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!!!

My little Candy Canes

(Austen, Caitlen & Brooklen with Santa)

Yesterday, with the help of my mom, we took the trips to see Santa! I'm pretty pleased with the photo- unfortunately no one is smiling, but everyone is awake, kind of looking & no crying!! This Santa had his hands full!

Day #23
Music
Oh, I love music! I love how I can hear a song & it takes me to a certain time, to a place, to memories of great friends & great times!! I'd say I like most music, but definitely have my favorites! I love what we used to call heavy metal, better known as 80's metal. I also really love some newer music, not sure what the genre is, but I'd say heavy rock. Some of my all time favorite bands: KISS, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, & Cinderella. Some of my newer favorites: Nickelback, Default, Disturbed, Submersed & Theory of a Deadman. Live music- Concerts is one of D.J. & my favorite things to do. To see the band and hear it live- the guitars, drums, lyrics-Love it!! Hearing a certain song can take me back in time. To hear some Guns N Roses or Skid Row takes me back to high school. Hearing "Live Wire" by Motley Crue takes me to Lake Powell & dancing. Quite a few songs take me to Denver at '92s- we played the jukebox all the time & had our favorites we'd play over & over- one of my favorites: Bon Jovi's "Older"- I'm not old, just older. (above picture is of me & D.J. at a Bon Jovi concert last November where we had front row center tickets- can't get any better than that! My how our life has changed!)

Day #22
Denver Girls
In 2001 we moved from Grand Jct, Colorado over to Denver & lived in Denver for 3 years. I'd like to say "Thanks" to the girlfriends I was lucky enough to meet in Denver. (Traci, one of my best friends from high school also lived in Denver) You guys are awesome. We had some great dinners at "OTB" & then over to '92s for a couple of beverages & listening to the jukebox! I just hear a certain song & it takes me back!! Oh, we had some good times!! I can't think about you guys without smiling. Thanks so much for keeping me company while D.J. went back to school. I should also give a shout out to "'92's" & Sandy for always keeping the nights fun. It was also in Denver where I started at Archiver's- The Photo Memory Store (Scrapbooking), where I met Noelle, who started as my boss & became a great friend. I appreciate everything Noelle- you are a great mentor to me & a great friend. We love & miss you guys! (Top left: Cindy Lou Hoo, Lora, Traci, T, me & Katie. Right: Sandy & D.J.- Sandy is a bartender @ 92s & she just loves D.J.! Bottom left: Noelle & me)

Day #21
Grand Junction Girls
One month after D.J. & I were married we moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and we lived there for 3 years. During those 3 years we had some of the funnest (I know that isn't a word, but it just fits) times ever! I'd like to thank the awesome people we met while living in Colorado, I love that we still keep in touch & I hope we do forever. Some of my fondest memories come from our trips to Lake Powell-- It's just BEAUTIFUL there, waking up in the mornings on a houseboat with the water just like glass- Thanks Julie & B!! I'd really love someday if we could all take a trip there & stay on a houseboat for a week. We also loved taking motorcycle rides up thru the mountains with Brook & Shonna... it's always more fun to go on a ride with other people & I love trying to look tough with Shonna!
We love & miss you guys!!

Day #20
Center Point Friends
I have to say I feel that I have been blessed with the best girlfriends throughout my life. I have been very lucky to meet some great people through the years. But, some of my best friends have honestly been my best friends forever--from grade school. Yes, grade school and I mean kindergarten! I think that is a rare treat & I'm very grateful for their friendship. I have always said it was one of the best things about living in a small town & going to a small school. You meet

your friends in kindergarten.... in

kindergarten when it doesn't matter what you wear, what your parents do for a living, how much money you have- you become friends for what's inside, what really matters. I'd like to say "Thanks to my C.P. friends!" You guys are awesome & have always been there for me. We've had some GREAT times, shared many secrets & soooo many laughs. You guys probably make me laugh the most out of anyone. I love how we keep in touch, maybe don't talk all the time, but do a pretty good job at email and we try to all get together at least once a year. (Pictures: group pix backrow: me, Heather, Michelle & frontrow: Debbie, Beth & Karla. Left picture is me & Traci. Sorry, I don't have a digital picture of Amy- if someone could email me a photo I can add it- Thanks!!)