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.