Baby #3 Update...

As of today (12/21) I have dilated to a 3. My doctor suggested we pack a bag and put the car seat in the Tahoe. She thinks we'll have a baby within the next couple of days. Yay! Keep watching our blog for more updates...and hopefully pictures. Merry Christmas!

I was being very brave and posted the picture of me (extremely pregnant) and my family.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

So we really packed a lot into the weekend...that is what happens this time of year right? We started out by attending the Homedale Holiday Parade.

Kambell and Kinlee filled thier sleds with candy.

Then we headed home for some sledding. Kasey pulled the kids on the 4-wheeler (Kambell & Kinlee along with Annie, Emma & Jake Kraupp - oh and Jamie). As each one got cold they disappeared into the house to get warm. Kambell and Annie were the last 2 standing!

Then on Sunday we took the girls to see Princess & the Frog at the movie theater. Kambell was glued to the screen. I had to take Kinlee to the bathroom twice and then she took advantage of our empty row of seats by crawling all over them the entire time. She just doesn't have the attention span or interest that Kambell does for movies. But it was fun. The music was great.

Next we bundled up and headed over to the Orchard House Restaurant. They light up their outdoor patio and walking path with all sorts of Christmas decorations. Clyde the Camel was there to admire. We had a little dinner and then visited with Santa for a moment. Kinlee wasn't real excited about talking with Santa, but we did get her to sit next to him. That's a big step right? Kambell explained that she has been very good..."sometimes." Santa just giggled and promised her that he'd take care of her. She said she hasn't been nice at home, but she is nice at the stores. This is true. What else could I ask for- at least she is honest.

The coming weeks are filled with holiday parties with family, friends and co-workers. Kambell is ready to "perform" at her preschool Christmas program. She's been teaching Kinlee all the songs and moves.
Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Baby Update as of Tuesday 12/15: I am dilated to a 2 and completely thinned. Not a lot of progress since last week. But we are ready!!!

Dad's Can Be Creative Too

While trying to explain to the girls that Christmas is still a ways away..."no we're not opening presents yet"... Kasey decided we needed a Christmas Countdown Chain. So after chopping some wood, riding bikes and trying to catch the falling snowflakes they joined me in the office for some crafting. I supplied the paper and Kasey supplied the "how to." It was quite comical listening to the instructions and the running staplers and the ever-rolling scotch tape.

Still in their snow-suits...they cut strips of green & red paper

What a guy... and what patience he has! During the last few weeks of this pregnancy I have had a very short fuse. I have been so grateful for all his help and the peace and quite he provides for me. He'll take the girls for a drive, go shoot some birds, visit the grandparents and great grandparents. By the time they arrive back home I missed them all. He's such a great father to his girls and no one is more excited to see him with the new baby than I am.

Here is Kinlee's finished product...

And Kambell's Countdown Chain.

What you can't see in the pictures if the bright blue painters tape he used to put the girls' names above their chain. It's definitely "daddy-ish."

A week later...here's Halloween

Kambell was our little Indian, Kinlee was a beautiful ballerina and Boston was cute puppy.

On Halloween morning we joined the Kraupps to paint and carve pumpkins from our garden. Kambell & Kinlee layered on the paint, while Kasey worked patiently on a wicked witch carving.

The girls "scared" me many times throughout the day with these spooky teeth...

Here is our Suzie- snuggling in with her blanket.

While Kasey was in the attic, installing pipe for our wood stove...Kambell, Kinlee & Jake looked on. They thought it was pretty neat they could see him through a hole in the ceiling (I'm just glad he didn't fall through this time. Last time it cost us $500). Kambell stuffed herself in the box that the pipe came in and thought that was pretty neat.

Pre Halloween

The Kraupp Family invited us to the LDS Trunk or Treat night at the church. It was a great reason to get some use out of our costumes and enjoy fellowship with some friends. Plus what a headstart on the candy collecting!!! Kambell (our little indian) and Kinlee (the cutest ballerina) had a blast. Travis Kraupp (cowboy) and Kasey had some fun handing out the candy to all the little "creatures" too. In the picture below with the girls are Jake, Maci, Annie & Emma.



