Kyla Gehman

 Jan 16, 2019

        It has been 5 years since I have held Kyla and she is already a fuzzy memory. I want to hold her again, but I will settle for being able to say her name as often as I can.  I want to watch her play with the other kids but instead I find myself mentioning her in conversation because I want her to be remembered. She is another one of my kids.

This year we purchased 5 yellow roses in memory of Kyla. The nurses dressed her in the hospital for me in a tiny pink dress and she was returned with a yellow rose. I have always linked Kyla with yellow since then.

August is 4!

August's Birthday- Jan 7, 2019

August is 4 now!

He is funny, thoughtful, stubborn and so creative! August can quickly jump deep into play with no supplemental items or a lot of them. Right now he pretends that he has a bunch of imaginary forest animals that follow him around and nap on his floor. Sometimes they ride in the car with us to go places too. Luckily they are a really nice bunch of animals! There is a little mouse that is always running behind. He also spends a lot of time reading and building things.

Right now his favorite colors are pink and yellow. He loves batman clothes, the gingerbread man book and the three billy goats gruff book. He loves macaroni, fruit and pepper strips. He is very active and often running around or asking to read one more book.

I love his face in these pictures!

Keenan made a laminated name for August to practice writing on with a dry erase marker. It was a part of his birthday gift, a book that has the alphabet and shapes in it. He can use a dry erase marker in the entire book. He took to it right away.

Just Playing at Home

 It finally snowed a little! They have been dying to go out and play in some snow. We only had a few inches but it didn't stop them from helping dad shovel then play out in the back yard for 3 hours. We have received some sleds and  they cannot wait to use them. We are expected to get some more snow this weekend but it is supposed to be followed with wind and dropping temps. I will have to see how that works out.

August's 4th Birthday Party- Jan 13, 2019

 August had a great time playing in the snow with his cousins and enjoying some cupcakes!

The End

The Christmas Season

Christmas in Marion 2018

This year we spent the weekend before Christmas enjoying some time with family!

 This year the kids colored paper ornaments to tape on the tree at Grandma and Papa's house! The kids loved this idea and were admiring it all weekend!

I could not pick a favorite picture of Nora with Aunt Kendra!

Christmas in Ames and Break

 We traveled back to Ames for Christmas at home on Christmas eve.

   The kids woke up and had pancakes Christmas morning. I used to do raspberry kolaches, but this was our first Christmas since being gluten free and I was not certain what our new Christmas morning meal would be. Ideas for the future? The kids had a great time opening stockings and a few gifts! Then were just content to read or play all day.

 Riley and I did a lot of fun things during break. We made some air dry clay, it was a really fun activity to do together but most of the pieces cracked as they dried so we are going to try a different recipe next time. The snow man survived!

Punky enjoyed many snuggling sessions with Riley during break and probably misses her now.

I love this picture of Riley in the fort she made! She is reading with a campfire and a lantern while the other kids are having naps. The magna-tiles are a huge hit in this house. The kids have been making some really fun creations!