Christmas Day 2007

Happy Holidays, from our home to yours!

The last week has provided a great deal of snow in our mountains. Today #2 and I decided it was time to introduce Kate to snow so we packed up the pink outerwear and headed to our favorite sledding spot in the foothills. When we arrived we were dismayed to see that there still wasn't enough snow to make it safe for sledding. Alas, we decided to walk around and play in what was available. As it turns out, Kate thought the snow was funny, but she especially likes swinging around like a monkey (regardless of snow or not). High points: ATD (#3) had the best time of all (as seen in the first photo) and Kate's face matched her snowsuit within minutes of our arrival.

Happy 1st Birthday, Kate!

What a week it has been! Grandma B just finished a week and 1/2 long visit and it seems as though we went non-stop the whole time she was here. A few of the things we did (or were done to us): each of us suffered from the flu over the course of her visit, we planned and executed a first birthday party extravaganza, we visited with Santa, we produced approximately 100 greeting cards, Grandma sewed a tutu (THANK YOU!), we ate good food, and we celebrated fun and exciting events with neighbors and friends... in summary, I'm tired! Although I am sad to see my mom leave, it will be good to return to our regular lives and start putting all of Kate's birthday gifts to good use. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us this week! For those of you far away, we look forward to celebrating many birthday's to come with you.

In the excitment of the week I didn't even notice that Kate started cutting her 1-year molars. Oops! Who knew they were so far back in there and so hard to see? Between the pain of cutting molars, the departure of Grandma and 3 shots at her 1-year doctor's appointment today, this is the definitive end of the birthday celebrations. What a wonderful milestone birthday! I can't wait to see what Kate's 2nd year will bring.

Enjoy the ridiculous amount of photos capturing our good times (and thank you to Katie, Julie and Kerry for taking so many)!

It's that Time of Year Again...

for KATE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

Grandma Bylsma is in town for the big event and we've (I've) been enjoying the extra set of hands - especially since the flu took over the house this week (sorry Grandma!). Of course that means putting on a pretty dress and a trip to see Santa. Our birthday celebration with the neighborhood kids is scheduled for Sunday and I can't wait! Of course, pictures immediately following!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings in our life, and obviously, a big one this year is the addition of Kate to our family. This will officially be her last "first" holiday, which I can hardly believe is possible. So here is our baby, no longer a baby but a toddler, enjoying her first Day of Thanks.

How Are You?

This morning I realized that when I asked Kate, "how are you?" she actually answered me, over and over, with the same answer. I can't believe it, but this afternoon I caught it on tape. Here it is!

PS - Happy Birthday to Aunt Sheri and Brenna today!

Alphabet Pal Goes Away

A few months ago Brad and I decided it was time to purchase some educational toys to help stimulate Kate. Brad picked out Alphabet Pal (seen in this video), mainly because he quickly realized that using the phonics function of the toy, he could make it say dirty words. Recently during a playdate, the triplet's mom said, "doesn't that thing drive you crazy?" Well, when her kids played with it they dragged it across the tile and hardwood floors as fast as they could go, so the answer was yes. At that time, when Kate played with it she just pushed the buttons and made it sing the ABC's over and over. Well, this last weekend Kate figured out what Alphabet Pal's string was for. And so, for the health and safety of Annie The Dog, and for the sanity of #'s 1-2, Alphabet Pal may be finding a new home very soon... maybe Joey Cooper would like it!

Bath Time

I don't normally bring the camera into bath time, but lately we've had so much fun during this evening ritual, it seemed time to share it. Leading up to Day Light Savings, trying to keep Kate awake -and happy- later than usual, in addition to her recent distaste for afternoon naps, has led to rather noisy, sad, tired evenings. Bath time; however, is always fun.

Additionally, I continue to hear from our family and friends viewing the blog that Kate looks so much like Brad. I admit that from time to time I see it, but normally I think she just looks like herself with my same baby hair, skin and eye coloring. Well, I cannot deny these pictures look EXACTLY like Brad.

Enjoy!

Playground!

I tried to tell Kate to wait her turn and not to push or bite her friends on the playground, but she was just a terror...

Okay, none of that is true (someday soon I'm sure it will be), but Kate did recently try out the swings at a local playground and thought quite highly of them, so we headed back today with the camera. Enjoy - and turn the volume up so you can hear the giggles!

Halloween 2007

I vividly remember last Halloween (2006). I was very pregnant and entering my final "morning" sickness phase (turns out it can be at night, too). I raced home from work (missing the first hour of trick-or-treaters) and handed out candy while eating dinner and while using the kitchen sink to deal with the "morning" sickness, all at the same time. Not good. Well, as hectic as all that was, October 31, 2007 was much more hectic. Kate thinks now that she can walk, she can also take on stairs. Stairs going down. While standing. Usually in a cemented area. Needless to say, she took quite a few tumbles tonight in her lovely (hand-wash-only I realized when the night was over!) flower costume. She ended the night with a beautiful, bleeding & bruised forehead. Please enjoy the photos of the pumpkins we finally carved this morning, our trip to Albertson's for trick-or-treating in the afternoon, and our evening in the hood with all of our friends. It was a truly fantastic 1st Halloween!

