This Girl

Kendall very proud of herself for putting on Ryan's hat all by herself.

 
In the last couple weeks Kendall has transformed from her sweet, laid back self to a full-fledged mischievous little toddler.  This girl is ruthless.  She goes non-stop all day.  She has mastered climbing up on dining room chairs (which are bar height) and spends all day climbing.  When she's not at the table (or on the table) begging for markers, she's finding something else to get into.  Whether it's filling the cat's water with cat food or pulling all the books from the book shelf, it's something that creates a HUGE mess.  Last night she decided she'd made a big enough mess and started cleaning it up herself!

David and I are at our wits end.  We felt the house was child proofed, but she has definitely proved us wrong.  She is so quick, and finds an opening within second.  Tonight I turned my back to fill the bath tub and when I turned around she was standing on the edge of the tub ready to jump in. 

When she's not being mischievous she is being silly.  She loves to dance, and to laugh.  At the grocery store she waves and says "hi" to everyone who passes by.  She's become so independent and strong willed.  And beware if you tell her "no", drama is sure to follow.  She knows what she wants and is not happy when she does not get it.  We love her to pieces, but do hope she cuts us some slack pretty soon.  We're exhausted!

Photos By Ryan

As promised, here are some of the photos Ryan took with his new digital camera. 

I love seeing the randomness of them.  It's amazing how he always gets the camera out on the days when our house is the messiest.  Of course, you won't see any of those photos posted here.
 

Eleven Years Ago

Eleven year ago today, I cashed in my dream - my one way ticket to Maui to live.  I arrived safe and sound without my luggage, or a phone.  Waiting to pick me up was my landlord's son, whom I had never met.  Thankfully, Daniel was a nice kid, and drove me to my new home where I was expecting the boxes I had shipped to be waiting.  They were not. 

Daniel took me on a little shopping trip so I could get a bathing suit and a phone.  I thought that would be enough to get me by until my belongings arrived.  When I got back to my empty apartment I plugged the phone in and called home.  I didn't stop crying for a week.  What the heck was I thinking?  Moving halfway across the world without knowing a soul, or having a job.

I used the sweater I was wearing when I left Minnesota as a pillow that night and curled up on the floor.  And then there was a knock on the door.  I answered, and there stood my saving grace - Mary Jane - my next door neighbor.  She gave me a mattress to sleep on, a pillow, a blanket and a flashlight.  And even though I cried myself to sleep that night, I was definitely feeling better about things.  Mary really was my Hawaiian Angel.  She watched over me from day one.  She'd even have dinner waiting for me when I'd work late! 

Every day the homesickness got better, and I started meeting people and working and I was living the dream.  And then I came to a crossroads.  Should I stay in Hawaii, or move back to Minnesota?  I did neither.  I went to Sitka to work for the summer, and met David.  And then I ended up in Seattle, and here I am eleven years later.

I thank God every day that my parents were open-minded enough to let me follow my dream, and I hope I remember to allow my kids to do crazy things to follow theirs when the time comes!

Christmas at Home

This was the first Christmas I have ever spent at my own home.  We usually go to the Boehm's in Castle Rock, or Minnesota to be with my family.  Never have I spent Christmas at my own house.  And I found it was a little weird, but nice.

Kendall in her pretty dress.

Ryan and his two best buddies.

Christmas Eve Day the entire Boehm family gathered at our house for a great visit and another amazing dinner by David.  After dinner we went to to view Garden D'Lights - a spectacular light display that always impresses.

One of the spectacular sights.  The photos don't do it justice!

Ryan and the alligator.

When we got home Ryan left out cookies and milk for Santa, and an apple and carrot for the Rudolph.  He had so much fun!  This was probably my favorite part of Christmas.  I loved watching Ryan's joy and excitement about everything!  Kendall was a bit overwhelmed with it all, and just wasn't quite her busy self.

Getting the goodies ready for Santa!

Christmas morning was the best.  I woke up before everyone, and was so thankful I was there to witness Ryan's expression when he saw that Santa had come!  It was priceless.  I think he was most excited that Santa and the reindeer had licked the plate clean of all the treats he left.

Ryan so happy Santa and the reindeer ate all the goodies.  In the background: the Snowman Ryan asked Santa for .

