Trip to KS

Well, let me start out by saying that our trip to KS was biggie backed on a meeting for Matt. He had 2 full day meeting in Kansas City. Cami and I decided that we would tag along. This was my last big travel adventure before baby girl #2 will be born. (only 6-8 wks left) Any hoe, we arrived wednesday afternoon, it was cold and windy. Really just awful weather.

Thursday, Matt had his meeting. Cami and I swam at the hotel and found a nearby McD's to play at. It was still really cold like 17 degrees and 40 mph wind....which related to -4 with wind chill. YUCK. Grandma and Papa met us at our hotel around 2pm. We went across the street to a big mall and played at this great place called Monkey Bizness. It was a blast! Later that night, we went to our niece's Basketball game. Cami loved it and pretty much payed attention to the ball game the entire time. She loves watching live sporting events....hmmmm wonder where on earth she learned to love sports so much!

I apologize for the poor quality of some of the photos as some were taken on my phone.

Papa and Cami in the bouncy houses
Can you tell this little girl has her Papa around her finger!
Peyton's game. They won and she scored 15pts. Pretty good for an eighth grader on varsity!

After the game, Cami and I went back to Holton with Grandma and Papa. Matt stayed behind in KC to finish up his meetings on Friday. Cami spent most of Friday hanging out with her grandma and papa, then after school her cousins

Saturday morning we all piled in the cars and headed back to KC. For Christmas Matt's folks reserved us rooms at the great wolf lodge. A waterpark getaway! Everyone was soooo excited and man was it fun. We swam 3-4 hours on Saturday (although I didn't get any pictures of that). Then had pizza in our room and chilled out.
Here are Josh and Cami settling down for the evening with some Mickey Mouse on our portable DVD player

One worn out little girl! She didn't nap all day and really did great!

Aunt Jill and Cami, Sunday Morning
Sunday morning we opened stockings. Since we were not all able to be together at Christmas this year, grandma and papa decided to do stockings when we were all together.

Everyone in the Lazy river. This was the warmest water in the park (besides the hot tubs) so when we needed a rest this is where we went. Cami loved it cause she could almost touch so she was able to bounce up and down in the water without much assistance.

Carter on top of the obstacle course deal. He spent a lot of time up there dumping that bucket on unsuspecting victims!
Peyton and Paige climbing up the obstacle course
Cami in the sprayers. This was one of the highlights of the waterpark for her. The sprayers that come out of the ground randomly! She loved it.
Josh and Cami with Aunt Jill. They stayed in the hot tub while the crazies went to the water dumper.

That huge green bucket on top is about to dump on everyone!

Waiting for the Bucket to dump. As it got close to being full and dumping a big bell would ring. Tons of people to hurry over to get dumped on. The kids said that the water came with such force that their necks were sore!
SPLASH!
All smiles after being dumped on by the huge water bucket. Did I mention that the water is incredibly cold!
Most of the Cousins outside on the porch at Grandma and Papa's house. They all love being together so much!
Love this group of kiddos! We miss you guys sooooo much already. Cami cherished playing with her cousins!

Thanks grandma and papa for putting up with us! We had a great time at the great wolf lodge! What great memories were made! Love and miss you guys!

Christmas Eve & Day

Christmas Eve Eve!

We opted to go to church Christmas Eve Eve. Before that we met our friends for a bite at Dions and then headed to church.

After church, we told Cami she was able to open one present. We figured spreading out the toys and gifts would be a good thing!

Cami and Daddy working on a present. It was from my nephew Matthew. Refills for her easy bake over. ( a present from Nana and Pop for Christmas that she got to open when they celebrated with us after thanksgiving)

CHRISTMAS EVE!

Christmas Eve morning we got around and got dressed to go help out at church. We were expecting a lot of people at church for Christmas Eve service so we decided to volunteer. Since we looked so nice (compared to the sweats we were in the rest of the week) we decided to snap a few pics in front of the Christmas Tree.
Cami girl in her Christmas Dress (2 years 9 months)
Mommy and Cami
Family Christmas Picture. Last Christmas as a family of 3.....next year Matt will be completely surrounded by girls!

Cami leaving cookies and milk for Santa and a few carrots for Rudolph. Can you tell she was pretty excited about the whole experience!
Our Christmas tree after Cami went to bed. Santa filled our Santa Bags up and we brought down lots of presents from our very generous family and friends! I included the TV on this pic as it was our family gift this year!

CHRISTMAS MORNING!
Look at all the PRESENTS!!!! Welcome to Christmas morning with a toddler!!!
Cami working on her Santa Bag. She found a princess Jasmine barbie.

