A Haynes family Christmas gathering

It's been a few years since we got together with my dad's side of the family for Christmas. Everyone who is in the area was able to make it which made for a really special time! Even though the void of some very special people was evident, everyone seemed to have a nice time and enjoyed chatting and catching up.

The great grandchildren from around here- they weren't all happy, but we got them all in the picture...

The cousins-

Kailyn decided she likes pizelles (I'm sure I didn't spell that right)

We watched old videos of Christmases and other family gatherings. It was so funny to see what everyone looked like and how we all acted.

KB and grampy playing the piano

Part of the Baldauf clan

I missed some great pictures- but there are many more floating out there! I'll add them as I get them!

Christmas 2008

What a wonderful holiday season we have had so far! We spent Christmas Eve day at home just relaxing (it's been so nice to just sit back and enjoy spending time with Kailyn without having to go to work). That evening we headed to my mom and dad's for our traditional Christmas Eve spaghetti dinner. Then we went to church (where Kailyn behaved beautifully- staying for the whole service instead of going to the nursery) and returned to mom and dad's to open Christmas presents. It was such a treat to have Bevan home (he surprised everyone by coming 2 days early!) and just enjoy being with everyone. Then it was home again to wait for Santa to arrive!

Kailyn making sure to put on her "lotion" to make her smell pretty. She loves putting dabs all over and just barely rubbing it in. She makes sure mommy and daddy smell nice too. :)

Great Grandma Medvedeff has a special connection with Kailyn! While she was super shy with everyone else, she kept walking right up to her GG and wanting to be picked up.

The plan for Christmas morning was for Rob and I to wake up first and get through some of our presents and then let Kailyn play with some of here toys. However, we stayed up too late watching the Notre Dame bowl game on DVR and helping Santa put together a kitchen set for KB that we ended up waking up when she did. She kept saying "OHHHHH" when she saw new presents to open.

She's in a climbing stage and of course had to stand right up in her new wagon. :)Rocking to "Wild Thing" on her new guitar. We headed over to her grandma and grandpa Eshbaugh's where we opened presents, ate tons of food, and played with new toys. I was very impressed that Kailyn kept with her napping and took an hour and a half nap~ this made the day much more delightful!

More "oooohhhs"

Kailyn and cousin Natalie helped each other open presents.
Waking up with daddy after her nap We started a new tradition of drinking pina coladas and strawberry daquiris and of course Kailyn had to try one too. Contrary to her Great Uncle Bobby's harrassment :) they were not alcoholic.

Our little family :)Next we were off to Kailyn's grandma and grandpa Haynes' for Christmas dinner.


Uncle Bevan knit Kailyn a hat. Isn't that too sweet?

Grammy and Grampy checked out her new toys with her.

Grammy and Kailyn reading a new Elmo book

Whew what a long but fantastic day spent with family!

I'm doing it myself...don't even try to help

I think the title says it all...Kailyn now screams and yells if you try to help her get dressed. She backs herself into a corner and tries to put socks and pants on alone. Her personality makes us laugh~
The monkey must have had a stuff nose- she kep doing this all night.

Just like mommy...

HMMMM....who can remember the packing peanuts ordeal at Aunt Pam's? Kailyn tore into a box that was shipped here today and was throwing them EVERYWHERE!

Here puppy puppy...

You can't really have it...but I'll let you think you can. :) All night long!

What I Did With the Promise of an Extra Hour...

I updated the blog! I'm trying to keep up with it more~!

We took a pic just like this last year...I think we'll try to do it every year!

Playing in the leaves! When we went out, I told Rob that we were going out to rake. Hmmm...really, we just played! :)

Cleaning out the pumpkin...something I really enjoy! Kailyn however, did not want to touch all the icky stuff. She just took the seeds and moved them to the cookie sheet- then put them back in the pumpkin- over and over again.

HaHaHa! Kailyn loves going in circles under my dad's legs. She just cracks up and laughs and gets super dizzy. It was pretty funny to watch my mom crawl through to show her how to do it. Don't worry mom, I won't put that picture up. :)

"Woof, woof"

We went Trick-or-Treating on Saturday night! Well, I guess you could say we dressed Kailyn up and then went to a couple of neighbor's houses, and Grandma and Grandpa Eshbaugh's neighbor's houses. Nothing too intense of course! Kailyn got into costume by saying "woof, woof" over and over again a few days before the big day. She also otok on her role by crawling around instead of walking! It was so much fun to watch her and see all of the other little one's costumes!

Enough hair...

FOR A MINI MOHAWK!!

A Year

So I guess it has taken awhile for it to sink in to me that 1 whole year has gone by. My mom told me something that has been just eating away at me...After 18 more of these time periods we just passed through, and KB will be on her way out. :( That seems WAY too soon!

I've been thinking alot about everything she has already learned and the personality that is shining through and wanted to jot these things down so I'll never forget the small things.

Kailyn's favorites:

Food- blueberries and cottage cheese

Books- Have You Seen My Cat? by Eric Carle; Doggies by Sandra Boynton

TV shows- Sesame Street (ELMO); Mickey Mouse Playhouse

Things to do- collect little things she finds around the house and carry them with her; lay out blankets and dance on them; play ring around the rosie; throw the ball to Maxie; look at pictures of her buddies; go on outside walks; stand on her bouncer chair and swing back and forth; pointing to her nose; choosing "bu, bu" s from the shelf; taking her clothes out of the drawers and laying them on the floor in piles; taking things out-putting them back in; shaking her head no because she suddenly doesn't like wahtever food I'm giving her; push rocks and gravel around with her hands; carry shoes by the shoelaces; hiding behind blankets; and sitting on her step in the basement

She just makes me smile endlessly! Thanks for reading all about our little gal!

Hikes and pumpkins- Fall fun!

We love the Ohio fall weather around here! Rob and I have done the fall hiking spree in the MetroParks in the past, but it is a totally different experience with little Kailyn. From the best seat ever in the backpack, she just stares up at the trees and says, "Wow!" She of course wants down a lot too, and she toddles around. She bit the dust twice and ended up with little bits of gravel in her forehead :(

Are you guys coming or not?

Today we headed out to Szaley's to pick out some pumpkins. KB just wanted to hold them all!

Birthday Fun!!

Kailyn celebrated her 1st birthday with family and friends luau style! How can she be 1 already?!?

Grandma Eshbaugh, Daddy, the birthday girl, and Uncle Bevan

Cousins Jerry, Karen, and Isaac hanging out!
Cousins Julie, Isabella, Jerry, Karen, and Isaac

What's a birthday without her favorite activity? SWIMMING!

Great Grandma Medvedeff and Grandma Haynes take in the BEAUTIFUL weather! We couldn't have asked for a better day...thankfully (we don't have too much room inside!)

Who's ready FOR CAKE!?

Aunt Deb and cousin Natalie are ready for cake!


Uncle Bevan is ready to light the candle! (Nice hat, bro!)

Kailyn's ready for cake!!

MMMMMMM!!Yum Yum! A very classy way to eat a 1st birthday cake!

Thank you to everyone for some great presents for Kailyn! She actually helped open them!The last question Kailyn has is "Why is my daddy so goofy sometimes?"