Polar Bear

Worthington rec center had a Christmas party a couple of weeks back. It was really nice, especially considering we are not residents and it was free. The kids love going there. For the party they had open gym, decorate your own cookie, and characters. At first Grady would not go near the characters, then all of a sudden he could not get enough of them. He was following the polar bear and bird around. I actually had to stop him because they could not see him and I was worried he was getting so close they may knock him over accidentally.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Gwen's version

Xmas tree

We headed to Timbuk farms to cut our Christmas tree this year. We are obviously new at this as the top of the tree is at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Oh well, it is standing, although it is tied to the wall. The babies had a great time and loved riding on the bus.



Can we take a picture or what??

Downward Dog

Gwen has taken up yoga. This is her favorite pose.

My Other Fashionista

Summer hat, princess purse and cookie monster slippers. It does not get much better than this. I am pretty sure I have to file this in the my son is starting to date folder.

Bookshelf

Stacy and Chris gave us a bookshelf quite some time ago. It has been perfect for storing bins, books and toys. I never thought I could store the twins in it!

Your Baby Can Read

Grady loves books. He might not be able to read quite yet, but he can typically hold the book right side up and turn the page. I would say that he is on his way to being a genius!

Look at those teeth!

We are finally seeing more teeth! Luckily the biting has slowed down.

Monkey See Monkey Do

It is amazing what the kids pick up on. I guess I need to be more careful eating my cereal. This can end up being quite a disaster if I turn my head for one second....

Hospital

There is one positive thing about going to the hospital...

As Neal said, at least no one has drawn a moustache on them!

Tippy

Today we had to put Tippy down. It is a horrible thing to have to do. He had cancer and it just seemed to take over his body in the last month. Tippy was with us for a full 9 years. Anyone that has been at our house or even talked to me on the phone has had an encounter with Tippy. When we first saw him at the pound he was quiet and very calm. That was the last day he was like that because as soon as we brought him home he went non-stop 24/7 and had to be in everyone's business all of the time. Tippy's favorite things to do were bark, hump Luke, make crotchless panties, claw humans so he could get pet, eat poop, go for a walk or car ride, eat the babies scraps, climb on the table, catch animals in our back yard and more recently eat his paws or honey baked ham. We will always have our memories with Tippy including the time he ate 2 of my good suits, the time he ate a half a bottle of Tums, and the time he ate a half a bag of mini snickers including wrappers and survived. At our old house our neighbor told us he had found a way out of our fenced in yard and would frequently venture out, but would always come home. We are going to miss him in our home.

Thanksgiving

I came downstairs the other day thinking how lucky I am to have our home. I complain rather frequently about the things I wish I had done during the remodel, but I try to remind myself how lucky I am. Our home is big enough for all of us and has everything we need. I do not take enough time to appreciate everything I have. The older I get time seems to go by faster. I swear the twins turned one just yesterday and now here it is Thanksgiving. So I figured I should jot some of these things down to remind myself how truly lucky I am.



1) Our jobs. Not only do they provide us with sufficient income for our lives and enough excess to save, but they give us health insurance which many people do not have. I would be lost without it.



2) My dad. He taught me how to manage my money and make smart decisions. He pushed me in school so that I could do whatever I wanted. He gave me my confidence. He is a wonderful Grandfather to Grady and Gwen.



3) My mother. She is the most caring woman I know. She is there for me no matter what. I will never forget her laying in bed with me at 22 the night before my wedding. My mom has always been there for me. She is the most amazing Grandma and I am so happy she is sharing such a big part of all of our lives.



4) My sister. She is always there for me no matter what. She knows when I just need someone to listen or someone to get me a six pack. Grady and Gwen love Aunt Stacy.



5) My family and friend. We truly have great people surrounding us. Yes we have our quirks, but who doesn't!



6) Ryan and Leslie. We would not be the family we are without them. Kidney or no kidney I am so lucky to have them as my friends. It is not easy to find another couple that you have so much in common with.



7) My health. I do take it for granted sometimes, but I am very lucky to be able to do all of the things we do. I am exhausted by the end of the day, but it was a great day.



8) Our fireman and neighbors. Need I say more.



9) Tippy and Luke. Yes they drive most people nuts, but I love them.



10) Grady's energy. That kid just keeps going and going. He is so content looking at books or doing a puzzle. He can entertain himself for hours. Grady loves to laugh and smile. I can already tell he will be a big flirt! Grady is always thinking whether it is a puzzle or how to steal his sisters cracker that she has not yet touched.

11) Gwen's personality. Boy does she have a big personality. She loves attention, loves to dance and will most likely be a girly girl. She is a sponge with her speech and repeats so many things that I say. Gwen will always be my little girl grabbing my leg or pulling on my shirt.

This is the short list. I could go on and on.....

Thanksgiving

We do not have a traditional Thanksgiving in the Kothe house. Well, we kinda do on Thursday, but Friday is filled with kielbasi and saurkraut and pierogies. We had a great time. The babies are at a fun age. We deal with about 5 minutes of being shy and then 3 hours of running wild.

What Thanksgiving is complete without your fireman hats!

Unfortunately Grady tore his Turkey hat, but Gwen loved hers!

Yum, dessert!

One year later and she still loves kielbasi.

A little tickle from Grandpa!

Yum, cake!
Grady is confused why Grandpa is turning one when he just turned one! He is hoping it is a veggie and fruit cake.

3 out of 4 ain't bad!
Yes, hubby made a point to tell me he put his arm over his hernia. What a guy! Next year we will do pictures before nap time!

We had a great holiday with the family. Gwen even said Gobble Gobble, or something like it!

Gobble Gobble

Happy Turkey Day!

Hoarder

Grady does not like Gwen to play with anything. As soon as she starts playing with something he immediately wants it. Grady goes to Gwen with another toy to try to get what he wants. The other day he was hoarding everything on the toy box. He would run away to get another toy and if he saw Gwen going anyplace near the toy box he would run right back over there.

Grady trying to get the top. He typically says "ehhhhhhhh", which I translate to mean "wanna trade?"

Mid swap, Gwen is happy with any toy so she typically goes along with it.


Post swap, everyone is happy until Gwen touches another toy and we repeat..... 100 times a day. It is not just toys, it is pacifiers, sippy cups, plates, snacks, you name it.

Purses and Turkeys?

Watch out New York fashion week!

Fill er up

Thankfully he will not be anywhere near a gas station by himself any time soon!

Happy Halloween

What came first the chicken or the egg?

In our case, it was the egg.

Daddy was happy. He heard about a house passing out whole candy bars and went immediately there.

Gwen enjoyed the chocolate a little too much!

R was the best Luigi on the block. Hopefully next year we can keep up with her pace. This year, not so much.

New hats!

Sometimes toys just are not that fun....so, why not put diapers on our heads! It provided a good 10 minutes of entertainment for a small cost.

Pumpkin Patch Take 2

We headed out to Jacquemin Farms a couple of weeks ago. The hay ride, pumpkins and donuts were exactly what the babies needed. We will probably head back again next year to pick our pumpkins.

Connor leading the way!

Grandma and Grandpa Moustache showing Gwen the ropes.

They did hold hands and stand still. Maybe next year they will pose for us!

Hayride!