There is much blogging to be done.

So much has happened since Keenan turned one. I almost don't know where to start. Oh, wait, yes I do. At the end of March we bought a house. We have now joined the ranks of those up to their eye balls in debt. Wahoo! Since then our lives have been fairly consumed with the business of packing, painting, remodeling, moving, and unpacking. The move has been great for all of us. Brent has found new talents in the area of construction that he never know had. He is also excited to get going on the garden (if only it would stop snowing!) It is a little close to a busy street and we were worried that the traffic noise would be too much. No need to worry. The morning after our first night there, Emma came to me and said, "Mom, I love my new room! It has such peaceful sounds all night long, like cars going past and dogs barking!" Don't you just love it? The first few days were rough on Keenan, but he now loves the space to run around, the boxes to get into, the yard to play in, and the new and improved access to pots and pans in the kitchen! I just love it all!! In the next few posts, I will tell you about some of the fabulous things about our new house.

It's the big ONE!

Keenan is the big ONE! It is so fun thinking back on this last year, and remembering all the happiness that he has brought to this family. Brent was holding a sleeping Keenan, looked up and said, "life was miserable before him." Part of me thinks, "what am I, chopped liver?" But I understand what he means. We never know what joy we are missing out on until we have little children in our lives. Keenan is now walking, running, crawling, climbing, falling, tripping, bumping and climbing some more.

My mom came over for his birthday. He had a chocolate train cake. It took him a while to try a bite, but once he did, he loved it! By the time he was done, there was white frosting and speckles of chocolate cake all over his chin and up to his ears. He looked a bit like a hobo...we may have our halloween costume picked out. It was a pretty successful birthday.

Quiet Mornings

I love early mornings when everyone is still asleep. I turn the light on dim, and read, sip tea, sit an enjoy the quiet. Or, in this case, blog about quiet mornings. Emma is tangled in her 3 million blankets, Keenan is sleeping snugly next to the quilt from his Grantie Jamie, and Brent is snoring away. It's a time to count my many blessings; my favorites are snoozing upstairs.

Say What?

This morning Emma came downstairs sporting her bathrobe and sunglasses. She walked past Keenan and said, "I bid you good day sir. I said I bid you good day sir. Why do you insist on attending me when I don't intend to date you? As you are the size of a peanut and I am the size of a ripe tomato. I bid you good day sir."

Dinner with the Younger Generation

Sunday evening we had my cousins Libby, Tammy and Dominic over for dinner. It was a lovely evening. When they arrived, they joined Emma for a game of Clue, and then we had dinner (which was slightly late because we ran out of propane -- oops!) There was much laughter and merriment. While I thouroughly enjoyed myself, I felt like I was at a banquet for people with ADHD. Between the three of them we did not go more than two-and-a-half minutes without someone answering their phone or sending a text. When you include Keenan and his inability to sit through a whole dinner, it was somewhat similar to a three ring circus. I guess this is dinner with the younger generation! Love it!

Children are so Amazing!

I am struck again and again by how wonderful it is, and how blessed I am to have these children in my life. Each day is a new adventure.

Emma and I are reading "The Tale of Despareaux" (thank you to the Chases who gave the book to Emma for Christmas!) Each night we curl up together on her bed and enjoy an incredible journey with this little mouse. It is so fun to take that time with her each day. She just loves wild stories.

Keenan is a bit more active each day. Last Sunday he took his first steps. He was just standing in the middle of the room, and he moved one foot forward, then the other, then again and again. He took four steps in a row, then just stood there for awhile. Each day he is taking a few steps. It is hard to remember that just ten months ago he was brand new and totally dependant on me. Now he is trying for total independance.

I love these kiddos!

Happy Belated New Year

We had such a fabulous New Year's Celebration. Missoula has First Night, which is tons of activities all over town all afternoon and evening. We rode the carousel, watched performances, went dancing, ate good food, played games and were home by nine. That's my idea of a good time! The best part of our adventure was the performance by Celtic Dragon. They played the bagpipes, drums and Irish dance. It was absolutely amazing, and the kids were enthralled...what fun! It was a great way to welcome in the new year.