This week in the Hood

As all of the neighborhood kids prepare for Halloween (4 of them running around in their costumes tonight - just testing them out), Kate enjoyed some sunny fall days in the neighborhood this week. Last night we went to a Pumpkin Carving party at the Triplet's house, but Kate was too tired to last and unfortunately we have no photos. We plan to carve pumpkins tomorrow, so we'll be sharing those photos soon enough. Enjoy!

Isabelle's Pirate Party

Last night we went to our neighbor, Isabelle's, Pirate Birthday Party! All guests were asked to dress as a pirate, and I must say, aside from Isabelle and her parents, Kate's costume was top notch! Enjoy the few photos we captured before Kate crashed to sleep...

What Would you do with a Drunken Sailor?

Pumpkins!

Today was a beautiful fall day and Number's 1-4 visited a fantastic pumpkin patch. We picked out a variety of wonderful pumpkins and had the perfect opportunity for a photo shoot. Kate got to not only ride in the back pack, but pounded on pumpkins AND stood by a baby calf! Good times!

WALKING!!

It isn't pretty, but it is getting better and better everyday. I can officially say that it is her preferred method of transportation, so it is time to share it here.


We've had some beautiful fall weather here in B-Towne lately. Kate and I have been getting out with her new back pack (and here we are trying it out for the first time). On Saturday the whole family walked in Idaho's largest Dog Walk - "See Spot Walk" and Kate was mesmerized by all of the dogs. We met up with Katie and Jason (see link to their blog on the left). It was a great time!

Yak yak yak...

This video speaks for itself...

Band Practice

Kate has taken quite a liking to music these days. She loves to dance to music coming from the TV and stereo and is absolutely infatuated with #2's guitar. When he plays it there is no tearing her away.

Play Time

Kate recently had a playdate with Joey, Adam, Gabe, Sam & Leona (see "The Prairie Triplets" & "Joey Cooper" links to your left). All of the big kids showed Kate how play time is really done - and I think she was rather shocked at the level of activity (and noise) that can happen at her house. In the end, Kate tried to get Joey to play, but he isn't interested in her antics - yet. (Turn up your volume!)

Happy Birthday, #2!

It was time once again to celebrate the bonus years Uncle Brad is experiencing after his near-death Lake Michigan incident. Peter and Kerry were generous enough to volunteer their home for a party location and #1 had Portillos beefs and hotdogs flown in from Chicago. Also, our great friend Tiana spent some time with us and stayed in town for the party. Good times! And check out that Packer jacket! Thanks Peter and Kerry!

Turn turn turn...

Fall is here! At least that's what I hear. It is still pretty hot here. The neighborhood pool is now officially closed, but we got our last swim in with our friends Bailey and Katie just in time. The nice part about swimming at the close of the season? You get the pool to yourselves! Bailey did a great job swimming with Kate. Thanks for swimming with us, Bailey! (turn up your volume!)



Along with the season, Kate is changing every day, but I suppose that goes without saying. She is less than 1 year old after all. September has already brought all sorts of new things,... mainly more teeth, but she's also standing without holding on to anything - and she's becoming a lot more bossy! But today was special - she took some drunken-sailor-steps while holding on to my finger. Little did she realize that my finger wasn't providing an ounce of support. No no no, I'm not saying she walked, I'm just saying things are about to get even more fun around here. Hopefully I'll be able to catch some of this "fun" on camera soon and will be sure to share it with you.

We hope that it is fall wherever you are and that you are enjoying cooler days and even cooler evenings.

Climbing Kate

Kate's (current) absolute favorite thing is to react to the threat, "I'm gonna get you!" Please enjoy a clip of one of our games.

The Zoo!

Kate took her first trip to the zoo and the rose gardens with Auntie Kerry and #1. It was our last week with Kerry before she started her Boise career (BOO!) so we spent some quality time out and about in B-Towne - and actually stopped to smell some roses. Although Kate didn't really get the full zoo experience one remembers as a child, she did, "ohhh!" at the penguins. And here we are with the butterflies, although they didn't bother to join us in the photo...

YAY! Chicken Legs

Kate tried out a little chicken on a bone for lunch (and dinner) yesterday. Good times! We'll be doing this more often, as it was tasty, entertaining and kept her happy for a long time in the high chair.

Joey is Catching Up!

Joey Cooper and Kate visit on a daily basis and we've been monitoring Joey's swift growth with side-by-side pictures of the two of them. Please enjoy the latest "measurement". It seems that either Kate is shrinking or Joey is getting bigger and bigger by the day.

God Made Dirt...

God made dirt, so dirt don't hurt! Kate and I did some gardening today and she decided that dirt is fun to play in and to eat. While I pulled out the weeds, Kate tasted them. She also tried out her new toy - which is very exciting inside the house, but outside requires shoes, since her toes drag. She is a monkey.

Enjoy the slide show of our trip to Westby, WI!

Westby, WI

We were in Westby, WI this weekend (August 11-14, 2007).

