Kayla was so excited to see Santa and sit on his lap. We asked her what she is going to tell Santa, and what she wants for Christmas and she replied "Grammy and Grandpa!" When the time came for the kids turn to sit on Santa's lap, Kayla was excited, yet a bit shy and apprehensive. I think her face says it all. I love this picture. Merry Christmas!!
Yesterday, we ventured to Frankenmuth, Michigan (about an hour and 15 minute drive) to enjoy some good holiday fun. This is the city that resides the largest Christmas store in the world, and believe me, if you are looking for ANY kind of ornament you are sure to find it there. We had a great time exploring and the kids loved seeing all the fun Christmas things and lights. We are so excited for Christmas at the Skousen household.
Can you believe it? We actually went sledding in MICHIGAN. There is one lonesome hill very close by us. Last Sunday it snowed a lot and we took advantage of it and decided to buy a saucer and slide down the slope. Unfortunately, the snow is now almost gone. We are hoping for a big snow storm for Christmas.
My handsome little snowman!
Kayla has had these stockings for three winters (and this is her third winter of her life). Well, I had to laugh because a few days ago we were at Eliza and Camille's house (our really good friends here) and Kayla ran over to me and said, "MOM! Look! My toe is saying HI!" It was so cute how she said it, and now she always wants to wear her "toe socks" when we get all bundled up. I love our cute little Kayla.
It is about time that I put some pictures up of our Christmas tree. This year we went to a Christmas tree farm to cut one down, but I think we picked the wrong day because it was FRIGID!!!! It was very windy and when Isaiah began to cry because of the cold, I swear his tears froze instantly to his face. After searching for a Christmas tree for about 10 minutes Joe and I decided that it was WAY too cold and the kids had had enough. So as we were heading back to the car, Joe and I both spotted a good looking tree from a distance and decided we would cut it down. We didn't even look at the price tag, which might have been better on our life savings, but it was well worth the money to quickly get back to warmth.
From the first Sunday we moved here to Ann Arbor, Sandy has always LOVED Kayla. She has become Kayla and Isaiah's adopted Grandma. When we first moved here, she was just getting over a hard battle of cancer. About a year ago she was cancer free. Sadly to say, she was diagnosed yet again just a few weeks ago. A few days ago Kayla made this bouquet of her hands cut out with all different colors of paper to look like flowers. We also printed the kids pictures out and glued them to two of the hands. Kayla was so excited to visit her at the hospital and give her the "hand flowers". So here's to Sandy that she can battle this cancer again!!! We love you!
Any mom out there can understand that during the day when you gotta use the bathroom it isn't the most private time. Kayla wants to look in the mirror and see how pretty she is, and Isaiah wants to put toilet paper in the toilet while I am using the toilet. So, to solve this dilemma, Joe put a child proof door knob on the door so the kids won't play in the toilet and walk in while others are using the bathroom.
We have been trying to potty train Kayla little by little and when we sit her on the potty we tell her encouraging things like: "You can do it!" or "You are doing great!" or we even say "Push!".
Well, today I had a funny experience. I went to the bathroom, shut the door, and a second later I heard a knock on the door. The conversation went as follows:
Kayla: Mom, what are you doing?
Me: Just using the potty, I'll be out in a second.
Kayla: Do you need help?
Me: No, I'll be out soon.
Kayla: Mommy, you can do it!!
Me: Thanks Kayla ( I said with a laugh)
Then I heard Kayla say, "Mommy, PUSH!! Good job, you are a big girl!"
I just had to laugh. The joys of raising a 2 year old. I love it!
Sydney and Isaiah loved kissing each other. They are such cute little friends.
I love this action shot of Isaiah going down the slide.
On the promenade walk. It is such a beautiful view of the city and it was a BEAUTIFUL Thanksgiving day. About 70 degrees all day long.
Jackson and Kayla are the best of buddies. They loved holding hands and walking around together.
Joe and Kayla made their very first gingerbread house together. We had a party at Joe's school and made these with a lot of families. Kayla had a blast. I found her this morning standing on a chair eating all the candy with hard frosting all over her hands and chin. I just had to laugh, I couldn't get mad.
The other night, Joe turned on music and the kids just started dancing like crazy. They are definitely better dancers than me, they must have inherited all their dance moves from Joe. Here are a few great shots of them:
After about 30 minutes of dancing, we caught Kayla unzipping Isaiah's sleeper and blowing on his little tummy. It was the cutest thing and they were both laughing! It is so much fun to have such cute kids that love each other.
Isaiah and his cute contagious smile!
We had a great time visiting Jenny's Farm. Joe and I visit often and Kayla loves the goats and the ponds. One time Kayla was a little too excited about the ponds and actually fell in. It traumatized her so much that every time we go now, she reminds us that we shouldn't walk on the rocks by the pond or we will fall in. And she thanks Joe every time for saving her.
What a wonderful time we had with my parents this past week. It was so good to be with them and Kayla was especially excited to be with them. It was so fun to show them around Ann Arbor, go to Kirtland, go on walks, apple orchards, and just be together. It went by way too fast, we wish they could have stayed longer!
Kayla performing with Grandpa with our puppet show. It was so great!
We had the great opportunity of visiting Kirtland Ohio with my parents. It was so neat to see the temple, sites where Joseph Smith received revelation, where he was tarred and feathered, and all the places where trying things happened to the Saints. It made me so thankful for this heritage and the blessings we enjoy because of all the sacrifice.
Here is Grandpa and Kayla picking baby pine cones by the Kirtland temple. We have so many of these floating around our house, Kayla just loves them.
Here are my two handsome boys. I saw this suit for Isaiah the other day and I couldn't resist. I had to buy it. I have always wanted a little boy in a suit. My dreams came true today. What a cutie.
Even Kayla wanted to try the suit on. Doesn't she make it look feminine?
Here's a picture of the family before going to the ward Halloween party.
One of the joys of being a parent is walking into a child's room after they have fallen asleep and see how the little one is doing and in what position they fell asleep.Well, much to our surprise, a few nights ago, our little Isaiah was almost naked and Kayla fell asleep in a laundry basket. Joe and I laughed so hard.
You gotta love kids and the funny things they do!!
Kayla and Isaiah have so much fun finding little nooks and crannies to hide in. They have so much fun together and Isaiah is getting more and more interactive every day.
I have so many friends and family beginning blogs, that I thought it is about time that the Skousen Family starts too. Joe has finished his second year of law school, only one more year and hopefully we can get out of our mounds of debt. We love it in Michigan, especially in the Fall. We are looking forward to this fall for all the good apple picking and cider drinking.
Kayla is such a wonderful daughter. She is now 2 and is full of life. She is talking so much and loves her little brother (but only a little brother in age, he has just about passed her up in weight). In fact, we get asked quite often if they are twins. She is small for her age and he is enormous.
Isaiah has a quiet disposition. He is such a good baby, I couldn't ask for a better one. He is all boy, wanting to take everything apart and food is always on his mind. We love him so much!
I will post again soon! 
