Friday, December 25, 2009

Our First Christmas

It has been a busy and memorable holiday. We started the holiday with a friendly gathering at the Devries (family friends) house Wednesday night. The kids had a blast playing with a three year old girl and a one and a half year old boy. Kate tried desperately to follow them around and Max was completely amazed by them both. Uncle Matt was my second husband and toted the kids and I around town.

Christmas Eve was super fun as everyone started arriving to town. The Kranz family met the Johnson family at O'Henry hotel for tea and pastries - Ken and Mary Ellen's Christmas Eve tradition. It was so nice and relaxing and a great way to kick off the holiday weekend. We capped off the evening with homemade Shrimp and Grits (YUMMY) and Secret Santa gifts.

Christmas was very exciting! Kate and Max enjoyed unwrapping gifts at several points during the day between eating and naps. As we anticipated the wrapping paper was the highlight but now that we have taken things out of the packaging (WOW) they are really enjoying the farm, house, riding toy, push toy, laptop, Madeline doll, truck, bath toys, and books to mention a few! The Kranz family enjoyed a wonderful brunch and we went to Liz and Bill's house for a Johnson Christmas. The cousins had a blast by the Christmas tree and in the tub!







The following day the Johnson family got together again to enjoy homemade lasagna by Lana! It was so fantastic and now her and Charles are off the New Zealand for another extended stay.



Mom and Dad Kranz were generous enough to invite my parents, Liz, and Emma to dinner Sunday night. The parents had a great time sharing ridiculous stories of our past and present.
Thank you to all of our friends and family who have made this a special and very memorable Christmas.

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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

How are things at Grandma and Grandpa's house?

We are all making the adjustment to Grandma and Grandpa's house. The kids are exploring every corner. Grandma and Grandpa have done an amazing job preparing for our arrival - toys in baskets in every room of the house, safety proofing throughout the house, and delicious treats for us all. We have been able to maintain our daily schedule, I get time to myself each day (YAY), and Momma Kranz has been cooking some amazing meals! Life is Good!


Kate and Max have found a favorite spot to enjoy their bottle - in front of these beautiful doors/windows that lead out to the deck. The birds and squirrels come to eat and play, which amuses them both.


Max and Kate are enjoying Peter, Andy, and Matt's toys. Max especially loves the train.

We have spent a lot of time in Grandma's studio. The kids love the rocking chair especially when Grandma rocks and reads!




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First Snow

Kate and Max enjoyed their first snow in both Durham and Greensboro, NC this year! They both woke up to snow falling after an afternoon nap and they were very curious about the flakes as they watched through the window. It was super cute. We took them outside to play (i.e. sit) in the snow that actually accumulated in Greensboro. I do not think they understood why they had cold, wet butts...





Watching the snow fall from their bedroom window in Durham!

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Good-Bye House

Today, we are posting our last blog entry from our very first home. Peter and I moved into our townhouse five years ago, November 23, 2004! We have enjoyed many things about the house, neighborhood, and city of Durham. Mostly, we enjoyed making our nest a very special place filled with wonderful memories and lots of love. Our children may not remember their very first home, the nursery where many of their "firsts" have happened, the living room where their moses baskets sat on the coffee table the first few months of their lives, the family room floor where they had tummy time, the kitchen where they started eating solid foods, the doorways that held their jump-n-go, the bathroom where they took their first bath, the hallways that they crawled through, the stairs they used to practice pulling-up on, or the closets they would play in. We will forever remember our first home and I am more confident than ever the happiness and love of our family will fill our next home with even more unforgettable memories.
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Sunday, December 13, 2009

We Love Bath Time

Have I mentioned that we love the bathtub?

Seriously, the kids enjoy every part from getting naked to drying off.
It is a guaranteed happy fest!
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Friday, December 11, 2009

Swings

I took the kids to a nearby park the other day. I put them in the bucket swings and let them go. Oh my Gosh, they squealed and giggled the entire time. We are definitely going back to the park very soon!

Kate stealing Max's hat




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Thursday, December 10, 2009

Santa

I thought it was my job to take the kids to see Santa. So I found a Santa with a real beard which made me very happy. I was very proud of them for sitting in line and hopping on Santa's lap. Unfortunately, as soon as I backed away the lips started quivering...
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Sunday, December 6, 2009

First Hair Cut

Max and I had an afternoon together. We went to my hair stylist for Max's first hair cut (trim)! I was so proud of him. He was very social with all the ladies and little boys in the shop, sat in the chair like a big boy, allowed the lady to trim his hair with no tears or unexpected moves, and sat quietly while I got my hair cut. My little buddy!
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We Are Moving

I have inadvertently caused confusion about moving. So here is the scoop...

We found a house in Cary in August. It was just being built and we got to do a lot of the selections - LOVE IT! We put our house on the market and it sold in five weeks! We closed on the townhouse November 25 and are renting back until Dec. 19. We do not close on the Cary house until January 15; therefore, we are moving in with Mom and Dad Kranz in Greensboro for this period of time which overlaps with the holidays.

