Colton's 2nd Christmas

Christmas was a really fun time! Colton was into the whole unwrapping presents...even very particular about getting every piece of paper off the boxes. In typical boy fashion, if a present was clothes, it was immediately thrown to the side and on to the next. (However, Mommy loved all the cute boy clothes) "Cars" seemed to be the running theme. Anything (book, race track, coloring pages, backpack, etc.) with cars on it was an instant hit. We had a lot of fun visiting our families. You can tell that I'm the photographer...I'm not in one single picture this year!! He was wired for 2 days straight. We're finally getting back to some sort of normal schedule and enjoying our time off of work!

Santa Claus

We had the chance to meet Santa again last night at our neighbor's annual Christmas party. Colton was much more enthusiastic about sitting on his lap. As soon as Santa walked through the door, Colton yelled, "HI SANTA" and ran over to him. It was hard to get him away from Santa so that the other kids could have a chance to sit on his lap. Santa really became Colton's BFF when he brought Colton a Wiggles book that plays his favorite Wiggle's songs.

Christmas Lights

Last night we went with our friends, The Manns, to see the Christmas Lights at CALM. Colton loved them and yelled, "OOOOOO, pretty!" at each display.

We also saw Santa there. Colton was very good about blowing Santa a kiss, saying "HI Santa", waving, and giving Santa a hug.

But he wanted NOTHING to do with sitting on Santa's lap!

Blogging Woes...

I've become a very lazy blogger. Or maybe it's just the sheer busyness of life these days! Time seems to go at an accelerated rate during the holiday season. We are good here in the Kaiser home. Colton's newest development is his games that he creates. He takes great satisfaction in making up games that he wants you to participate in over and over (and over). It's very entertaining to himself (and us, of course). He's turned into quite the streaker as well. Seconds after he strips down for a bath at night...he bolts out the bedroom door and down the hall in all his glory! The freedom must feel fantistic to him! I hope that he outgrows it before kindergarten. Here are a few pictures from a day in Morro Bay during our Thanksgiving break. We went out for fish & chips and went to the small aquarium to feed the seals.

We love Morro Bay! It's always such a fun day there!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We would like to say Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! Nick and I are so thankful for such an eventful year. God blessed us with a wonderful little boy that we have enjoyed beyond words watching grow this year. We were taken care of during Colton's diagnosis in more ways that we could imagine. Our family and friends have been such a blessing as they support us and our family in so many ways each and every day. And...we are so blessed to be expanding the Kaiser household come April 2009!

We love you all!

My Visions of Pink

My visions of PINK are now a blur! Yes, we found out yesterday that we are having a second boy. Colton will be a big brother to another little boy. I am getting used to the idea of a non-stop house full of mud, bruises, and broken things! Not to mention how out-numbered I will soon be! Anyhow, we're happy to share the news and happy that everything in the ultrasound looked so healthy.

Halloween 2008

Halloween morning started off with Colton NOT wanting to participate. He was fine with having on his monkey outfit, but when I tried to paint his nose, he immediately wiped it off and from then on wanted nothing more to do with it! This included smiling for any pictures or putting his binki & blankie down for a picture. As the day went on he got much more into the festivities. His daycare walked to a few houses to trick-or-treat early that morning.

That night Colton had a BLAST! He totally got the concept of trick-or-treating. Take your bucket up to the door, smile cute, get candy, turn around and scream at the top of your lungs because this is such a fun game! Everyone in the neighborhood heard our child squealing after each door. His only condition at each door was that the person not put the candy in his bucket. He wanted to do that part himself.

I gave in and let him have one piece. He stared at a piece of licorice forever and it was too cute to resist.

The Pumpkin Patch

We had a fun time this weekend at Murry Family Farms (the pumpkin patch) with our friends Jenny & Cade. Colton ran the entire time he was there and gave me quite the workout. He loved every part...except when I picked him up now and then to carry him so that he would stop running. It was a good time and I think we'll be going back with Dad next weekend!

This was a giant tub of corn kernals.

