Hair Cut

After a summer of a surfer dude hair cut, we decided to buzz Andy's hair.  It took me a little while to get used to it - now I can't imagine him with long hair.  Funny how a hair cut can change the look of a little kid so much.  Our experience at Kids Club in U-Village was great!

Health

We are happy to report that Kyle's ear is cancer free and has be reconstructed.  It's pretty incredible what they did - his ear looks great.  I took these pictures before he went in for his first reconstruction surgery.  Kyle has been resistant to me taking pictures of his ear (I don't really blame him!), so I caught him while he and Andy were looking for airplanes.

We are thankful for HEALTH!

Goooo Huskies!

We went to the Husky/Cal Game as a family with my parents.  It was a beautiful day and the kids lasted the whole game.  Katie and I spent 2nd quarter in the tunnel, plugging our ears and eating snacks.  After the first half, Katie rallied and was able to continue in the stadium.  We all were pretty exhausted by the end of the day, but had a great time.  Andy loves the Huskies and was cheering them on with the best of them.  He loves when each side takes turns yelling - Goooo....Huskies!  He just yells with both sides.  He also likes to tip his hat at kick-off.  It was a great day!  Thanks Ka and Bapa!

Katie's Turn!

Katie started at the Magnolia Coop this year.  It is so strange to have her there as I am having flashbacks to when Andy was just one and starting at the Coop.  Since she's not walking yet, taking advantage of all that the preschool has to offer is difficult, but she makes her way around.  It is so much fun having my one-on-one time with her on Friday mornings!

And a comparison - Andy's 1st day at the Coop

 

Preschool

Andy LOVES his preschool.  Every morning when he wakes up, he asks if he gets to go to preschool today.  His thumbs up each day is "going to preschool" even when he didn't even go that day.  He gets excited to wear his backpack, carry his lunch, and his favorite activities seem to be playing with cars (big surprise), creating puzzles, going down the slide and hanging out with his friends Sienna and Marek.  One night he saw his backpack in the kitchen and wouldn't take it off all night.  Silly guy!

This was taken as we were heading to orientation.  Do you think he was excited about his first visit to his new preschool?

Katie, along for the ride...not so excited

Andy, walking around the house with his backpack

Andy happily posing for a picture

And, Andy in "hyper mode" playing with his favorite ducky...showing me all of his happy/silly/hyper expressions

Anniversary Dinner and a BIG week

Kyle and I celebrated a belated Anniversary dinner by heading to Ponti's on Nickerson.  This was in the beginning of September, but I still am catching up.  We were way over due for a date night and it was so nice to spend some one-on-one time together.  It's crazy how life just gets busy.  Heading out to dinner reminded us how important it is to take time to just hang out (without kiddos!).  We joked that we "survived" the 7-year-itch.  This seventh year has proven to be one of the most challenging years for us as a family. 

This first week of October was a big week for a couple of reasons (our theme for the year has been...when it rains, it pours!...or what doesn't kill you makes you stronger):

1)  Kyle had his last (hopefully!) surgery on his ear.  We are glad to move in a positive direction and are again reminded that health is everything. 

2)  RockStar Motel officially launched on Wednesday.  Kyle has been working around the clock for two years (literally around the clock for the last year).  He has learned SO much in the process and it has been fun for me to observe him enjoying something he is so passionate about.  It has been hard watching him balance two full-time jobs...ahhh, the life of a start-up.  I am really proud of him!  Check it out when you have a chance:  http://www.rockstarmotel.com/

3)  Alden has been approved to head out on Community Work Crew (CWC).  It will be hard labor, but we all think it will be great for him to get more fresh air and it will make the days pass by more quickly for him.

AND...both of our kids are healthy.  With cold season in full bloom, we are thrilled to have healthy, snot-free kiddos.  They both were hit pretty hard early on - so we are celebrating!

Cheers to Kyle, whom I met when I was 19 years old.  We have grown up with each other in so many ways and fortunately have grown stronger in the process.  I love so many things about you, but the biggest quality that has stood out to me this past year is how POSITIVE you stay even when things get tough.  I love the person you always have been and the person who you have become.  I love how much our kids ADORE you and how much joy they bring to you.  I love the family that we have created and that we somehow balance each other even when we can't balance ourselves : )

Cheers to many, many, many more years.  I love you!