Christmas Day

Christmas Day was spent with the Ekenstam's. Kerstin and Sean made it down from Waterloo and Ashley and Geoff were missed. They were with Ashley's family for Christmas. Kaleb woke up all excited yelling Christmas Time. He was so cute opening his presents he even got excited about the socks he got. We were all spoiled again this year. Our big present this year is a laundry/food storage room. Erich and his Dad are finishing the room in the basement and I am excited for it to be finished and nice. I will post pictures of that later.

Christmas Morning

Opening his cars from the movie CARS.

Kaleb on the sit n' spin getting dizzy. Aaron and Andrea

playing with Thomas the train set. It is a pretty cool train

set.

Kaleb and Grandma Ekenstam

This was Tyson both times we were opeing presents at home

and at Grandma and Grandpa's. Next year he will be a little

more into it or hopefully at least a little more alert.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with the Shurtleff's this year. It was good to have Ben visiting and Andrea(Aaron's Fiance). We missed Rachel and Jennies' families.

Kaleb opening his present from the Christmas Eve Elf a
tradition started by my parents. I am assuming because they
got sick of us begging to open a present early.




Opening my presents and feeding Tyson at the same time.


Andrea smiling for photographer Kaleb.

Crazy Grandpa too.

The Girls:Andrea, Anna, Karen(mom)

The Boys: Ben, Aaron, Erich, and Kaleb (Tyson and

Grandpa MIA)

Erich's Birthday!

Erich Celebrated his 26th birthday this past Saturday. We didn't do anything too exciting, but I did take him out to dinner the night before and family came over on his birthday to have cheesecake and watch him open presents. Kaleb was so excited to watch his dad. Christmas morning is going to be so much fun.

Random Pics

The Weather here in Illinois has been awful. Bitter cold, Ice storms, snow. So Kaleb has wanted to help shovel that snow. Erich got him a little shovel so Kaleb is enjoying it inside before he braves the cold with his dad.


Kaleb having a fun time with a big box, again why do we buy kids toys when they are content with simple things like boxes.

Two Month Check-Up

Tyson visited the doctor today and got his first shots. He cried while they were being given, but did very well once they were finished. He was asleep before we even got to the car. He is doing well and seems to being growing properly.

Height: 23.5in (51%)
Weight: 11 lbs 4oz (21%)
Head: 40.6 cm (49%)

Santa Claus

We went to our Church Christmas party this past Friday and had a wonderful time. They did a nice dinner and cute program. Santa Claus was there of course and Kaleb was actually asking to sit on Santa's lap this year. A big difference from last year. It has been so cute watching Kaleb get so excited about all the excitements of Christmas time. We have decorated the tree and put up decorations in our house and are continually listening to Christmas music. I love this time of year and the wonderful joy and excitement that is all around during the Christmas season

My boys!

Kaleb and Tyson watching CARS in bed. Kaleb loves Cars and of course Lightning McQueen. I think Cars is turned on once a day wether he watches it or not. When we walk through the store if it has Lightning McQueen on it Kaleb wants it. They could put him on toilet paper and Kaleb would be interested. Here is Kaleb cheesen it up for the camera.

Kaleb giving Tyson Kisses.

Tyson Two Months

Tyson is now two months old and is doing well. He is smiling
and being a happy baby. He is sleeping in about 4 hour stretches
at night. I would like longer, but can't complain since he goes
down in his crib so well. He doesn't even cry when we put
him to bed at night and goes back to sleep after eating. We enjoy
having him in our home. Kaleb loves his little brother and is
doing well with him giving him kisses and tickling him.

Smiling

First Snow

Vroom Vroom

Camera Time

So I was taking pictures of Tyson in the rare moments he is awake. Kaleb was with Grandma and Grandpa. Erich was at a service project so Tyson got some well deserved mommy time. As I was taking pictures of course I was saying smile and he actually did. I don't know if it is too early to take this as anything, but I am considering this his first official smile.

Gone Fishing!

So Kaleb has been using random objects as fishing poles lately, so Erich got him one to play with. Here is a video of him fishing.

Everyday Events

Future Musician

Starved Rock

We decided to get out of Peoria for the day and go up to Starved Rock and go on a hike. It was quite the process to get everything ready for both boys and get out the door. I thought I did a good job getting everything and felt like we were going on a trip for a week with all the stuff that we needed, but once we were on the road and were about 20 min. from our house I realized I had forgotten Tyson's bottles. I had the formula, but no bottles. So we had to make a stop at the store and picks some up. It made me and Erich realize that nothing is a quick trip with little ones. Well once we got up there it was time for changing diapers, feeding Tyson who wouldn't eat because he was trying to fill his diaper. Once that was all done we were able to go on the trails. Kaleb enjoy running ahead and making mom run after since dad was carrying Tyson. The trails were beautiful with the fall colors all around and the beautiful 73 degree weather. It was a beautiful weekend with weather that is exceptional for Illinois at this time of year, but of course I am not complaining just trying to enjoy it before it leaves. Well here are a few pics from our hike.

Kaleb mapping out the way that we should go.

Beautiful fall trees all over the state park.

My Boys.

Kaleb loves seeing the fish he calls all of them nemo.

Inside the visitor center. Kind of blurry, but I liked the

picture.

One Month

Tyson is one month old today. He is doing great even with having a cold. My poor little guy is already sick, but seems to be handling it well. Here is a pic of our little guy at 1 month.

Ekenstam Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Halloween

Halloween was fun this year with Kaleb being excited about going trick or treating and him wanting to help carve the pumpkin. He had fun all month seeing the pumpkins and decorations everywhere. We have been reading Halloween books all month "The Big Pumpkin", Berenstain Bears "Trick or Treat" and "It's Halloween" I think that helped Kaleb get excited and last night after trick or treating he wanted to read the trick or treat book. I am so glad my little boy likes to listen to stories. I see him learn and understand different things wether I read them to him or he looks at the pictures. Erich took Kaleb trick or treating while Tyson and I stayed home to pass out candy. He said Kaleb would go up to the front door and say "trick or treat" and then "Happy Halloween" It was so cute. We look forward to more fun with the rest of the Holiday season and the excitement he brings to them.
Kaleb and Tyson Chillin on the couch. Tyson already not
thrilled about his picture being taken. He must take after
his dad.



Kaleb playing with the pumpkins before trick or treating.

Our little Train Engineer!

The Little Skeleton

Daddy and Kaleb going through Halloween candy.

Trick or Treating at my parents church

Halloween Party

Dad and Mom (Cowboy and Indian) with

Kaleb Trick or Treating at Halloween Party.

Carving the Pumpkin. Initially when Kaleb put his hand

in the pumpkin he said "Yucky" but then he continued to

help daddy. It was a fun Family Night together and Kaleb

was excited to make a Jack o Lantern.