Christmas 2010

As much as I had planned on sending Christmas cards out this year, it just didn't happen. So, take this as our official Christmas greeting. I cannot believe it is almost Christmas and I wonder where the time has gone? I'm so thankful for Christmas break, where I can get caught up on my "to do" list. Our Christmases are going to be spread out this year, so it doesn't look like we'll be caught up in a whirlwind of traveling to and from. We're going to the Christmas Eve program at church this year, and celebrating with Alan's side of the family on Christmas night. Then we'll celebrate with his parents and sister and brother-in-law on Sunday, since Ross and Christy are not able to make it on Saturday. We're actually going to have Christmas morning at our house with Kinslie, since she's now old enough to open presents. We will celebrate with my family in Topeka on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

I waited until today to wrap presents, while Kinslie went to daycare. I was so afraid she would get into them and I would have to start all over. She went right to the presents when we got home, but luckily hasn't started tearing any of the paper yet (yet being the key word). She does enjoy pressing the button to turn the Christmas lights on and off. We decided to only put ornaments on the top half of the tree, as she has octopus arms that like to grab everything.

So, what's new with us? Not a whole lot. As fast as the year has gone, I'm getting excited about teaching positions opening up for the upcoming school year. With me not teaching this year, I realized how much I miss teaching. I'm hoping something will open up in the preschool that I'm currently a family advocate for, but I'm not limiting my search to that school district. So, if you know of any teaching positions that come available...let me know.

Alan is busy, busy, busy at work. I'm so thankful that he has a good job and that they are a growing company. Lately, he has had customers from Russia at the shop, so he's been helping them learn about the drills.

Kinslie is growing up so fast. She will be 16 months on the 29th. I believe she is teething again, as she hasn't been eating as much and has been extremely grumpy. She hasn't messed with her ears, so I don't think they are the problem. I may be ready to go back to work after staying home most of break with her. She goes to the doctor on the 30th, so if she isn't back to her spunky self by then, I'll have the doctor check her out. She enjoys going to the daycare she's at, and doesn't usually have problems with me leaving her there. She LOVES reading books, and we can spend several hours a day reading to her. Her favorites are farm animal books where she can tell us what sounds the animals make and lift-the-flap books. Those are getting a little worn out, as sometimes the flaps get pulled a little too much.

That's our life right now. Not a whole lot has changed. We wish you all a Merry CHRISTmas.

-Alan, Kristen, and Kinslie

Oh My...Don't Fall Over

Okay, so I will be the first to admit that I stink at keeping up the blog (although you probably already have been thinking that). So there's only been 7 months that have passed since Kinslie had her first tastes of food. How much could really happen in 7 months?



Here's a recap:

*Kinslie will be 13 months tomorrow.
*She's walking, babbling, kissing, EATING, teething, and much more
*She's had an ear infection for over a month, we've had 4 rounds of antibiotics and are hoping to see a specialist this week to get it cleared up
*My niece, Kalyn, was born...and Kinslie's working hard to teach her how the world works
*We moved
*Alan started a new job and really enjoys it
*I started a new job and don't really enjoy it (I keep checking for mid-year postings for teaching positions...nothing yet)
*We went jeeping in Colorado
*We went to Branson over Labor Day weekend

That's pretty much the jist of the last 7 months. My goal is to post again in less than 6 months.

1st tastes of food

Kinslie had her first tastes of cereal about a month ago. She was not impressed in the beginning. It was not until I started flavoring it with apple juice that she decided it was good stuff. Here she is the first time she had cereal.

Last week, she had her first taste of carrots. Again, she was not thrilled in the beginning but got more into them the second time she had them. We have since tried green beans and most nights they are a hit.


She is growing up so fast, and such a busy-body. It's amazing how long she can go without sleeping, but just won't give in to a nap or to bedtime. One of these days she'll realize what a wonderful thing naps are. Things are no longer "safe" in the living room. She is rolling everywhere and pretty much everything goes straight to her mouth. Giggles are coming more easily and more often. I love it! She also loves to watch older kids play. My grandma has been taking her into game time at AWANA because she has been the only baby on Wednesday nights while Bible study is going on. She just loves to watch the kids running around and squeals with delight. I love being a mom and watching all of these things happen.