Love him

This morning I took Kasi to school and then came home and climbed back into bed. (Don't judge, I'm getting caught up on my sleep before the baby comes!) Dilly was still asleep and when he woke up, came into my bed for some snuggles. He informed me he was going downstairs to play Michael Jackson on the Wii, so I asked him to wake me up at 9:00. I was laying there when he came in (promptly at 9:00) and said, "Okay mom, it's 9:00. Time to get up. Time to get up and feed your little boy." (I laughed, because it sounded like I'm some crack addict mother who's children have to be the parent, and because he's so darn cute!) I thought "your little boy" meant him. But then he rubbed my belly and said to it, "are you hungry brother?"
Love him.

The longest break ever!

Which results in the longest blog ever...
Our Christmas break started when the Kuehne cousins came from Portland the Sunday before Christmas. My kids didn't get out of school until that Wednesday. But that didn't stop our craziness. Dilly was sick (though if you asked him he was "just tired") and couldn't kick it, so, he ended up missing majority of school that week. Christmas break felt like a month, not a week and a half! But that's because we packed a bazillion things in:

Kasi had a holiday program at school


Dill had a holiday program at school (still not feeling good)


Same day was the Reflection assembly where Dillon got a first prize award and is headed onto region and Kasi got an Honorable mention. Both kids did such a great job. The theme was "Together we can". Kasi did "together we can recycle", and Dill did "together we can save the animals",which should have been "together we can save the reptiles" because there were mainly snakes and lizards. Both made very nice 3-D art out of clay. And both made me proud:)


We went bowling with Kuehne cousins. (Dill still not feeling great)




Had fun ice skating with my family.




Christmas Eve was just as busy as ever. We go to my grandma's first where my mom had planned a Nativity play put on by the whole fam. It's always nice to remind everyone what Christmas is really about. Ella was Mary, Dill was Joseph, Lola was baby Jesus, Kasi was the angle who beautifully played Christmas songs. Then we were off to Derek's moms where we missed the nativity play(Kasi was super bummed because it was her turn to play Mary). We had a fun night there, but I kept telling Derek something felt weird. I found out why that night when I was up sick with the flu.


Christmas was good and bad. I stayed home with the flu which sucked. But Derek did all the running around, which exhausted him, so they skipped two of the parties and the kids got to stay home and play with their toys...for once!


Then the next day (like every year:)) was my birthday. The kids and Derek went skiing with family while I had a very nice relaxing day. My mom made a yummy chicken enchilada dinner and my sis hosted it at her house...so nothing short of awesome! Did you check out those cupcakes! SPOILED!



A couple day's later on the 30th was my baby's birthday. My baby turned 6! The huge snowstorm was a great gift! He had been asking for a bearded dragon (Dill's going to be the next crocodile hunter) but I think had forgotten with all the jumble of Christmas because acted soooo excited and surprised when he got one.At first he named the lizard Sassy. We encouraged some more brainstorming which resulted in the name Spike. Now both kids have a pet and I can hardly believe the easy going mother I have become. We soon will have a petting zoo in the back..stay tuned. That day Dill was a king. He wanted crepes for breakfast, had his favorite meal for lunch (shrimp pasta), he got to see Yogi Bear(the things we do for our kids), ate at Tempenyaki for dinner, and had a snake cake at Gma Kuehne's. He kept saying "this day is awesome!".





I think one of our family's favorite holiday's is New Year's Eve. We go to Derek's moms with his whole family and eat yummy food and play the funnest games. My sis-in-law Michele planned a "minute to win it" game for the whole family to play and I have to say was the best game yet! Dill competed against his 15 year old cousin Sydney (fair? probably not) in stacking the cups. Kasi against her cousin Bailee in ping pong toss. Derek against his brother in unravelling streamers. And me and my other sis-in-law in cookie from the head to mouth game. It was hysterical. All 16 grandkids get along great and we laugh till we pee our pants with his brother and sisters. Never a dull moment.





And finally the last day with our cousins here. We slept in. We were dead tired from the night before. But not too late because we had Dillon's party. We went sledding. Have I ever mentioned I hate the cold? Well, I do. Sooooo much. I tried to be a good sport but finally retreated to my mom and dad's car to stay warm. As did most of the other mom's. The kids never once complained, they just kept coming up the hill with big ol' grins. Kids rock. After the adults begged the kids to be done, we went to McDonald's for lunch and cupcakes. After we went to another movie:) and dinner. Said our sad goodbye to cousins and came home to recoup. Which took all day Sunday. Hope your holiday's were as fun and crazy as ours! I meant to send out Christmas cards but didn't, so here ya go:

Happy Holiday's!


