Favorite Christmas Photos

We took lots of photos on Christmas. . . . just like everyone else. These are a few of my favorites.

This one shows the joyful chaos of opening gifts on Christmas morning.

I caught this photo before gifts were opened. Both boys are brimming with excitement, expressed in their own unique faces.

We made gingerbread houses on Christmas Eve. All photos of Matt include one with him doing cross-eyes. It's his current favorite look. This was also the first day he was well, after being sick for five days.



This is Gavin's lone opportunity to check out and touch the Christmas tree. He's holding a container of baby food, from his stocking.





We had a nice and quiet Christmas--just hanging out at home in our pajamas. Both Matthew and Gavin had been sick during the days prior, so they both were ready to feel better for Christmas. Matthew was very excited to receive a Nintendo DS. He was certain Santa would bring him one. He would always say, "when I get a DS", never "if I get a DS". Oh, the faith of a little child. Adam received some Wii games and has played them so much he has a Wii blister on his thumb. As for Robert and I, we were just happy to have time to relax. Yesterday was my birthday, which was another quiet day. Robert did spoil me, though, doing all the chores, cleaning, etc. . . including cleaning the bathrooms, which he loathes. I made myself my favorite cake, a Jewish Apple Cake--yummy!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Sunday Best

How many photos does it take?

To get the boys smiling in their Christmas outfits?



Three? I guess this will have to do.

School Project

Adam has been working on a big project in his gifted class. He has been learning about dinosaurs. He and his teacher put together a shadow puppet show. They made the puppets, wrote and recorded the script, made the "stage" and then presented it to his class and the first grade classes. He had a lot of fun with this and did a great job.

"All I Want For Christmas....

....Are my two front teeth." That was Gavin's wish this past week.
And it came true. His top teeth came in. Yeah! He was pretty fussy about it. Additionally, he had a cough/cold all week. So, it was a bit of a doosie of a week for him.

7 Months

Here's our happy, little Gavin. He's seven months today.

His weight: 17 lb. 0 oz.

His height: 26 inches

BTW, his shirt says, "My Auntie is awesome".

He's been busy this month, trying to learn how to crawl. He's almost there. He's also working on getting his top, two teeth. I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of them broke through this weekend.

He got his first haircut this month. I cut off his mohawk. Now it just sticks up everywhere. When the light shines through it, it looks like a halo.

This is Gavin's favorite position.
He's figured out how to move his hands forward but not his legs yet.

St. Nicholas Day

In our family, we celebrate St. Nicholas Day (European holiday). To me, it is the start of the Christmas season. We set our shoes out on the night of Dec. 5th and St. Nicholas fills them during the night while we sleep. It's always fun to see what he brings. Adam and Matt quite enjoy this. Matt was telling me on Sunday, before putting out our shoes, that he had asked one of his friends at church if St. Nicholas was coming to his house and if he was putting out his shoes. He told Matt, "no". Matt then said, "we're so lucky that St. Nicholas comes to our house".

This year, Adam and Matt each received a 2011 calendar, socks, shirt, hat, Crunch bars, toothbrush, gummis, book, activity pad, and beef jerky. Gavin got baby food (hawaiian delight), finger puppets and a stuffed lion. Rob and I received a calendar and planner, Lebkuchen, gummis, clementines, beef jerky, Applebees giftcard, and a German ornament and magnet. We must have been extra good this year because our shoes were overflowing.

We put out or tree and decorations this weekend, too. In the past I've been known as a bit of a tree-nazi but am trying to let the boys help decorate. However, last night ended up being a wrestling match, fighting over who got to put the German ornaments on the tree. This made me very anxious and uptight because those ornaments aren't really replaceable. So, my dilemma is--do I let them help decorate and run the risk of irreplaceables getting broken, or do I be a meanie and decorate myself in order to ensure nothing gets broken? Arrgh--if they were no fighting we wouldn't have this issue? Why can't we just all get along?

Thanksgiving Weekend/Adam's Baptism

(L-R: Grandma Susan Leonard, Grandpa John Leonard, Gavin Kennington, Holly Leonard, Heidi Kennington, Adam Kennington, Robert Kennington, Royal Blake, Nanna Susan Blake, Grandpa Jim Kennington, Grandma Cristina Kennington.