Later in they day, we opened gifts with Karen, Bill and Melanie.  Ryan was involved with everyone's gift opening.  He sat on everyone's lap as they opened their gifts.  He wasn't into opening just his gifts, which was so sweet.  Kendall, again, was pretty glossy eyed and fell asleep.

Kendall and Grandma Karen.

Kendall enjoying her toy Santa brought her.

My Happy Boy!

The Dynamic Due and their matching fishing games.

Ryan's favorite gifts were the digital camera he got from Auntie Jenn and Uncle Michael (look for photos to be posted soon!) and the race track for all his cars.

Ryan having fun with his new camera!  Thanks Auntie Jenn and Uncle Michael!

It was a really laid back, fun Christmas and, as always, I'm so sad it's over.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Ken!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Ken!  We love you and can't wait to see you in a few weeks.  Have a great day and have fun at the football game tomorrow!

Kendall @ 15 months

Kendall turned 15 months this week.  She's a busy, curious little toddler.  She is constantly on to go, exploring the world around her.  She finds everything she's not supposed to and has the house looking like a tornado hit in 15 minutes.  We've given up picking up until she's either napping, or in bed.  Loading and unloading the dishwasher must wait until she's in her highchair (or sleeping), otherwise she's there in an instant "helping".  Bathroom doors must stay closed.  Ornaments on the Christmas tree are not safe.

One of her favorite things to do is play with Ryan's markers.  She likes to take them out of the package, then put them back in.  She also loves doing this with my travel toiletry bag.  She will sit for an hour and take the small bottles out, and put them back in over and over again. 

It's fascinating to watch her.  She's so silly and quirky...and dramatic.  The other day David had her talk to Grandma Karen for a second (basically put the phone up to her ear).  When he took the phone away she proceeded to through the longest tantrum on record.  She screamed for 15 minutes, flopped on the floor in dramatic Kendall fashion and screamed.  She was so mad.  She refused to have anything to do with her dad for a long time.  We all got a good laugh out of it.  And daddy and daughter eventually made up.  

Her relationship with Ryan is constantly evolving.  One minute she loves him, the other she is scared of him.  And for good reason.  He really hasn't been the nicest big brother to her as of late.  He just loves to pick on her.  I didn't realize this would start so soon.  He just torments the poor girl.  We're working on it, but it's a slow process.  The threat of Santa not stopping at our house has helped a little.  Not as much as I'd like, but I'll take what I can get.

David took Kendall to her 15 month check up on Tuesday.  She weighed in at a measly 20 pounds, 12 ounces (25th percentile).  She's still a little peanut!  She grew an inch, though, and is now 31 inches tall (75th percentile)!  She's not saying as many words as she "should", so David called her the perfect model - tall, skinny and dumb.

It was Kendall and Daddy day at the house yesterday so he took it upon himself to work on "words".  When I go home she was saying "up" (which she was already saying), "woof" (again...nothing new), "meow" (which is the same whiny "meow" our cat cries and has most likely been saying it for awhile but I didn't recognize it as a "meow"), and he had her signing "please" (which I have yet to see).  I love that he works so hard, though!  She does say Mama, Dada and she has special word for Ryan.  I'm still trying to learn that.  And once in a great moon I'll catch "more" come out of her.  She's starting to sign that, which makes it a little easier for me to pick up on.

To sum it up, she's a happy, healthy little girl that we adore watching learn and grow!

Photos courtesy of Jen McNamee

The Santa Truck

My sister Jenny knows some people at the North Pole, and arranged for Santa to visit the cabin when we were there a few weeks ago.  It was the coolest thing.  We were all waiting outside (in the freezer cold) when around the corner in the pitch black, Santa appeared on a 18-wheeler lighting up the dark sky.  The kids were so excited!  Some of them didn't know what to think.  Ryan was first in line to visit Santa and asked him to bring him a snowman.  Kendall slept through the entire thing, until I decided she should have a visit with Santa, too.  She woke up instantly when I placed her on his lap.  The look on her face was priceless!

It was the perfect ending to a fun-filled day!  Thanks, Jen!!

Kendall sound asleep as everyone else was getting ready to greet Santa.

Spotting Santa in the distance.

The Santa Truck coming around the bend.

Ryan and Santa.

Ryan and Jack waiting while everyone has their turn with Santa.

Kendall and Santa.