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.

From Kate & Max - November

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.

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

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!

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

Fun times, great memories, lots of wine!

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!

Surprise

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

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

From Kate & Max - November

Lana quickly became familiar with cheerios, and cheese!

From Kate & Max - November

She taught Kate how to crawl up under the coffee table

From Kate & Max - November

She gave out millions of kisses.

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

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

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.

From Kate & Max - November

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!

From Kate & Max - November

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!

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

From Kate & Max - November

9 Months

Both Max and Kate are busy little bees. They are going in every which direction...

From Kate & Max - November

Kate decided to pull herself up this weekend. She started on the dishwasher so she could play in the water, then the laundry basket. So it begins...

From Kate & Max - November

Max figured out how to open his dresser drawer and close doors. His first tooth finally came through. He has a new favorite toy - a wooden helicopter.

From Kate & Max - November

Grandma

What is better than Grandma coming to visit...NOTHING...but bringing her friend was a super bonus! Sheri is a friend of Grammie Kranz' from Maine. She is traveling cross-country to visit her grandchildren and took a side step to Durham, NC to bring Max and Kate a little treat - a Radio Flyer Model 5 Wagon. We can not wait to put them together, fill them with stuff, and pull them around the house. Kate knows just where to find the boxes in her closet, pulls them out, and crawls over the top.

From Kate & Max - Month 9

From Kate & Max - Month 9

From Kate & Max - Month 9

From Kate & Max - Month 9

From Kate & Max - Month 9

This made me super excited about Christmas!