New Years Eve

A celebration with Jon, B, and the kids.

Mommy was loving her some Aidan and Tristan. It might have been the last day of the year but it was one of the best for Mommy - who said good things don't come to those who wait?

Star Attraction

The kids enjoyed riding Silver Star. I can just imagine the smile on Grandpa Blair's face as he watched from heaven's balcony.

Sometimes a toy is just a toy. Sometimes a toy is a connection with the past and generations who have passed. Star is the latter. We never see Star that we don't think of Grandpa - and smile.

If You Can't Beat Them...

...sit on them.

Baby Bella and Aidan enjoyed a little wrestling match. Aidan was a good sport with little Bella and she rewarded him with a kiss.

Chicken Fingers

Proving once again that you never really know your kids...

Baby Bella, our picky eater, reached over to steal a chicken finger from Daddy's plate. She then proceeded to eat it before Mommy could take it away. Little did we know...she likes chicken fingers.

Why? Where? When? How?

Are you kidding me? Our Baby Bella likes chicken fingers and we don't know it? Boy, O Boy. We are not amused. Mommy and I have nearly scratched a hole on our head trying to figure this one out.

Is it just me or do kids do this on purpose? Is it any wonder parents look half crazy most of the time?

Busted Lip

Well, a first we could have done without. Baby Bella sporting her very first busted lip. A head on collison with the floor in which the floor was declared a winner by technocal knock-out.

To her credit, Baby Bella got back up - and hit it again.

Sarah Combs

The House of Cain has been blessed to reacquaint with the Combs family in the past year. We remember little Sarah from years gone by. The bottom photo's of little Sarah sat in our house for many years.

Time has a way - our little Sarah is not so little any more. She is now a high school Senior and one of the most impressive young people Mommy and I have met. We were totally thrilled to have her babysit for Baby Bella last week. The girls got along wonderfully.

Side note to Jerry and Eileen: we congratulate you on your Sarah. She is very impressive. We pray that our Baby Bella will be as grounded and focused as your Sarah. Your girl is a great role model for ours. Thank you for sharing.

Side note to Sarah: "Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23. This is one of my favorite verses as well - never forget the timeless truth of God's word.

Candied Apples

What Christmas would be complete without candied apples? Aunt Judy spoiled the kids (and shhh, Mommy and Daddy) with an assortment of fabulous candied apples. We even caught Nana sneaking a taste.

Skyler thinks the peppermint with chocolate chip were the best. Hard to argue with that.

Aunt Judy manages to spoil the kids all the way from Colorado. Not sure how she pulls that off but she is good at doing so. Our little tike's are so blessed to have extended family connections.

Table Dancing

Baby Bella showing off her new Tutu skirt and Pearls from BFF Ava Grace. The best way to show it off, of course, is to dance on top of the table with one shoe off. What was she thinking?

Mommy and Baby Bella invited BFF's Amber and Ava Grace to join them at Nana's for a French Toast breakfast. I am told that Nana is somewhat of a French Toast guru.

Christmas Morning 2010

There is a reason they look sleepy - it is too early too be up and out of bed.

Our tradition is that the kids get us up and we all go downstairs to see what Santa brought - Mommy and the kids sat at the top of the stairs while Daddy turned on the lights, fired up the fireplace and prepared the camera.

Bella's Santa Gift

Baby Bella didn't quite know what to do but she quickly picked up on the fact that she was the proud owner of a brand new Little Tikes car. I call it the Fred Flinstone mobile.

She loooooves it!!!!! Santa did great!

iChristmas

The older they get - the harder they are to impress. Santa was on a roll and he hit it out of the park by making it an iChristmas for Skyler. Skyler received the ipod he so desperately wanted.

No words needed. The reaction says it all. Score another one for Santa and Ms. Claus. (take a bow, darling.)

Christmas Upstairs

Santa's gifts and breakfast accomplished, it's time to go upstairs to the family room and see what Mommy and Daddy bought for the kids. Needless to say - they must have been good this year.

Pink Rain Boots

One of Baby Bella's favorite gifts was the pink rain boots - the hardest part was convincing her to take them off when it was time to get ready.

Hamming it Up

The family had fun posing for the camera and playing with Daddy's new self timer. Oh the joy of technology.