Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to All!!! Its been a long time since our last post but here are the hightlights of December, with more to come!

Emerson turned 3 years old on December 6th. It is hard to believe that she is that old already!! We had the most fun at her birthday party!

Friday night we had the Oberle family Christmas in Claflin. It was great to see everyone and we got some great family time together. Short but fun!!! Both of the kids racked in a ton of cool stuff for Christmas and birthday's. The reason we exchange gifts was evident when Emerson opened her gifts this year. It was super cool to see her so excited. Grandma Ann- The tutu dress was a GREAT idea!!!

We got back to Overland Park in time for Church so we made the mad dash to get the kids ready and get to Mass. Isaac is generally an angel in church...he picked Christmas Eve as the one day to make church difficult. By difficult, we still got compliments on how good both of them were in church so I guess it couldn't have been that bad!

Last night we set out the cookies and "juice" (propel water) for Santa and carrots for Rudolf and the reindeer. Emerson thought Santa would prefer juice over milk. This morning the kids had their way with the toys and we now need to add on another wing to the house for all it! Isaac and Emerson were thrilled with their gifts. Isaac thought his Thomas the train was pretty awesome.

Its hard to believe that Emerson is 3 but its equally hard to believe that Isaac will turn 1 next week!! The time is going fast and he is growing big and smart! He is so much fun and we couldn't imagine our lives without either one of them. They certainly made this Christmas amazing. Isaac will get to enjoy 3 first birthday parties this year since his birthday is so close to Christmas. The first was at Oberle Christmas where he had a cake. He wasn't sure about that but I am sure that by the time he gets to the 3rd party at the Kehrt family Christmas, he will have it Mastered. His actual birthday may be far less excitements for him since it will just be the 4 of us.

Getting Closer!

We haven't been up to much the last two weekends there are no pictures this post. Sorry....

We did have our friends Andrea and Jason Kidd come into town to have some fun this weekened. They have two small children of their own and the kids all had a BLAST. It was a ton of fun!!! The kids played well together. Isaac has a new best buddy in Sam. Friday night Bruce grilled and we caught up with conversation while Em, Isaac, Sam, & Caitlyn played hard! Saturday morning we joined some other couples to watch the Nebraska game (they are alums). We later headed out to the Legends. The guys watched the K-State game while the girls and kids did some shopping, which was essentially the trainwreck of public outings! We finished up the night by taking Sam to the T-Rex restaraunt out there. The kids thought it was pretty awesome and they had some fun adult beverages for us parents so all were happy!

We have been working on making kid milestones the last two weeks!

Isaac is getting closer to crawling and finally shows bits of interest. I understand his logic completely...."why do I need to learn to walk or crawl when these 3 people that in live in my house do it all for me. Mom and Dad will put things out of my reach just to mess with me...but if a make cool noises, my sister just hands them to me! It works out very well in my favor". He is getting up on all 4's now and several times has looked like he is just going to do it...but so far...just living the dream of having us be at his beck and call.

Emerson has made leaps and bounds at potty training. Very few accidents this week!! WHOO HOO (knock on wood) we aren't there completely but we can see the diaper expense line in our family budget already improving :) We are not opposed to bribery so she is reaping the benefits in stickers and M&M's. She filled up her 2 potty cards in the last two weeks which has earned her "big" rewards which she is quite proud of.

Its been a while!!!

Wow I didn't realize Its been that long since I posted! October went too fast!! We had a pretty low key month which was nice change from a crazy September. I will try to relay the highlights!

Isaac received a clean bill of health at his 9 month appt. He is 19# and thinning out significantly from his prior stout little self. He is not crawling or walking. He rolls if he needs to get somewhere but really there is little motivation to learn to be mobile. I mean really, if he has a sister at his beck and call what more does he need?!?! He is also so laid back that if he has his bink, he is pretty content doing --well nothing! But he is happy and healthy and that's all we care about! The mobility will come when he is damn good and ready!

