Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! Christmas week was crazy for us, but so much fun. Caden was in a great mood and was patient while we dragged all over town. Here is a (picture) run down of our Christmas preparations

On Tuesday, Caden took us, Grammy, Papa, Nana, and Grandpa Kim to Hudson Gardens, a botanical gardens with a beautiful light display. It was pretty chilly, but we all bundled up and had a great time.

I must explain the next few pics...my dad was was pushing Caden in the stroller, sideways. He said it was like a ride at Disney. Caden thoroughly enjoyed it, I think.

Afterwards, we went to Panera Bread for dinner.

We went to church for Christmas Eve services. It was decided that Caden would not play the baby Jesus as originally planned. He would have had to be cradled and "newborn like" for about 45 min. Our Caden?!? I think not!

On Christmas morning Caden woke up feeling sick. He was running a low fever and had tons of snot. Poor baby! Although he was feeling yucky, he was such a trooper and was still able to give us some smiles. We spent Christmas Day with my parents, Donna, and Kim, opening presents, playing games, and eating, eating, eating. Here are a gazillion pictures of our day.

After all of the gift opening, we had dinner. This is what happens when JZ cooks cous cous!

While dinner was cooking we played games, put together toys, did puzzles, and (some of us) jammed.

Today, we are laying low. Caden is still pretty sick so we stayed in our pj's all day! He was able to play with a few of his new toys, however.



Congratulations if you made it all the way through this entire post!

Today I was rereading the post I made last Christmas and remembering how I was feeling. I was so excited for This Baby's first Christmas. Never in a million years could I have imagined how wonderful it would be. Maybe a little snottier than I envisioned, but spectacular nonetheless. Just as the onesie Caden wore yesterday said, he really is the best gift ever.

This year we were truly filled with the magic of the holiday season. Although Caden will never remember this Christmas, we always will. Tonight I am filled with absolute joy. The only other thing I am wishing for is a healthy baby. And a silent night. And a pedicure. But that's it. Promise.

We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

You'll Need a Little Popcorn

Here are a few videos from the last couple of weeks. I do not blame you if you do not watch them all - I'm not even sure I have. In fact, I'm pretty sure my grandma will be the only one to see this entire post. However, if you are really bored and want to pop yourself a little popcorn, sit back and watch a video or two of our growing little guy - I put the short ones first!


This is a video of Caden laughing while he and I were playing peek-a-boo with a bowl. Anyone need a Christmas gift idea? I recommend bowls. And tissue paper. Fun stuff!




Next is Caden giggling at Belle. It's too bad Belle is not a huge fan of Caden, because Caden thinks Belle is FUNNY!




Caden has now started to get up on all fours and rock back and forth. Here is a video of said trick.





Here is Caden's dedication at church - complete with one sneeze, two microphone grabs, and a lot of smiles.






This is the song that my dad sang following Caden's dedication. It is called "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris. It is beautiful and I have had it picked out since before Caden arrived. It's always tricky to sing at such an emotional event, but he did great.



Lastly, JZ has been taking guitar lessons for a few months now. Last week he had his first guitar recital. Somehow he talked me into singing with him (I'm always a sucker for a cute guy!). Here we are, along with his teacher, Harry Olsson, performing "Mary Did You Know?"

I'm sure we will have many more videos soon - Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas is coming, and boy, oh boy, are we ready!

Our Christmas Tree is up - with Caden's "Baby's First Christmas" ornament front and center

Wow, those lights are pretty!

The presents are wrapped and under the tree - this present is pretty cute!

Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care

Notice the cute embroidery on Caden's stocking? It was done by his Great Gram

We made an trip to the mall to see Jolly Old St. Nick. Caden giggled, spit up on him, and then told him what he wanted for Christmas - $$ in his college fund!

And while we were at the mall, Mommy and Grammy decided a little last minute shopping and lunch were in order. Caden agreed with the lunch part.

He's an excellent shopper - much happier then his Daddy is! Maybe it's because he got to wear jammies!?!

Of course, no Christmas is complete without presents. He has already gotten to open a few, like this one from Josh, Emily, and Brianna.

Caden is currently resting up and getting ready for his dedication and cameo in the Christmas play at church on Sunday and then playing the baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. Poor Mary, this will be the biggest newborn in history. I also hope they had pacifiers in Bethlehem or it won't be a very "Silent Night".

We hope you are all enjoying your holiday preparations. Don't forget to sit back and enjoy it!

7 months

Happy 7 month birthday sweet Caden! We know new tricks and milestones are just ahead for you and we can't wait to watch you grow and learn new things.

Maybe we could work on these things a little later in the day. 5:30 AM is a little early for mom and dad. Just a thought.

Christmas Card Pics

This year we decided that we needed a "real" photographer to take our Christmas picture - a "pwofessional", as our little friend, Eli would say. We had our friend, Courtney, from Captured by Courtney Photography work her magic and capture our new little family. All of us. JZ, me, Caden, and Belle. Wow. What a crew.

Nevertheless, Courtney got us. I just wanted one. We didn't all have to be smiling, but we needed to be looking at the camera (or at least not crying)...and my hair needed to look good. We got several good ones. So many that I had trouble choosing!

I just can't stop looking at them. Not because we're so cute (although one of us is DARLING!), but because I'm in awe that we're not just a couple anymore, we're a real family! Yahoo!

Here are some of my favorites. Look for them in a mailbox near you soon.

We can't take any credit for these pictures. They are all by Courtney at Captured by Courtney Photography. I won't post her contact info here, but if you are in the Denver area and are interested in some fantastic family photos, let me know and I'll send you her stuff. Thanks Court!

Golden Christmas Walk

Last Friday we took Caden to a Golden tradition - the candlelight walk and tree lighting. We were a little worried because we had been in a deep freeze for a few days - when we had gone out earlier that day the temperature was 8. Without the wind chill. Burr! Luckily, the weather seemed it get warmer as the evening went on, and it was a balmy 30 as we caroled through the streets of Golden.

We have done this walk enough times to have figured out a few tricks. The walk began at 6:30, so we got to our favorite pizza place about 4:30. We met Nana, Grandpa K, and our friends, the Maynards, for pizza and beer at Woody's before bundling up and heading outside. We joined the many hundreds of people carrying candles and caroling down the main street in Golden to the visitors center. We waited for them to flip the switch and light up the big Christmas tree and also light up all of the trees along Clear Creek. It was beautiful. Cold, but beautiful. Caden did great! He loved all of the lights and people, and only fussed a little when he got cold. Another layer and a snuggle from mom made all the difference.

What a wonderful to ring in the Christmas season! Here are a few pictures from our night.

I realize he does not have a coat on. This was inside Woody's as we were getting bundled up. He's modeling his new hat.

These are our friends, Chris, Courtney, and Payton Maynard

We're not quite sure how Payton got a candle. We never gave her one, so we think she must have bummed it off of some nice soul.

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season as much as we are!