Note: Matthew Kennington is hiding behind Grandpa Leonard)

We had a full Thanksgiving weekend. We had a full house for the Thanksgiving holiday and Adam's baptism. Our parents, all three sets, and my sister visited. Thursday we had our Thanksgiving meal, raked leaves and hung out. Friday we did a bit of shopping. Normally I go out early in the morning but this year I had an eye infection and just didn't have the energy for it. The boys made gingerbread men cookies and we did some more hanging out.

Saturday was set aside for Adam's baptism. He wanted it to be just a family affair - so it was just family, the bishop and the bishop's son, Adam's friend. He was very attentive during Aunt Holly's talk (her props included Luke Skywalker, Ben 10 and Buzz Lightyear). Afterwards, we came home and had some refreshments--white cake (Adam's favorite) and German treats. Later, we had dinner at McDonald's per Adam's request.

On Sunday, G&G Kennington, G&G Leonard and Aunt Holly went home.

Monday was spent putting in a new bannister. Royal and Robert did it in one day. Once we stain and finish it, I'll post pictures. It looks really nice. And it's just in time since Gavin is on the verge of crawling.

We are thankful for lots of things--having family for Thanksgiving, Adam's choice to be baptized, a new bannister and being able to spend time with our loved ones.

Adam's 8th Birthday

It is Adam's 8th birthday today. It's a bit hard to believe he is already 8 years old.

8 great things about Adam:
1. He loves to read!
2. He asks tons of questions about everything!
3. He really strives to do everything well!
4. He likes to tend Gavin!
5. He has made good choices of friends!
6. Although he likes to be contrary, he secretly wants to do what's right and obey the rules!
7. He happily shares what happens at school!
8. He made me a mother!

This is his "happy" face that church is over and he can now open his presents.

Wow! $20! What is he going to spend it on?

Of course, a Star Wars book.

"Use The Force"

Adam had his 8th birthday party today. Wow, what a party. We had 11 boys here. And it was non-stop energy. In hindsight, we insanely had the party last for three hours. When things got a bit crazy, I reminded myself that it only happens once a year and for only a few hours. And that I can handle that. Adam is really into Star Wars so that was the theme of the party. I bought a bunch of wrapping paper and used the rolls to make lightsabers. We spray painted the "handles" silver and let the boys decorate them and then they each chose what color they wanted the "blade" (red, green or blue). As you can see in the photo below, they were a big hit. And since 8 year old boys can be a bit rough, they didn't last too long. While they were playing with them, I kept a roll of clear packing tape handy to do any repairs on the lightsabers. We fed the boys pizza and cupcakes for lunch. We also had a pinata and a bunch of others games.

Funny, Funny Matthew

Today he looked at me cross-eyed and started singing,
"Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don'tja! Don'tja!"

New Sport

Adam and Matt have invented a new sport.

It's called BABY JUMPING.

6 Months

Gavin is 6 months olds today.

Weight: 16 lbs. 8 oz. (45th perc.)

Height: 25 1/2 in. (25th perc.)

This past month has been chalk full of milestones.

His first two teeth came in this month.

He has learned how to sit on his own and is really enjoying it. As am I.

He is starting to take longer naps. He still takes three per day but usually at least one of them lasts over an hour. His evening nap tends to get shortened or he takes a quick one after nursing.

He is beginning to express his preferences, for example, he decides between a couple of toys which one he wants to play with.

He is drinking from a sippy cup. I wasn't sure how he would do with this because he has never liked a pacifier or taken a bottle. And he doesn't suck his thumb much either anymore. But, he's figured out how to drink from the spout and tends to think it's great fun. He nurses five times/day.

He continues to be quite social. He gets quite giddy when he sees children, or adults that he recognizes. He leans into someone that he wants to hold him. He doesn't fuss about being with "strangers" (not yet--we'll see in a couple of months).

He smiles a lot and is very friendly. He was named after his Uncle Mike, who is also smiley and friendly. So, we named him correctly.

He continues to have crazy hair. The mohawk continues to be long while the rest is really short and fuzzy. Once all the grandmas see him at Thanksgiving, I'm tempted to cut the long wisps so everything is the same length and he won't look like a skater-punk.

He is eating stage 2 baby food. He enjoys all fruits and vegetables so far. We've been trying out turkey this week.

