my little girl's growing up

 

Katelyn has wanted her ears pierced for a long time, call me old fashioned but I wanted to wait until she was old enough that she could enjoy wearing earrings and take care of her ears by herself.  So I have always told her at the age of 9 she could get her ears pierced.  I think by the time she was nine I was more excited than she was to get it done.  My plan almost backfired on me- she was so nervous and scared.  I think she had a little too much time to think about things.  She was pretty determined until the last few seconds in the chair and then she changed her mind, "I don't want to do it!"  By that time it was a little too late, I took her hand and said "look at me, you will be okay".  One, two three and she was done!

 

Katelyn's best friend Ally also wanted to get her ears pierced.  So Heather and I had planned our big trip together.  Katelyn was first and by the time it was Ally's turn I think she wasn't so sure about it.  Thank goodness for moms!

 

Here is Ally right before, and Heather appears to be holding on for dear life. 

I think Ally couldn't squeeze her moms hands any harder.

And here are our two girls with their beautiful new earrings!  (They choose matching earrings.) After it was all over Katelyn said, "I am so proud of myself!"  I was proud of her too. 

Super Boy!

It's great to be 2!

 I have wanted to take a picture of AJ in his super boy jammies before he out grows them.  He has loved these jammies and it is his top pick every night.  He is so cute, when he is wearing his super boys he raises his hands high above his head and says..."Super Boyyyyy!" I am going to miss these jammies when he gets older.

 These jammies even come with a super boy cape and boots.

Our little ones had their first sleep over all together in the family room.  They were so excited to sleep together.  Unfortunately the sleepover only lasted 45 min.  Andrew thought if it more as play time than sleep time.  Maybe when he's a little older we will try again.

Merry Christmas

 Christmas morning at the Kotter house.  The kids couldn't believe their eyes.  "Look at all the presents!"

 The biggest surprise came from Santa this year.  Pillow pets for one and all!

Aubrey wanted the dog.  Andrew asked Santa for a "pengin pillow pet" (penguin).  I never tired of him saying "pengin".  Katelyn was thrilled with her monkey.

 Andrew got a T-ball set for Christmas.  He really liked swinging the bat.  After a few swings I knew it was time the T-ball set go outside.

 Katelyn and Aubrey both asked for a real dog this year for Christmas.  Katelyn told me I could just tie the dog to the Christmas tree so it would be there in the morning when they woke up.  I had to break the news to her, there would not be a real dog this Christmas.  So it was fun Christmas morning watching them open their "FurReal walking pup" that barks and acts like a real dog but doesn't leave little messes behind for mom to clean up.

Twister anyone?

 Andrew really got into the spirit of opening presents.  He had the look of surprise before he even opened his gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

 The Nerf gun wasn't Andrews gift this year.  But as soon as he saw it he knew that he wanted one.  I think he's going to have to wait a few more years before that dream will come true.

 Katelyn with her cousin McKylee at Great Grandma's Christmas party.

Grandpa surrounded by the grandkids.  There is no other place he would rather be.

Even more BIG news! Katelyn & the Utes

Katelyn was selected to be the honorary team captain of the Utah Utes basketball team.  We were given four floor seats for the game and escorted to the floor for the big pre-game show.

Here is our star in action.  She's got her name on the big screen and the crowd is cheering for her!  Yeah Katelyn!

Katelyn shows her Utes spirit on the big screen. 

Katelyn is in the white shirt.  She was in the line up for welcoming the team to the court as they called the starting players names.  She got to give them a high five as they came running down the court.  My favorite part was when the players huddled in their group to do their chant before the big game and Swoop, the team mascot, took her over the be part of the huddle.  She looked so small with all the tall players surrounding her.  The kids all loved the extra attention that Swoop gave to them during the game.  After the game one of the players came over and gave the kids a high five.

I think that this was Dave just living out his dream.  I tell him he has brain washed our kids.  Truthfully the experience was one we will never forget.  We all had a great time with the exception of Aubrey who just thought the game was too long!

The annual Christmas tree Extravaganza!

Finding the perfect Christmas tree is not an easy task.  Especially when the snow is 3ft deep.  We were happy to find our tree this year,and even happier that we didn't loose one of our kids in the deep snow!

Thanks again to the Braeggers this year!  We had a great time at the cabin, making memories that will last a lifetime.

The kids enjoyed sledding and being pulled behind the 4-wheeler in the sled.

This picture says it all about AJ and his feelings for the snow.  "I don't like the white stuff, please don't make me touch it! Are you people just going to leave me here?"

Aubrey embraces the cold snow. She loves to have fun and jump right in.  Yesterday the girls were playing in the front yard together, and Aubrey took Katelyn's hat and filled it with snow.  I couldn't believe it, my sweet Aubrey has a devil wild side to her.

Where would Katelyn and Ally be without each other. 

See Heather, I told you I took a cute picture of you!

Dave had to work pretty hard at convincing AJ that a sled ride was a good idea.  I found out that taking the kids sledding really means a lot of work for mom and dad.  I was exhausted after our big day!

Thanksgiving with the Kotters

Thanksgiving was celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa Kotter's this year.  It was a special year to have our cousins from Virginia join us for the festivities.  Katelyn with her cousin Mikelle.

Aubrey and Sydney are like too peas in a pod.  They are alike in every way.  They love to play with a set of childrens crutches that Grandma Mona has and they both are big fans of dogs.  I think a dog this Christmas is on both their wish lists.  Hopefully they will be happy with the stuffed animal kind.  I don't think either of their parents are ready for the real thing.

Even AJ got in on the action at the little kids table.  He was assigned to the parents table but he made his wishes known that he wanted to be with his people.

HaLloWeEn

Everyone was in the Halloween Spirit this year, everyone except Mom! Dave was a bowling nerd, Katelyn Dr. Evil, Aubrey a princess, (she definitely has the hair for it!) and Andrew a Firefighter.  The family all dressed up for our annual Ward Halloween party.

Katelyn wanted to be Dr. Evil this year.  Everyone was surprised by her pick, they thought she was too sweet to be evil.  I think she had a great idea and she executed it well.  She was very scary, all her little friends loved the body parts!

The kids had a lot of fun with their costumes.  After a visit to the Braegger house (Thanks Heather!), the kids decided that it would be fun to dress up in something new. LtoR: Andrew (skunk), Aubrey (bunny) & Jensen (ghost).

We all love the skunk costume.  It has been a favorite in the Braegger household and ours!  Aubrey was the skunk a few years ago and still remembers it.  I think this costume couldn't be more fitting for Andrew, he is a little stinker!

Kids getting ready to head out for Trick or Treating.

It was a rainy and cold this year.  Dave and I have a understanding.  If it's a cold year for Trick or Treating, he's taking the kids out.  I am not one who likes the cold.