Grandma Hempy- Merry Christmas Hats

We spent Thanksgiving in Iowa with my mom, dad, aunts, uncles and cousins.  I love this time of year and am so thankful and reminded of our many blessings.  It was especially fun to catch up with friends and family, many of whom we may just see once a year.  I just need to remember to pack my camera next year...the iphone is great but just not the same.

Christmas came early this year at the Hempy house, with Grandma Hempy giving all the "grown-up" girls hats and gloves.

My Second Born

Jeff went into Anders's room this past week to find Adeline, 14 months, on the top bunk.  Our little monkey had climbed up the ladder, and was so very pleased with herself to have climbed up to the top bunk just like her brother.  Needless to say the ladder is now tucked safely away in the garage. 

Happy Halloween

Trick or treat with our little alligator and kitty cat.  My little alligator loved Halloween.  Playing dress up and free candy...what kid doesn't like it?  My little alligator, who has a sweet tooth just like his mama, didn't just like it...he LOVED it!

Fall is here....

Nana and Papa

My parents came from Iowa to help Adeline celebrate.  So nice to have them here.

Happy Birthday Adeline

 My baby is one!

At one year, Adeline weighs 18lbs (10%), is 28.8in tall (50%) with an 18in head (75-80%).  She is a sweet little girl, who we love sooooo much!  It's been a great year.

Carrots are GREAT!

Anders loves carrots.  It is the one vegetable I can get him to eat at almost every meal.  He especially liked eating this carrot straight out of Grandpa and Grandma Larson's garden.

Red, White and Blue

Summer Catch Up May/June

It is already July....wow....I really need to catch up this blog.  So here are some snapshots of our summer this far.


May:
Happy Mother's Day- Jeff and the kiddos surprised me with a new chalk/magnet door.  I love being a mom and loved my surprise gift.

The Masters/Happy birthday- We spent Memorial Day weekend at The Masters Ski and Wakeboard Tournament in Pine Mountain, GA with Bryan, Eraina, Elwood, Lorraine, and Kiddos.  It was a fun weekend full of some amazing talent; and a great way to celebrate 32 years. 

June: 

Uncle Preston- my brother had a business trip in Dallas and was able to come and stay with us.  It was so good to see him.  Anders especially LOVED playing with uncle Preston.

Grandpa and Grandma Corbett- Jeff's grandparents came to visit from Canada.  There were a lot of great grandchildren for them to meet.

Iowa Road Trip- We spent a little over a week in Iowa visiting family and friends. It was so beautiful and a lot of fun.  Iowa summers are the best!

Surprise Party- After 30 + years of teaching we helped surprised my mom with a Happy Retirement party.  It was a great night of celebration.

Baby Luke- During our visit to Iowa I got to be at the hosptial when my good friend, Melissa, delivered her fourth baby.  It was such a special time.  Welcome to this world sweet baby Luke. 

RN & Nana's visit to Texas- my mom drove back from Iowa with me just in time for me to start my new job and hospital orientation.  She stayed for two weeks and was a huge help as we all adjusted to my new job. 

(I love seeing RN by my name...though at times I really can't believe I'm a real nurse)

Anders- 2 Years 5 Months & Adeline- 9 Months

Anders is becoming more and more like a little boy each day.  He is talking like crazy, and wants to know "what's that name" and "why" in daily situations.   In true boy fashion he loves cars, trains, tractors, jumping, wrestling and balls.  He is also starting to play more on his own and is asking for a little more independence.  Thankfully he still loves mommy's hugs and to sit in my lap to read books. 

We are nearing the end of Adeline's 9 month and what a month it has been!  Our little girl has really taken off crawling, moving all over the house, and is pulling up on most of the furniture.  Majority of the mornings I find her standing in her crib and I'll even she her stand up in her stroller if she is not strapped in.  I think she'll be walking soon.  She continues to love her brother, wanting to do whatever he is doing but let's him know when she isn't in agreement with him.  This month we also switched over to the bottle and sippie cup, but currently Adeline prefers to eat,so we mix her formula in with baby cereal most days.  She is a good eater.

Adeline's 9 month visit with Doctor G.:
-16.11 lbs (10-25%)
-27 in height (40-50%)
-17.3 in head (50-75%)

This past month Anders has been asking to "hold her", wanting to hold sister.  I love it....and hope and pray that this new interest in his sister is a beginning to a future friendship.  Here was our attempt to capture "the hold".

Adeline 8 Months

 Strolling with the family.....smile turned off and on.

Our little girl is on the move.  Starting off with the push-up (pictured above) she will then inch her way to an object or person she has her eye on.  She is also sitting up regularly, which is her usual position in her crib when I get her in the mornings.  At 8 months, she is eating solids up to three times a day and sleeps through the night most of the time (still working on this).  Some of her favorite things are: to be held, bath time and laughing with Anders in the car.

First Bike Ride for Adeline

Summer weather is here....so bring out the bike. 

I Want to be Like Daddy

Anders pulled his "game/toy" laptop up by Daddy's this morning. 

Happy May Day

Growing up in Iowa, my hometown celebrated May 1st.  It's known as May Day.  You celebrate it by filling small baskets with goodies (popcorn, flowers, candy, etc) for friends/neighbors.  Then you take the baskets to their doorsteps, ring the door bell and then run.  Yes, run....because if the neighbor/friend catches you after you ring there doorbell then they can kiss/hug you.  As a kid, what can be more fun then getting to ring a bell and then have someone chase you.  I remembering loving May Day and this year Anders did too.  Here is a picture of him running after leaving baskets on one of our neighbors' door.

 I know most people don't celebrate May Day in Texas, so I goggled and found some history on it May Day Baskets.  It is something fun...maybe you can try it next year.

Easter

We had Easter at our home this year and my parents surprised us with a quick trip from Iowa.  Anders LOVED playing with "nana" and "hopa" (papa). 

We spent an afternoon visiting one of Anders' favorite spots, the horse carousel at the mall.  Anders had a big wave for Nana and Hopa each time his horse came around.

 Adeline and Nana cheered Anders on from the sidelines.

Easter Sunday we went to our church service to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior and then came home for a backyard egg hunt.  Once Anders discovered that his first egg had a treat inside, it was hard to convenience him he needed to find anymore.  He was happy to stop, sit and eat his new found treat.

Adeline joined in the fun wearing her Easter bonnet.

 

And at the end of the day.....it is always nice to sit back and relax.

It was so fun to have family here visiting.  Thanks for coming to see us.  I am very thankful for my family and most of all I am reminded how thankful I am for a Lord who loves me so much that he sent his only son to die for me and my sins and the hope I now have through Him.