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!

SUPER cute!

Alright, I know I'm a little bias... but I pulled out the walker for Abby to use this past week... and she has been SO HAPPY playing with it! You just gotta watch the video and look at the pics.

It's good that she has some helpers! ha ha

Thanksgiving

... yes, I know it was about a month ago we celebrated this wonderful holiday; but, still it's fun to post pictures and reminiscience about the wonderful time we had.

We were able to visit my parents down in Colorado Springs from Wednesday thru Friday evening.

Abby planning out her Black Friday shopping

Happy Granddaddy with Happy Abby

It was a nice time of cooking, crafts, watching football and some great movies, chatting and of course, eating yummy food!

My sister and her son are in town for awhile (as my brother-in-law has been deployed for the next few months), so it was great for our family to spend time with them. Jonathan hadn't met Jackson yet (as he is only 5 months old); luckily he loves babies so he give him enough attention to last the rest of the year. ha ha Catherine, too, adores Jackson and give him quite the attention.

Yes, Jackson is a boy. And, yes, he is in a pink bouncy seat... but he liked it!

The trend, too, these days is not only time with Grammy and Grandaddy equal extra special yummy goodies, but also really fun crafts.This time around my mom bought treasure chests to be painted. Once painted they got to fill them up with chocolate coins!

After the weekend, we found ourselves extremely thankful for the families God has blessed us with (near and far)... our children, parents, siblings, grandparents, etc... Happy (belated) Thanksgiving and thanks to you all for your love, support and prayers! We love you!

Great helpers!

Lately, I've been super (a word that Jonathan uses many, many times a day) appreciative of the older kids assistance around the house. Take for instance last night, after dinner Catherine jumped up from the table eager to help put dirty dishes in the dishwasher and condiments back in the refrigerator. Or, today after lunch they both swept the floor of all the crumbs. I'm really hoping and praying this excitment for being "super helpers" will continue for years to come (but, probably not... I'll take it while I can, though)

Another adorable thing that Jonathan has been excited about lately, is giving Abby her afternoon bottle. He loves it! Abby loves it! And, I love it! It frees me up to finish important things, like my afternoon cup of coffee. ha ha Truly, it is adorable!