My Three Year Old

My sister gave me this great idea of taking a photo of your kids on each birthday and writing how old they were along with some of their favorite things and interests. So here is my three year old in a nutshell.

Two Birthdays

Seriously how is my little man already three? We were fortunate enough to celebrate C's birthday twice, once with Keith's family last Friday before we left back to Idaho, and twice with my family today. We kept it low key both times but usually that's how I like it because I don't have to stress about making everything perfect. In NJ we made homemade pizzas, had cake and ice cream and opened presents then hung out as a family and played with Carson's presents. We had to go to bed early that night since we had to wake up super early to catch a flight. 

Today we hung out and got things prepped for a couple of my sisters and seven of C's cousins to come over then headed over to Carl's Jr down the street so the kids could get some playtime in since it's cold and rainy outside. Afterwards we had cake/ ice cream, presents, and the kids watched Tangled for a bit. Two perfect birthdays for my little man. I love his cheesy smile in these pictures. 

Carson and his cousin Brielle at Carl's

Full Bellies

Awaiting the cake

Can't see it real well but it was a basketball cake

Hiding from the camera

Presents!

Love his smile!

New Jersey

He sure loves his only Penrod cousin

Playing with Thomas

Making homemade pizza with Grandma

I have to admit I sure did love the bundt cake I made

Valley Forge

One thing I do love about the East Coast is all the history and being able to visit and experience historical sites from the 1700s, the beginning of our country. Last weekend we took a trip to Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Valley Forge was the site of a military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777-1778 during the Revolutionary War. George Washington was their Commander. It was crazy to see the cabins they built and lived in, very small and cold, since they lived there during the winter. Most of the men succumbed to starvation, death and disease.

Some of the cabins the soldiers build and lived in

Carson and Tennyson

Cannons

George Washington's headquarters

George Washington Memorial Cathedral 

Top 10 of 2013

10- Birthdays celebrated in July. Whew, lots of cake!

9- Years owning our Toyota Camry. (Nine for Keith, five for me)

8. Months of work in Montana for Keith.

7-States visited. Montana, Utah, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, & Washington DC (I know it's a district, still counts). We also drove through Delaware.

6- Years of marriage.

5- Pounds I've probably gained over the holidays.

4- Plane rides this year, to New Jersey and back twice.

3- New nieces/nephews on the Lewis side. (Emma will also arrive January 2014 on the Lewis side and Ivory on the Penrod side in May 2014.)

2- Of my brothers got married- Kirk in June and Chad in October.

1 -- More great year full of memories. Happy New Year! Here's to 2014!

Penrod Family Pictures

On the 26th we took family pictures. Keith's family hasn't had family pictures in several years, besides the few taken at weddings in the last couple of years. So we decided it was well overdue and took some at the house.

This one was for pure fun, it cracks me up. Taken in their backyard.

All the Penrod siblings and parents.

The boys and one in-law

The girls and three in-laws

Later that day we had a small family baby shower for Kathleen, Brandon's wife. We played a game, she opened gifts, ate soup & homemade bread and decorated headbands for their baby girl Ivory. We ended the night by watching Music and Lyrics and enjoying root beer floats.

Everyone showing off  their headbands they made.

Root beer floats! Keith and I gave everyone in his family these huge root beer mugs three years ago for Christmas, they sure came in handy!

On Friday, the 27th we went to Philadelphia since Kathleen has never been. We went to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Congress Hall, the Portrait Gallery, watched a movie in the Visitors Center and walked around the city a bit, then ended with dinner. I always love going to Philly because of all the historical sites and I always learn something new.

Visitors Center

Liberty Bell

Idahome

I pinned this image awhile back and for some reason in came into my mind today on our six year anniversary, I thought it was the perfect picture to illustrate us. Keith and I met, dated, got engaged, married, had our first apartment and had Carson all in the great state of Idaho, and we still live here. It makes my heart happy that all of these most precious and important things to both of us happened in the state I was born and raised. Every year I say this but I seriously still can't believe another year has passed and we've been married for six years now. Every year I learn more and more about what it takes to make a good marriage work. I'm so grateful each day I have with Keith and Carson. 

Today was perfect. We spent most of the day in Atlantic City with Keith's family, out to pizza for lunch, then went shopping for my gift and went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Six years-- still can't believe it.

Laser light show inside the Tropicana

Comfy and Cozy are We...

Christmas with the Penrod's in New Jersey is always fun. Christmas Eve we did a little last minute shopping, then decorated a gingerbread house, made & ate dinner (chicken parmesan), had a Christmas program, pinata, talent show, and homemade ice cream and cake for Keith's moms birthday, all in the comfort of a cozy wood stove. It was packed full of fun and we ended the night with my favorite Christmas movie- Home Alone.

Catherine and Krista (Keith's sisters) getting started on the house. Props to Catherine- she made the gingerbread house from scratch!

Duck face, I didn't get that memo

Guarding the house--haha

Me, Carson, Cousin Tennyson, Catherine and hubby Kolton and Krista

Keith and Catherine preparing dinner

Getting ready for the Christmas Program

Grandma, Cousin Tennyson and Carson

Pinata time- ignore the no pants, Carson just stripped and wouldn't put them back on.

Homemade Ice Cream!

Grandma and her two grand kids!

Christmas day was full of stockings, present opening, a big breakfast, family time, Despicable Me 2, Long Beach Island, and a big Christmas dinner. I loved all my gifts from everyone, but it was just most enjoyable spending time with everyone.

Keith got me Home Alone 2- now I have both of them!

Krista knitted all the girls scarves! Way talented Krista!

Jake legos from Grandma- he loves anything JAKE!

His ultimate favorite thing is Play Dough- so naturally we had to get him tons of it!

Brandon showing us his bow tie. Krista got all the guys bow ties. (Brandon and wife Kathleen)

Trying on the bow ties

Carson excited about the movie Journey 2

Keith's sisters (Catherine and Krista), Kathleen and Keith's Bro Brandon

Christmas morning family picture

opening his stocking, so excited about the m&ms

Smile!