O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Boxing day came and went for us. And I am sad to say that our little tree wasn't boxed safely and put away till next year. Instead, we felt that it had served it purpose (4 Christmas' of joy) and it is time to move on. Our tree stood at an impressive (or laughable) 18 inches... 24 inches with the star on top! It was a good tree, you can find almost anything at the Dollar Store.

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Eve Dinner

Last night we ate Christmas Even Dinner at my in-laws house. My mother-in-law decided to make Chicken Puffs, a recipe made frequently in my own home. She and my father-in-law were pulled away for a few minutes to do Christmas Eve things, so I volunteered to finish making dinner. FYI-Chicken puffs are chicken chunks in a cream cheese filling stuffed inside a crescent roll (yum-yum). As I was working on dinner my nephew Broc, who is 3 1/2, asked what I was making. I tried to think of how to best explain it and finally came up with, "It's like
a corn dog but instead of a hot dog wiener inside, it's chicken ." He looked up at me proudly and exclaimed, "Oh, you're making Chicken Wieners!" Then he went around the house letting everyone know that Aunt Kate was making "Chicken Wieners" for dinner.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Josh had to work today but thankfully he only had to work a half day. We spent time hanging out together relaxing (something we don't always get to do) and trying to get Coleman excited for Christmas and Santa Claus coming tonight... he smiled but I don't think he really gets it :) We also made sure to read him his new book "The Story of Christmas" it's a great book that explains Christmas at a child's level. I love it, the end of the book says, Wise men came and saw Baby Jesus and brought him gifts because they loved him. We give gifts to show our love and say, "Happy Birthday Jesus!" It's so cute.

***

Tonight we are heading over to Grandpa and Grandma Keil's house to spend some family time and eat a delicious Christmas Eve Dinner. Grandpa has a tradition of reading a Christmas Book to the grandkids and we will probably decide what time we are all going over in the morning (definitely NOT too early).

We hope Santa visits you tonight and brings you lots of goodies!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a good night!

Our Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!

-Love the Keil Family

I intended on printed and mailing out our annual Christmas card but completely lost track of time and never got around to doing it... thank goodness for blogging! Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Did you think to pray?

Today I attended a dress rehearsal for our ward choir. Our big Sacrament Meeting production (seriously, there are 3 soloists, 2 violins, 1 flute, a narrator and about 7 songs) is this Sunday so the director called an emergency practice at 1:00 pm.

After practice, Brother O'Morey asked me, "sister Keil, do you have a piano in your house?" Long story short: He GAVE me his piano! They bought it and their 3 boys don't play it and it was just sitting in their living room. I offered to pay him for it and he told me, "I've been praying about who should take it, so if you want it, bring your truck over today and pick it up." THANK YOU BROTHER O'MOREY!

Stats on my new piano:
Yamaha Clavinova
Electric piano (great because I can play with the headset on while Josh sits and watches whatever game is playing)
Comes with Microphone and adjustable volume (karaoke at my place)

He just can't wait till Christmas!

Coleman found the
Christmas Presents...


What are these?




Gifts for me?!?

PURE ELATION!!!

He opened up a few

And now they're out of reach. oh man!

Coleman is a good little climber and fortunately the step is just barely too high for him. Christmas better get here fast! I have a feeling he might get there in a week!

Dear Santa, I can explain...

We took Coleman to see Santa Claus. He was awesome! He smiled and talked to Santa for a few minutes and when we left Santa wished Coleman a Merry Christmas and gave him a coloring book. Coleman gave him a huge smile when we were leaving and Santa said, "Oh, I love you." It was precious coming from Santa... any other old man might have been creepy.

keeping up the tradition:

Coleman at about 5 weeks old. We laughed so hard when we compared the two photos! Coleman is sitting on the same side of Santa's lap, Santa is leaning/looking at the same angle, and it is even the same Santa (of course, why would there be more than 1 Santa Claus).

Keil Family Christmas Card Photo

With Tyler and Melissa both gone on Missions this year we decided to just use the Grandkids in the Christmas card. Really, who cares about adults? Everyone just wants to see them anyway!