Emerson is still working on potty training. We are starting to make some headway this week which I am scared to say because September and October were met with much resistance so we didn't push it. She has a little girl at daycare that she is really good friends with that is potty training which is really helping and then she spent some time with Iowa friends and cousins that use the big potty...so we are using that motivation as leverage :) Again, it will come when she is damn good and ready!

Grandma and Papa Oberle came to visit for the NASCAR race in October and as usual it was super fun having them come to stay. They stayed with us one night so they did get some good 1-1 time with the kids.

Last weekend we took a trip to Iowa to Celebrate our friends Brice and Sarah's wedding. Yes, Sarah and Brice have been married for a few years now but we have never had a chance to celebrate their wedding. So what better way to celebrate than a Halloween party!!! It was an absolute blast! We were able to see a lot of my Des Moines friends as well as quality time with Grandma and Papa Kehrt and Uncle Noel, Aunt Stacey, Mara, & Ellen.

Halloween is starting to get to be a lot of fun at our house. This year we were able to take Emerson around and she is really getting into the fun of Halloween and trick or treating. She was a cute pink cowgirl and Isaac was Yoda! It was a lot fun! After getting Emerson her stash of candy she had fun helping me hand out candy to the other kids too!

Here a some good pictures!

Uncle Noel- Need a buddy to watch the big game with? Call me!!

Howdy Pardner!

Time to get candy it is! Saddle up Pardners let's hit the trail!

How often do you get a deceased Osama Bin Laden, Flashdance, A drunk monk, a slutty nun, and Princess Kate and Prince William in a room together??

Little Princess and Congratulations to the King & Queen!!

This was a big weekend for the Oberle family! One we have been waiting in great anticipation for! Our little princess was a flower girl for Uncle Mike & Aunt Angela's wedding!!! It was a beautiful weekend. The weather could not have cooperated any better. We had both sets of grandparents on deck to assist with kid duty which was a huge help. Bruce had Best Man duties and Emerson had flower girl duties. They both did a wonderful job!

Getting ready for our big role!!!

Isn't she the cutest flower girl you've ever seen???

Isaac with the grandparents-- all looking very sharp!!

Grandma Judy did Emerson's hair for the big event and it turned out adorable to say the least. The dress was perfect. We didn't even need to get it altered and her little gold shoes set it off! She walked down the aisle and back with no issues! Mike's Niece, Brooke was another flower girl and she helped/led Emerson very well. Emerson also sat with her for the first 3/4 of the service and Emerson was quiet as a mouse. I have no idea what they did but when she came back to sit with me, she was a little chatter box!! I told Brooke that we owed her big!!! And we still do! Emerson danced her little buns off at the reception and Isaac was picking up chics left and right with his little brown suit! We owe Grandma's and Papa's Linda, Judy, Dick, & Leon because they took the kids home around 10:15 and Bruce and I got to stay up with the big kids and play for a while! Among all the other tasks they did this weekend!! There were so many of our close friends there! It was a great party!!

Grandma's & Papa's I think had a pretty good time watching the kids too ;)

Uncle Mike and Isaac-- The two most handsome men at the party!

Mike and Angela looked stunning to say the least! They are a georgous and amazing couple! The wedding was fabulous and we were so happy to be a part of their big day! Congratulations to King and Queen of the day!!

Grandma and Emerson waiting for pictures

This might be the best we've dress for a long time and a long time to come.

For fear of getting of getting in trouble for not updating the blog. I thought I would get ahead of you all!

There isn't much to report the last few weeks. We haven't done much. We are excited that football season is upon us so that will now consume most of our weekends.

We were able to get to a K-State football game for their opening game. We got some tickets from friends that were going to be out of town. We even had an offer to babysit....can't pass on that. Bruce and I had fun it was a quicker trip that Bruce would have liked but it was fun none- the- less. Labor day weekend was low key besides that. So lowkey I can't remember what we did!

Last Saturday we went to our friends John & Heidi Ernst's to watch the Iowa/Iowa State game. Since, K-State was off a week- Iowa State had both kids full attention. For the record, I try to be fair to both teams equally (even against my instinct to make it all ISU) but this week-- nope full speed ahead for ISU! John is an Iowa Hawkeye fan and Heidi is an ISU grad so we were in good company... the game ended with the good guys winning but not easily. Heidi and I were jumping up and down screaming, John was pacing the floor, and Bruce was laughing his head off at all 3 of us. In the end it was a great fun day!

