Kate-isms

The things that come out of this girl's mouth are just too funny (and cute) not to share...

"Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible Study is all done"

"Mommy, that girl has fireworks on her boots!"

We were out for sushi a while ago and Kate was pounding the edamame.  We ran out and she asked me for more.  I told her we needed to wait for the lady (the waitress) to come back, and as soon as Kate spotted her, she yelled, "Lady come back!"

"I got shot" (she got a flu shot at the doctor)

We were talking about how God makes her ouchies all better when we put on a band-aid because he loves her so much, and she said, "God wants to hug me"

"I need to do a project"

While cutting up her pretend food, I asked her to come to the table for dinner.  She responded, "I can't mom, I'm super busy with this"

Me: "Kate, are you going to finish your peppers?"
Kate: "No, those peppers are bugging me!"

"Uh oh, I spilled on my pants.  You need to dry them in the washing machine"

A few funny names she has for things:

• Raisin Brand = Raisin Bran Cereal
• lemon time = clementine
• ca-booster seat = booster seat (we've been playing with trains a lot)
• piglets = the tiny hot dogs inside pig-in-the-blankets
• prints feet = footprints (which she LOVES to make in the snow with her boots)

We were driving to her gymnastics class two weeks ago, and when we passed a billboard for Biggby coffee, Kate pointed to it and said, "Mommy, there's your mocha!" (maybe I drink too much coffee)

"My baby is sick.  She needs to rest on the couch.  She needs to snuggle me and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." Nice try, Kate, nice try:)

"My daddy runs a tight ship around this place"

There are so many more funny things, but these are just the ones I wrote down.  Thanks for all the laughs, Kate.  You bring so much joy:)

New Years Eve 2013

We headed up to Boyne for New Years Eve with Matt's family and the Cavic's on Tuesday afternoon.  Kate did not sleep well in the car, so I was sure the rest of the day would be a disaster, but she did pretty well.

We went over to Kim & Jim's while Marty stayed with Kate around 9:30 and then came back for a while.  It was sort of a strange NYE because we weren't at the 'main party' the whole time, but we did make it back for the ball drop.

cutie pies - who are ENGAGED!

On New Years Day, Matt skied with Paul and Tristan for most of the day.  Ryan and Elizabeth were up with Hadley, so Kate and Hadley got in some good play time.  Kate's new train set was a hit with both girls (sharing, on the other hand, was not so fun).

We all got dressed in our Spartan gear for the Rose Bowl and cheered MSU on to victory that night.  Even the little ones got dressed up for the occasion:)

Before we left on Thursday morning, we got Kate all bundled up and took her out on the sled.  She LOVED it! Every time she stopped, she asked if she could do it again.  Luckily we had a strong daddy, 2 tough uncles, and Kate's favorite Tristan to share the load of pulling her up the hill and running her back down.

uncles are the best:)

Kadzban Christmas 2013

We got to see Andy and Sam for a day on their way through to Wisconsin, so we had Kadzban Family Christmas on December 30.  Kate and Burley really couldn't decide if they liked each other or not for most of the day, but we had a fun day together as a family.  We had breakfast together in the morning and then built a fire.  After lunch, some of us went downtown to get coffee at Rowster (Sam & Andy's request), and then we came back to open gifts, eat dinner, and open more gifts.

Kate's most exciting gift was a bike.  She opened the helmet first, and the bike later.  She had a lot of fun walking it around the house.  I can't wait for spring when we can get her outside with it!

We put Kate down for bed at my parents house so that we could stay longer and hang out.  The guys worked on a crossword puzzle.  I fell asleep.  It was just really nice to have the time together.

Merry Christmas 2013!

Pridgeon Christmas 2013

We started Christmas bright and early at the farm, knowing that Tess would have to leave for work around lunch time.  Kate was really not entertained by opening gifts or helping other people open theirs, so it was a little harder to keep her entertained and under control.  Thank goodness for loving and energetic uncles - and Mickey Mouse:)

Duplo Zoo from her aunts and uncles

Grandpa got Kate a basketball hoop!

A tractor from Uncle Bri - big hit!

last Christmas as a family of 3

We got out and about a little bit the day after Christmas and got to see some family who were in town, but we spent most of our time at Grandma and Grandpa's house; playing with toys and dogs.

snuggles for Gabby

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve day with my family (minus Andy and Sam, who were still working in NJ).  But, before the fun and Grandma and Grandpa's house, we had a little fun of our own here at home.  I made snowman pancakes for breakfast and then Kate got to open her gifts from Matt and I.  It was definitely not a big deal, but it was fun to have a little time together, just the three of us, before we headed out.

We had a really yummy lunch with my parents, Bryan, and Adam.  And then Kate insisted on Bryan reading her stories before nap time.  It was so stinking cute.  And then she slept for almost 3 hours, so I think Bryan's story reading might be magical:)

Later in the afternoon, we all got to open one gift.  Kate really enjoyed helping pass out presents and wanted to take everyone's bows off for them:)

a ca-booster seat!

After a few snacks, we packed up and went to the Christmas Eve service at my parent's church.  Let's just say that it's a good thing our church has nursery.  Kate could NOT sit still or be quiet, so it wasn't quite the peaceful, Christmas-song-singing, candlelit service I was hoping for.  But, nonetheless, I'm glad we went.  We left straight from there and drove down to the farm to continue our Christmas celebration.

brothers

We've been working on finishing our basement since just after Thanksgiving.  I am SO thankful for brothers with construction skills! Paul and Brian have been such a big help with framing and drywalling.  

They may not look alike, but these three are definitely brothers:)

Kate had to get in the picture too:)

hard at work

 Someday I'll get with it and post pictures of the progress...

Christmas Season II

The Johnsons had a really fun Christmas party.  Here we are, decorating our gingerbread house.  Kate was not all that interested in decorating; she just wanted to eat all of the m&ms:)

yay friends!

finished product

Kate will eat almost anything off a toothpick:)

One of the really fun things about the holidays is that friends who have moved far away usually come home to see their families.  My friend, Michelle, lives in San Diego with her family, but a few of us were able to get together for a morning while she was in town visiting her family.

4 friends, 6 munchkins (and one more on the way!)

Kate couldn't get enough of the Christmas bows when I was wrapping presents.  She emptied out the box every chance she got.  And then she got in:)

painting diva

It was 'so bright' that Kate had to wear her sunglasses to eat lunch...

Later that afternoon, we had some painting fun...

Christmas season

We took Kate to the Christmas Parade in Middleville the first weekend in December.  It was pretty cold outside, but luckily, the parade was short so we weren't outside very long.

waiting for the fire trucks

And Kate has a new favorite: hot chocolate:)