Jonathan's first day of KINDERGARTEN!

 It's hard to believe that Jonathan is now going to Kindergarten!  Lots of moms tell me that that kids sure grow up fast and to appreciate the younger years, and I always tend to think "yeah, yeah... I know."  But, really today it's hard to believe that he will be going to school everyday.  He's ELATED to learn to read, but I'm not sure I'm ready to not have him around every morning.  I thought that I was looking forward to this morning for a long time, but as the day approached to send him off I started getting sad.  I will miss not having him around the mornings.  But, I guess it will make the time he is home even better, and I will be more intentional with my time with him.  Pray for us during this time of transition, if you think of it.

Here are some pics of the morning:

Right before walking over to the school... it's right across the road from our house!

We arrived at the school....

... with all the other students and multitudes of parents.  Rooney Ranch Elementary every year on the first day says the pledge of allegience and sings the school song together before all the students march in together.

Catherine and Jonathan were having a nice last few minutes before the send off.  After this picture, Jonathan got a bit overwhelmed.  But, who wouldn't with all those people and the noise??  I was for sure!

 Here's a little taste of how many were there

I'm back!

After a long absence, I'm back!  Moving and getting settled into a new house and location has taken a lot more time and effort than I expected; therefore my blog has been neglected.  Good news is that we LOVE our new home and area!!  Today is a new day in the life of our family, as Jonathan has started Kindergarten and I will be beginning a new schedule- which hopefully includes more blogging.  :-)  Stay tuned!

Our New Home!

Yes, you read correctly we have successfully moved into our new home (as of two weeks ago, almost). We are SO grateful for all of the assistance our family and friends gave with last minute packing, watching kiddos, unpacking, hanging pictures, etc... Without the support of our family and friends the move would not have gone and this transition nor be going as smoothly as it has been. Our family has been blessed! We are touched to the heart of the generosity and service we have been provided.

We decided back in September that we would start looking for a new house after the new year... as the hour commute for Chris to and from work wasn't working so well for our family. After a few weeks of looking we found our new home! After a few bumps in the road through the negoations and signing we got the keys at the beginning of March. For the next two weeks we were able to get the inside painted, some new carpet and work done on the kitchen before we settled in. We couldn't be happier!!! The space is wonderful for our family and in the perfect location... just about a 15 minute drive to FOCUS and minutes (like 2) from several hiking trails. We have got to be in one of the most beautiful areas of Denver, maybe even Colorado!! The views around the neighborhood are spectular... we are at the foothills of the mountains.

Here are a couple of pics:

The biggest transformation of the house (besides the painting inside because every room was 2 or even 3 different colors... nice for some, but not for us) was the kitchen. Here are some before pics:

To now! I can't tell you how much I enjoy being in it. And, the kids LOVE sitting that counter for meals.

We are hoping to have you come and visit so we can show you the rest of the house and area! Please continue to pray for us as we settle into a new routine and finish getting our home set up.

We're moving... soon

Yes, that's right we're moving to a new house! Today, the 27th, we closed on a new home in Lakewood, Colorado- which will make the commute for Chris to work about 15 minutes (instead of an hour). YEAH! We are looking forward to cutting back on time in the car and having more family time again. Currently, our moving date is scheduled for March 20th. Please keep us in our prayers are we prepare to transition. I will keep you posted!

P.S. I also have some more pictures to post in the near future... Jonthan turned 5 and Abby is walking!

Abigail Ruth is 1 year old!

Crazy to believe that last month, on the 21st, Abby turned one year old! The time has sure flown by. I gotta say, though, that I feel pretty good about myself in that I survived (just barely) a year with 3 kiddos under the age of 4!

Joking aside though, Abby has been a COMPLETE joy... the easiest baby yet. She continues to sleep like a dream, eat well and has a wonderful deamanor. Jonathan and Catherine entertain her and keep her occupied constantly.