Love,
The Kuehne's

A week of thanks

I always hate writing this post. I don't want pity or to make anyone sad. Because for me...I can be happy. And I just want to share my thanks. I love my kids, I am grateful for my kids. Derek says we had better take it easy because we are going to have our hands full in the eternities with all our children...and that makes me happy. My sweet little angel turned 5! 5! Where did the time go? This year we extended our birthday tradition with Derek's family. We write on balloons and send them up to wish Cade a happy birthday and tell him how much we love and miss him. It made me happy. He knows I love him. And I know I will see him again. And that makes me very happy.

And then our Kasi turned 10! 10! She is so beautiful inside and out. I hate that she looks more like a teenager, she loves that she looks older, I hate that too. My mom gave her makeup. She can wear it after school and on Saturday. The second she walks in the door and the the second she wakes up Saturday; the makeup is on. I hate that it makes her look even older! Her birthday was on Thanksgiving this year and I know she enjoyed having the whole day spent with family. I love you Kas... but stop growing!!

I guess when you turn 10 clothes and shoes are super exciting.



We have a parade every year for Kasi's dance the day after Thanksgiving at Valley Fair mall. Dill was so sick the whole night before but when Kasi got up and started getting ready he insisted he felt better (he was walking this year carrying the flag). My son is stubborn. There is no other word to describe his temperament. So I knew that no one would question why I would bring my sick baby to walk in a parade because they would know I had no other choice! But, he did it! He made it to the end without getting sick and then as soon as we got in the car he grabbed his throw-up bowl and let loose. Poor baby was sick all day.


Then Saturday, we had Kasi's party. It was fun, and it exhausted me. My Kasi girl is the next Rachael Ray. So, our theme was cooking. We made aprons, pizza's, fruit kabob's, and decorated our own cakes. I was glad to have that done with. (thanks heaven for moms!)





The whole weekend was jam packed with fun while my 3 cute nephews from Portland were here. We never want to miss a seconds with them while we can. My cute sis-in-law from Portland wanted to do an advent calendar while they were here, we found one we thought we could manage in a short amount of time, I think they turned out great! And quality time spent with the girls is always a bonus!


Last but definitely not least, my sis had her baby! Lola Faith was born Monday the 30th, weighing 7lbs. 13 oz. She is darling! With a head full of black hair like you've never seen! Ella hasn't let me hold her as much as I'd like. I'm not sure if Ella's not wanting to share Lola with me, or me with Lola. I love my girls.



A week of thanks...always for family. And fun.

They work hard for the money

A couple weeks ago Dillon said that he wanted to be a mailman when he grew up. We thought we'd nip that right in the butt. We are pushing college for the kids big time! So I thought it would be a great idea to have Dill go and get a taste of what daddy does.
He loved it.
I thought he would be exhausted and whine that he wanted to quit. Instead, he was climbing up rock walls, jumping from high porches and finding the coolest fighting sticks.
If only Derek was that excited about work(though I'd probably get annoyed if he brought rocks and sticks home everyday). So I guess for now we will let him think Derek's job is super cool.

Fall in Review

Fall had come to and end and then returned:) The day of snow threw us off. I ran out and bought all our snow gear after Dill had to spend the snow day in sneakers. And then I haven't seen snow since.
I love fall. The changing colors and perfect temperatures make me smile. But I have to admit, I really love winter. I have the funnest memories of snow days as a kid. We don't get the snow we used to (snowed in days off school...hanging at Angie's:)) But my kids don't see the difference, even if it is a little skirmish my kids demand to go and play outside. I felt bad because Kasi had really wanted to play in the snow that day before school and I should have let her stay home for a bit because by the time she got home it was all but gone.
Don't you feel that way about winter? Being inside with a cup of hot cocoa watching the snow fall. Snuggled under warm blankets reading books. Listening to Christmas music. I started piano lessons again, so I will be serenading my family with Christmas music this year:)The glow of the Christmas lights. And baking treats!
I just got myself all stoked up...I'm ready to put up Christmas! (I know Brooke already has!)

Before I push us into winter...here's what's been going on this fall:

Another year at the State Fair






Which made me want to get domestic and put the garden to good use.