I gotta run...Emerson just pulled a fast one on me

Emerson- Hi Mommy, can I have a hug?

Me- Yes honey of course as I give/get a big hug

Emerson- Mommy can I have a kiss too?

Me- Absolutely as I give/get a kiss

Emerson- I love you Mommy, now can I have a cookie?

....I feel so used!!!!....but after that much effort....yep she got a cookie. Mission Accomplished Emerson!

Great Summer

Summer is drawing to an end and we have had a great season with the kids. We didn't "do" a lot but it seems likes we were/are always busy! Some of the cool things... we spent time in Claflin at the all school reunion, we went to Illinois to see Grandma Marion and The Kehrt side of the family, we traveled to Iowa for the 4th and had a lot of fun on the lake, and there were several days by the pool and in the backyard.

This is not a posed picture. They are watching Mickey Mouse together...this pic will prove as visual documentation in 5 years that there was a time that they actually liked each other!

Emerson is doing very well. She loves to "read" and color. Those are really two of her favorite activities. Outside is always fun and she recently got a new soccer ball which is getting good use. She is still a string bean weighing in at appx 24 pounds and she stretched out a little this summer. But just like her mommy, don't let her size fool you-- she has a very strong personality and has no fear telling you her opinion. From what I am told her verbal skills are excellent and some of her comments will make you first wonder how the heck a 2.5 year old thinks that crap up and then second laugh your head off. She ADORES her little brother and remains his chief protector. We have initiated the potty training, but it is a slow process for her- we are in no hurry so it is coming along slowly but surely.

Our Summertime Princess!

Isaac is growing like crazy he has gone through 2 growth spurts this summer alone. He now has 3 teeth and hopefully 2 more will come through this week. His teeth have been giving him fits lately so we know they are hiding in there. Outside of teeth pain, I think we may have the most laid back kid in history. Now, I know I said that about Emerson, but she doesn't hold a candle to this kid...keep his bink in his mouth and his belly full and he is good to just let the world turn. He will quickly surpass his sister in size. Right now he is appx 17-18 pounds but is in the middle of that second growth spurt!

We didn't know that Accounting could be so funny!!!

Are you ready for some Football??

Great Concert, Great Weekend!

We get the excitement this summer of seeing all 3 of our favorite "Bands" this summer. Jimmy Buffet kicked off our summer. Kenny Chesney/Zac Brown Band was this weekend. It was a lot of fun!!! My parents drove down to watch the kids while Chad/Roxanne, Jill/Nick, and Mike/Angela all went to the concert. Bruce's brother Troy, his wife Robin, and daughter Abby also went with a group of their friends. It was more sun and beer than I needed to intake in one day but a great concert!!! Bruce is not a fan of country music but he even enjoyed watching Zac Brown Band. I am a big Kenny Chesney fan, but I am not sure who was the better band last night. Both were good!!! We didn't make it into the stadium in time to see Uncle Kracker. Billy Currington was good eye candy and performer! The Foo Fighters is in September. That is Emerson's favorite band so we haven't told her that we are going but she has to stay home yet...That may not go well :)

My brother Chad & I.

The Girls!

Proof that Bruce voluntarily attended a country concert (And he liked it)!!

Fun in the Sun

It's been a while since our last post. The summer is getting away from us. We spent the 4th of July in Iowa this year. It was a great time. We had good weather, good boating, and a lot of fun. Bruce somehow managed to get out of another parade. I will say he finds creative ways of "missing" parades!

Last weekend Bruce hosted Mike Wondra's Bachelor party at our house. The kids and I packed up and stayed at Uncle Mike's while all the guys were here. We had a lot of fun hanging out with Angela and Lucy (the dog) and the guys didn't destroy our house so a good time was had by all!

