Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours.

Seeing Santa

We went to Ames tonight to see Santa. I wasn't sure how it would go with Kaydi (or with Kaden and Kylee.) In the past Kaydi has wanted nothing to do with him, the Easter Bunny, Cy, etc... Kaden had informed me several times in the past few weeks that he was NOT going to see Santa this year and Kylee, well she's a teenager, so her opinion and thoughts change minute by minute. Well, other than the long line and the mall policy of no personal photos, it was PERFECT. Kaydi was so excited and hopped right up on Santa's lap and Kaden sat right next to him. Santa asked them what they wanted for Christmas and Kaydi replied "presents", Kaden said with no hesitation "Madden NFL 11", and Kylee just smiled and said "I don't know." Santa then asked Kaden if he had been good and he replied "maybe." (loved the innocence of Kaydi and the magic in her eyes and Kaden's honesty - the twinkles in his eyes giving away his thoughts - "I wonder how much Santa really knows!") They continued to visit with him for awhile and then we went on shopping. Every chance Kaydi had throughout the rest of the evening, she would go back and wave to Santa.

Kylee

Kylee turned 14 (yes, 14!!) in November.

She is an 8th Grader at South Hardin Middle School.

She is our MISS ENERGETIC, also known as the

Drama Queen and Sunshine.

She is ALWAYS DANCING! Dancing on stage, at school, at home, in the shower...

We're starting to wonder if she remembers how to walk??

She was in the Nutcracker again this year at Iowa State

and had the role of a Flower.

She also plays volleyball

and runs track. (The 400m is her favorite.)

Her team was the District Champions this past spring.

She also is very active in 4-H. She gave up training at the Joffrey Ballet this summer to show cattle at the county fair.

Kylee is a VERY. BUSY. GIRL. She is a class representative for the Middle School Student Council, a member of the Iowa Youth Ballet program, in the school band (trumpet) and chorus.

She takes her catechism studies very seriously and is looking forward to being confirmed this spring.

When she's not at one of her activities she can be found scrapbooking or doing crafts in her room, often past bedtime!

She's becoming more and more like her mom, although she won't admit to it.

(staying up too late, being organized, dislikes getting up in the morning, very talkative)

Kaden

Kaden turned 9 in September. He is our MR. SOCIAL,

whether it be with classmates, teachers, the WSC

women's basketball team...

He wants to do everything JUST. LIKE. HIS. DAD.

He is 100% farm boy and helps the Grandpas, Uncle Brent, & Chad

every chance he gets. His favorite farm activities include

building fence, riding in the machinery, running errands on the

four-wheeler and burning ANYTHING.

He enjoys being in 4-H, doing Clover Kid projects,

and having bucket calves.

He also likes Boy Scouts.

He LOVES football - his favorite team being the Dallas Cowboys.

(wonder why?!)

He also LOVES baseball and follows the Chicago Cubs.

Coincidence that his favorite teams are also those of

Uncles Chris & Kelly?? I think not.

Kaden is also Mr. Technology.

When he's not doing one of his other activities,

he can be found on the computer using iTunes, You Tube, Netflix, etc.

Kaydi

Kaydi, otherwise known as Sparkle or Princess, turned 3 in August.

She is our MISS INDEPENDENT.

She LOVES big brother Kaden but also can give him quite the attitude!

Lucky for her, he would do ANYTHING for her (and does).

She absolutely ADORES big sister Kylee, often imitating her every move.

Big sis is already teaching her dance routines!

Her favorites are puzzles, art supplies and books,

which she NEVER leaves home without!

She also LOVES the outdoors...

and has no fear of animals -

which of course can be good and not so good!

She is a very happy and loving girl.