PJ Time

All worn out after a long day at the waterpark, the kids were ready for bed--just a parting shot to show you how exhausted Gabe and Lars looked before bed...

oh yeah, and note the *matching* High Scool Musical pj's aunt Penny bought for Lily and Maddi--a big hit with "my-life-is-a-musical-because-I-break-into-song-and-dance-any-chance-I-get" daughter.

Braid Away

Maddi was *thrilled* when she saw the braid station--she wanted one instantly although I wasn't even sure they could get one in her hair because it is so fine. Once we had confirmation that they could, in fact, put one in her hair, it was all systems GO!

Here is Maddi with her hair braid! She was so proud to wear that thing and fling it around like it was real hair! Ahhh...the simple things.

Kalahari

The first stop on our Spring Break adventure was the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. We were originally supposed to take this trip at Christmas with the Kain Family, but it had to be postponed due to weather. It worked out great adding it to the front end of our trip to Minneapolis and the kids got to spend some time with their cousins.

The kids are finally tall enough to go on most of the rides and of course Lars likes to do all the slides his brother does. The favorite was the "Master Blaster" and I am sure that those three flights of stairs to the top were climbed at least 30 (no kidding!) times in the 8 hours we spent there.

Basketball

Drew played basketball again this winter and was on two different teams--a rec league and a more competitive league. Needless to say we kept very busy running to practices and games and such, but it was fun to see how the boys' skills improved and to watch them grow as a team, run actual plays, and just have a good time.

At the end of the season the coaches threw a very nice party for them and gave each participant a trophy and a certificate with a nickname they had picked out just for them based on their performance. Drew was named "The Glove" because when he played ball he was always right on everyone with his defense--he stuck to the opposing team like a glove!

Next up...baseball, which starts next month and will have all three kids playing. Drew will move up to the next level where the boys will actually start pitching to each other, and Lars and Maddi will be on the same T-Ball team. Look out ballpark, here we come!

Happy Valentine's Day

Lars at his school Valentine's Day party! Looks like they need some more candy!!

Winterfest

I realize it has been awhile since I have posted on my blog, but it is not for lack of news. Probably quite the opposite--I have been too busy to sit down and write. Unfortunately the stuff I have been busy with is not really newsworthy as most of my free time has been getting all my tax documents ready for my accountant. Talk about dull!! Anyway, I'm done now so hopefully more "newsworthy" moments can fill my brain to write about. (Also, I have been receiving threatening emails from the Grandma person wanting to see pics of her grandkids!!)

Last weekend our town had it's 2nd annual Winterfest celebration. We decided to go check it out for something to do on a Sunday afternoon. Being that the thermometer couldn't make it past about 15 degrees, we were thankful that there were indoor activities as well.

I took just a few pics of the kids with the random snowman guy that was walking around, and the kids did enjoy climbing into the old fashioned cars that were housed in a museum where winterfest was being held at. Not really sure what the connection between late model cars and snow is, but the kids had fun and it got us out of the house. Anyway, enjoy!

Lars' Birdhouse

Lars is crazy about wood, nails, screws, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. In fact, one day we were at Lowe's looking for some wood for our basement and he cried right in the middle of the store because we wouldn't buy him some decorative wood end caps or crown molding to take home and create something with.

Well, one of Lars' Christmas presents was a birdhouse that my uncle Richard crafted. He cut all the pieces and pre-drilled all the holes for the screws, and even etched in one of the pieces of wood "Made by Lars Kain". Lars had been waiting and waiting for dad to help him and threatened several times to just do it himself. Well, tonight was the big night and Lars was just beside himself with excitement. He wasn't quite sure of the power drill at first, but he loved hammering away at the nails. After he was done, he proudly took it upstairs to his room where it will stay until we see the first birds returning in the spring.