We went to Viroqua, Coon Valley, Cashton, the Westby ski jump, Dregne's and the Westby Creamery. We went to the Westby Municipal Pool where Kate romped in the baby pool. Brad climbed on rocks at Davidson Park. We had dinner with Kevin Sloane and his wonderful family at their home deep in the Wisconsin countryside, where Kate laughed at goats and pet a bunny. We drove the Great River Road along the Mississippi River from Lynxville to La Crosse. We bought a Norwegian nisse figurine that now sits in our front lawn. We even canoed the Kickapoo River. Kate came home with her two top teeth.

Most importantly, we spent quality time with Brad's great grandmothers, grandma and extended family.

It was wonderful trip.

The Great North Idaho Woods

We were able to go north for a few days, get away from the heat, and enjoy some QT with #'s 1-4. Kate spent some very quality time in the water this weekend - both in Payette Lake in McCall, ID and back home in the neighborhood pool. Her first lake experience was fun, cold and sandy. #2 showed her a great time.

Kate Is Up and About

Standing, Teething and Exploring

A new way to play with an old toy.

We're in trouble now...

Who knew knobs could taste so good?

Since the last trip to the mid-west Kate has become incredibly busy scooting around the house, pulling herself up, walking around furniture and chewing on absolutely everything (trying to get those top teeth to join the 2 bottom ones). It has been exciting, fun and challenging!

It has been very hot in Boise this July. In order to spend any sort of quality time outside, Kate takes to the pool; however, whether or not it is actually a pool is debatable. Enjoy! She certainly does!

Joseph Cooper Connell

Our wonderful, long-time Boise friends, Mike and Courtney Connell, just welcomed their new addition on 7/11/07. Baby Joey and Kate have been visiting often now that he is home from the hospital and I'm sure that soon she'll notice that the little thing that Mike and Courtney are holding is another little person like her. It has been great having them around during the day, as Kate enjoys getting out in the afternoons and climbing and drooling all over THEIR stuff instead of ours.

Mid-West Trip July 2007

Another trip to the mid-west included a few nights for #1 and #2 away from #4, Kate's baptism, The Police concert in Chicago and Peter and Kerry's wedding in Milwaukee. It was a lot to fit into 9 days, but we did it with the help of Grandma Bylsma, not to mention Kate's Aunts and Uncles and Lauda and Carlos. Thanks to all of you for everything!

Kate's baptism was a special event on the 4th of July in Uncle Dan and Aunt MaryBeth's backyard. Mr Rhem came over and said a few special words, and was pleased to point out that we were one of a few generations where he was able to perform my baptism, my confirmation, my wedding, and now my daughter's baptism. It was special for us all. In addition, my birth started a tradition of a rose on display at the baptismal fount for all the newborn babies at Christ Community Church (a tradition continued to this day). Grandma B brought a beautiful pink rose for Kate's baptism. Kate wore the gown that my four brothers and I wore for our baptisms, as did most of the Bylsma Grandchildren. And lastly, Kate was baptised on the anniversary of her cousin, Bryan's, baptism 8 years prior (also performed by Mr Rhem). A special day indeed!

Peter and Kerry

As you may know, we've made some delightful new friends here in the neighborhood. Peter and Kerry moved into the hood in February and my first meeting with them consisted of "getting to know you" chit chat over burgers and beer at, none other than, Ben's Crow Inn. Since then "Auntie Kerry and Uncle Peter" have become a constant in our lives and we recently went to their wedding in Milwaukee, WI. Good times. Please enjoy the photos, to include a snapshot at the wedding reception, Auntie Kerry babysitting Kate, Uncle Peter swimming with Kate and of the happy couple on what seems to be a typical summer evening on the back patio. And, oh, I think they might be Packer fans.

Mid-West Trip June 2007

In June 2007 Kate and I went to Chicago/Michigan/Chicago for 3 weeks to see our family and friends and to help Grandma B move. It was a great time and it was nice not to feel our visits with everyone were rushed. Kate was a trooper while Grandma and I packed and sorted for hours upon hours. The morning of our last day in Michigan Kate started crawling. THANK GOODNESS she waited until the end, or Grandma's disaster of a house would have been even more crazy. Enjoy the photos of our visits, to include Kate and her "little" cousin, Wyatt; Kate as Finn's "Share" at Show and Tell; Kate with Uncle Gary and Ella; Kate, Gootch, Jacob and Claire at their ball games; and Kate with BFF, Sydney Panizo! The trip was great, but Kate was excited to be home, in her own bed.

Kate started sitting up in May, right around Mother's Day. #2 was out of town, but of course I fought to get it on camera. This is the true first time, ladies and gentlemen! Well done #4!

Excersaucer

These things are a gift from the heavens (actually, Brian and Marney - THANK YOU!). Kate has been absolutely delighted with it since it was assembled and, quite honestly, so have #1 and #2 of Team Gootch. Not to mention that she is now eye level with Annie The Dog.

Easter!

Kate was completely unaware of Easter, but that didn't mean that it wasn't a great opportunity to color eggs, put her in a pretty dress and prop her up with a basket and a bunny!