All in an hour...

In an hours time we... Made a slide out of a changing table and pad.

Played the piano Nicolaysen style. Everyone wants to sit on Mom's lap. It doesn't look like it in the picture, but Preston did enjoy it.

Did what's known in the Callister family as either "airplane" or "superman". And I thought Mom's didn't have time to work out.

Katelyn got the confidence to stand all the way up on Mom's hands. Preston didn't want to be left out so he crawled in for the picture. After that we had baths, snacks, and we are off to read some books and go to bed. I love being a mom!

We had an AWESOME time in McCall with Stephen's family. Of course I suck and forgot my camera once again, so I am awaiting pictures of boating and Katelyn's birthday. More to come!!

Last minute trip to Utah...

I took a last minute trip to Utah to see my old step siblings that I haven't seen in over 10 years. Stephen came really last minute, he decided to come 45 minutes before we left, and boy we are glad he did. We had a great time laughing and crying and remembering old times.

Okay sad, I stole this picture from my friend Brittainy's face book page and this is how it turned out. But we met for lunch at the Olive Garden and it was so nice to catch up with her and her husband.

Katelyn and Rachel hit it off right away. When we were leaving Katelyn said, "Oh I forgot, I need to give my friend loves." Like her pants low riding? Mom forgot to pack a belt.

Chad and his girls, Heather, Mandi, Katelyn, Kendra and Stephen

Chad, Heather, Kendra, and Mandi. I did see Ricki another brother, but I didn't bring my camera and I am too impatient to wait for them to email me. I also got to see my old step mom. It was so much fun and I hope to keep in contact with all of them.

Can't believe it's been 5 years...

On August 14, 2004 we were married for time. I was 19 and he was 20.

On July 15, 2005 we bought our first home.

On August 16, 2005 we were married for eternity.

In May 2006 Stephen graduated Magna Cum Late with a double major in History and Political Science and Kendra quit her job to stay home.

On August 25, 2006 our daughter Katelyn Riley was born.

On October 30, 2008 our son Stephen Preston was born.

We've had some really good times and a couple of road bumps along the way, but life is really treated us well. Oh how I love this man!!!

Tonight we are off to dinner, a movie, and a hotel suite for some much needed time alone. Shout out to Carl and Pam for watching our kids. I can't wait. I even shaved my legs! HA!

Our trip to the Oregon Coast...

This is Katelyn. See Katelyn play in the sand. See Katelyn smile.

Katelyn ran into the ocean. See Katelyn face plant in the water. See Stephen. See Stephen run to save Katelyn.See Katelyn without a shirt. See Mom. See Mom run. See Mom run after Katelyn with no shirt.See dirty Katelyn play in the sand. So we went to the Oregon Coast and me being naive, thought we would actually be able to swim in it. It threw us all for a loop when we drove an hour and half and went from 104 degree weather to 58. Needless to say, I was not prepared. When I realized it was apparent that we would not be swimming I thought we could at least get cute family pictures. HA! These are about all we got. Katelyn had a blast, and we did end up having a good time.

Deep Thoughts by Kendra Nicolaysen...

This post is totally random things. I think about posts often and these are on my mental to-do-list, so here you go. This is our hall that I love now. For those of you who have come over in the last couple months, I know this is old news, but I am still excited about it. We used to have this icky green leafy wall paper, now we have a stylish brown with wainscoting on the bottom, love it.

I worked at the Humanitarian center a couple of weeks ago and took home some pillow cases to sew, it inspired me to finish some other projects. I cut bite marks out of the middle apple on the shirt, I think I am pretty clever. Sewing with a toddler and a baby, good times. Doesn't happen often.

I bought this cute little sign and we hung it up on our front patio (Stephen actually hung this one with his mom, tee hee hee) it will not stay straight. But I decided I like it crooked, because that's my life. It's wonderful, and it's a little crooked. :) Deep, I know.

I gave Preston his first hair cut with Stephen's face razor that has this neat blade to cut side burns. He kept trying to grab it, so I was pretty proud of myself that I didn't mess up.

And my last thought, (there are no pictures on this one, you'll thank me later). After being bit 4 times in 36 hours, we gave up on nursing. Preston loves bottles and formula. It's weird to me, but good. I was sad for a little while but realized I don't need nursing to bond with him.

And the Mother of the Year award goes to....

Da da da da...Kendra Nicolaysen!! Way to go on making sure that the tray and floor were clean instead of insuring that the tray was securely on. I pretty much hate myself right now.

Dodd Reunion

Long Drive, Beautiful mountains, nice sleeping quarters, great food, great company, Rook, Rook and More Rook. Soft Ball, Sliding down the mountain slide and screaming because you can't hold on. Intimate moments caught in the making, (not going to mention any names), laughing so hard. Katelyn peeing her pants and then running around without them for all to see. Attempting to be cool and go "Running" with Stephen. Elevation is 6,000 feet, allergies are bad, I am not as cool as I think I am.

On the way home Katelyn trying to get out of her car seat.

Mom, "Katelyn you can't get out because if Dad crashes you'll get hurt."
Katelyn, "Crash the car Dad."
Repeated several times and getting louder each time, by the 10th chant, Mom joins in.

Get home, 4 loads of laudry to do and surprise it's done!!! Relief in knowing that the next reunion is not for another 2 years. Ha.