Well, it turns out taking a picture of 4 little kids isn't as easy as it sounds. I completely gave up on Coleman and took this picture of Jennie's kids:

Then I found a few pictures of Coleman and using the "paint application" cropped him into their photo. Tricky huh?

I also completely changed Adia's head in the above photo! Can you tell?

So, what's the verdict? Does this pass as one happy family?

Deck the Halls

I spy with my little eye:

- 2 Stockings (sorry Coleman, I don't know what happened to yours)

- 1 single strand of green Christmas lights

- 1 Ball of Christmas Lights

- 1 BYU NutCracker

- 1 Christmas Tree (you may have to look close to find this one)

- 1 Christmas Star (hint: it is almost as big as the tree)

- 1 Festive "Happy Holidays" sign... Politically Correct of course!

- 1 Push and Ride Fisher Price Toy A gift for Coleman from Grandpa and Grandma James that he found early and absolutely LOVES... we don't have the heart to take it back!

- 1 Blue balloon left over from Coleman's 1st B-Day party

- 1 VERY curious and excited 1 year-old

A Typical December Night in the Keil House

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanksgiving in Moab

Coleman and I spent Thanksgiving visiting our Family in Moab. Unfortunately Josh had to work the day after Thanksgiving, so he couldn't make... but it was still great to spend time with my Mom, Sister, and her kids.

The James Gang Grandkids
Preston, Hallie, Coleman and Tatum (minus Gunner)

This was our first time meeting Preston.

He is adorable. The poor guy was sick the whole weekend but he was still so good.

Tiny Toes

Coleman and his cousin Preston

Coleman looked so big next to Preston... I was afraid he was going to try to eat him! He was very sweet around Preston, only once grabbing at him. I can't believe that it was a year ago that Coleman was that tiny! (well, Coleman was never THAT tiny. I think Preston is a few ounces smaller than Coleman was but close enough!)

It was so much fun to spend the weekend with my family. I really wish Josh could have been there but maybe he wouldn't have enjoyed "Girl Time" as much as I did :)

Happy Thanksgiving

What I am MOST THANKFUL for:

My Boys- Josh and Coleman

Today, I am feeling...

Happy:Bashful:
Mischevious:
Sad: Surprised:
Frustrated:
Confused:
Goofy:

How are you feeling today?

What is Coleman doing?

This is Coleman's newest trick. At first I thought it was "Blowing Kisses", then he started doing it when we were eating, so I realized it was REALLY "Feed Me" and tonight we learned the "Young Indian Brave"... incredibly racist or just a little? Maybe it's all of the above.

Who needs Baby Einstein?

Finding Joy in Our Journey-

The past few nights Coleman has woken up because he has filled his diaper so much that is soaking wet, sticky, and cold. Poor Boy. Josh has been great, getting up with him, changing him, and putting his back to bed. We bought Pampers Diapers in a larger size in hopes that they will fit better and keep him dry. Now, our problem is that Coleman is used to getting up. Last night (around 4:30 am) Coleman woke up, perfectly dry but ready to play. Josh went to get him and and try to get him to settle down. We were both so frustrated, Coleman didn't want to sleep, he wanted to play! Josh told me to go back to bed. I laid in bed, listening to Josh talk to Coleman. His was speaking in a low/soft voice in a rythm I recognized but couldn't quite name. Then I heard this broken phrase, "Wear the white and blue. As we... ...come on cougars, it's up to you!" The BYU Fight Song or The Keil Family Lullaby?
I had a flashback to this time last year, sitting in our 2 bedroom apartment with our new little baby. Coleman was crying and Josh was trying to figure it out how to soothe him. I told him, "Sing to him. He'll like the sound of your voice, the rhythm, and the vibrations of your vocal cords." Josh stood there for a second then started the lullaby, "Oh rise, all loyal cougars and raise your challenge to the foe..." I don't know how often Josh sings to Coleman, but I have a feeling Coleman might know the fight song before he knows his ABC's!

It's a Boy!

