Update on Kathryn...

I guess I should fill you all in on Kathryn a little bit, seeing as how this is her "Korner". Sorry for all the "blasts from the pasts", but I needed those laughs.

This past week has been full of "firsts" for Kathryn.

She has started sitting alone...
...getting up on her knees and rocking back and forth...

...LOVING patty-cake...

She thinks she's the Easter Bunny...

AND Santa Claus. I told her she was fat enough, but didn't have quite enough moola just yet.

And her favorite thing yet, lounging in the armchair watching TV. (Maybe she is more like her Daddy than I thought...)

The busy times have begun. Tonight is dinner at a friends, tomorrow is the big Petty family (Brad's Mom's side) Christmas party, Sunday is dinner at another friends (yes, we have more than one), then I leave to go see Jen, Jon, Jason, Alaina, & Andrew in IN - yeah!!!! By the time I get back Christmas will be practically here! Brad and I are just hoping that Kathryn cooperates with all of our festivities planned. :)

In other news... He's Back!! And he came over last night with his Mother, his sister, and my two nephews, (who I still can't believe are old enough to be in college.) The really scary thing, is that he is probably around town, this very minute, driving Snowflake. Those of you who know him, well, I'll say no more. Those of you who don't, be scared.

Proud to be an American

So, I was surfing the internet, and came across this picture. Not sure exactly WHO it is, but sure thought it was funny looking, so I thought I'd share. I think I'll send this to the Army recruiting office.

My Point Exactly!

EDIT: Just so you all can be prepared for what you will see when you go pick up Jen from the airport:

Sorry to pick on Jon here, but he is the only one that has a recent shot that I could compare to. (You can thank Christian for giving me the link.) Check this out. Jon's and my senior pictures were taken the very same year. Our recent shots were taken the very same year. Christian, if this doesn't make you smile, there is no hope for you today :o)...

Jon's senior picture 1998

Jon's lawyer mug shot 2005

my senior picture 1998

Me now

Why am I Embarrassing Myself?

Last night I found out that one of my USED TO BE very good friends was showing very out-of-date pictures of me to his friends. I wish I could repay the favor of embarrassement, but, seeing as how no one's ugly stage was quite as bad as mine, in my search, I only found more embarrassing pictures of me than he could probably find!! Here are a couple I came across in my search. Don't ask why I'm doing this to myself. I'm still not sure...

I included the one of me when I was little so you could see that for a very short time, I really was kinda cute!

Jason, you are SO cool! If I could only be like you!! I love how you're looking like a pro to go down the black diamond at Paoli Peaks - HA!

Okay, up to now you were thinking, "Actually, the ones we saw last night were MUCH worse!" Well, you can't beat this one! In my scrapbook album, my Mom had this one titled, "On your way to Avonlea?" I made that dress and hat. I know, I know, you never would have guessed...

If only these were my worst... (sigh)

First Christmas Experience...

I finally decided last night, I had waited until the last possible day and I had to get Kathryn's picture right then so I would have time to have them printed and get them in the mail so as to arrive to the recipients BEFORE Christmas (I think that's the idea). This proved to be much more challenging than I thought. She was very much more interested in the Christmas tree, lights, ribbon, and ornaments than she was smiling for the camera, which made me very much more interested in watching her than getting her picture. She kept grabbing for the limbs of the tree and trying to stick them in her mouth. She would get the most awful look on her face. Unfortunately, I never captured that - I was laughing too hard - but I did get a couple of good shots...

"Wo! Mom, did you see that bright light, or is this a vision?"

"This wire thing that you have sticking out of this ornament could really hurt someone!"

"Okay, seriously, is this photo shoot just about over, because I am loosing precious beauty rest."

"Okay, fine, ONE smile, but then I'm going to bed!"

Don't take changing your template lightly...

So this afternoon I thought, "I'm really tired of these green dots. I need to do something more exciting." Well, I chose a new template and didn't really read the warning that popped up on my computer (Brad will be shocked). Well, it must have said something to the effect of, "All of the people you know and hold dear and communicate regularly with will be deleted," because that is what happened. Please be patient while I find you, and link you all again ;o).

Advanced?

I laid Kathryn down yesterday and left the room for a second. When I came back in, this is what she was doing. I just wanted you all to see how ADVANCED our little girl is!! Can you believe she's already reading?!!?!? Yes, and at a 3rd grade level too! I always knew she would be a prodigy child... (of course, she gets that from her mother ;o)

Thanksgiving in the Sunshine State

We made it home safely, and we give thanks to the Lord for that.

The family met up at my sister Christi's house in Florida. They had the perfect place for us all (of course, they may not agree seeing as how they were all kicked out of their beds :). It was the perfect time - except that the WHOLE family didn't get to be there. Maybe next year...

Here are a few highlights of our trip:

This is Brad & Hannah's youngest, Corbin

Aunt Christi borrowed some baby stuff from some people at church. Kathryn loved this bouncy seat!

Brad B., Brad P., and Nathan playing cards (while the women slave away in the kitchen, I'm sure :)

Christi, Mom, and Hannah "slaving" away in the kitchen.

PawPaw babysitting Cozy and Truman. Looks like somebody's about to get hurt!

Best Buds

This is Isaiah reading Cozy and Truman a story. I'm not sure what it was about, all I heard was, "... and I LOVE the Titans, I LOVE football..."