Poor Dakota

Jamie decided to take Dakota on a run Sunday afternoon before Uncle Matt and Aunt Diana came over to help us celebrate Drew's birthday. When he got back, we noticed that Dakota had a big gash in her leg. Jamie was a little unsure of how it got there as he never heard her yelp or anything on their run, but it did look like a barbed wire cut deep into her leg. Jamie wrapped it up with some gauze and figured it would be ok until morning when we could get her to the vet, but about 30 minutes later we noticed that the blood was going to start seeping through the gauze. Poor thing!

Jamie decided to call the vet (remember this is a Sunday at about 6 pm...) and their answering machine directed us to a vet hospital in town that is open 24/7 on the other side of town. Jamie got Dakota in the van and headed on over.

Being that it was Drew's birthday and the poor kid hadn't even gotten to open his presents yet, we went ahead and ate without dad and even opened presents. It wasn't the same without him, but at least Matt and Diana got to be there and eat Grandma Paula's Chicken Casserole that I made and a batch of buttermilk brownies. (Drew's two most favorite foods ever).

Jamie and Dakota made it home about 2 1/2 hours later, and he had to carry her up the stairs to our bedroom because she doesn't come out of anesthesia very well and was still having trouble walking. She had gotten a few stitches and the docs said all should be fine. So far so good, but what a night!

Happy Birthday Drew

My baby turned NINE yesterday! Where has the time gone?? I think about how fast the last nine years have gone and realize that in nine more years, he will be leaving home for college. WOW! I know nine years is a long time, but it is amazing to put it into perspective that way. Especially considering life will continue to get busier and busier, making the time go that much faster.

He is such a great kid and has been such a blessing to us. It is so fun to watch him grow into a "big guy", yet at the same time see the things that keep him my little boy. He loves his WebKinz and sleeps with at least one each night. He loves to snowboard and even wants us to move back to Colorado because, "...that's where I'm from and all." (He was born in Denver for those that didn't know that). He is the most awesome, kind, helpful, happy, PATIENT, and special big brother that Lars and Maddi could ever have, and he truly loves them. He loves his dog Dakota. He loves God. He loves and is great at drawing. He far surpasses me in all things technological.(Not hard to do, but still...). He loves school and his friends. He loves equality. He loves to play sports. He loves to take self portraits with my camera. He loves cartoons. And he loves ME! (I am sooo lucky!) Mom and Dad love you so much big guy, and we thank God for you every day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Spring Break 2009

So we started a new tradition at the Kain Household this year. We have decided that every year, the very last Christmas present that the kids get to open will be the announcement of our Spring Break plans. Truth be told, we are secretly hoping that this new tradition means a few things for us:

1. Our kids will always WANT to come on a Spring Break trip with us

2. As they get older and have families of their own, we can still all take a family vacation together every year

I know this all sounds a little hopeful, but you've got to start somewhere right? Jamie and I have yet to take a vacation without the kids (that means 9 years!) because we just can't think of any trip we would want to take that they couldn't be included on. I'm sure someday we will, but spending uninterrupted, fun, family time together is just too priceless right now!

So this years trip (drum roll please.....) is to Minneapolis, MN! Lars was MORE than thrilled because it means he can go to the Mall of America where there is a LEGOLand and he can buy little Lego guys by the handful. We also plan on staying in the Water Park Hotel to get a little pool side action, and we are going to top it off with a little slope side action at Afton Alps. We can't wait and hope our new tradition brings fun for many years to come!

Cupcake Heaven

So Maddi's Santa gift was a cupcake maker/decorator. She just HAD to have it and everytime we were in a store and went by it she reminded me of how badly she wanted/needed it. So on Christmas morning she was thrilled to see it sitting there! I think we had made our first cupcake by 7:30 am. And we all know how tasty those mixes that come with the toy are. (Blech!)

Santa was also creative enough to bring her a little chef's apron, and a matching one for me! How clever that jolly old man can be! There were several occasions during holiday baking that I wished Santa had dropped mine off a little earlier, but oh well. Maddi loves her cupcakes and thinks she is an awesome cupcake baker--she'll make one for ya if you want!

