What are those kids up to???

OK, I was guilted into creating a new post - FINALLY!! When I realized that it has been over 5 months since we have blogged, I thought that people might give up on caring about what goes on in our family, so here's the big update...

Christmas has come and gone, and all that is left is the fighting over the toys (just kidding - the

kids are really sweet about sharing... about 20% of the time). Kaylee and Tyler got a truck-load of toys this year, so many that I forgot to lay them all out in the morning, and had to go scrounging under the bed in the afternoon when I realized that a particular present hadn't been opened. Now, the kids are busy making up all kinds of new stories involving the new toys, and mom is busy trying to find the floor underneath all the toys.

This year, we tried something to make Christmas morning a little easier for mom and dad - we pre-opened the kids toys before we wrapped them. It seems that toy-makers these days are securing these toys as if they are securing gold. We had to use screwdrivers, scissors, knives and wire-cutters just to get some plastic toys loose from their boxes!! Incredible. But since Ray and I pre-opened some of the presents, it was a lot more do-able, and the mess of wrapping paper and packing material was not as great as the mess of new toys!!

Mom and Dad had a great Christmas too - mostly from watching the kids enjoy everything, but we got some much needed and wanted items as well. :)

Here's an overall update for the kids, since some of you haven't heard from us in a while. Kaylee is potty-trained!!!!!!!!! She is still working on the reward system, though, and is saving up her dimes to go shopping. This is very exciting to her, so mom thinks "whatever gets the job done!" Kaylee is very imaginitve in her play, and likes for Ray and I to make up stories, starring Princess Kaylee of course.

I have kind of ignored anything "princess-ey" with Kaylee, hoping to delay the pink revolution, and let her enjoy toys and activities that might be pidgeon-holed as "boys" things, but the time has come where Kaylee has decided for herself that dollies, princesses and pink are all very good things. We were stepping back and looking at her Christmas haul, and Ray noticed that a great majority of her new things are pink. Fun, fun. But Kaylee still enjoys playing in the mud, and running around with Tyler's trucks and diggers, so it's all good.

Tyler is definitely a boy, and he's definitely two!!! He has quite a temper, and can be very destructive. Sometimes the things he does make me upset, but even then, I have to fight not to laugh, or run to get the camera (which I do quite a lot). He is definitely into playing it up for attention. He will pout or cry, and if I don't run to him, he will inch his way closer to me, and keep up the act (either crying or deep sighs and "hmpphs") until either I acknowledge him and pick him up or offer comfort, or until something else gets his attention. Even then, sometimes he will try to hold onto the grudge, by turning away, but I can peek around the corner and see him trying not to smile.

Ty is definitely a mamma's boy, and I love it! I eat it up and hope that the day is far far away that he decides mom isn't cool. He is learing how to talk and is getting better every day. Kaylee is a good big sister, and tries to teach Tyler new things to say, but she gets frustrated when he doesn't get it right away.

We are plugging away as a family, and I am thankful for today, and excited to see what the future holds for all of us. I can't promise that my posts will be more frequent, but then again, if you want to know what's going on with us, pick up the phone, or send me a good old-fashioned e-mail!!! We love you all and wish you happy holidays, and a wonderful new year.

These are all pictures of Tyler's birthday - I made the cake for him, and Kaylee liked it as much as Tyler did (score for mommy!). Tyler got the "bad guy" helmet from daddy and it was an instant hit. He knows who wears those helmets in Star Wars (which he and Kaylee watch with daddy), and so he calls the helmet his "bad guy" and he gets his light saber, called a "hit" and starts acting like a bad guy. This was great fun for everyone, and we play that game together as a family on a daily basis!! In that huge helmet, Tyler looked more like a bobble head than a storm trooper though :). The last picture is of Kaylee and her creation. Tyler got these building blocks for his birthday from Grandpa W., and Kaylee plays with them more than Ty does. She made this guy all by herself, and ran to show it to me. She was so proud to pose for a picture with him! Great job, Kay!!!