2011

It seems like I was just typing a post about 2010.  2011 has been the most exciting year of my life thus far, and I have loved it!  Here's a little timeline of some big events in 2011.

January 2011:
My grandma passed away after a long battle with strokes.

 Duane also started his long journey to receive his MBA from Butler.


March 2011:
 We welcomed Kason into our family.

Brought Kason home from the hospital and started our lives as a family of 3.

June 2011:
Kaia turned 2!

July 2011:
Took our first family vacation as a family of 3.

August 2011:
After almost 5 months off work, I went back to teaching full time.

December 2011:
Celebrated Kason's first Christmas.

2011 has been such a memorable year.  I cannot wait for 2012.  I'm excited for it's opportunities and to watch Kason grow into a toddler.  Although it does make me sad that the year went so quickly, it's a reminder to cherish every moment and make the most of it.  Before I know it i'll be taking Kason off to college.

Ugh, let's not talk about that!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this year..there are LOTS!





















Happy New Years Eve!  I hope your 2011 was as fun as ours! :)

Christmas 2011 - Part 1

Christmas this year came and went so quickly.  Since Christmas break didn't start until December 22, I didn't feel like there was a whole lot of time to do all of the fun Christmas activities we usually do.  Luckily, we fit a lot in on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  

Friday we went with my sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew to Christmas at the Zoo.  I hadn't been in forever, and it was so much fun.  Kason loved looking at all of the lights!

{Kason LOVED looking at the sharks!}

Saturday was Christmas Eve.  We spent the day baking, playing, and spending time as a family.  After that, we all got dressed up and headed to Christmas Eve service at church.

 

After service we went to my parents house to spend time with my mom's side of the family.  Needless to say, Kason was worn out and was not the happiest.  He took a nap through the first hour of out get together and was fussy when I woke him up.  He did open presents, but wasn't that into it.

{Last years sisters pic, here!}

{He did get a second wind around 9 pm!}

When we got home we set cookies out for Santa and headed to bed!

I hear a certain little boy starting to wake up from his nap.  I'll type part 2 when I get a spare second! :)

Kason is 9 months!

I thought I should get Kason's 9 month update posted since he's almost 9.5 months!  Christmas kept us busy!

Happy 9 month birthday to our sweet baby boy!

Monthly stats:

Weight: 17 lbs. 1 oz - 10th percentile

Height: 27 inches - 2nd percentile

Head: 50th percentile

Here's what Kason is up to...

...Taking steps!  Over the past week Kason has really been trying to walk.  He will take 4-5 steps and then tumble to the ground.  He will walk from one piece of furniture to the other and spends most of the day walking around the coffee table, couch, and entertainment center.  I have a feeling within the next couple of weeks we'll have a full time walker.  Look out world, Kason is about to take over!  I was able to get a few steps on video on Christmas!


...Showing his true personality!  This little guy is feisty!  If you take something away from him that he's not supposed to have (which is about every 5 min.) he scoots his bottom lip out and starts wailing.  Duane asked the other day if it was normal for a baby to have a temper so early.  I said probably not, but since we both have tempers, he's bound to start early!  Duane is pretty firm on not giving things to him just because he cries.  We don't want a child that thinks that crying can get him what he wants.  :)

...Getting teeth!  Yep, that's right!  Our 9 month old finally has a tooth!  About a week ago (a week after his 9 month birthday) I noticed something white on his bottom gum.  Upon further investigation, I realized it was a tooth!  I'm almost certain the tooth to the left of it is working on popping through as well.

...Dancing!  Kason's little booty starts bouncing anytime he hears music. It's so cute to watch him smile and start moving.  We have a wedding on new years eve so I'm anxious to dance with my little guy!

Every month Kason becomes less of a baby and more like a little boy.  He is SO funny and I love to watch him explore and discover new things all day long.  I'm so thankful for my 2 week winter break and will be very sad when it ends!

First snow and simplifying!

Well, Christmas break is in full swing around here.  Duane is off work this week and we've made several goals to get our house organized.  We need to simplify big time if we want to make our tiny house work for several more years.  Today we started with our closet/dresser.  It might sound silly, but I love spending time doing things like this with Duane.  It's not too often that we spend time away from Kason, so nap times are a good time to get some quality time together.  Today that quality time happened to be cleaning, but it's still fun!  I didn't take a before picture..just during and after.

I did have to take a break amidst all the cleaning because it was FINALLY snowing.  I'm talking big, pretty flakes here people!  Kaia was having such a blast outside, that I had to wake Kason up from his nap so that he could join in the fun.  He watched those flakes tumble to the ground in complete and total awe.  I was able to capture his sweet face while he enjoyed his first (of many) snow!  These pictures aren't the best because I'm still trying to figure out my new camera.  Another goal for Christmas break!

I'll be back in a few days to blog about our Christmas, but for now, I'm off to Goodwill and Target!  Time to dump the 5 trash bags of junk off and get some tubs to organize my next room..Kason's!

Christmas card 2011

Merry Christmas from the Gibbs family!

--Our cards came from Tiny Prints and I couldn't be happier with them.  They were a little on the pricy side, but it was worth it for the high quality.  

Check out last years card here!

Christmas tour!

I always like to participate in Kelly's Korner's Christmas home tour.  I love to look at other people's decorations and find other creative ways to decorate.  I feel like my decorations haven't changed much in a few years, so my pictures are very similar to last years.  Next year, Duane and I decided we want to get a live tree and change out ornament color scheme.  I'm getting kind of sick of the turquoise and silver theme!  Now I just need to remember to buy all of the decorations on sale after Christmas! :)

So here it is...

{Kason's little tree! :)}

Some of the small details...

{This Santa is pretty special to me.  It was my grandparents (on my mom's side).  When my grandma passed away last winter, I got to keep this.  I put it in Kason's room and I love it! :)}

{LOVE these stockings from Pottery Barn!}

And my favorite new "decoration"...

The good news is, this little guy.....

Has not bother the tree much at all!  And I was so worried! :)