Lego Freaks

Ok, so my boys are a little bit obsessed with Legos, Lars particularly, but both boys are always thrilled to get Legos of any kind. Lars also has an obsession with Star Wars, so of course he loves all Lego Star Wars ships, especially the big ones. We have had to make a deal with him though, since the big ships cost alot more than the little ships, that once they are together, he has to leave them together and play with them in that way.

Our kids are allowed to ask Santa for one gift, and of course he asked for the Lego Star Wars Imperial Fighter Gunship (got all that?). Good 'ol Santa came through and of course that was the first thing Lars wanted to build on Christmas Day. This one was pretty detailed so Jamie decided to help him with it. SIX hours later, they were done. Lars is very focused when he has a goal in mind, so he was not about to let up on building this ship until it was done. Even when Grandma and Grandpa came over, he ran over, opened his gift (another Legos kit--which he did later that evening!!!) and went back to his big ship! Now that is some dedication. If I could only find a way to tap into that enthusiasm when it is time for him to clean his room, I would have it made!

Merry Christmas

Christmas time again! This was such a fun year as my kids were at such great ages to enjoy Christmas! Old enough to understand that it is REALLY about Jesus, yet young enough to still believe in a little magic as well. The other day Lars came into the kitchen and said, "Mom, on (such and such cartoon) they were asking each other about the true meaning of Christmas. Can you believe that not one of them got it right? None of them said it was about Jesus!" A huge smile came across my face and my heart melted a little, as my 6 year old gave a me a sign of hope that as parents we are maybe doing something right.

What a glorious and unselfish gift God gave to us so many years ago! I hope that your Christmas was a merry one, and that God has many blessings in store for you and your loved ones in the upcoming year.

Merry Christmas to Me!

The annual (well, sometimes annual, considering we skipped last year for some reason) Kain Family Eye Care Christmas Party was last Saturday despite arctic style temperatures, dangerous winds and snow to top it all off! We headed out to HuHot (mongolian barbeque style) for some food and fun and had a great time. Due to the sub par weather conditions, the restaurant wasn't very busy (usually at least a 30 minute wait on a Sat. night) and we were able to be seated right away. Lots of plates of good food and some dessert to top it off left us all feeling pretty full, but NOT too full to open a few presents.

I must say, I am SOOO spoiled because I was given a BEAUTIFUL Tiffany's bracelet (my first gift ever from one of those tell tale blue boxes). I have loved wearing it and showing it off, but truth be told, it represents a lot more to me than just a gift of kindness. To me, this gift represents the fact that I have a great group of people that work for me, and it shows in how hard they work for me day in and day out. I am constantly getting comments from patients about what a great staff I have and I am fortunate to be able to look back at them and say "I know!"

Because of them I have been able to cut back on how many days I am in the office, which has been so rewarding for me and my family. I have known for a long time that I wanted and needed to do this. By God's grace, I was able to jump on an opportunity allowing me to do this. One of the best parts is knowing that the patients are still getting great care from my tech staff and Dr. Voyles when I am not there. I am so truly blessed in so many ways, that all I can say is "Thank you, thank you, thank you" to each and every one of them. God is so good!

Winter Playground

We live in a neighborhood where there is a bunch of open space and the city has decided to build a sports complex on it. It will be awesome when it is done, but who knew all the fun it would give us this year while it is under construction. They started pushing dirt around this fall and it is amazing what they have already accomplished, the best part being that it has left us with some awesome sledding/snowboarding hills right outside our door! Lars cracks me up in that he uses his snowboard for a sled. He knows how to snowboard and is actually pretty good at it, but it's just a whole lot easier to slide down on your belly! Even Dakota had fun, and then we went inside and had hot cocoa (with marshmallows fo course!)