Caitlyn loves bowling since we have a new bowling alley in town. It is the neatest place.
They have automatic bumpers that go up for children. And down for adults.
You can eat right at your table. And that my friends makes my little guy happy as well, even if he can't hold all the big bowling balls that he so desperately wants!
Caitlyn turned four years old on January 29th. My precious little strawberry blond girl has turned our life upside down from the moment she entered this world. We thought everything was fine, smooth even. Little did we know that she was not breathing and would have to spend 5 days in NICU. We have had moments like that ever since. Like on her two year old birthday, everything was great and then she became our wild child! Then we began potty training and that seemed to be going very smoothly and then a year and a half later (and two frustrated parents) she got it! 
She loved her birthday party. She has been looking forward to it. Asking about it. For months. In fact, as soon as we were done opening Christmas presents she asked if Christmas was over. She was very disappointed to find out it wasn't. You see, she knew her birthday was sometime after Christmas. 
We celebrated at Chuck E Cheese with a couple of her closet friends. I highly recommend this low stress party paradise because they even cut the cake for you.
Daddy picked out her cake this year and I think he did a fantastic job. Caitlyn loved it! After she blew out the candles, Chuck E came out and sang a birthday song. Well, you have never seen Caitlyn move so fast. She was under the table in a flash. She would have nothing to do with that fuzzy looking rat creature thing. It was hysterical.
She recovered quickly and enjoyed the rest of the festivities.
She loves Polly Pockets, Barbie, Littlest Pet Shop, anything pink, and anything she sees on TV.
Caitlyn has grown up so much this year. She amazes me. She is a wonderful big sister and adores her brother. She is mostly protective and loving. I am amazed at how well she can manuever on the computer. She can play on www.noggin.com like a pro after opening up the internet explorer and finding the internet site under favorites. She knows where the games are even when there is no picture that goes with it. She is beginning to read books by telling the story by the pictures. It is so fun to watch this happen as I have taught this reading skill in class many times over. She has learned to operate the water and ice dispenser on the refrigerator door. She is such a good helper as she gets water for herself, her brother, helps put her clothes away and empty the dishwasher. Even though it's a hit and miss, she is a good at picking up her toys all by herself. She can reach light switches now. Get dressed by herself.
It's hard to believe that my little man is already 17 months old. 
He is the happiest when he is eating, in the bath, or outside.
He adores his sister and does everything she does (or at least tries to).
I love to hear him giggle and he has the most adorable smile ever!
He loves to crawl on everything. He has even learned to crawl up on the swingset/playhouse which has a tall ladder on it.
He also still cuddles, wants to be held and climbs up in my lap whenever possible.
Unfortunately this is what happens when he stands on the dining room chair, rocks it back and forth and then falls. He hit his head against the granite countertop and then the floor. I was in such a panic that I was ready to take him to the ER. I called Jeff's office, had him pulled out of a room and he talked me down. In fact he laughed and said something like, "Calm down. It's just the first of many." And of course he went back over as soon as possible and climbed up in another dining room chair.
This post is so late because I just don't get around to blogging anymore. It is rather sad but I'm going to try to make myself but it is such a nice way to preserve memories. And this post is such a great memory. 
Then we found this amazing ball house. It was a 3-4 story house with soft balls that you put in tubes so they got sucked up to the top and then you could put them in guns and shoot them out. The kids loved it and we spent a good hour there. 
Caitlyn really enjoyed all the rides this year because they have so many kids rides that she can ride, even some she can ride all by herself!
Here she is in all her glory! A true picture of my girl with her cousins Maleea and Noah. Noah and Caitlyn walked through the park holding hands. It was so cute!
Here is my Grandpa (who by the way is in the best shape) and his 7 daughters.
Brent had a great time and learned to crawl up on the coffee table, couch and chairs while we were in Branson.
Caitlyn enjoyed being with her cousins Ava and Olivia nonstop while we were there!
We had our own church service, swimming pool times, mini golf tournaments and bowling day.
We had to get two lanes for all the kids and of course they didn't keep score but they did have a blast!
This was Caitlyn's first time to bowl and she loved it but tired easily after insisting on picking up an 8 lb. repeatedly. She was then ready to eat some good 'ol bowling ally food.
Mimi enjoyed helping the kids bowl though. I think it was just her speed!!!