No, we didn't have another baby... nor are we pregnant! However, we do have a new NEPHEW! My sister, Janae, just welcomed her baby boy a few days ago.

***

PRESTON JAMES PACKARD

7 lbs. 5 oz.

20 inches

***

Preston joins big sisters, Hallie and Tatum

Preston lives 3 hours away and we are so excited to see him sometime around Thanksgiving!

Pictures to come!

F.H.E. at the Laundromat

We spend Family Night at our local Laundromat. Our washer & dryer are working just fine, we were actually "Moles" in a Scavenger Hunt. My father-in-law is the Bishop of a Singles Ward and set up a scavenger hunt that sent groups around searching for random items/information. They thought they were going to the laundromat to count how many washers there were... but really they were there to see how willing they are to serve others. Josh and I pretended to fold laundry and waited to see who would help. We dropped our phones, Coleman's sippy cup, keys and the clothes we were folding. Only 1 out of 4 groups stopped to help... And it was only 1 girl in the group who picked up our laundry off the floor. Out of about 20 people, 1 stopped to help! Others just walked by, some made eye contact, and quite of few people watched my laundry fall to the ground... and only 1 person stopped to help all night!

As silly as it sounds, it was actually a LOT of fun... I got to feel like an undercover secret agent, Josh and I played Blokus (a game I HIGHLY recommend) and Coleman walked around pushing the laundry carts. Good times!

A New Routine

I don't know if it was because he is now a 1-year-old or if he was just too into the BYU vs. AirForce football game, but for whatever reason Coleman didn't take a nap...

ALL DAY! We are praying that it is the latter!

1-year-olds still need naps, right?

1 Year Check-Up

Coleman

1 Year Old

Weight= 21.9 lbs
37th percentile

Height= 29.8 in.
52nd percentile

Head Circ=19.2 in.
97th percentile!
(it's like an orange on a toothpick!)

Coleman had his 12 month check-up with his pediatrician today. Aside from a few shots, everything went great. Dr. Later was impressed with how well Coleman is walking and climbing (he felt sorry for me, but happy for Coleman) and he was impressed with how out-going and friendly our boy is. Life is good.

1 year ago today...

We welcomed our Baby Boy into our family.

Coleman- the day he was born

***

We are so lucky to have Coleman in our family. I know most everybody says that they couldn't have wished for a better baby... but in our case it is TRUE! Coleman has been such an easy baby. He has his dad's temperment, his dad's looks, and his dad's joking personality... Really, what did I do? He makes us laugh and smile everyday and everyday we are reminded of what happiness he brings to our family.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY COLEMAN!

Coleman turned 1-year-old today (at 11:30 am to be exact) and we had a GREAT time celebrating! We started our morning by baking and frosting cupcakes.This is Coleman's "Cupcake-Cake" Instead of frosting 24 individual cupcakes, my friend gave me the idea to frost them all together. I really like it... no need for plates or forks! Maybe next year I'll get more daring with Spiderman or some other shape.
***

We had a few friends and family members over for a Birthday Party... and do we know how to party! We began the night with "Balloon Fun" Coleman and his buddy, Jamon

Then we moved on to "Pin the Tail of the Donkey"

Nico won "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" and her prize was being the first to take a swing at the pinata.

Our Pinata was homemade... can you tell? It's been a while since I have Paper Mached anything :) FYI- It is suppose to be a Balloon

Broc finally broke the Pinata. Everyone started shoving and pushing to get candy... and the kids were worse!
Then it was CAKE TIME! Coleman wasn't sure what was going on. He loved everyone singing to him! And then he realized it was a yummy cupcake!All of Coleman's friends got to eat their cupcakes on the "Magic Red Carpet" They all did pretty good. Most of the mess was contained and no one threw anything. I think that is VERY successful!

Thanks to EVERYONE who helped us celebrate Coleman's 1st Birthday!
Left to Right: Quenton, Jaycee, Adia, Cloe, Coleman, Parker, Hannah, Broc, Jamon, and Nico

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY! We love you so much!