~ Christmas Cousins 2014 ~

 

Grandma Jan's tradition of matching holiday PJ's continues! 

Halloween Pumpkins 2014

How cute are these little pumpkins!?!  How have they grown up so much!?!

 

The Halloween season this year has grown into quite an ordeal.  Each kid had a school party, the community held Green Halloween, the Keddingtons threw a big bash, we attended an event at the community center, and then of course Halloween night itself.  Luckily these girls have lots of dress up outfits and were able to sport a variety of looks through the season.  The girls sure had a lot of fun and enjoyed a lot of treats this year!

Janie's First Preschool Party - Halloween!

As a parent, one of the most fun parts about the preschool experience is attending these sweet little parties the class holds.  The kiddos, do an activity, sing seasonal songs, and have themed snacks.  We attended these sweet parties during Clara's years at the preschool and now get to experience them again with Janie.  The first party of the season is Halloween. 

The preschoolers went and trick-or-treated around the classroom with help from parents.

 

The class made cute decorations for their snack table and sang the cutest seasonal songs.  Just like with Clara's class the song presentation was hilarious!  As loud as Janie practiced the songs at home, in the car, at bedtime, and dinner time, on walks, etc., when the time came to perform, the entire class barely sang a peep leaving Mrs. Vanessa to lead to shy performers.  It was too cute!  And leaves Janie something to work on this year! 

 

Announcing Gender of "Finch"

 

This pregnancy we had the option to learn the gender of our sweet baby a lot earlier than with Clara & Janie.  One Friday afternoon, I received a call with the test results.  Kevin came home shortly and together we let the it all sink in.  The next day we surprised the Big Sisters-to-be with these special cupcakes!  Still not sure if they were more excited about the yummy cupcakes or the message.

 

 

Later that day, we headed to Chehalis and surprised Grandma & Grandpa Stevens with some cupcakes, too!  Grandma Carol got message via FaceTime from Clara & Janie.

 

 

On Sunday, we went to Grandma & Grandpa Swanson's house to celebrate October birthdays and we let Papa Bob make the announcement via a special photo in his birthday card to the rest of our side of the family.  It made for an exciting celebration! 

 

Grandpa & I had to have our annual birthday photo.  So thankful for each year we get to celebrate together!

 

Exciting News!! A BROTHER is on the way!

Clara & Janie are thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming a baby boy into our family in the early spring.  Adding to our family has something that has been in our hearts for a while but actually making the decision to go for it ended up being one of the toughest but most well thought out decisions of our marriage.  Admittedly, after going for such a long stretch without good sleep from Janie, we felt like we needed a while to rest up and then once we decided to try the road wasn't as easy as it had been with the girls.  Where Scout and Gem are 2 years, 7 months apart, "Finch" as we have decided to call him, follows Janie by 4 and a half years. 

Then recently, learning that we are having a BOY was a big shock, for me especially.  I assumed that we would be having a third girl, while Kevin remained open to the possibility of a son.  Now that it is sinking in, we are extremely excited about the change in our family dynamic.  Janie is over the moon to become a big sister while Clara remains fairly apprehensive remembering all to well how Janie changed her life. We question whether Janie's tune will change once he is here!  Even if there are a few growing pains for our family, the idea that we will have the love of another person to love is ultimately the best long term outcome. 

Janie turns FOUR!

"It's a small world" has been the theme for Janie's last year.  She wanted the dolls for Christmas, insisted on the song and/or book each night at bed time, and asked for her big girl room to have a small world theme.  It really came as no big surprise that when it was time to plan her birthday, she also wanted a Small World party.  Luckily her other demands were few and so we threw together a fun family celebration for our sweet little gal.

Like most Sundays from September through January in our state, it was a Seahawks Sunday so Janie shared the spotlight with her favorite team a little.  The weather was great so the kiddos had fun out in the back yard with squirt guns while the adults were glued to the game. 

 

At halftime, Janie blew our her candles and then got to make her big announcement.  "I'm going to be a big sister!"  She is so excited for what the year ahead will bring. 

We can't believe FOUR year have passed since we brought this snuggly, sweet baby girl home from the hospital and have been amazed and surprised by her every day!  She is so kind and considerate to others, she is already a nurturer always wanting to help and take care of us.  She has strong opinions and knows just what she likes, but her energy is infectious and fun! We are BLESSED!

Back to School

 

 Clara started first grade at Grand Ridge Elementary this year.

 

 

Janie had her first day of school at the Community Center preschool .  She only attends two half days a week, but this is a big step for our little gal.  She is so proud and immediately loved her teachers, Mrs, Vanessa & Mrs, GiGi, as well as her classmates.  We are so proud of how much Janie has matured lately and how eager she is to learn new things.  She will be one of the older kids in the class with her late birthday, but we hope that this creates a nice opportunity for her to step up and become a leader among the group. 

When asked what she likes best about school, Janie replied with "that my teacher is nice."