Her stats from her well-child check up:

• 
  
  weight: 18lbs 13 oz (bringing her down to the 10th percentile... it's about time she joined her siblings!)


• 
  
  height: 30 inches (75th percentile)

She is really working hard at walking on her own. She takes steps here and there, but still prefers to crawl. We just recently taught her how to go up and down the stairs, which is now her favorite thing to do. :-)

Abby also had not one, but TWO birthday parties. The day of her birthday, Chris was out of town and I was down with my parents and sister in Colorado Springs. My mom graciously made her a birthday hat and signs, my sister crafted some yummy cupcakes and we managed to scrounge up a couple of gifts...

Can't you tell she's excited to take the tissure paper out??

After all, there was this ADORABLE, handmade tutu in it from Auntie Anna. Abby is going to be our dress-up girl! She LOVED (and still loves) wearing the tutu! She's also sporting the birthday hat my mom made.


Abby can't wait to eat her cupcake...

...luckily, she had some help blowing out the candle!

A week after her actual birthday, Chris and I hosted a little family gathering to celebrate Abby's birthday, again. Us Kuetemeyer's and my family enjoyed some meatballs for dinner and cake pops for dessert...

I was elated when my friend, Nicole, shared her receipe and tactics on making cake pops! So, I had to give it a try... they were a hit with the kids. :-)

We did put a candle in a cake pop... a litte silly! ha ha

But, it looks like it was enjoyed!

Jonathan and Chris's travels

A couple of days after Christmas, Chris and Jonathan took a special "boys only" trip out to Illinois- to see family for about 5 days. Jonathan was overjoyed at taking a plane JUST with Daddy and getting to see Grandma Mary, Grandpa Dave and all his cousins (of whom he prays for every night)! I know that a good time was had by all as Jonathan still talks about the many fun experiences he had on his trip. How could he not, when Grandma Mary and Aunt Amy read book after book after book to him? And, all his cousins taught him games on the I-pad? Or how to create more Star Wars lego structures? Or all the things he could fight with nerf guns? I know that both he and Chris had a blast!Grandma Mary and JonathanJonathan with some of his "girl cousins" (Emily and Samantha)Jonathan with Aunt Amy and one his "boy cousins," Hayden... playin' on the I-pad and computer

Aunt Amy and cousin, Emily, teaching Jonathan how to read

Christmas baking and eating GOOD food!

As you may know, cooking and baking is one of my favorite things to do. If I am having an extremely stressful day or my day is entirely packed with things... I always have to find time to relax by cooking. So, I am overjoyed when Christmas rolls around as that means lots of cooking and baking, especially of really yummy goodies.

This year was especially fun as the kids could and wanted to help out a lot more in the kitchen. They helped with the cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning, banana bread for just because, dinner rolls for Christmas day, sugar cookies, chex mix and chocolate mint sandwich cookies... all of which were enjoyed by us but we shared with neighbors, too. The culmination of it all, for me, was Christmas Eve. After we celebrated Our Savior's birth at Mass we came back and enjoyed a fondue dinner. I had read in a couple of magazines a few weeks prior that some families hold that in their traditions during their holidays. And since we were given a fondue pot for our wedding, that had yet to be used, I figured I would give it a shot. It was awesome! I grilled up some steaks for Chris and I, already had the goods (i.e. crusty bread, broccoli, carrots and apples) cut up and ready to dip and warmed up the cheese. The kids had a blast dipping and eating!

Of course, Abby was content sitting, watching and munching on some toddler crackers

For dessert, of course there was chocolate fondue... YUMM-O! It was super messy but TOTALLY worth it! We dipped marshmallows, chocolate pound cake, sugar cookies, pretzels, strawberries, bananas and apples:

Catherine has asked multiple times since Christmas Eve if we can have fondue again and if she can eat like an adult (we let her use a glass plate and fondue fork, ha ha!) some time soon! It must have been a hit. I know I enjoyed it! I think Our Lord was pleased that we all had such a fun time as a family enjoying some extra yummy treats!