Even though Gavin is a very happy baby, here is evidence that he does have his moments and definitely lets us know about it.

It's so cute to watch him watching himself in the mirror.




"My toes are my favorite toys."

6 Month Itch

For some reason, we got an itch for something new when both Adam and Matt were six months old.
When Adam was six months old, Robert got a new job so we moved from Kansas City to Emporia.
Then, when Matt was six months old, Rob again got a new job and we moved from Emporia to here, Garden City.
Now, Gavin will be six months old next week.
So, has the itch reappeared? Yes.
Are we moving? No.
Is Robert starting a new job? Yes.
He has decided to start his own law firm.
This we'll be his last week at his current job and more frightening, his last week with a steady salary.
We both feel good about this.
Amazingly, in a town that is 2/3 Hispanic, Robert is the only attorney that is fluent in Spanish.
We're hoping to capitalize on this. We've been busy getting everything organized.
So, here's go nothin'!

Our Little Lion King

We dressed Gavin up as a lion. It's the same costume we used when Matt was a baby. The first picture is of Gavin (5 months). The second picture is of Matthew (4 months).

By the time we had taken pictures and finished trick-or-treating, Gavin had had it. He was ready to get his costume off and go to bed.

Adam Vadar

Adam loves Star Wars. So, it was no surprise when he wanted a Star Wars costume. He initially wanted me to make him a Yoda costume but I knew that it wouldn't look professional and therefore wouldn't get Adam's approval. So, he used his allowance to buy his own costume.

Matt the Ninja

Matt dressed up as a ninja this Halloween. He had a great time. He ran from house to house for nearly two hours.

Just waiting to go trick-or-treating

The stash!

Playing Soccer

Adam and Matt played in a small, soccer league during October. Both boys enjoyed it a lot. Sadly, I didn't get any photos of Matt playing. His leg hurt and he didn't play on the Saturday that I brought my camera. One of our favorite memories was of Matt's goal. He was running hard to score a goal. Right before he reached the goal posts, he kicked the ball really hard, slipped in a puddle and was covered, literally, in mud from head to toe. It was a great looking goal but he was so embarassed. He went home right after and took a shower to get all the mud off.

All Things Round

Aren't these pictures cute of Gavin? How can you not like a cute, naked baby?

Matt's class went on a field trip today to the pumpkin stand. All of the children were very excited to pick out their very own pumpkins.

Quick Note

Just wanted to quickly note down what's happening before I forget-----which could be in two minutes, the way my mind has been working lately. Gavin got his first tooth last Sunday, the 10th, and his second tooth today. Now that most of the hair on the sides of his head has fallen out, it is starting to grow back in. It's really short and soft right now. His head looks a bit like a fuzzy tennisball. And I guess we can now say he is an "official" sitter. Yesterday he sat on his own for over a minute.

5 Months

Weight: 15 lbs. 3 oz.

Height: 25 inches

This month Gavin has focused a lot on using his hands. He tends to favor his left hand. Adam was the same way and ended up left-handed so we'll see what happens with Gavin. He is quite adept now at holding and grabbing things. He isn't interested in being on the floor. He justs wants to stand up on our laps. I'm beginning to wonder if he'll learn to roll over and sit on time. He can somewhat sit by himself--with his arm out front propping him up. For the past two weeks he's been repeating the same sound all day long. He's almost ready to cut his first tooth. We can see it just below the gum. He has a new schedule now. It's taken the entire month to kind of figure it out. He dropped a feeding and a nap. So, now he nurses 5 times/day and naps 3 times/day. He wakes up about 7:30am and nurses; takes a nap around 10am; nurses at 11am; eats lunch=veggies; naps at 1:30-2pm; nurses again at 2-2:30pm; naps for the last time at 5:30-6pm; nurses, and then nurses again at 8:30pm before bedtime. He doesn't sleep for long periods during the day. Each nap is only 30-40 minutes. But, at night he does great. Once he's in bed, he rarely makes a peep. I usually check on him because he's so quiet. As for baby food, he's happily tried cereal, carrots and sweet potatoes. We'll start fruit in a couple of weeks. He smiles a lot and loves to have people talk to him.

Hey, sweetie--come here often?

"I've fallen and I can't get up."