We are super excited about this move and can hardly wait for Kate and Max to explore their new house and make lots of fun new memories.
From House
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Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving

We have enjoyed a wonderful weekend with ALL of our family. Kate and Max were spoiled by the Kranz family Thursday and the Johnson family Friday and Saturday.

Mama Kranz brought all the Thanksgiving fixings Thursday. I could not believe the Turkey that rolled in our door - Amazing! She did an unbelievable job of preparing everything in advance, transporting it all to our house, and finishing it all at the same time. She did it so gracefully, stopping to play with Kate and Max, and sipped a glass of wine. Impressive! Papa Kranz played with Kate and Max and told them stories of how he was going to spoil them when we move to Greensboro in three weeks. Uncle Matt steered clear of any poopy diapers but embraced some one-on-one time with each of them.
From Kate & Max - November

The Johnson (and Welch) families descended upon us Friday morning. I was ready with lots of munchies and a freshly brewed pot of apple cider! Liz was in charge of fruit, veggies, and bread and she outdid herself making sure everyone had their favorites including PINEAPPLE (in a separate bowl of course). Peter got home just in time to execute the cooking phase of dinner. He had sketched out a plan to ensure that everything would finish at the same time. As planned, it all turned out perfectly and at the same time. Lana was in charge of the corn souffle and it was awesome. The three cousins played well together. Emma was a little nervous around Kate (it might have been the hair) but LOVED her Max. Max just starred at her and kept smiling even when she pulled his pacifier out. Kate joined in the fun and pulled out Emma's pacifier. Emma rose above it all and gave Max's pacifier to Kate! What a trio.






We had a super fun Saturday! We baked out tails off, I took my parents to see the new house through the windows, filled Tins of Love, got pedicures while Grandma and Grandpa took care of the kids, Lana cooked an amazing veggie lasagna, and we sang songs at the table using gestures that included bees, bears, boobs, and monkeys...there was a little wine involved!




Fun times, great memories, lots of wine!

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Sunday, November 22, 2009

She Did It

Kate keeps experimenting with being on her hands and knees (i.e. no belly on the floor). She rocks, shoots forward like a rocket, pulls up on things, and today she moved herself to a sitting position. She and Max were playing in her bed and even Max gave her a big grin!
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Saturday, November 21, 2009

Surprise

Max's second tooth popped through today! He was very excited to show us! :)
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Aunty Lana

Lana and Charles are home from New Zealand for the holidays. They finally made it to North Carolina last week and we were fortunate enough to have Aunty Lana spend a few days with us. The kids loved her and Charles immediately - what is not to love! She has done such an amazing job of keeping up with us it did not seem like she had been gone a whole year at all.

Lana helped in so many ways and I was so sad that she had to go but she is just a few miles away in Raleigh spending the weekend with her friends celebrating her birthday! YAY!

Lana spent a lot of time on the floor playing with Kate and Max

Lana quickly became familiar with cheerios, and cheese!

She taught Kate how to crawl up under the coffee table

She gave out millions of kisses.

We cannot wait for her to return in a week! We are counting down the days...

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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sooo Big!

Kate and Max had their 9 month Well Baby Visit Wednesday. Both are growing, achieving the appropriate milestones, and got their seasonal and H1N1 flu shots - Hoooray!!! Aunty Lana was able to come along and help us get all their measurements, entertain, and smother with love.

Kate weighs 17lbs 9oz and measures 27.4in. Kate even opened her mouth and said "Ahhh" for the doctor when she was asked.
From Kate & Max - November


Max weighs 18lbs 10oz and measures 28in. Max babbled the entire time!
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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Andy and Jenny's Wedding

Andy Kranz and Jenny Van Vooren got married this weekend in Belmont, NC. It was a spectacular weekend with perfect weather and lots of entertainment. We enjoyed a wonderful rehearsal dinner hosted by Ken and Mary Ellen Friday night at the Morehead Inn in Uptown Charlotte. The tables were adorned with floating candles and touches of carolina blue in the M&M's, flowers, and ribbon. Ken and Mary Ellen made this elegant start to the weekend beautifully focused on Andy and Jenny, their love for one another, and the love that surrounds them through friends and family. Kate and Max did a great job of sitting in their highchairs eating cheese and cheerios, working the crowd with Mary Ellen and Ken, and playing with Uncle Matt.

The wedding ceremony was at the church on the Belmont Abbey College campus where Jenny went to college. Jenny was absolutely radiant inside and out. Andy was so eager to have her by his side. They looked so content and relaxed to finally be joined together. The back two rows of the church were filled with parents, babies, and toddlers - all of which took a walk outside at some point! I learned that parents becomes fast friends...
The reception was at Pine Island Country Club. We enjoyed a beautiful cocktail hour outside followed by dinner and dancing with a super fun Big Band. Max and Kate danced, played with many new people, ate dinner, and managed to fall asleep in the middle of it all. We had tons of help holding, transporting, feeding, and playing with them all night. Peter and I even squeezed in a few dances!

We had a wonderful weekend. It was a joy to see everyone come together for such a fun celebration. Uncle Andy and Aunt Jenny are such wonderful, caring individuals. We wish them a lifetime of love and happiness and are excited to watch their love continue to grow and blossom with every success and challenge they encounter as Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Kranz!








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