Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Happy Holidays


Well - we're finally home from our 11 day holiday tour. It all started last Friday when Emma and Chase decided to wake up at 3 AM and never went back to sleep! So we all got up and hit the road (a little later than expected since Zach and I were grasping for just 15 minutes more of sleep that we never got!). After an 8 hour trip (and only stopping once for the kids to get out - beat that travelers with infants!) we met Grandpa Randy, Grandma Donna and Grace to drop a tired Emma off with them for the night. Then we headed back down to Warrensburg for the annual "Not So Silent Night" party with our friends. We had a great time and Chase did well, but of course decided not to drink from a bottle so I had a little less fun than I had planned! On Saturday, we picked up Emma and went back to Warrensburg for a day of fun at the Ward's. The boys cooked an AMAZING dinner and have a new shopping trip story with Emma and Ella that you'll have to ask them about! Who doesn't love taking a 2 and a 3 yr old shopping! We had a great night playing with all the kids and we can't thank our Warrensburg FAMILY enough. You truely are family to us and we love you all!

The girls eating at the Ward's
Gracie holding Chase - she's going to be big help mom when that little boy arrives!

On Sunday we headed back to KC and spent the entire day at Grandpa Randy and Grandma Donna's. Emma and Chase made out with all their gifts! We knew we were in trouble right away because there was no way all this loot was going to fit in the car for the ride home! And of course - a few rounds of Scrabble were a blast - even though I never win! I swear Donna cheats - who could possibly know all those words!
Chase and Emma checking out Chase's new toy
Which one do I play with - kitchen or microphone - tough decisions!

Hanging out at Dad and Donna's house

Emma feeding her new baby - Thanks Grandma Donna and Grandpa Randy

Monday we hung out with Grandma Debi and just relaxed. Tuesday we hung out with Grandma Debi again and then went over to see Zach's cousins and thier kids. Emma had fun running wild in thier basement and playing with the girls. Of course we came home with presents and even some puzzles and a purse for Emma - She Loves them! That's what's she's playing with as I type this now! On the way home we drove by our old townhouse in Blue Springs and then hit Walnut street for the lights. It was perfect for Emma and we heard "pretty lights" over and over again!

Grandma Debi and Chase are all smiles


Wednesday Zach and I met up with our KC Centerplate friends and had a few drinks and some good laughs while Emma played with Grandma Debi and Chase hung out with Grandma Donna. Both kids enjoyed thier own time without us around I'm sure!


Thursday we spent a rushed Christmas Eve with Grandma Debi and Randy, Sharron, Andy and Charles. The weather took a turn that morning and a Winter Blizzard was headed in so we ate, opened presents and headed to Iowa before the storm got too bad. We hated to rush but didn't want to miss getting to spend time in Iowa either. The drive home was very long and tense for Zach - 50 mile an hour winds, blowing snow and icy roads. But we got home just in time before it got too bad. And after drinks and stories - Zach and Carrie decided it was a perfect time to go sledding.
Getting all geared up for the cold - nice blue snow pants babe!
Partners in crime - don't they look cute and warm - for now at least!
Snow angel on the drift on the deck
My attempt to catch the moment on camera - too much blowing snow. It was COLD!

We had hoped to attend Christmas Eve church this year - but it was canceled (the 1st time ever I think) so we hung out with Grandma Denise and Grandpa Knute instead. Christmas day we actually postponed our large family Christmas too - so dad plowed his way over to pick up Great Grandma Pete and we had our immediate family all day snowed in for our own Christmas - also a 1st! With more presents and more food - how could anyone complain. We stayed snowed in on Saturday and just spend time with the family. Carrie, Zach and I decided to take Emma sledding - I think she liked it but who could tell with all that stuff on!

Emma opening her gifts from Santa - she was so excited!

Grandma Denise and Chase hanging out while opening Christmas presents!

Tyler's 1st bath in Grandma Denise's kitchen sink - he seemed to like it!
Emma for the 1st time in real snow!
Emma's 1st time sledding - I think she liked it but how could you tell with all that stuff on!
Chase and Aunt Carrie - I think he helped her win.
Sunday we had baby Tyler's baptism in the morning and then we had our large family Christmas with all the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Grandparents. Baptism went well - no babies cried and Tyler did great up there. Zach and I were sponsors so when we went up front - Emma noticed us up there and everyone heard "Mama - Dada - Ifford (Clifford - the big red dog which she's obsessed with). At Grandma Pete's we had Great food, way too many presents, and lots of fun. It was great to see Emma and Lauren (who are pretty much the same age) play and run around. I can't wait to see it next year when Tyler and Chase are big enough to join in!

The whole family at Tyler's Baptism
Lauren and Emma at Grandma Pete's
Daddy and Chase
Emma, Me, Great Grandma Pete, Chase and Grandma Denise
Emma and Lauren kissing goodbye

Grandma Pete and all the kids

Grandpa Knute and Chase

Monday we headed home. Sad to go but ready to be back in our own house with much less Christmas cookies and treats around! It was a long drive - but in the end not too bad for traveling with 2 kids under 2 for 11+ hours. It only took us less than an hour longer than it does mom and dad when they only stop once - so not too bad!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Christmas Cookie Time!

