Yeah!!! We finally have our Internet back up and running normally. So now it's time to get caught up on pictures. This blog is going to be all about Kate. Check back soon for pictures of one of the other three monkeys we have around here. :)

Kate continues to be such a blessing to our family. She is getting more and more active everyday and loves play time much more than napping. She'll let us know when she's bored and wants attention and then just smiles and "talks" to us when she gets her way. :)

Kate is still a little peanut. I just weighed her on Sunday and she was exactly 9 lbs. We're hoping for 9-1/2 by Jan. 6, but I'm thinking that will be a long shot. She can still wear most of the newborn clothes and some of her 3 month outfits...though with her skinny waist some of the bottoms come off easily.

Kate loves laying on her play mat to play, especially if the giraffe toy is within playing distance. She loves to pull and chew on his long legs. She is also starting to sit-up with the boppy pillow for assistance and loves this new found trick.

Kate is by far my best sleeper baby wise. She goes to bed around 8:30-9:00 and sleeps until 3 or 4. She then goes back to bed for a few more hours. My other children made sure to get up about 3 times a night until they were at least 6 months old. God knew that I couldn't handle that now that I'm older. :)

Enjoy the pictures of our little Kate. She'll melt your heart just like she's down to all of ours. (I'm not biased at all.) :)

Kate was baptized on Nov. 21. We a blessing that we have to be

able to promise to raise her to fear and love the Lord.
I just love the way she likes to lay and kick nonstop.
And she loves it when we let her lay with very few clothes on.

This is Kate and her bear, Bella, at 1 month. I completely forgot to get her 2 month picture, but I will make sure to remind myself for the 3 month shot of her and Bella.

Kate got to experience her first snowfall/blizzard. I bundled her all up for a 30 sec. photo session. She was less than thrilled with the bitter winds, but I'm sure deep down she thought the snow was pretty. :)

Erica & Kate enjoying a cuddly moment. Kate is not a big snuggler so we take the snuggles when she hands them out.

I just love the big, wide-mouth smiles that she gives us. She is such a happy girl...most of the time.

All bundled up and ready to go for another car ride. Thankfully she doesn't mind the car seat once we're in the car moving.

still here!

We are still here, but our Internet has been taking several vacations lately. This post is all words and no pictures...sorry to disappoint. You can thank the Internet for the lack of pictures on this post.

We have been very busy since the last post and loving most of it.

Jaren continues to love 2nd grade. It's hard to believe that Jaren will be 8 on Monday...that's half way to 16 already!!! He has adjusted very well to having three sisters, but still mentions that it would be nice to have a brother...sorry bud, it's not going to happen. :) He just lost another tooth so he's proudly sporting a toothless grin. He loves reading, especially about sports & history, but better yet the history of sports facts & figures.

Bethany is still our dramatic, tender-hearted girl. She loves school days and can't wait to go every day. When she's home there is always an adventure happening depending on what costume she picks. And when she's not out on an adventure, Bethany's busy coming up with craft projects. God has truly blessed her with a great imagination. She is learning how to read and loves impressing us with what she has learned.

Erica is our silly monkey. She lives for making us laugh and says some of the silliest things. She loves playing with Bethany and having Jaren read her stories. Erica loves playing princess or with her princess castle, dancing & singing. She loves to remind us that she is almost 4 and then it will be her turn to go to preschool. For now she is really enjoying Sunday school and KidShine at church.

Kate is such a precious little girl. Her smiles will melt anyone's heart and her little coos will win you over. Kate obviously has me wrapped around her little finger. She loves playing on her playmat, taking baths, and doing "so big". She also loves it when we sing to her, especially "Jingle Bells"...probably because we do silly faces and help her dance along. :) She does have her crabby times, but her happy moments definitely outweigh them. We had Kate baptized in November and it was such a special day for all of us.

Kurtis has been putting in very long hours between harvest and now trucking. We look forward to Sundays when we are together as a family. I enjoy my times with MomShine, our mom's group at church & SONshine Preschool where I serve on the board.

God has truly blessed Kurtis and me with beautiful, healthy children and we are so thankful. Our lives are busy, but so full of blessings.

We hope you and your families have a very blessed Christmas!