Finally! Pics of Cole's Room

I forgot that I haven't posted this pictures of Cole's Room yet. Even though he's been occupying this room now for more than 2 months, I thought I'd share the pics with you.

Thank you for the homemade blankie, Ms. Chelle!

2009 Cookie Decorating

We got together with Mom and Dad Binder to do our annual cut-out cookie decorating. It was so much fun.


Cole taking a snooze. This cookie decorating is exhausting.


Dale and Dad hard at work.

Caiden loves this!

Some of the completed cookies!

Christmas Program at Mom's Day Out

The kids at the mom's day out program that Dawson attends performed a Christmas play and hosted a luncheon. Dawson was an angel in the play. They sang songs and told the Christmas story.


Here's Dawson doing some crafts while Dale and I pose for a picture.


Cole and Dawson visiting with Santa.

Our Lil' Angel.

Our "angel" in action!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

Our friend Mara had a birthday party at our local roller skating rink a few weeks ago. I hadn't been on skates in quite some time and my boys have never skated before. Caiden enjoyed it much more than Dawson but they both did pretty good. It was great exercise for me. I'd forgotten how much it is!

Some alone time!

Caiden wanted to make these reindeer cookies that he found in his National Geographic Kids magazine. He was so excited! That afternoon on the way home from school I told him that we were going to make the cookies that night. He turned to Dawson and said, "Dawson you and Daddy are going to have to find something to do tonight because mamma and I need some alone time." I guess I have to bake cookies to arrange "alone time" with my precious first-born!

He also recently announced that he isn't too sure that he is going to be a doctor but instead wants to be a chef.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Firsts!

Cole's first smile captured by daddy!

Let It Snow!

The boys are totally wishing for some good snow as we prepare to head to Michigan for the Thanksgiving holiday. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

As for me, I'd rather be headed to Hawaii for some basking in the sun.

Another One Bites the Dust

Caiden lost another tooth last week, total counting now 4. He has lost his 2 front top teeth, as well as his 2 bottom front teeth. Now, he can officially stick his tongue all the way through. The boy is proud of that!

Sugar Beets

For those of you who follow my blog and don't live in Michigan farm country, these are sugar beets. Its harvesting season right now just in time for holiday baking season.

The Big Hunt

Caiden went deer hunting with Dale for the first time this year. They did see deer but didn't shoot one. Caiden loved it and had a great time. I don't have too many details. You know the saying, "what happens at deer camp, stays at deer camp."


Looking down the scope.

Decked out in hunter orange.

The view from the blind.

Three's a Charm

After knocking out his 2 front teeth in two separate accidents, Caiden finally lost his first bottom tooth...honestly! Yeah!

Big Brother Love

Caiden and Dawson have both now officially "held" baby Cole.

Awwwwww!

Halloween 2009

We followed our annual tradition and went to the Thompsons house for dinner and then trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Chelle totally outdid herself and made a very spooky, fun dinner, complete with mummy dogs and eye cupcakes.





The kids had a blast! The movie series, Star Wars and The Chronicles of Narnia were represented well by the costumes our kids wore. Cole was the odd man out and was dressed like a horse. They all were so cute!

Sometimes you just gotta act a little...

gOofY!

New Baby Pics

Cole Joseph Binder is Here!

Cole Joseph Binder arrived last Thursday, October 15th at 12:25 pm. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 13 ounces...an amazingly small baby for our family. He was 19 inches long. We came home from the hospital on Sunday. We're both doing well. He's adorable and his brothers thinks he's cute too. Pictures will be posted soon!

Calendar Organization

I can't believe the amount of paperwork/notes/calendars, etc. that I can accumulate in one week with Caiden being in kindergarten and Dawson being in mom's day out. Add to this my church/work calendar and Dale's work calendar, our "family outings" calendar and you've got one big mess. The refrigerator had gotten so covered at one point a few weeks ago, I forgot what color it was. Then, the Pottery Barn Kids catalog arrived and I got inspired by this.





The only problem...their cork boards are listed at $179.00 each and I can't afford any of the furniture either. But, I came up with my own plan and its been working fabulously. And, I'm continuing to work on Dale for my own version of the desk/study space shown above. But, I started with the calendar and the desk/study space project is just a tad on hold for now. So, if you are trying to organize every one's calendar in to one space, this may be a great idea for you too.



The calendar is centrally located in our kitchen. I update the calendar each Sunday evening. I use a different color card for each family member (white for family events) and download clip art to add to the cards to make them more interesting. Even Caiden (who can't read yet) can check out his schedule and know what's going on for the day by the pictures. I spent about $30.00 on supplies.

Fall Ball

Caiden is playing in the fall baseball league. They've only had 2 games so far and they won both of them. The fall is a lot more laid back and a much shorter season than in the spring. He is on the team named Tennessee Thunder. He loves it and keeps getting better and better.


"Baseball Ready!"

The official player pose.

The huddle.

Labor Day at the Lake

We went to a local lake for Labor Day. It is becoming kind of a tradition - sort of a last hurrah for the summer. The boys love it. Dawson particularly enjoys playing in the sand. Caiden has just now gotten to like the water and playing Frisbee with his daddy. It was a beautiful, hot day. We went home tired, sunburned and happy. Even got to stop at Dairy Queen for a special treat. A perfect ending to a great day.


I love this shot. I can only imagine what they are talking about.


This is about as far in to the water as Dawson got.


Caiden just kicking.

The boys building a sand fort.