Too much to look at! No time for the camera now, Mom!

Dancing to "The Monster Mash" that was playing.

Again, no time for a smile to the camera!

This was the majority of the day...chasing Colton!

Still...not gonna smile or even look!

Baby Dedication

This past weekend Colton was dedicated at church. It was very sweet and he looked awfully cute in his little plaid shirt. Nana & Papa came to see the dedication. The pictures from the actual dedication at church came out really dark, but here are some from that morning.

Our good friends Jenny and Colby and their son, Cade (who was born 3 days before Colton), are back from Japan! Yea!! Colton and Cade are heading off to the pumpkin patch this coming weekend, so I'm sure we'll have some good pictures soon!

Happy 1 1/2 Birthday!

In honor of his 18 month birthday, Colton decided to share 18 things about himself...

1. I LOVE my binki and blankie. There is talk that my binki might disappear, but if I have it my way, I'll be taking it to college with me.

2. I can't stand when mommy takes her cell phone away from me. I go through all the trouble of digging in her purse and then it just gets taken away. I usually scream. A lot.

3. I love to smile...and flash one to everyone... no matter who it is or where we're at. I think it helps to make the world a better place.

4. I love to play ball. Any size. Any color. Any game. Any time.

5. I HATE time-outs.

6. Snuggling at night with my mommy is a renewed interest I now have. I used to think that I didn't want to rock anymore...but now I've decided it's great and I could do it forever.

7. My dad is the best toy that's ever been invented.

8. If it were up to me, I would live outside. I say that word really well now. "Owww-side"

9. Cartoons in Mom & Dad's bed look better than the one's on the couch.

10. I call phones a "Nana" I think it's because mommy is usually talking to Nana on one and to me it's like the same thing.

11. I love food. The proof is in my cheeks.

12. The best place I've been taken to so far is the beach. I love the water, the sand, and the freedom.

13. I haven't let my shorter leg slow me down one bit. I walk. I run. And now it's on to jumping.

14. Big people veggetables are GROSS! Baby food veggetables are YUMMY!

15. I am happiest when Mommy, Daddy, and Dog-Dog are all with me.

16. I'm becoming a good finger-painter.

17. Mommy tells me I'm so smart. I believe her.

18. I love being bigger now and knowing how to do so much. But I know mommy gets sad sometimes and says I'm growing up too fast.

Weekend Away

This weekend we headed to the coast to get away from this awful heat. It was so nice!!! On Saturday we spent the entire day at the beach. Colton was in heaven...

There is nothing that my child doesn't like about the beach. He loves it all...even down to the sand in his hair, mouth, and diaper.

And now it's on to Monday...I hate Mondays!

A Quick Update

I'm just so lazy about the blog thing lately. I've had pictures from San Diego that I've wanted to post for weeks now. They're coming...I promise.

Life in the Kaiser household is at a norm. I'm heading toward my 8th week of pregnancy and the funny thing is...my pants are already seeming to become more snug. Way earlier than when I was pregnant with Colton! I wasn't ready for that yet...and I refuse to wear maternity clothes so early!!! I've had kind of an all-day "morning sickness" queasy feeling. Some days are worse than others and then there are those days I feel pretty good. I've tried to monitor what I'm eating to see if anything sets it off, but haven't come to a pattern yet. I'm sure the 100 plus temperatures aren't helping! I do come home every day and longingly look at the couch for a nap...a luxury I had the first time around. However, life with a toddler does not permit such things! I basically sleep any chance I get on the weekends when Colton goes down. I was scheduled for an ultrasound today to see/hear the heartbeat, but the appointment was cancelled. So I'll fill you in on that next week.

First grade has been a lot of fun. No more pee...or vomit...or kids running away out of the classroom. Last Friday we painted pictures of fish with water colors and the room was SILENT. Then one little girl commented that it was the best day of school ever and that she couldn't wait to come back on Monday. There are a lot of cute comments here and there that help to make it a lot of fun. And they are SO excited when they learn something new! I do still miss my sweet 5th graders and have had a lot of last year's students come to visit. They hang out in my classroom and help the 1st graders on work or help me. I think I miss the conversation that I could have with the older kids and they way I could relate and connect to them. It's just a different ballgame with the little ones!

