would really like one!!

 Hannah with Grandma and Grandpa.

 Caleb with Aunt Kristen.

 Hannah loved when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her...such a star!

 Trying to blow out her candle...

 This is how Caleb spent the majority of the party...

Hannah has grown up SO much this past year...here's her one year picture...

Not only does Hannah have more hair and teeth, she now speaks in full sentences and has her own sense of humor.  She is quite a card and makes facial expressions and does things just to make you laugh.  She is a wonderful big sister to Caleb and gives him kisses and hugs whenever she can.  Hannah can count to 15 unassisted, knows her major shapes and colors, is starting to recognize letters and numbers.  She loves to paint and color and her favorite thing is to be doing what you are doing.  She doesn't want to be left out of anything and will help with anything you are doing.  She's fond of baking and cooking and loves to help when there is brown sugar involved!  Her favorite store is Sam's and likes going to the mall to visit Grandma when she's working.  Hannah loves going to church and talking about the bible.  When you ask her where God is, she points to her heart and says "In dare"...he sure is!  He's filled her with joy and love and we cannot wait to see the gifts she has been given.  We love every moment with our sweet, sweet Hannah and are cannot wait to see what her third year will bring!

Give thanks to the Lord, Our God and King His love endures forever!!

We have SO much to be thankful for this year...for Hannah and Caleb, their happiness and health, for the joy that they bring to our lives each and everyday, for their smiles and laughter, and even their tears, we could not have been blessed with better children and we are so thankful to have them in our lives.  For each other...that we have someone to pray with, talk to and sometimes even vent to, for a partner in life that helps bring out the best in each other and is there for you when you are at your worst.  For our families who love us with all their hearts, that are there to support us as we raise our young family and to help show Hannah and Caleb what love is all about.  We're thankful for our friends, our jobs, our home...and most of all we give thanks to our Father for all of the gifts he has given us!  

Here are some pics from our Thanksgiving day... 

Hannah attempting to mimic the Rockette's leg kicks during the parade...I didn't see any of them sucking their thumbs, but maybe she's started a new trend.

At first the head dresses weren't such a hit...

But then we got some good smiles going!

Hannah LOVES to give out kisses!

Our biggest turkey!

The gang.  Mimi and Papa were able to join us this year!!  We were thankful for that!

Hannah's plate...she ate mounds of turkey!  Since she's turned two she's become quite the eater!  Anything with pepitch (ketchup) on it is good with her now!

Poor Caleb...same old milk.  Next year he'll eat us all under the table, I'm sure of it!!

Pink, really??

I thought these pictures were too cute not to share...Caleb in Hannah's pink bumbo...at first he doesn't seem so sure and actually looks a little bit perturbed that we would place he and all his maleness in a pink chair.  He quickly got over it, though, and had a blast in it!

Such a smiley little boy!!

A small vacation

Wow--it's been a long time since I've posted anything and SO much has happened.  As we celebrated Grandma's life in Missouri, the kids and I stayed for two weeks to enjoy time with our Missouri/Kansas family--and a great time was had by all!!  Hannah had such a great time playing with her cousins and we were able to celebrate Hannah's birthday and Grace's birthday while we were there...we'll start there!!  

Mimi, Papa, Caleb and Hannah ROARING for the Tigers!!  M-I-Z-Z-O-U!!

"Really?," says Caleb, "I don't see what all the fuss is about."

The birthday girl and her presents with her eager cousins looking on and trying SO hard to be patient.  Hannah didn't really understand the concept that the best presents are in the biggest boxes although Grace and Abby told her numerous times!  The presents took two days to unwrap...

Abby (6) reading to Hannah and Grace...it was sweet to watch them interact and to see how much Hannah will be learning in the next few years!

Blowing out the two candles on the cake.  Hannah loved the icing on the cake and her princess balloon.

Emma liked the frosting, too!

Mmmmm--nothing better than handfuls of purple frosting!

Where's Hannah??  Where's Hannah??

There she is with purple frosting in her hair!  A bath was had quickly after dessert!

Abby helping Hannah trace her hand.

The bounce house at Abby, Grace and Emma's house proved to be a fun activity on Hannah's birthday.  Although she was reluctant to bounce at first, she finally entered and had a great time bouncing with Emma and doing Ring Around the Rosie.

Painting...what fun!

At Grace's 4th birthday party--a Puppy Party!

Papa with his one and only Grandson!

All the kiddos at the party wore dog ears and collars...they painted dog houses and ate their cake and ice cream out of dog bowls.  It was a wonderful party and we were so glad we were in town to help Gracie celebrate!!