Before our meal, Dad told the story of the 10 lepers in Luke 17, and the importance of being thankful, whatever the cost. Tommy and Christi had invited a few extra people from church who didn't have family in town. One of the ladies was from Jamaica. She brought some rolled chicken called Jamaican Jerk. It was great!! One of the guys was in the Air Force and had just gotten back from overseas. He had some really interesting stories to tell. Mom questioned him all afternoon :).

(Notice Brad B. is missing from the table :)

Oh wait, here he is! With his very own Florence Nightingail. Brad hurt his back playing flag football earlier that morning - 2nd play of the game. He was laid up the rest of the weekend. Of course, he was still able to play PS2 :).

This is Nathan, after our meal, doing what we all wished we were doing... Tommy and Christi's boys can sleep through ANYTHING!!!

Josiah & Tommy

Kathryn with her Nana & PawPaw

Nana & Kathryn

The boys played Risk...

...while the girls worked on Christi's Christmas cards.

Dad and Nathan trying to explain the rules of Rummy. No? Oh, okay, Dad and Nathan trying to explain THEIR rules of Rummy. Who ended up winning? A tie between Dad and Nathan? :o)

"Oh, Mom, just 15 more minutes, PLEASE!!!"

Isaiah & Truman saying "doodbye"

Kathryn was excited to be going home. Too bad that excitement wore off after about 10 hours of being in the car.

Thanks to the Peeler's for a really great Thanksgiving!!! Is it too early to book for next year :)?

(The reason I posted SO MANY pictures is so the family could see. If there are any that you want copies of, just send me an email and let me know which ones. I will be ordering soon!)

Nothing...

I just got a call from Obunge Abiye.

Weird.

Yes, it was the wrong number, but come on! Who names their kid Obunge? Makes me think of bungee jumping. Now that sounds like fun!! Anyone ever been?

The only other interesting thing that happened to me today was that on my way back from meeting Brad for lunch, I saw gas for $1.92.

Needless to say, not much happening in the 'boro.

Recap from the Weekend...

Sorry it's so late! It's was a pretty busy weekend. Friday morning, Grandma Pettes brought a friend of hers, Berta, over to see the baby! She brought lots of surprises along with her, including my personal favorite - diapers!!! ;o) I never thought I'd be so excited to get those!!!

Brad had to work the better part of Saturday, so I scrapbooked all day. Then Rosemary and Berta stopped back through on Saturday night and Rosemary had gotten a new puppy!!!!! It is the cutest thing EVER!!! I am probably more excited than she is thinking that maybe this will put Brad off from wanting one for at least another year or two :o)...

Sunday we went to the Shumake's house for the afternoon! We left straight from church with Adam and Rosie, and Justin and Jessica met us there. Mary & Leroy had a huge meal ready for us! It was awesome!!! The boys threw the football around until they couldn't breath anymore (they're a little out of shape these days), then we played some indoor games. It was such a fun time! We made it back just in time for evening services, and we were worn out! (esp. Kathryn ;)

Boy do I feel stupid...

This is probably the funniest thing that's happened to me all day. (yes, I already know I need to get out more, but come on! I have a four month old!!) I was trying to log into a website and I got this message...

this page means that you tried to go somewhere that doesn't exist.

you'd think, with all of the places that DO exist, you would try to go to one of THOSE places instead of here (which, like I said, DOESN'T exist.)

but, it's not my job to ponder the philosophical nature of why (or how)someone could arrive at a place that does not exist.

it's only my job to take you there.

so, we're here.at that place you wanted to go to, that doesn't exist.seems kind of silly to me.

Now that's what I call a user friendly website!!

Fun Pix

I think she's been watching a little too much Cinderella.

Touchdown!!!

This is so ridiculous. Kathryn is already obsessed with TV!!! Every Sunday afternoon, Brad likes to watch pro football. Kathryn will get in whatever position it takes to be able to watch. We will get her in the oddest positions to see if she can still watch. Lately she's learned she can just roll over and see better! Before then, this was one of her better poses...

Every Sunday is a new adventure...

Our morning went something like this:

on our way to church...
MICAH: "Kathryn, you have got to eat more than that! You'll be starving again in an hour!"
BRAD: "You are feeding her too often. That is why she's so fat! You can't feed her again until 12:30!!!"
MICAH: "Are you going to take care of her when she's screaming because she's tired AND hungry?"
BRAD: "Sure!"
KATHRYN: "goo, goo, ooh"

during Bible class...
KATHRYN: (whining)
BRAD: "You had better take her out. She's getting too loud"
(The rest of the Bible class I stand in the back bouncing.)

during worship...
KATHRYN: "WAAAAAHHHHH, WAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
BRAD: "Here, I'll take her"
(Brad proceeds downstairs to try to get her to sleep. Screaming is heard in the background. Five minutes later, he walks back up the stairs with Kathyrn, awake.)
BRAD: (to Kathryn) "Do you want to go see Mommy?"
MICAH: "You're doing a fine job!"
(Continual crying is faintly heard from downstairs until five minutes before the worship service dismisses. Come to find out, she has finally gone to sleep. We wake her up to go home.)
PEOPLE AT CHURCH: "How's Miss Kathryn today?"
KATHRYN: (Huge grin)

Worth cleaning house for...

We had a large group over last night to eat and play games. We had a great time!! Four on a couch is a classic group game (mostly because the girls almost always win ;o). Catch Phrase? Well, that's another story...