Grandma Mary just emailed some cute Christmas photos so I thought I would share. Kai spent most of the holiday with a smile on his face, which made for a special first Christmas.

Santa brought Zoie a Smartcycle, which she LOVES! Nana Janet and Tom gave her the dress and, as you can see, she also loves it. Not sure they go well together but she was having fun.

She was pretty excited today to make cupcakes. Grandma and Grandpa Shough gave her an Easy Bake Oven (remember those!!) and Nana Janet and Tom gave her the apron and all the goodies to be a pro baker. We really did start off with clothes under the apron but apparently they get in the way of decorating!

I thought the cat cupcake (from the Kid Cookbook from Nana Janet and Tom) turned out pretty good!

Then we went through a serious supply of sprinkles before we finished up!

We started out the holiday with ringing the Salvation Army bell at Hy-Vee in FREEZING cold weather. Zoie only made it about ten minutes before she decided she was froze so Ryan and I finished out the hour alone. But I think she understood the concept a little.

Then we had our Christmas at home a little early because of our travel plans. We had a great time together.

Even Kai enjoyed himself!

After celebrating at Grandpa and Grandma Shough's house, we flew to Pennsylvania to visit Nana Janet, Tom and my sisters and their families. Kailee sort of took to Kai and thinks she needs a baby brother now too. I think her mommy disagrees!

Busy Week......

This was a busy week for the Woods household. First, Zoie got to put her new snowpants she got from Grandpa Jim and Grandma Barb for her birthday to good use. Notice it is dark outside. We made the mistake of promising that the first time it snowed she could play outside. So, of course, it snowed in the evening and Ryan had to take her outside for a few minutes.

Zoied turned 4 today!! We celebrated Christmas with Grandpa Dick, Grandma Linda and Ryan's brother Brennan on Saturday. Linda planned a super-fun party for Zoie at Chucky Cheese.

Chucky made a visit to the party. Zoie's friends, Ava, Cassie and Colton, got to say hi and even gave a few kisses. Chucky was a little embarrassed I think!

Kai hung out with momma during the party in his new sling. Other than the yucky puke down the front, he loved it. I think it is supposed to look a little prettier but it is the best we could do. We had three mommas working on it too! My great friends Megan (Ava's mom), Gina (Cassie's mom, and Tiff (Emerson's mom) came to the party. It was so wonderful to see them.

Then in typical Zoie fashion, she put her new pj's from Tiff on as soon as we got home. She would live in pj's if she could! It was a fun week and we are blessed to have so many fun things to celebrate with friends and family.

What are these?????

Just when you think this parenting thing has you licked completely, one of your kids does something to amaze you all over again. Some of you might think this video is about as fun as watching paint dry but I think it is awesome. It is literally the first time Kai figured out he had hands and fingers and he is totally amazed by them. We're not sure just yet but we think he might be on his way to becoming a genius!

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY ZOIE!

Although her birthday isn't until the 21st, Saturday Zoie had a small early birthday party with her friends from daycare and a few neighbors. They all came dressed as princesses! They decorated picture frames, made a bracelet with the help of Bethany Goodman and had cupcakes. It was a great time! Grandpa Rex, Grandma Mary, Great-Grandpa Jim and Great-Grandma Barb made it to the party, but, sadly, didn't come dressed as princesses. Maybe next time??

Thank you Aunt Judy!!

It was quite a surprise today for Zoie when the FedEx man rolled into the drive with a big gift for Zoie and Kai from Aunt Judy in Mesa, AZ. She had a ball opening the gifts (she helped her brother out a little). The quilt for Kai was handmade by Judy's friend Mary Rousseau. Thank you Mary and Judy! Judy also wrote each of the kids their own poem and decorated their box with it. It was amazing!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Happy Thanksgiving! We spent the day together at home putting up Christmas decorations. Zoie loves her penguin that Grandpa Rex and Grandma Mary gave her. She made me change her coat so she could "match" the penguin. Total girl or what??

Zoie helped Daddy put up Christmas lights on the house. If you can't tell from the picture.....it took FOREVER to do! I have a feeling that Daddy's little helper might not have been such a helper after all.

Then Zoie helped rake leaves. Okay, so her idea of raking means putting them in a pile and then jumping in them. At least she was having fun. And yes, she had to change her coat and hat again before she could play. Daddy says she gets it from me but even I'm not that bad!!

2 Months!!

Tomorrow I am 2 months old already! Yesterday I had my first hair cut (thanks momma!) and other than the nasty scratch I gave myself on my nose, I am doing great! I am a little chubby (13 pounds) but Nanna Janet says not to worry about it or I will have a complex before I can walk. Plus, Gramma Mary says I am pretty and she likes my cheeks. I also got to see Great-Grandma Barb yesterday so I am lucky to have so much Grandma love! Happy Birthday to me....hummm....maybe I will have some milk to celebrate!

Christmas?!?!?

Yes, we know it is still two months away but since our days seem to run together anyway, we let Zoie decorate a pink Christmas tree for her bedroom very, very early. At least it isn't black like the tree Nanna Janet wants! Zoie had so much fun decorating it but now wants presents to put under it. We might be "softies" but we do have limits! The other picture is Zoie modeling her new outfit. It has "diamonds" and butterflies on it so she would be completely content to wear it everyday. She has perfected the celebrity picture pose very well!

HALLOWEEN 2008

My Babies....

This is me and my babies on my first day back to work! All seems calm but it was a very hectic morning!!

Zoie and Claire

This is Zoie with her best buddy Claire Green. They were so excited that they had the same shirt. They love to play together with the other neighbor girl, Jenny. I call them the get-along gang. They think they need to play together non-stop, and, strangely enough, switch shoes with each other. Total girls or what??

Our New Addition!

On September 10, 2008 our second child, a son, was born in Ottumwa, Iowa. His name is Kai Anthony Woods and he joins big sister, Zoie, who will turn 4 on December 21.