Lily & Cade CuddlinThis is a package we got in November that was sent in February!
It came at the perfect time... thank you Andy & Ron!

A Yummy Focaccia Bread Recipe from allrecipes.com

Giving each other haircuts!

Fillin' Dad's Shoes

Friends Elise & Emma from New Zealand over to play.

Now that Lily is almost 3, she decided she doesn't want to take naps anymore. However, we're thankful she plays by herself in her room while Cade sleeps. On this particular day I noticed how quiet it was and this is what I found... Lils sound asleep on the window seat!

Awake again! Time to play!

preparing for Thanksgiving with homemade napkin holders

We began the day with the second annual 8a.m. 4 mile race known as the Turkey Trot!

then at 10 the guys got together to play a little American football while the moms and kids cheered

and snacked on prunes

and bananas

a friend arriving from across town on his motorcycle

the tough guys (1st 5 are Americans, last 2 are Australians)
They all played great!

Time to head out for Thanksgiving dinner!
This hasn't happened for quite a while!

We celebrated with 3 other families and a handful of friends. Everyone brought a dish or two (including 2 turkeys!) and it was all SO DELICIOUS! I baked some bread and brought that yummy sweet potato casserole that should actually be on the dessert table.

The next day our close friends celebrated Thanksgiving together with breakfast... omelets, french toast and a fruit bowl as we watched the Packer victory!
Again, we had time for songs and sharing the many things we're thankful for.

Silly Lily

Cade trying to fix the soccer net

Lily's new favorite hobby... dress up!

A 2008 Olympics building

and the reality of all the construction

taking a rest at a coffee shop (with a belly full of orange smoothie)

lunch with the gang

We ended up on a three hour walk looking for this highly esteemed park.
We found it and had a great time!

and had yummy snacks

yep, a wrestling match in our living room
(the two Chinese guys participating learned SO fast!)

precious moments together before Abby and her family head back to the U.S. in a couple days

Hard to tell, but Cade lifted up the 'mattress' and slept between the poles!

our good friend's birthday celebration

making birthday bread!

two little babies

me: "Caedmon, smile!"

"open your eyes!"

"close your eyes!"

friends

second and last attempt (for a while) at sleeping in his big boy bed... it worked for one night!

ballerina Lil

a baby shower for 5 expecting moms in the city!
(getting some practice)

Where did Lily go? I can't find her anywhere!

Oh! There she is!

Josh and his tutor

on the way to collect leaves

Cade trying out a bed on the floor. That lasted about five minutes before he wanted to sleep in his pack n' play.

Makin jello jigglers

yogurt and egg salad...mmm

if they acted like this all the time =)

We had a fun packed couple of days with Abby while her brother Hudson was born!
This is where the kids get lolly pops at least twice a week

girls just want to have fun

... and Cade too

I thought since everyone asks if Lily and Caedmon are twins, why not dress Abby and Lily up alike, since they'll probably ask anyway!

We were quite a sight as we walked down the street. The girls were in the stroller and Cade was in the carrier. We got quite a few comments.

This is Lily's first day of successfully chewing gum.
She's a huge fan now.

Of all their toys, I think this old stool is their favorite.

Our view from the back of a taxi.

Lils and I went to visit my good friend and her mom. We had a really special time.

Lily modeling Caedmon's shoes... it was all her idea

Making peanut butter cookies.. I hardy had to do a thing!

I hope that look doesn't represent the taste

Washing dishes after... one of Caedmon's favorite things to do

My friend teaching me how to cook Chinese food

Clockwise beginning at noon: mushroom & bai cai (not sure of english name), homestyle tofu soup, curry beef and veggies, and finally, broccoli. What a feast!
(I tried the next day to make something and it was a total bomb. Next time I'll have to watch a little closer... and add a little more oil).

now modeling the jammies... again, Lily's idea

This is what brought us to the emergency room about a month ago. A black eye. Poor kiddo. Lily fell off her step stool used to brush her teeth; only I think they were using it up-side-down as a boat or something. It was pretty deep but the doctor said a few stitches might not be worth the hassle of it all. It healed very nicely and Lily was a good sport through it all.

Some friends going back to the states gave us their bikes... perfect size for Lily and Caedmon! They ride them almost daily.

Happy Birthday DAD!!! We had a fun evening of celebrating at a park near by.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet.” -Psalm 119:105