We're Back

Yeah, "the kahlers" have had quite the blogging hiatus. "Why?" Well, as I look around our kitchen and living room with dishes and laundry aplenty, it certainly wasn't because we were doing housework...

We're back with slightly older kiddos and plenty of good stories. While we were out, Kendall turned one and into a funny little girly and Blake kept us smiling with his curiosity, observations and rapid growth. 

I've got new gear and can finally load my pics onto the computer without going to sleep to find them loaded in the morning. Hallelujah...and thank you, Matt!

We hope all is well with you!!!

Here are some pics from the Summer Arts Festival this past weekend in downtown Omaha.

Kendall - loving the wagon and the camera

Blake - digging the waterfalls on the Gene Leahy Mall.

What Happens When

Dada is on dressing duty...


Yep, that's little Kendall in Blake's Hulk T-shirt. She also made an appearance yesterday in Blake's camo 2 piece jammies.

Look Who Has...

...Teeth

The Many Faces of 3

Our little Blake is 3! I can't believe how much life has changed over the past three years and how much this little guy warms our hearts and cracks us up...every day. Blake is talkative and persuasive. For a long time, he has been popular at gatherings of women where his signature line, "Hello, Ladies" is always a hit. He has daddy to thank for his vast repertoire of one-liners.
Blake is often complimented on how polite he is, saying "thank you very much" enthusiastically, not only to family members but, you know, flight attendants, grocery store clerks, mailmen...you get the idea.
Blake loves his Superman jammies and many form-fitting versions with other characters. We love his cute little 3-year-old body while he wears them!
He has special memories and routines with each of his grandparents and talks about them all frequently. i.e. Are Nana and Grandpa coming over to see us? Are we going to Salt Lake City to see Grandma Sally and Grandpa John (usually here, he'll throw in Big Charwee, too). Is Grandma coming to pick me up? Hey, Grandpa Darrell!
Blake is so fortunate (and so are we) to have wonderful grandparents who go out of their way to make moments with Blake special.
He has a clear interest in music and can identify most bands/artists after he's heard them once or twice. He loves everything from Rihanna to The Eagles to Radiohead and much in between.
I could go on forever about this amazing little guy (and may in future posts), but for now, I wanted to share these fun post-nap, rosy-cheek, rosy-lip pics and a just a few thoughts.

Other Blake Favorites:

Cars/Trucks and other vehicles with Doors that Really Open
Electronic keyboards (thanks Grandpa and Grandpa)
The Fire Station and Fire Trucks (thanks Grandpa John)
"Baby Kendall Sister"
Story Massages
Berries
Grilled Cheese
Mac & Cheese
Fruit Snacks
Blue's Clues
the list goes on...

All in a Row

I should have made this post some time ago, because I took these pics when I was on maternity leave (probably 4 or 5 months ago now). Little Blake was lining up his cars so meticulously that I had to document it. Matt's mom fondly remembers Matt lining his cars up in the very same way as a little boy - quietly playing and totally immersing himself in this task. So cute. Like father, like son.

Some time ago Grandma Sally gave Blake the book Noisy City Day. Blake and I had read it several times when I noticed that he was saying the words along with me. So I started saying the first few words of each line and he had memorized and would repeat the rest. Now he can recite the whole book page by page (it helps that they rhyme and are totally memorable, i.e. Woof, Woof, On the Roof, Hear the Beat on the Street). Similar to the last story, my mom tells of how I once had my grandpa fooled that I could read after I "read" him my favorite Richard Scarry book. It's so amazing to see these little ones grow...

Christmas, Christmas Time is Here!

The holidays have arrived and I love it! I'm especially fond of all the sparkles in this year's decorations. Glitter, glitter, everywhere! And what fun to decorate in our new house. Since my mom and sisters don't get to see it in person (and share the same love for holiday decorating), I'm posting a few photos...
It was so fun to put up decorations this year with my little helper Blake, who loves all the ornaments daddy got each year growing up. His favorites are the blue car with a tree on top, the Knicks basketball mouse and the pizza mouse. We put them where he can inspect them regularly :)

I also want to document the blingtastic Christmas Tree. Yep, it includes glitterballs, glittery feathers and jingley mirror strips.

Happy Halloween!

We had a very scary dino and a soft-as-can-be chick-a-dee this Halloween. Blake is at such a fun age for trick-or-treating. He has been pumped to put on his costume (for trick-or-treat night at the museum and tonight), which pretty much turns him into a plush toy. And, he had excellent manners as we went door to door, saying "thank you very much" to people who dropped delicious (especially for mommy) candy into his Elmo (Easter) basket.





We visited grandparents and then came back to our house where we were met by a serious stream of trick-or-treaters. There were quite a few trick-or-treaters at our old house and it was nothing compared to this neighborhood. Kiddos of all ages were cruising the neighborhood in swarms. Neighbors were hanging out serving parents popcorn and spiked hot chocolate. Good times!

Maverick

Little Traveler

Baby Kendall Sister (as Blake calls her) and I took a trip to Salt Lake City to visit my family. Kendall got to meet lots of people and take four flights. She traveled like a champ and made lots of friends along the way. I soaked up every second of SLC - yummy meals, shopping and catching up with friends. We can't wait to visit again soon!

Kendall with Grandma Sally in Angie's backyard. Horticulture degree really pays off when it comes to fabulous pots!

Me and baby girl!

Angie and Kendall at The Original Pancake House, where we enjoyed a delicious Dutch Baby, fresh fruit and yummy oatmeal.

Baby Kendall in a sleeper that I used to wear. Appropriate attire for hanging out with Grandpa John.

Kendall Ann with Grandma Ann. Kendall's middle name is after grandma (and my mom, Sally Ann, and me, Christina Ann!).

Kendall and Uncle Charlie in their newly painted dining room. Love it!