Anyhow, I will work on some more pictures! Colton seems to get bigger by the day. His newest word is "outside"...usually said in question form as he points out the window. Pretty cute.

The Things We Do...

to our poor child to keep our adult selves entertained!

Today I was finally getting laundry folded, when Colton crawled into the basket. It soon became a game of peek-a-boo as he would throw clothes over his head. Well, it turned into Mommy & Daddy burying Colton...which he loved even more. But somehow I think we were more entertained than him.

I've made it through two weeks of 1st grade! In those two weeks, I had two wet their pants in class, one throw-up, and one that continually ran out of the classroom. Ahh...and to think that I willfully chose to move grades! Overall it's been pretty good. It is cute when they tell you how much they love you (already) and I had one ask when they were going to get some homework. Love that enthusiasm!

Most of you have seen the new ticker at the bottom of this blog. Yes, we are pregnant. So far, so good. It's early to be telling, but we figured better to have people praying for a healthy baby, right? We have an ultrasound in a week to see the heartbeat. My energy level has taken a nosedive, and I've been sick to my stomach here and there...but that's about it. We're obviously very excited! :-)

Beachwood BBQ

A couple of weeks before the madness of going back to school came, Nick and I took a trip down to San Diego with our friends, Chris & Lisa. On the way back home we stopped in Seal Beach to have lunch at Beachwood BBQ. It is an amazing little place that was opened a couple years back by my good friend Lena, and her husband Gabe. I'm not kidding...the food is amazing! The deep fried pickles, pulled pork sandwich and sweet potato fries were to die for. Not to mention, the ambiance of the place is so cozy and quaint. If you ever are stopping through that part of Southern California, it's right off the 405, and a must have lunch or dinner spot. I'm already craving it again!

Here are Nick and Colton waiting for food. Oh yeah, and see back on the far end of the table? Those are the homemade BBQ and mustard sauces you can pour on your meats. YUM!!!

This is the bar portion. They offer around 25 micro brews and never have the same beer twice. So when the tap runs out, it's time to try another. On the wall is the list of the different brews.

Colton and his new girlfriend, Lena, out front. (Yes, I know he's too old for that binki!! We're working on it. Give a mom a break!! )

Miss you, Lena!!! Even as I post this now, it's just another reminder of how we all grow up and go our own ways. Love you and can't wait to see you again!

http://www.beachwoodbbq.com

131 1/2 Main Street

Seal Beach, CA 90740

(562) 493-4500

Twas the Night Before First Grade

Twas the night before First Grade

when the teacher was stressing,

Why she decided to change grade levels,

That, she was still guessing.

Her classroom was decorated,

Her plans were done,

Yet she was still so nervous

About when they would come.

She anticipated some crying

And maybe wet pants too,

Again, why was it she left

The grade she so thoroughly knew?

And so she thought

She must sign onto her blog

Because after tomorrow,

She would surely be in a fog.

Sorry it's been SO long since a post! I even have pictures of our trip to San Diego and my good friend, Lena's, fabulous restaurant! I promise they are coming. I've been swamped getting ready for tomorrow. And so NERVOUS! I promise to update more this week and include some long-awaited pictures. Love to you all!

The Cowboys' Training Camp

On Monday we headed down to Oxnard to see the Dallas Cowboys practice. Nick was like a kid in a candy shop. Personally, I just thought it was fun to see the guy who is now dating Jessica Simpson (Tony Romo) and T.O. who always seems to be getting press for something arrogant he's done. I'm a reality and media junkie...what can I say?! It was a fun time. :-)













Here is T.O. (#81). I never could snap quick enough when he was turned around actually facing our way.














"Rowdy" the Cowboy mascot. He was fun for Colton to watch.

Tony Romo after practice.















Future fan?...We'll have to wait and see!