First Christmas

I had a close friend of mine lose her mother right before Christmas- this reminded me of the simple things we take for granted.  This Christmas I tried even more to spend quality time with my family.  Maybe I'm getting old but more and more I realize just how much family means.  Friends come and go (and they really do) but family is forever.  My family (especially husband) has always been there for me and always will be.  At times I know I wish I could trade them in but deep down I'm thankful for everyone single one of them.  Having a friend lose her mom reminded me even more of the importance of giving that extra hug, spending as much time as possible with loved ones, and just smiling more.  Life is too short...Be thankful for those in your lives and let them know how much they mean to you. Never take a day for granted!

Back to the topic~  I'll add some pics later (when not at work) but Kinsley's first Christmas was an exciting one.  She got lots of toys and clothes.  Daddy got a new 46" LCD TV (I'm an awesome wife), mommy got an amazing opal necklace (Kinsley's real birthstone), a little footprint with a pink sapphire (Kinsley's "fake" birthstone), and an XBOX 360 w/ Kinect (along with Just Dance 3)!  Another exciting item I got was a sewing machine!  While I have a lot to learn, I'm really excited!  I can't wait to get to the point where I make Kinsley some cute clothing.  I already have a list of clothing to fix for my dear husband...great.  If getting a sewing machine wasn't enough, I got stuff to cook with, and a Shark steam mop- I think my fam might be trying to domesticate me, what do you think?  O and the crafts and surprise I was working on? Yep, that'll have to wait till I get home so I can't finally post pics of what I did!  I'm proud of myself.  I think the grandparents all enjoy their gifts.

For those that don't know my cousin/like a brother is on leave right now from the Army.  He is going to be deployed to Afghanistan shortly.  I wanted to do something extra special for him for this Christmas.  I figured getting him clothes, games, etc was useless since he wouldn't be needing that in the desert.  You see my cousin is like a brother to me not only cause we are close in age and grew up together but well legally he kinda is my brother.  Unfortunately my cousin has lost both his parents and my dad became his legal guardian when we were both in high school.  He has one older brother (who lives in Duluth now).  The bond between them is indescribable.  So this Christmas I wanted to give him something to remember his family by when he was having a hard day out in Afghanistan.  With the help of my brother and grandmother, I made him a photo collage poster.  It had pictures of his dad growing up, his childhood with his parents, him and his brother, the four cousins, graduations, weddings, babies, etc.  He opened the gift at my dad's house on Christmas Eve (first one he opened). Again pictures to come...but needless to say it was a special moment.  I definitely got him.  Very rarely have I seen any male in my family cry but he was crying along with his brother.  He loved it, and now when he needs that extra pick me up- he has something to look at to remind him of who all loves him and in particular the two special guardian angels that are watching over him.

~ADK

Other things may change us, but we start and end with the family.  ~Anthony Brandt

Pics: (As promised)

Attempt at family Christmas shot

Cheesin'

Bobby holding back tears

Checking it out

Papa loves my craft!

Ben Ben loves what Santa brought him

Jewelry Box for Miss Kins

My jewelry

Adam with his TV (rolls eyes)

Start of craft (photo coasters):

$0.16 4x4 tiles from Home Depot, paint sides black

Glue felt to bottom (or cork board)

 Here's where a mistake occured...tiles were actually 4.5x4.5 and I had printed 4x6 pics (so had 4x4 squares), so I glued black scrapbook paper to the back.  Then mod podge photo to tile.  Apply 4-5 coats of gloss mod podge to top of photo/tile.

Take outside or in a well ventilated area, spray gloss acrylic over tiles (4-5 coats again).  And TADA! Note: the acrylic spray will stain concrete...

50 Rules of Dads for Daughters by Michael Mitchell

These are really good- I can see Adam doing most of these.  I think my dad did his fair share too.

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

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2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

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3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

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4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

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5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

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6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

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7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

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8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

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9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

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10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

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11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

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12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

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13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

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14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

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Photo Credit :: Danielle Rocke Toews

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

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16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

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17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

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18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

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19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

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20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

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21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

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22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

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23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

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24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

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25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

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26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

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27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

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28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

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29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

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30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

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31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

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32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

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33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

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34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

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35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

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36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

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37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

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38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

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39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

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40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

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41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

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42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

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43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

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44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

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45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

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46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

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47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

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48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

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49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

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50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Too Cute For Words

I love my daddy!

Passed out on Daddy

This picture is deceiving- you'd think this meant she liked getting her diaper changed- HA

Party Goers

So as I had mentioned~ we had a busy weekend.  Thursday we had to rush home, feed Kins then rush back to daycare for pics with Santa.  She, of course, fell asleep in the car.  She slept all through the kids screaming, woke up as soon as she was placed in Santa's arms...therefore, she was not happy with Santa (not to mention all the lights flashing at her).

Go ahead pull my finger Santa...

Come Friday once we got off work, we both had a few errands to run then I did "crafts" for 3 hours before it was time to go get Kins.  We got her, changed her and headed off to Adam's work Christmas party.  This one was a lot better than mine- much more laid back.  Santa was there too but we were bad parents and didn't bring a camera (I think this Santa was better though- so not missing too much).  She was the life of the party- everyone was so happy to finally meet his little girl.  Of course she was amazing~ slept through the whole party (and it was LOUD in there).  Unfortunately, I decided to try to have a glass of wine, within one sip I was telling Adam we needed to leave...for some reason that caused some immediate "discomfort".

Saturday~  Hayden's 1st Bday Party!!!!  I cannot believe he's already one.  He had a milestone this week though- he can walk (a few steps w/o help)!!  He's just adorable- ladies man for sure!

How can you not love this guy?!?

CAKE!!!

One of our presents :) 

A box is really all a kid needs...

Of course Kins did well here too- slept most of this party too.  LOL 

Sunday~ Got to sleep till 8!!!  Woohoo (she did wake up at 5 but went back to sleep fairly quickly).  We then got ready and headed to the Jones White Elephant Christmas.  This time, Kins felt like being "social"- she barely slept.  Adam and I ended up getting a Christmas towel set and Oreos (thanks David).  After that, Adam went to help my dad clear his roof, I dropped of Kins for a quick run to Babies R Us.  Then we hurried home and I went to get groceries.  Once I got back, I fed Kinsley her "last" bottle of the night~  she ate 7 ounces!!!!!!!!  Guess she wanted to load up for the night- we woke her up at 5:30 this morning.  

I'm going to make it a point to get a picture of her first thing in the morning...she is full of smiles then.  So sweet.

Sunday night marked 22 years since my Aunt and Uncle were taken from us.  It's not really till I became an aunt myself did I realize how much I miss her.  From what I've heard of her, she was/would be a great aunt; someone I'd admire.  I wish I could have those moments with her...this tragic incident just encourages me to be a better aunt to Madison and Hayden.  I want them to remember me as that Awesome Aunt Dana!  Aunt and uncles are made to spoil their nieces and nephews :) I love you Kathy and Tony and wish you were still with us today.  

This week, of course, marks Christmas....be ready for pic overload!

Merry Christmas everyone!

~ADK