This weekend we vowed to PLAN nothing...whatever we do is on the fly this weekend. The next several weekends will be packed with activities so its rest and relaxation this weekend.

Bruce and the kiddos

We're getting excited for football season-- assuming there is one!

Emerson and Sophie Towns taking in the sun!

Taking a ride on Papa's new raft

Isaac enjoying the evening in his bumbo.

Family Vacation to Illinois

We took a family vacation this week to Bourbonnais, Illinois. All week Emerson was yelling "we are going to ILLINOIS!!!" We went to see my dad's side of the family and spend some time with my Grandma Marion. We got to Gram's on Thursday, met Mom and Dad, and spent some time with Grandma. Bruce and I then went into Chicago for a day to see the sites. It was COLD! We weren't anticipating the temp to be 54 degrees so we ended up doing some shopping on Michigan Ave for long sleeves! We went to one of Bruce's favorite restaurants - Gino's East for deep dish pizza. Having both been there before, we knew that the after meal walk would be slower and need to be longer because you are so full you don't want to move let alone walk! We did consider going to bed at 8:00pm for a full night of uninterrupted sleep with no child waking us up at 6:30am. BUT we decided to keep at it and froze some more by walking down to Navy Pier. Which had all of 7 people on it, but was only 2 blocks from our hotel. We walked and shopped a bit, which was fun. We had a beer a Harry Carey's and were still asleep by 10pm! (I know wild and crazy are we?!?) Friday we went to Shedd Aquarium before heading back to Gram's. I will say this. Omaha Zoo will give it a good (if not better) run for the $$ and I do remember Bruce saying at one point...."with all the kids here, I really hope that I like our own when I get home!"

Gram only lives about 1 hour from downtown Chicago so we were able to make it back and enjoy some time with Aunt Sandy and Uncle G at their place for dinner. Uncle Schnooks/G and Emerson got along REALLY well. I think we can mark off one more finger that she has a male family member wrapped around!!! We all had a great time playing with the kids and catching up. Its been a long time since I had been back there but it was fun so see the area and all that has and has not changed! Saturday, Bruce, Dad, and Uncle G golfed while Mom, the kids, and I went to the mall and restocked on University of Illinois, Chicago Bears , & Blackhawks gear. We did pretty good!! We let Gram rest for the morning and all got together that night at Anita & Tim's (my cousin) for Makenzie's high school graduation party. It was a really good time and I really enjoyed seeing a lot of people that I spent a lot time with as a child but haven't seen in so many years! Emerson found a friend in Autumn's daughter Lea and the two played and played. We do need to work on Em's hide and seek skills-- to say the least, she is a really good seeker....not a good hider! ;) We got to spend the evening catching up with Grandma Marion and family!

We had intentions of staying until Monday but decided to head all the way back to KC on Sunday. We stayed to see Grandma in the morning and then took off back to Kansas. It was a great time and I missed everyone so much. It was hard to leave but we won't wait so long to go back I promise!

Our Kehrt 4th Generation picture!!

Emerson & Gram smiling for Mommy (who can't put the camera down!)

Grandma Linda- your nose isn't as easy to grab as Papa Dick's is!!!

Dad & Uncle G (Uncle Schnooks)

Our little princess is ready to go to the Graduation party!

Claflin All-School Reunion

We headed back to Claflin over Memorial Day weekend to join the town in the All school class reunion. Claflin is consolidating with a couple other nearby towns to form a new district Called the Central Plans Oilers. They held a festival if you will over the holiday to celebrate school. It was a fun weekend full of fun, sun, and lot (and lots) of wind.

Most of Bruce's brothers and sister's were able to come back for the celebration. Scott and Arlene were late because Chelsea qualified for state in the triple jump and the 4x1 relay. CONGRATULATIONS Chelsea on your 3rd place finish in the triple jump!!!! The 4x1 placed 6th so they still scored points for the team!!!!