Matt diggin into his Santa Bag. Santa left him some new BBQ grill accessories!

Cami helping mommy open a gift for baby sister! DIAPERS!!! Thank you Karen and Mike!
Thanks aunt BJ and Uncle Jeff! She loves her new cabbage patch doll. I have to admit that I was a little nostalgic when I helped her take it out of the box. The smell of this new doll (slight scent of baby powder) reminded me of my own childhood and opening my dolls.
More Presents! I think this was from Aunt Crista.
Cami opening her easel from her Grandparents
Wanted everyone to know that Matt wasn't left out and he didn't just help Cami open presents. He got a nook for Christmas....something he really wanted! (And has used a ton already)

We had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas. We missed our families terribly but really enjoyed our last Christmas before celebrating baby girl's arrival in a couple of months. We hope that your Christmas was blessed and that you and your family took a moment to remember the reason for the season.

Christmas Happenings

Well, as usual I am significantly behind on blogging. What a surprise?!? Well, we had several holiday happenings prior to the big event.

Every year in Albuquerque is a wonderful Holiday celebration called the River of Lights. It is held at the Botanical gardens and is just spectacular. We really enjoy going are trying to make a point of going every year. This year we combined that with our small group Christmas Party.

I of course forgot to take any pictures of the Christmas Party, but we had a great time. It was very laid back we shared soups and cookies.

Cami and Matt right before we went in. Of course as usual I forgot my real camera and had to rely on my iphone!
Cami and Piper standing next to a water scene. They had a great time.

Also becoming an annual tradition is the Haynes Girls book/Cookie exchange. Our friends Michele and Lexi host a cute mommy-kid Christmas Party every year. Mommy bring cookies to eat and exchange and kiddo's bring books. It was so fun.
Cami opening her book
Smiling for miss Michele with her Books. Thanks again Lexi and Michele for including us on this wonderful holiday tradition!

This Week

Phew....The past three weeks have been a whirlwind (you could tell by the state of my house...which by the way I am thankful you can't see). We were in KS for 7 + days for thanksgiving, arrived home on Sunday and my parents came to visit Monday. They left early on Thursday, then friday we left for Durango.... Came home from Durango Sunday evening and look what we woke up to Monday morning?!?

SNOW! and very very cold temperatures.
Needless to say with the cold weather we did a lot of art projects and crafting this week. Here is Cami painting with some of the craft stuff that she got to open early from her Nana and Pop.
Here she is making homemade tree ornaments that we will be giving to our friends and neighbors.

We did some of the usual stuff, went walking at the mall, visited daddy at work and ran a lot of errands finishing up christmas shopping.

Friday, some of my friends from high school were in town and I decided that the easiest way for us (and our kids) to get together was to have a little play day at my house. I live relatively centrally, so it was convenient. It was wonderful to catch up with these ladies and see how big their kiddos are getting.

This is Lauryn's son Daxton, he just turned 2. She has an older daughter Madison (but she was in school) and is expecting her third early this summer.

This is Shayne, Lindsay's oldest. Shayne is about 10 wks older than Cami.
Here is Lindsay with her youngest Ryley, she turned a year in July.
Couldn't leave Cam out of the mix of photos
Cutie pie Laney, this is Jenn's little girls and she is working on 18 months.

Saturday morning we met up with the Altman's at the Christmas Corral. We had been trying to get together and our schedules have been so busy. Luckily this worked out perfectly and got the kids out of the house and into the fresh, not too cold air. We had a great time. Thanks for the invite!

Daddy and Cami standing in front of the Christmas Corral. This was one of the few nice (not brutally cold) days this week.
Writing a letter to santa
Playing in the workshop with some of the toys
More toys

This was the school room. I'm guessing where the elves do their school work.

Cami as Rudolph.

Unfortunately since I forgot my camera this day I didn't get a single picture of Cami and Olivia together. They had a great time. We all went out to lunch at Dions (that is what I was craving, luckily everyone gave into the prego girl).

After our Christmas Corral adventure and lunch, we had a few thing to do at the house. Matt worked on getting the outdoor Christmas lights up and I was busily making sweet treats.

Saturday evening, we went to a Christmas party. As it turned out, Matt's second cousin Heather has recently moved to our area with her family. We were able to reconnect with her. Matt hadn't seen her is 15 or so years and I obviously had never met her. She and her husband have kids Cami's age and Cami had a great time playing at their house.

Needless to say I am hoping for a more 'normal' and less exciting week....but don't think that is going to happen! Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their holiday season.