Caelan Our Fancy Face

Strawberries, what could make this little man happier?


1/20/09 The down low on Caelan since he's been at Grandma and Papa's. He is 16 mos old, on the 27th will be 17 mos, he now has four molars, the fourth molar appeared yesterday, which was a very trying day! He has tried all kinds of new foods, not that he liked all of them, but at least he tried. He has been attempting some new words like apple sauce, upstairs, says hello, choo-choo, Papa and popper clear as a bell, and of course snow, with some others that I can't think of right now because he is surprising me all the time with his fancy vocabulary. He also uses hand gestures now when he speaks his baby babble, looks like a little old Italian man. Its hilarious!
The "dancin' bar" is a new favorite hang out. He will dance to anything that sounds like it has a rhythm and "snaps" his fingers.
He has been spending a lot of time with his cousins, who have their passions, and now Caelan loves choo-choos and playing with little "guys". Its funny to watch him play with the little action figures, because they all jump, fly and have their own noises. And now he drives his food like a car. Who knew a little piece of orange could make such a sound. He is such a little boy!
He is growing like a little sprout. The jammies and socks we brought for him are too tight and we purchased his first pair of size 7 shoes
(although I'm sure its just the style of shoe, I hope).
Its so exciting to watch all that has happened in these few short weeks!

The Young Jedi

The force is strong with this young one.

"Lil Baby K" 28 Weeks Along

Far be it for me to be silly!

28 weeks and we are moving right along! I can't believe how quickly time has passed. I feel great and the little man, Mr. 16 mos old, keeps me constantly running! We talk about my belly every morning and there is a baby inside. I told my mom the other day I feel like I'm stretched to the max. She laughed an evil laugh as if to say "Silly Girl, Just Wait!"

Visit to Davenport

Abbi, the soon to be, newest addition to our family.

Lovin from Grandma Betty

Cousin Kyllie, Grandma Betty and Smilin' Jack

Smilin' Jack, Aunt Robin and Kyllie

Aunt Robin, Me, Smilin' Jack, Kyllie and Grandma Betty

Yesterday, 1/17/09, we adventured out to Davenport to surprise Grandma Betty for a visit. We were invited to Abbi's bridal shower and Grandma didn't know we were coming. What a surprise it was! Regardless of the lack of smiles from Caelan, we had such a good time visiting with everyone and sharing lots of hugs.

Papa Slippers

Caelan now has his very own pair of "Papa Slippers". Everyone in the family knows what, Papa Slippers are. My dad has been wearing this style of slippers ever since I can remember. He wears them EVERYWHERE. If it were acceptable he would wear them to church!

More Fun Times with the Twins

Karen the Wrangler

Everyone loves this chair, which was my grandpa's chair,
because it is the perfect height for climbing on.

The Famous Boogie-Woogie Spot

Hot Laps Around the House

Caelan is definately enjoying the running room. He is constantly running, running and running. Even when no one is chasing him. This is just fine with me, burn off all that energy!

Although I have to admit I have been enjoying running with him. He'll run one direction and I'll run the other and jump out from behind the wall. He'll try to find me and me him. We've been having so much fun!

The Dancin' Bar

Whenever the kids come to Grandma and Papa's there is a special spot they all hang out to boogie woogie.

Visit at Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Dave's

A prehistoric visitor. Nolan shared his Christmas present with all the cousins. This fun lil dino, sings and bounces, chews "food", opens his eyes and mouth.

Cousin Nolan

Tyler, Caelan and Nolan whoopin it up

Caelan and Megan

On Sunday 1/11/09, we drove up to Rockford for a visit to Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Dave's. Ashley, Adam and Nolan, Karen and the twins all joined in the fun. We all ate til we were stuffed to the gills! Fun was had by all!

Cookin' On the Counter

When I cook, Caelan loves to watch and be a part of the action.

With each step I tell him everything we're doing.

At Grandma and Papa's he has the perfect perch

as we prepare for pizzas.

Sha-na-naaaa

Caelan prepares for his doo-wop concert

MORE Snow!!!

Caelan watches as Uncle Chris snow blows the driveway
Abominable Snowman

Who needs sleds?

1/10/09 Well, we hoped for snow and wow have we gotten our fair share. The snow started the night before around 7:30pm and didn't stop until the following day around 4:00pm. I think we got around 9 or 10 inches. Regardless of the blustery weather, we had to go out and play. We had some more sled rides, shovel rides and Caelen insisted on bringing out the little tricycle and going for a spin. (I did my best to push him through the tundra.)

By the way, a momentous tooth announcement. Caelan has two molars. The first appeared 1/7/09 and the second on 1/9/09.

He has been eating raw carrots with glee.

Playing in the Snow

Caelan was advising Papa on proper snow removal

Caelan's very first sled ride!

Playing on the steps... and in the snow, bonus!