Sunday they held a parade which Bruce conveniently managed to "miss" because the golf tournement he was playing in "ran behind". Papa Leon led the parade in the military color guard.. Emerson like seeing him walk with the American flag! She thougth the parade was pretty cool EXCEPT for the big trucks and stock cars revving their engines. Isaac really didn't get into it either since it was 95 degrees we kept him in the stroller out of the sun. After the parade, we went swimming and walked around the games in the park. We ended the night with a street dance and beer garden. We were able to see a lot of our friends that we do and don't get to see a lot of. Isaac took a personal liking to Nicki Jeffrey! I think our little guy has a preference for brunettes!! He couldn't take his eyes off of her, he smiled, and flirted with her!!!

Sunday we attended a memorial in the cemetary for one of Bruce's relatives and a memorial day celebration. It was good that we went so we could see Grandma Ann at the memorial. On our way out of town we stopped in Lyons to see Grandma Florentine and have her meet Isaac. She had a fall a few weeks ago so she wasn't feeling herself that day but we hope her a speedy recovery and back to her usual self soon!!!

We don't have any pictures because I forgot the camera and haven't moved the pics from my phone yet. Hopefully next time!!!

Quiet Mom's Day & Happy Birthday Bruce!

We had a pretty quiet Mother's day this year. Mainly because the week before was more excitement than we really needed.

You see, for the last year and a half, I have been doing allergy shots to help me build an immunity to all that I am allergic to (which is just about everything outside). I have been on allergy medication since I was a child. It takes 3 shots for me since I am so allergic. So every week I trounce off to the allergist's office, let them stick me in the arm 3 times, wait 20 minutes and trounce off back to work. Tuesday the 3rd was anything but normal. Shortly after my shots were administered, I have an allergic reaction to them which sent me into Anaphlyactic shock. I had excellent medical providers in the office that provided immediate attention. 3 epi-pens, a LOT of prednisone and Benedryl, and an ambulance ride later I was stable in the ER where they were able to keep it all under control. I was kept in the ICU overnight for monitoring as there is generally a 2nd reaction that follows 4-8 hours after the initial reaction. There is a good reason that they don't allow you to self administer these shots. My reaction occured so fast that I would not have had enough time to call 911 or enough epi-pens to save myself had I been alone. It was very scary and I can't thank my medical providers enough for their quick response and care. I am back to doing the shots because they have literally changed my life for the better. My treatment plan has changed however, to avoid another occurance and my face from looking like an over inflate beach ball! (Insert the visual of Will Smith in the movie Hitch after he eats the shell fish here!!)

The rest of the week was really spent trying to recover and regain my strength. Coming off the prednisone was not easy. For this reason, Bruce's birthday was a bust. Luckily we had Uncle Mike and Aunt Angela to come to the rescue! Angela made Bruce dinner and brownies and Mike brought him beer! We did make up for it a little by going to a Brazilian steakhouse last night for date night.

Mother's day was spent hanging out with the kids and a walk in the Country Club Plaza because the weather was amazing! I have two wonderful children and a saint for a husband!!! We also wouldn't be where we are without the love and support of our own Mother's and Grandmothers!

This kid is RARELY in a bad mood! He's awesome!

She is a caring, happy, playful little Bugaboo or Hotrod!!

Our sweet little Angels

Fin Land 2010!

This weekend was adults only weekend! Bruce and I and a large group of friends went to the Jimmy Buffet concert. He finally came back to KC so we didn't have the long drive to and from Dallas this year!

For those of you that don't know, Bruce is a parrothead. Has been since long before I met him and now I am a parrothead by marriage. We have devoted our basement, the name of this blog, and a lot of money to supporting JB's retirement (as if he needs our help)! And times like this weekend make it all worth it. This is by far the best party I have ever been too. That guy has an amazing talent of marketing fun!

Saturday morning was spent getting the house ready for a group of friends to come over for the pre-party festivities...yep, we had a party before the party! Once our very cool and ever so awesome babysitter got there, we made our way down to power and light district to get into the mood with thousands of our closest parrothead friends. We had a great time. Of course Jimmy was amazing as usual and he sang a lot of our favorite songs! It was a beautiful afternoon! I mention our very amazing babysitter because mid-party Bruce asked her if she would stay all night, she agreed. Sunday morning Bruce and I were in no mood to get up at 6:00 so she got up fed the kids and stayed until 8:00 am! No, I won't share her!!!