Kambell is trying to show Kinlee how to be a graceful ballerina...good luck with that.

Our evening ended at Grandma & Grandpa's. No matter the event, outfit, sugar, etc...the girls always find time to snuggle up with Grandma to read books.


















Kambell's preschool class had a Halloween Party, too. Teacher Erica is so brave. Here are Bailey & Kambell handing out their treats. The party was full of jumping, dancing, spooky music and of course...treats.













And the fun doesn't end here...tomorrow (the real Halloween) we are carving pumpkins from the garden and we're off to family and friends to Trick-or-Treat!

Our Trip to Buhl

Kasey's sister Angie, her husband Brady and their 5 children live in Buhl. We made the trip down on a Friday night because 4 of their girls were participating in a half time cheer performance at the Buhl Indians football game. It was so much fun. Kambell and Kinlee think it is so cool to go stay the night at the cousin's house. We took part in the f-ball game, a frigid lunch at the park, decorating Halloween cookies, carving pumpkins, visiting the alligators at the local hot springs and lots of visiting, ball throwing and playing.

Kasey loaded up pumpkins from our garden and led the kids in carving!

Here is Kambell's Halloween cookie! She was so careful and did a great job.

L to R: Kambell, Jayci, McCoy, Delaney, Kinlee (on the counter is Shanlee).

Kinlee's Ghost Cookie! So proud.

Kambell, McCoy, Shanlee & Delany at Miracle Springs.

We watched the alligators for a long time...just waiting for one of them to budge. Finally one of them decided to come up for a chicken leg. It was kind of exciting.

Kasey decided that we needed a pregnant picture. I don't agree!

Kambell decorated her pumpkin with a red butterfly...not so Halloweeny, but very Kambell like.

Kasey & Carli show their Buhl High School Spirit!

Carli carved a great Jack O' Lantern!

"Fruits of our Labor"

Kambell came in the house and said "Daddy needs 2 spoons." I didn't ask any questions...out of fear. Awhile later I decided I had better check this out. When I walked out and saw them enjoying the "fruits of our labor" I chuckled. Kasey was cleaning out the garden and decided that the girls should be enjoying the watermelon instead of letting them go to waste. They LOVED the experience. And FYI- our watermelons were great this year!

The last week or so...

Kambell has really loved preschool this year. But it's taking her awhile to get back into the groove. She comes home exhausted. She sat down at the table and was out in no time.

Chocolate Chip Cookies are a FAVORITE at our house. So this time the girls pitched in. They got all geared up in their aprons & hats...then got to work. There were quite a few chocolate chips that didn't make it into the bowl.






We took the cookies to Bruneau for the rodeo and they were gone in 1 afternoon.
Good job girls!

It was Kambell's day to take snacks to preschool. So she decided to take "froggies." While Kasey & Kinlee went roping- Kambell & I went to the store. She picked out oreos for the body, pretzels for the legs and smarties for the eyes. Then we were off toward home to put them together. She loved matching up the smarties (she thought they had to have the same color eyes).

It was a fun project and I think her classmates really enjoyed them.

The Finished Product...

She had to test them of course!

Kinlee's Haircut

Kinlee got her hair trimmed about 6mo. ago when Kambell got 14" cut off of hers...but she's never really had a real hair-cut. So today was the day. She took a couple of pictures from a magazine of some cute bob styles. After I got my hair cut she hopped in the chair and was still as a mouse for Amber. When Amber was done she told Kinlee that she looks like a princess...that did it. She LOVES it. It fits her cute little button face. Can't wait for her Daddy's reaction now.

Time for Pictures Again...

Kinlee just turned 3 so that means it's picture time again. I just love the gals at Target (in Eagle). They work so hard to make it a fun and easy experience. Kambell is a natural "poser." While Kinlee doesn't want to touch her sister, smile or cooperate much. They turned out pretty precious anyway.