Thanksgiving 2007

Here are some picture from our fabulous Thanksgiving. It is a shame that I never get any pictures from our second Thanksgiving that we go to... The Nagels. It is only because the Nagel Thanksgiving is HUGE and there is SO much activity going on. I always forget to take pictures (those who attend know what I am talking about... there are over 50 people and you have to talk in a loud voice the entire time or shout). I suppose I could have slipped in some pictures of cousin Logan jumping into the pond with only his boxers on in freezing temperatures...yes, that actually happened at the Nagel Thanksgiving. We always have a great time!

Here are pictures taken at my Mamaw's house. She always prepares such a wonderful meal and makes us all feel so comfortable and at home.

Shopping the day after Thanksgiving.

Amy and David's 2007 Christmas Hats

Mom and I finding all the sales. Amy chooses fashion over comfort.

Kruser Snake-Eyes Chicken Noodle Soup

Believe it or not, that is Krue's name at preschool according to his teacher, Mrs. Bell.

I ran into Mrs. Bell at Walmart and said to her, "Krue tells me that you call him 'Kruser Snake-eyes' ". She said, "Oh no no, Krue tells US that we should call him 'Kruser Snake-eyes' . In fact, he has the entire class trying to think of creative nick-names for themselves because Krue has one."

Well, I guess "Kruser Snake-eyes" wasn't a long enough name because recently Krue has lengthened his name to "Kruser Snake-eyes Chicken Noodle Soup". Oh the things he comes up with!

While I am on the subject of Krue...

We are so proud of him because he got out of his bed and came downstairs for THE FIRST TIME EVER after his nap ... ALL BY HIMSELF! Yes, this sounds like a very basic thing, but it is a big deal to us. We have been telling Krue since he was 2 1/2 that whenever he wakes up he can come downstairs and find us. He has never done this. We have always had to go up and get him, and we never knew when he woke up so we would always have to check on him.

Yeah Krue!! Making mom and dad's job a little easier one step at a time :)

"Barbie-fied"

Well, I did something fun for myself. I got extensions! Erin (my brother-in-law, Nick's, girlfriend... who happens to be Erin Marie, just like me!) put them in for me. I spent 4 hours at Todd Shalley's Salon in Bluffton while Erin expertly put them in. My mom watched the boys, I got starbucks and then went to the salon for my new look. It was great!

I had several people ask me to post a picture of my hair on the blog, so here it is:

I love my new extensions! Erin did a fabulous job. I call it my "Barbie Hair"... thus the name of this blog entry. It is a TON of hair to work with! It took several days and consults with Erin, my sisters and aunts to figure out exactly how to work with it. I think I have finally settled on a style. It will be so much fun to have over the holidays. Here are some before and after shots:

GO HOOSIERS! PEE-U PURDUE!

It was a beautiful day for a football game. And what a game it was!

On Saturday, Lee and I ventured down to our old stomping grounds in Bloomington to see the IU/PU football game. It was a sweet day of victory for the Hoosiers!

We were asked to go to the game by our good friends, Neal and Melanie Blythe. They have season tickets and haven't missed a home game yet ~ die hard fans, indeed! We loaded up the suburban, picked up Neal and Mel, and also picked up Lee's brother, Nick, and his girlfriend, Erin. We had a fun trip down to the game.

I can't believe how many people were tailgating before the game. It must have broken a record of some sort. It was unbelievable! We had a great time tailgating and were accompanied by Melanie's family ~ also die hard IU fans!

Tailgating before the game... Neal, Melanie, Lee, Me, Nick, Erin

The weather was great ~ Blue skies and 60 degrees

Mel and I sporting our team colors.

"The Rock" ~ Neal felt quite at home in the stadium.

Mel enjoying the game.

It got colder during the second half, so we all bundled up.

Hoosier fans rushing the field after the game. Melanie's dad is in there somewhere :)

Lee's step-sister, Sara, was kind enough to let us stay at here apartment that night. She went out with us to help celebrate. We had a great time!

My parents watched the boys while we were gone. They are so nice like that! My dad is a big Purdue fan and he taught Krue and Kiefer how to say, "Go Boilers!" I couldn't believe that he had brainwashed them during the time we were gone :) Have no fear, I had them saying "Pee-U Purdue" before we left their house on Sunday.

Go IU!

Same but Different

It still amazes me that my boys are so different! Don't get me wrong, they have their similarities... love to socialize, love music & singing, mechanically inclined - engineers, love sports and activity, like their sleep, love to cuddle & give kisses and hugs, love to look at books, love each other very much! However, I had to take a minute to jot down their differences. These things crack me up:

Krue - Slow & Picky Eater - Grazer
Kiefer - Eats fast, shovels in food, can't get enough Ex: Yesterday he ate an entire apple... core, stem, seeds and all! If that doesn't describe his personality, I don't know what will.

Krue - Will be quiet if needed, laid back
Kiefer - Has only one volume - LOUD! Ex: You should see the looks I get at the grocery store. Kiefer is so loud and doesn't even know it. He always has been since he was in the NICU. The nurses told me he was the noisiest baby they had ever taken care of.

Krue - Studies everything first before attempting to use them - Cautiously Active
Kiefer - Not afraid to try anything, jumps right in, always busy

Krue - Does everything with Finesse and Strategy
Kiefer - Charges/Muscles his way through everything

Krue - Has a soft, gentle touch
Kiefer - Bangs, stomps, throws everything

Krue - Wakes up happy and smiling
Kiefer - Takes awhile to wake up, can be grumpy

Krue - No Temper, "Pleaser", Easy to Discipline
Kiefer - Gets angry easily, Throws temper tantrums

Krue - Likes to watch T.V. sitting down, relaxing
Kiefer - Likes to watch T.V. on the move

Krue - Goes with the flow
Kiefer - Has opinions about everything, likes to have his way

I love my boys and their differences. I think they compliment each other well. They sure keep everyday fun and exciting for Lee and I!

Sisters, Sisters ~ There Were Never Such Devoted Sisters...

Oh, I just love these girls! My sisters invited me down to their apartment for a girls day of fun with them. That is exactly what it was ~ FUN! We first hung out at their apartment and talked while we got ready to go out. We drove to the mall and did some shopping (always a fun thing to do). Next, we went to dinner at a nice restaurant on Broadripple (can't remember the name of it, but it was great!) At the end of the evening we drove back to their apartment, got into our pajamas, poured ourselves a glass of wine, and watched home videos. It was wonderful!

This morning we got up and Ali fixed us all a yummy and HUGE breakfast. The entire trip was so wonderful and relaxing.

I am so lucky to have my sisters. Thanks girls!

P.S. We love you, too, Adam.

Krue's New Hobbie

In preparation for wakeboarding next summer :) Lee bought Krue a skateboard. Krue tried it out for the first time last week and fell in love. He is really good at it too! Very impressive for a 3 year old I must say. (Have you ever tried to skateboard? It is trickier than it looks!)

Putting on all of the safety gear... no injuries, please, for Mommy's sake!

Such good balance all the way down the driveway.

Krue can even go over the bump by himself!

Going back up the driveway ~ "Kiefer Style"

Krue's latest craze is skateboarding. He thinks he's pretty hot stuff with his new Vans skateboarding shoes ~ Geesh. Aunt Ali got him this really cute skateboarding bag - not big enough to put his skateboard in, but Krue sticks his Vans in it and carries them around. Thanks Ali!