Easter in IOWA-WA-WA-WA

We spent Easter this year in Iowa. This was Isaac's first road trip and lets just say the car seat is his kryponite. The little guy slept all the way there and all the way back. We were able to make good time this way! It was great!

Since Uncle Chad and Uncle Noel and their respective fams were spending Easter with other family members it was just the 6 of us. We did get to see Grandma and Grandpa Thompson, Uncle Buck, Aunt Gayle, Whitney, Brandon, & Zach which was a lot of fun! Saturday morning Emerson and Grandma had "spa day" where Emerson "cleaned out" Grandma's bathroom cabinets and then Grandma painted Emerson's fingernails. They both had a blast! Saturday night the Thompson side joined us for dinner and company. We painted Easter eggs and I am not sure who had more fun Whitney or Emerson! We had some great looking eggs! Bruce was being a buzz-kill and didn't want to participate but Whitney made him a K-State egg anyway. We didn't get a game of chicken-foot in like we wanted but it was a great time! Its been too long since we have been able just to sit around and catch up.

We did have some exciting news! Isaac rolled over all on his own for the first time on Saturday morning!!!

Sunday we got up and Emerson found half of the Easter bunnys stash of eggs before church. I don't think the Easter bunny anticipated that she is quite as observant as she is!! After church we finished the egg hunt and found the kids easter baskets. WOW did the Easter bunny go a little (No a lot) overboard this year! Isaacs basket was pouring over with candy and goodies and he doesn't even have teeth! The easter bunny is very nice and we thank him/her VERY much! We got some great pics of the weekend! We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Easter!!

Em must have found another Egg before we could get this picture taken!

Great Grandma & Great Papa with the kids!

Our happy little man!

Emerson and her Easter goods

Coloring Easter Eggs!

Isaac's Baptism

We welcomed Isaac into the Catholic faith this weekend. It was a great weekend full of family, friends, and fun! Thanks to everyone that attended the event and those that couldn't make it but sent love with cards and gifts!!

My oldest brother Chad and his fiance Roxanne graciously agreed to be Isaac's Godparents. We turned the weekend into a family get together since everyone gets the joy of traveling to come see us (yep, I really did say JOY=) Chad, Roxanne, Mom and Dad Kehrt came on Friday night. We spent the evening catching up. Emerson and Uncle Chad spent much of that time running around the house with her popper toy. Saturday the guys went golfing while us ladies went shopping. Isaac got the short end of the stick and had to go shopping with the girls...he's not quite strong enough to swing the club yet! That's Papa Kehrt's next project =) We grilled out Saturday night after Mom & Dad Oberle, Grandma Ann, Troy, Robin & the girls came into town. Emerson had an absolute blast racing Uncle Chad and Uncle Troy across the backyard-- without shoes! She had one of those very rare nights that when Grandma Kehrt took her up to bed, she went without complaint.

Sunday was a great day! Isaac did very well at the Baptism. He only cried when they put the oil on his head. There were 3 other little boys getting Baptized the same time. They do things a little differently here in Overland Park. Father Cullen surprised Chad and Rox when he informed them that the Godparents also have the responsibility to pay for Isaac's college! I promised him we wouldn't send Isaac to the U of Iowa or Kansas....if he wants to be a Dr, we'll send him to Penn State or maybe UCLA! Uncle Mike and Aunt Amy told Chad & Rox that they decided Emerson gets to go to Johnson County Community College....humm....we need to look at a plan B to pay for the rest!

It was a great weekend and we thank Chad and Rox for being a part of Isaac's special day and this aspect of his life!

Hurry up Uncle Chad....this popper doesn't pop itself!!

Uncle Troy's gaining on you Em!!!

Emerson & Isaac with the Easter bunny!!!

Emerson & Mickey were worn out after everyone left on Sunday!!

Happy Baptism Isaac!

Isaac getting the holy water poured over his head. He didn't even cry!