After this first taste of snow, Caelan would stop

every now and then for a quick lick. Too funny!

Snow Angel?

Snow Day!

1/7/09 Well, it finally returned. Snow!!! It snowed yesterday and today. It is beautiful. And of course, Caelan and I had to go out and play in it. I bundled Caelan up, to the point of tears but as soon as he got outside he was excited. He loved his very first sled ride, walking around in the snow and eating it!

Fun, Fun, Fun with the Twins

Me and Tyler MaGee

"The Secret Space", this is where all the serious play
and story telling happens.

Sweet Little Emily

Got some heavy duty play going on here.

Tyler is giving a lesson on the choo-choo.

Eatin just like the big kids

1/5/09 We spent the day with Tyler and Emily. Caelan had a blast. Two little people huggin and kissin on you AND they shared their toys.

What more could you ask for?
They had so much fun playing together and eating together!

2009 Happy New Year!

A fun visit with Uncle Pete on New Years Day

1/1/09 What a momentous day. A day of new beginnings

and new memories to be created.

The Kinzer Clan has so many loved ones, friends

and special moments to be thankful for in 2008.

We appreciate all your love and support

as we continue to grow as a family.

We are excited to see what 2009 has in store,

and to share it with you!

Will Caelan have a baby brother or sister? Stay tuned.....

Celebrating New Year's Eve When You're 16 Mos Old

Many games with Grandma.

Especially Caelan's favorite, hide under the table.

Yo, Yo

Showin' Uncle Chris how the Break Dancin' is done.
He told Chris the counter was okay, but he prefers his piece of cardboard
and ski cap to get the best head spins.

Caelan was the most festive at our house on New Year's Eve. He made sure he had lots of fun. He put up lots of decorations, had hats for everyone to wear, noise makers to play with and had a grand count down (at 7:00pm) then off to bed. What a little party animal!

Christmas at the Roger's

Me and the kids. Ty, Moshe, Caelan, Me, Jaedyn and Tyler.

Megan, Jaedyn, Mom and Emily

A family tradition. Be silly.
(They all are clapping and singing to a song
they made up for Jaedyn to dance to.)


Everyone is getting ready, presents are being presented.

I gave Megan the camera to catch some of the action and

this is her creative view of the festivities.

Caelan loved his gifts, especially the puzzles!

The big birthday boy, Ty 5 yrs old,

and his "helicopter & guys" cake, designed by Moshe.

On Tuesday, 12/30/08, we had a Christmas and Birthday celebration at Sarah and Marchel's house. We had so much fun. Sarah did an incredible job with dinner, the house was beautiful and she tolerated the madness well! This was our first Christmas gathering at the Roger's. The George's can be a crazy bunch!!

The day was extra special because it was also Ty's fifth birthday. We were all honored to share his special day.

The Kareoke Kid

12/29/08 Yep, Caelan loves the Kareoke as much as my mom does. As soon as she put the mike in his hand and started the music, he was a pro. A true natural. His personal favorite is "Disco Duck". I'm already scoping out the local kareoke contests for him to enter and win us some BIG money!

General Mills Kid's Christmas Party

Papa and Caelan snuggle up on the sleigh ride

Jaedyn and Sarah

Ty and Moshe

All the kids patiently await our lunch

Moshe, Ty, Caelan and Sarah join the group for an exciting game of hot potato

as they wait for the pinata to be re-hung. Ha.

Saturday, 12/27, we attended the big Christmas party for kids put on by Papa's employer, General Mills. It was held out at Pheasant Run Resort. The kids had lots of fun, riding on the sleigh, playing games and aquiring too many toys and sweets. Ah, to be a kid again.

Later that night, back at Pheasant Run, the same room was converted into a beautiful dining room. There was incredible food, live music and dancing for the employees and their families.

We land in the Winter Wonderland-Chicago

Snow, snow, snow...10 inches of snow
A kiss hello from Aunt Sarah

Caelan and Grandma waste no time, they git right to the playing

Caelan plays with a carosel Karen and I played with

when we were his size!

Caelan has been practicing this pose for Grandma for weeks!

December 26, 2008 Caelan and I travel to the the great Winter Wonderland they call Chicago. My mom had been preparing us all week prior to our arrival. The temperatures ranged from 0 to 8 degrees and snow, snow, snow, measuring up to 10 inches.

Our flight out of DC was delayed a while due to ice in Chicago. The flight itself was nice, Caelan slept a good portion of the way, mmmmm... As we were decending into Chicago, nothing could be seen out the windows because of a really dense fog. Finally as we got close to the ground the fog cleared and you could hear everyone on the plane exclaim "Whoa, look at all the snow" as we all saw the arctic plain outside the window. Gee, you'd think everyone was from a place that never had snow or something... it really made me laugh!

The following day, it rained all day, was 55 and erased all the snow.