Merry Christmas / Happy Birthday

Today, we had a Christmas / Birthday party get together at our house. This was one of the reasons we "had" to get the trips moved upstairs so we could have more room around the house for everyone to fit! I wanted to get it done by the end of the year.... this just made us get it done. Everyone came: my sisters- Kim & Jenni & their families, my mom, my dad & my Grandma Klocke were all able to come!! My Grandma Klocke will be 91 years old in February & is still doing great!! We had a great time & took some pictures. It's hard to get all the little ones to hold still, not cry & look at the camera... but I think they all did a great job!

This is a picture of my Grandma with all the kids (my grandma has 41 great grand children, my trips being 38, 39 & 40 and Jenni's son Cael being 41)

Here is a picture of my mom & dad with all their grand children.

It was also Payton's 10th birthday, (I cannot believe he's 10!!) we got a cake, sang Happy Birthday to him & he opened up gifts here! Oh, we also watched the Iowa game... they were in the Alamo Bowl playing Texas. It was a pretty good game, Iowa came out on top, but lost it in the end. As most of you know I am not a Hawkeye fan, so I didn't really much care, but it was a bowl game, so I guess I wanted them to do well =)

Happy Birthday Payton!!

Today is Payton's 10th Birthday... I cannot believe he is 10- where has time gone? I can remember the day he was born, oh we were all soooo excited!! I cannot beleive how much he has grown up! He is such a nice boy... young man! He has a heart of gold & I absolutely love the fact that he will still give me a big hug & kiss every time he sees me or before he leaves- I love it!! Happy Birthday Bug!! Love ya! Here is a picture of Payton giving Austen a hug after feeding him his bottle, I love that Austen has such an awesome cousin to teach him the ropes!

Upstairs Bedrooms!!
Yes, my babies have been moved upstairs to their bedrooms! I wanted to get them moved by the end of the year... and by golly we did it. It has been a long time planning & a few things that had to get done first. Well, we got the painting done a week or so ago (thanks Nanna Sharon!) & then we just had to get everything moved upstairs. Today, my dad helped us move everything... all the cribs upstairs, one of the changing tables, the dressers, all the stuffed animals & their clothes. Now, I just need to organize their clothes- I don't even know what they have to know what to buy for them! And I get to decorate.... We really don't have much for the walls yet, I've been waiting to see how everything fits in their rooms to see what kind of wall space we have... watch for more updates with pictures. Austen has his own room that is blue & the girls are sharing a room that is... yep, you guessed it, it's pink! I'm really happy with how the colors turned out. I'm excited to have them upstairs & in their rooms.... the daily up & down the stairs will be something to get used to, but I can definitely use the exercise =)
Then my dad also helped us move all D.J.'s office furniture from our 4-seasons room back into his office (the nursery was in what used to be his office) That was quite a task- the office furniture is very big & very, very heavy!!! Thanks Dad for all your help! It's great to have the 4-seasons room for all the trips stuff.... the 3 car seats, 3 bouncers, 3 high chairs & all the toys, toys, toys!!! It doesn't seem like we are tripping over everything anymore!

Merry Christmas!

(Brooklen, Caitlen & Austen)
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, we had a wonderful 1st Christmas with our babies!! It was quite busy! First, my dad made it to Iowa on Friday night, Dec. 22nd- he drove from California & was stuck in Wyoming for an extra night.... you know all the snow that Denver got closed all the roads. I still cannot believe Colorado has gotten sooo much snow & we got none- it's just not fair! I was really hoping for some snow for Christmas- it just helps get everyone in the holiday spirit!! Anyway, my dad stayed the night with us on Friday & then Saturday morning after breakfast we headed to Cedar Rapids. Saturday, Dec. 23rd, we had Christmas at Nanna Sharon's. We had a delicious ham lunch & then it was present time! Present time at Nanna's goes by fast!! The trips got lots of wonderful toys, Thank you everyone!! Then on Sunday, Christmas Eve, we had Christmas at my mom's- Grandma K's. Everyone arrived around noonish- we had soup & sandwiches and stretched out the gift opening as long as we could... we used to have marathon gift opening, I think the longest was 8 hours or something crazy like that. We always take turns opening up gifts & we used to have 3 or 4 intermissions for dinner & munchies. We always liked going slow, seeing what everyone gets & just stretching it out because once it's over.... it's over for a year!! I don't know why, but that is just how we have always done it. Anyway, it's getting harder and harder to go slow with all the kids & they are just so anxious- it's great!! We still take turns, we just don't have the intermissions anymore. Again, the trips got wonderful presents- Thank you everyone!! Here is a picture of our bunch!!

6 Months Old
Ok- I cannot believe it, my babies are 6 month old. Where has the time gone? They are doing so great & growing.... already too fast for me! Sorry, I have been a bit of a bad blogger, it's hard to find time!! To fill you in a bit on what they have been up to... Austen is weighing 16lbs 10oz, I know what the heck!! You'd never know he was a preemie! He has 2 teeth, yes 2! Very cute, both bottom front teeth. I've tried to get a picture, but I haven't had much luck. He has also rolled from back to front- the first few times it took quite a lot of effort, today he is doing it without much problem at all- way to go Austen!! Caitlen weighs 13lbs & just giggles all the time.. oh, it's sooo cute!! I think she is going to be our social butterfly- she loves to look at people & make them laugh! She will just keep laughing if you keep laughing. Brooklen weighs 13lbs 3oz, yep she weighs more than Caitlen... it doesn't look like it because Caitlen is an inch longer, but Brooklen passed her & is staying a little ahead. Brooklen is my serious one, she takes everything in... not wanting to miss a beat, but takes a bit more time to warm up to people... once she does she smiles so big it looks like her cheeks are going to burst! Oh, they are so cute & I'm loving every moment with them. We are excited for their first Christmas!
Not only are my babies 6 months old, but it's the middle of December- yikes! We have been super busy since Thanksgiving- the trips had a great Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving day we went up to Dusty & Monica's to spend Thanksgiving with D.J.'s family- it was very nice. Then the following weekend we went to my mom's- what a house full- it was a blast & we figured it was a practice for Christmas. I do have to say I was impressed all the adults were able to sit down for Thanksgiving at the same time & the dinner was delicious! I have been working quite a bit- it's the holiday season so that is expected. I do have to say there are a lot of grumpy shoppers out there-- where's the holiday spirit? I think a little snow would help with that, but I'd like to say- there is no need to be grouchy to the salesperson--it's now our fault you're not done shopping! For those of you who don't know I picked up a part-time job at Baby Gap on nights & weekends... it's harder to leave than I thought it was going to be, but I think it's good for everyone. Good for me to get out & good for D.J. to have some alone time with the trips. He does a great job with them, he is a great dad!!
We are almost ready for Christmas- I got my Christmas cards out in the mail- yeah! I think I have most of the shopping done, but I need to wrap yet. I'd like to make some more Christmas candy- spent the morning with mom making some candy- yum yum! but I'd like to make a couple more things & then get everything packed up for our long weekend in Cedar Rapids. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!