Dill played/ran through the motions of Flag football.






And had some Halloween fun.

Confirmed.Amazing.

I have proof! Derek took Kasi to Parent Teacher Conference while I worked last night. It was so cute to see him bursting with pride! All Excellent's and all top scores, of course!
I have to share what the teacher wrote:
"Kasidee is an outstanding student who consistently turns in high quality work. She is a very capable student and has great academic potential. She is outgoing and friendly to others and is willing to do whatever is asked of her."
I wished the "willing to do whatever is asked of her" would apply at home too, but, we hope they are better behaved outside of the home anyways:)
Proud mom and dad moment. It's always nice to hear that others like your kids too:)

So while I am already bragging about her...here is her piano recital video.

School 2010-11

I have been without a computer for so long! Now I'm back, baby.

Kasi started 4th grade



and Dill started kindergarten.


My baby is in kindergarten!! Both the kids love school and their teachers and I have a couple hours of alone time a day :) Don't blink because one day they are big and you wonder how it happened! I volunteer in the kid's classes a lot during my alone time because apparently it's too lonely. I hope Dillon never gets embarrassed by me...but one day he will get beat up if he continues to want me to scratch his back, sit on my lap and hold hands during school. But, for now, it makes us both happy. Kasi on the other hand doesn't need to be coddled consistently.
Can I brag? My girl is amazing! She is so self sufficient, she gets up gets ready and kisses me goodbye before she leaves while I never leave my bed. I never worry that something won't get turned in and she even takes care of the above and beyond projects like reflections without me having to nag or stress at 11:00 the night before something is due. And excels at all she does, she is amazing.
Dill will take more work:)

Vacation; the finale

The last part of our trip was spent at my sis and bro-in-laws house in Sherwood, OR. I bet your wondering "did all 25 stay at their house?" And the answer is: yes. We are a crazy bunch of people, but we're fun!
Luckily, Lance and Raquel have a big, beautiful home that managed us. They have an empty lot next to theirs and the kids hung out over there the majority of the time, they dug for fossils, played hide-and-seek, and with how dirty their clothes were, I think they rolled around in it.

The empty lot. A.K.A. the babysitter

Each of the kids took their turn being sick for a day and my poor Dilly's turn was on our day to the beach and Tillamook. The cheese factory was very interesting and the cafe was yummy, and then the ice cream after was awesome! But the beach...brrrrrrr. Dill fell asleep on my lap while the other crazy kids swam and looked for crabs and seashells.

Gma and Gpa with all the grandkids


Kasi wandering, isn't it amazing how the forest meets the beach!


My poor, sick, baby.


We had a ton of fun together. I would call our adventure a great success, and many great memories shared that won't be forgotten! Thanks Lance, Raquel, Brice, Braxton and Brody for such an awesome time! We love and miss you!


My kids love their cousins. I think Dill love Brooke a little more than neccesary. We've all had cousin crushes right?

Vacation Part 2: Vampires vs. Werewolves

This is on the ferry ride to Bremerton. Edward didn't warm us up, nor did he keep us from blowing away. But his good looks made up for it.

We set out Wednesday morning, child free, to Port Angelas. The drive was stunning! We kept seeing Lavander farms, one had an ice cream shop! I would have forced Derek to pull over but with a car load of family I decided my idea of fun might not be evrybodies...in fact, I would have made Derek pull over numerous times and it would have been a week long trip. And now I feel it my destiny to one day own a Lavendar Farm with a bakery inside!
Port Angelas was so much fun (if your a TwiHard or even been forced to watch the movies...this is where the movie theater is and Bella Italia restraunt)! We went into Dazzle Me shop and I thought this map was so cool. A bunch of crazies just like me from all over the world coming to see the home of the men we love, Jacob and Edward.




We had leave Edward here, you know, because of the treaty. We wouldn't want to start any fights.

The weather up until La Push was 75 with sunny blue skies. But as soon as we got to the beach it was 50 something degrees and overcast! Brrrr.



As we turned the corner Jacob was peering at us from behind a curtain! Seriously, these people are funny.



Forks was much too sunny for the vampires to come out and play but we still visited all their hot spots. As you can see, we had a good old laugh, and not one person looked at us funny. I have a feeling the people of Forks have seen just about everything!



Derek has found someone to enjoy also.

At the end of the day we realized who needs Vampires and Werewolves. We have these sexy men in our lives.