Karsten loving on Hannah

Since Karsten started crawling she always seems to find our dog Hannah. Karsten crawls, grabs, pulls, pokes and does just about anything to Hannah and what Karsten gets in return are doggie kisses(you have to love lab's). The two also have a trick going when Karsten is eating. Any food on Karsten's tray that she either doesn't like or when she just wants to see Hannah next to her K throws her food off of her tray on to the floor. Hannah hears the food hit the floor and immediately runs over to scarf up the scraps. We have never fed Hannah scraps, so now that Karsten does she has found a new best friend.

Karsten and Mommy hanging out poolside

1st Day of Swimming Lessons

Karsten had her first day of swimming lessons today at the Kroc Center in Coeur d'Alene. She was AWESOME in the water and acted as if it was nothing! She floated on her back, got her hair wet in the water, sat on the wall and tried to leap in toward Mommy and Daddy. The instructor was very surprised at how comfortable she was in the water. We are very excited for next week.

The best part was that it was WARM inside for Daddy and Mommy. So when you looked at the COLD rain outside, at least it felt like the Caribbean inside!

Karsten Crawling

Crawling

Well it is official! Karsten had hit the floor crawling! Life as we have known it is no longer. This new phase is fun...so far...and it has been pretty funny to see how she reacts to things. She often times is fussing while she is crawling as if to say "this is WAY hard work and I just want to be picked up". But the funny part is she is a champ at crawling to mommy and then crawling up my legs, looking up and begging to be held. She is just so dang cute! She rocks back and forth on her knees just looking up at you-I know, I know...SUCKER!!!!! So needless to say we are still trying to catch her on camera before she poops out. We will get some pictures posted soon.

Bald Eagles on Lake Coeur d'Alene

So each year in the wintertime the bald eagles always come back to the same bay in Lake Coeur d'Alene to feast on the kokanee salmon that are spawning. It is an amazing sight to see these bird up close and even better thru a telephoto camera lens! They swoop down from the trees, skim the lake water and snatch innocent fish with their huge claws...pretty fascinating to say the least. It is simply mind boggling that these incredible animals know to come back to the same place year after year.

This is the boat from downtown Coeur d'Alene that takes people on eagle watching tours.

This one has the remnants of a fish in its claws but I could not get a picture of it!

Absolutely beautiful and sunny, but COLD!!!

Great family time and a good walk along the lake to shake off the winter blues!

Daddy and his girl.

Merry Christmas!

We had a mellow, laid back and wonderful Christmas! The morning started out a bit eventful with Karsten's diaper totally soaking thru her new Christmas jammies and her bed sheets...so off for an early morning bathtub we went! After we got that all taken care of we were off to opening stockings and presents.

It was so fun to see Karsten engage and rip the paper off of her presents. Although, sensory overload set in and we had to take a break for some breakfast, but then were off for round two!

Karsten's first stocking

Her name puzzle for Auntie Jenn and Uncle John

The purple "s" is a favorite
Like I said before, the purple "s" is so fun!

Cousin Abby, thanks for the books and bible song CDs.

New wheels-yeah!

Karsten's first fishing pole, fly vest and lifetime Idaho fishing license.

Gaga and Papa, this new toy makes GREAT sounds! Honk, honk, vroom, vroom...

Christmas Eve

We had a very nice Christmas Eve. We always spend it going to church and dinner is with Britt's family. It was a great evening together and yummy dinner too! Karsten loves hanging out with her cousins!

Daddy reading Karsten her new Max Lucado book "The Crippled Lamb" from Aunt T and Uncle Rich.

K was already in her jammies as we thought she was going to "hit the wall" right in the middle of dinner...but she rallied and was a joy as usual!

"Karsten's 1st Christmas" bib. It was sent from Britt's former boss in Philadelphia.

Waiting to get my dress on for church. Just a little naked playtime.

Decorating Cookies :-)

Uncle Rich, Tommy, Richie and Sarah showing off their beauties.
Gaga and Sarah whipping up some goodies!

Karsten's first Christmas cookie!

Hmmm...this is hard work.

Can't I just eat it???

Sledding in Leavenworth

Britt's family takes a trip to Leavenworth, WA each weekend before Christmas. We had hoped for more snow, but looks like the East Coast got our "White Christmas" this year. Still fun was had by all.

Whoa, I can actually move in this thing!
Now THIS is the way to travel.

Cousin Sarah loves to play with Karsten.

Chris and Britt giving it a whirl...off kilter even at the top!

Whoa...

Ummm...isn't the sled supposed to be UNDER you, not next to you?

Ah, made for a good laugh. Sledding is good medicine for the soul.

Mommy rethinking taking Karsten for a spin. Auntie Jenn says that Mommy's face looks like she is on the Matterhorn at Disneyland, not halfway up some dinky sledding hill!!!

OK, life is good when we are at the bottom.

Simply, FUN.