So the other day Zach and I decided that it was time to make our Christmas sugar cookies!!! We baked them while Emma was napping and then got ready to have her help decorate with us when she woke up. Well - she never did nap, but after playing in her room for way too long - we were ready to go. She was so excited. And suprisingly - she did a great job. Zach gave her the 1st cookie frosted and then some things to decorate with. She even got the cookie decorated pretty well before she just started eating. I think she decorate/ate 5 cookies! Sugar overload!!! She helped sprinkle the ones we made while making her own creations. We had a great time and our cookies turned out great. In fact, I think they're some of the best we've ever made. We're having no trouble eating them! Enjoy the pics!

Before figuring out how good they taste!

Happy with our decorating this year!

Just a few of our creations - yummy!

Big sis and her little bro
Dad and Chase hanging out

Chase watching TV
And the last thought for today - We just wanted to tell our Rhodes "family" how sad we are for thier loss. Today Zach is in Warrensburg, MO for the Celebration of Life ceremony for Dusty Rhodes. Dusty passed away last Friday and he will be Greatly missed. We just want to say to Josh, Jason, Barb, Jess and the rest of the Rhodes family that we miss you and love you. You're in our thoughts and prayers each day.












Monday, November 30, 2009

Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!


We had a Fabulous Thanksgiving this year. Grandma Debi came to visit and it was just us - but we had a meal for 30 I think! The leftovers have been great! Here's just a few pics from our weekend. We did Thanksgiving day here at the house and then put up Christmas decorations up that night. On Friday we had our annual trip to Churchill Downs to watch the horses. Emma loved it and had a great time running around the suite and yelling "go go go" as the horses ran by. There was even a visit by Santa - but we hid behind Grandma's leg and wouldn't get close enough to sit on his lap! Later that night we went over to Collin's birthday party - Happy 1st Birthday Collin! We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out around the house and getting in the Christmas spirit! Enjoy the photos and hope you had a Great Thanksgiving!
Chase's day at the track - so relaxed!
Emma reading her ticket - I don't think it was a winner :-)
Chase and Mommy
Zach and Grandma Debi
Zach, Emma and Grandma Debi at Churchill Downs
Emma and Zach checking out the horses

Emma and Chase - I can't belive how big he is!

Doesn't everyone ride thier horse with thier potty seat around their head??? (No worries - it hasn't been used so it's clean...we're showing all signs of getting ready to potty train but we're not pushing it yet!)

Friday, November 20, 2009

Baptism and Fall Trip Home


Our Family after Chase's Baptism - too bad this is the only time he decided to cry!

Beautiful Boy! His outfit was so cute!


Crazy Girl Emma - she was such a good girl all day!


We just got back from a trip back home for Chase's baptism and to see our family and friends. It was a great trip and a great Baptism.

We started out by taking a detour to Des Moines to meet little Tyler who was a month early! We got to see him in the NICU - but can't wait to see him again at Christmas when we'll be able to hold him! Aunt Al and Uncle Drew even let us stay a night with them - which was the 1st time we had seen their new house and it's beautiful!
Emma playing at the NICU while visiting Baby Tyler

Chase and Great Grandma Pete

Then we headed back to Iowa to my parent's house for Baptism and some harvesting fun! We got to see all the fam and friends and had Chase's baptism on Sunday. It went GREAT! Chase slept through most of church and never cried. Emma made the rounds and I think sat with each and every person in both of our families (which means 3 different rows of people jumping for her!) She was very good and excited to spend a little time with everyone! After church we headed to Halland Village to have some lunch and play. Emma tried her best to wear everyone out playing out in the leaves. She had a ball!
Emma in the leaves

After that we spent some quality time with Grandma Denise at the house and made several trips to see Grandpa Knute in the combine. Great-Grandma Pete came over a few times to play with the kids and Grandma Denise even kept both kids while Aunt Carrie, Zach and I took in a round of golf. This was my 1st real golf outing and I have to say I didn't do too bad. Lost "just a little pride" (right Carrie) a few times when missing the ball - but not too shabby!
Carrie and Val golfing
Chase and Papa Knute out combining
Emma is a True Farmer! She's got Grandpa wrapped around her little finger!

Emma and Papa Knute - don't they look cute in their pink cowboy hats!

Then we headed to KC to spend some time with Zach's family and meet up with some KC friends. Grandma Debi babysat Emma so we could meet up with Brad, Paula and Bob one night. We went to see Grace at her dorm in Warrensburg and then out to eat at our favorite place - Heroes! Thanks for all the great company guys - we miss you all! And then a little more time with Grandma Debi before we headed back home. And the best part of the whole trip - on 8+ hour drive home we only had to stop once! The kids were great so we made great time on the way home!

Emma and Maddy falling off the chair at Heroes - oops!


No wonder these 2 like each other - they look just a like don't they?
Looking Oh So Cute!

Hope you enjoyed the pics of our trip as much as we enjoyed the week! We miss everyone already and we can't wait for Christmas! I'll post more pictures from our trip another day - we took a ton!