He'll Find A Way

When I say this little boy is into everything, here is a good example. If something is out of reach, he'll find a way.

15 Months

15 month appointment
Weight 24 lbs. 11 oz = 50%
Height 31 inches = 42%
Head 18.75 = 61%

Things that make us laugh and love Kellen
- Kisses with his mouth open
- The only video he'll watch is Baby Einstein "A Day On The Farm"
- Likes playing with DVD cases more than his toys
- Can't go to sleep without his green fuzzy blanket
- Puts his dirty diapers in the trash and clothes in the laundry basket without being asked.
- The kitchen is where you'll find him playing most days
- Hates being in his car seat more than anything
- Loves balls and is very good at throwing them and saying the word
- Whenever we're sitting on the floor he'll try to get a piggy back ride
- Can get the entire bathroom wet while taking a bath
- Loves sucking the toothpaste off his toothbrush
- Clasps his hands when Tyler and I pray at dinner
- If he could climb up stairs all day, he would
- He's a sponge and learns very quickly, so observant
- He loves talking on the phone to himself
- He's terrified of loud noises (he waves goodbye to the vacuum whenever it comes out)
- He makes a barking noise whenever he hears or sees a dog
- He's the best thing that's ever happened to us.

Christmas in Santa Barbara 2009

The Journey - So, it's known that we are cursed when it comes to traveling and just to prove it, here is a brief summary of our journy to California. Our flight took off from Dallas at 7:30 Christmas Eve night. Of course, of all days, it happened to be slightly snowing, which never happens in Texas. So we made sure to get to the airport 4 hours ahead of time to make sure we had PLENTY of time to get to our gate and not rush. After calmly reaching our gate and settling down, Tyler went to go get Subway for us. Just as he was leaving, he happened to look up at the flight schedule...it read "Canceled". He came back and told me the news which I couldn't believe. We happened to get stand-by on the only flight leaving to San Diego that had two seats left. However, let me mention that the flight was going to San Diego, which is a 4 hour drive from our original destination, Santa Barbara. We miraculously were able to get on the flight but were told we wouldn't get our bags until tomorrow. At this point we just accepted it and felt relieved to actually get on a plane.

While on the plane, we were told that it's engine had to be de-iced. We waited and waited and waited some more. It took 3.5 hours to finally get the plane ready for take-off...mind you, that's 2 hours after our orignal flight was supposed to leave. It was so hard sitting for 3.5 hours with Kellen. When we took off he finally fell asleep. We were starving and they didn't serve any snacks either. I was also nauseous from being pregnant and burst into tears several times. It was a 3 hour flight, and when we finally arrived, just after midnight, Tyler had to go pick up a rental car. I waited for over an hour for Tyler to come back with the car (He got lost). Meanwhile, the airport had closed and Kellen was going CRAZY climbing on everything, I was so exhausted and burst into tears a dozen more times. A sweet man came up to me and offered me a cookie:) Of course a cookie would make it all better. Tyler eventually came with the car and we made the 4 hour drive to Santa Barbara. We didn't have a car-seat for Kellen so I had to hold him the entire way, which he mostly slept through...thank goodness. P.S. Never do this, it's not safe

We arrived at Tyler's parents house at 5:30 a.m. Christmas morning. We didn't get our bags until the 26th with all our Christmas presents, so we got the opportunity to celebrate Christmas twice. My bag was also missing, and can I just say how nice it was to finally get my luggage, shower, and wear clean clothes. All in all, it was an adventure and I'm so glad we got to go because it ended up being one of the best trips. We had sooooo much fun with Tyler's family. We ate great food, played fun games, watched great movies, enjoyed warm weather, and much more. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!!!




Tyler and I made our first gingerbread house together. Isn't it awesome.

Kellen openeing presents on the 26th after our luggage arrived. I'm sad I didn't get more pictures.

He absolutely loved this Finding Nemo book that talks when you push the buttons.



Tyler's parents took us to see the old Santa Barbara Catholic mission. It was gorgeous.

We took a walk along the Santa Barbara Pier and saw this huge Pelican. Later that night, Tyler's parents took us to a seafood restraunt on the pier. I got fish and chips. yum yum




The cutest thing happened today...I was trying to teach Kellen the word "arm", he quickly ran away from me into his room and returned with his Mr. Potato Head's arms.haha He gets it!

Big News

We're home from our wonderful trip to California, where we spent 10 fun filled days. We can now happily announce that we are expecting BABY #2 July 12. We kept it a secret so we could surprise our families Christmas Day...(sorry to all of you that I kept it from, or even lied to.) Since we weren't going to see my family, we sent them a Christmas card that said "Don't Open Until Christmas" with the picture at the bottom and had them open it while we were on the phone. It was hilarious because my oldest sister Laura opened it a couple days before Christmas on accident. Then, she revealed to me that she was pregant also...crazy!!! So, we decided to surprise everyone together...it was fun.

With Tyler's family, my sister-in-law Emma is also expecting and we devised a plan over Skype. They would announce that they were introducing to Tyler's parents Grandchildren #10 and #11, which everyone thought meant they were having twins...Tyler and I quickly chimed in and said "actually we're giving you grandchild #11." It was fun to surprise everyone. It seems like nearly all our friends are having babies, so it's crazy to think how many new babies will be coming into the world this year. We are very very blessed and so grateful the Lord has allowed this to happen for us again. We are praying it happens soon for other members of our family that are awaiting patiently for the same blessing. Christmas pictures and details of our trip will be coming soon.

Book Club Gals

If you aren't apart of a book club I would definitely recommend it. I joined this group through our ward in Dallas, and after we moved I continued going. I have read some amazing books and made some great friends. I can't wait for next year and all the awesome new books we get to read.

Look What I Can Do Grandpa and Grandma

Kellen can now locate his eyes, ears, mouth, nose, hair, eyebrows, belly button, fingers, toes, teeth, and tongue...and we're working on a few others. Trying to get him to do it on camera though, is a different story. However, I was able to catch a few. You'll have to ignore the runny nose, sorry.

Thanksgiving 2009

Last year, my brother Sam and his wife Lacey came to visit us for Thanksigiving in Texas. This year we got to go visit them in Kansas City, Mo. We left Wednesday and returned Sunday. It was such a fun trip, packed with so many great things. We had an awesome Thanksgiving day and Lacey and I pulled off another delicious feast. The four days consisted of eating, movies, crafts, shopping, church history sites, and much more. I hate how trips with family go so quickly, but we're excited because they'll be coming our way again in January. Thanks so much Sam and Lacey for the wonderful trip. The only downside was the journey to and from where we discovered that Kellen gets car sick. He threw-up both on the drive there and back, but we still love him. We'll just make sure to have a bowl ready next time. Traveling and us just don't seem to go together very well these days, but we're working on it.
It was so cold on Thanksgiving day. We went for a walk by a beautiful lake before preparing our Thanksgiving meal. Kellen was very snug in his stroller but wouldn't sit for very long.


Playing in the leaves
Adam-ondi-ahman -
Kellen with his gorgeous Aunt Lacey
Kellen marveling that beautiful red hair
What an attractive threesome
Far West
Liberty Jail
This was the Community of Christ church that was accross the street from the LDS visitors center. Very interesting looking wouldn't you say?
Lacey and I put up and decorated her Christmas tree the last night. It was so much fun. And yes, I always look like a midget standing next to her.
We celebrated Tyler's 27th B-Day after we returned home. Wow, 27!!!
Kellen enjoying Tyler's 1st present

It snowed the day after we got back...in TEXAS. There was more snow but it melted before I got around to taking a picture