Thanksgiving at Maggie Valley

We went to Maggie Valley for Thanksgiving with the Konrad side and had a blast. We didn't get any snow this year but it was still beautiful and Boo joined us this year. Caden was in a cast, but he didn't let that stop him, he quickly learned how to walk with the cast on. We went into Gatlinberg one day and although it was freezing, we had a good time.

The boys have started wrestling. Most of the time they both love it, but of course once in a while one will get upset.

We took the boys to the aquarium, they LOVED it!

Caden had his first volunteer job, ringing the bell for the salvation army!

Personalities

Caden and Caleb are so different and yet are so good to each other. Caleb is very shy around people he doesn't know. We've been trying to work on giving everyone hugs and kisses but Caleb won't do it. He's started giving Eric and I hugs and kisses more often, but it still has to be his idea for the most part. Caden however LOVES to give hugs and kisses! He'll give them to complete strangers. It's so sweet, and of course, they're mouth wide open kisses! At the mall, Gram and Pappaw were interviewed by a television news station about holiday shopping and Caden kept trying to kiss the reporter :). I'll have to post that video later!

Caleb may be shy around strangers, but he is a complete goof ball around the people he knows well. He is so silly and reminds Eric of himself when he was a kid. Lately, when he's hyper, he spins around in circles, giggling, until he falls down. Then he does it again and again until he's really dizzy.

Caleb has gotten really good at eating from a spoon. He's able to scoop every bite and get it to his mouth without spilling it. Caden still isn't interested in giving that a try. He's completely happy eating with his hands.

Caden has an unusually long attention span. He can sit through an entire movie, he loves to read and will sit, looking at a book for a very long time.

Both Caden and Caleb talk a lot, even though we can't understand most of what they're trying to say. Caleb loves to say Pappaw and will repeat almost anything we tell him to say. Caden doesn't repeat what we say or say clear words as often as Caleb, but then he'll say something that blows us away. Last week I was feeding them hot dogs for lunch and Caden said "hot dog" as clear as could be. A few days ago Eric was sleeping in the recliner and Caden walked over to him, hit his legs and said "Wake up" twice. We were shocked! Gram also got a video of Caden trying to repeat "I love you". I'll post that later.

Caden loves milk! If we give him a cup he downs the whole thing immediately, whereas Caleb will take sips here and there between playing. Both boys love fruit, especially grapes and they love sweets. They love noodles, Mexican food and pizza. Jude and Jen watched the boys last night for a few hours and said that Caleb ate three pieces of pizza!

They love to make animal sounds, Caden is great at "quack, quack".

They love to brush their teeth (although they don't want to give the toothbrush back) and they love to take baths. They like to play with bats and balls and they love to read. They just recently started drawing and coloring.

Santa

We took the boys to see Santa. They were really excited as we were standing in line, and when it became our turn, Caden climbed out of Eric's arms and ran to Santa. Caleb however, was excited until we got close to Santa and then he got scared. There was no way he was letting me put him down in Santa's lap. So I held Caleb next to Santa instead!

Christmas at Gram and Pappaw's

We had an early Christmas celebration with the Konrad side in Cincinnati. When we arrived, there was fresh snow, so the boys got to play in the snow for the first time. We had a great visit and Caden and Caleb loved their presents. Caden loves Toy Story, and Shorty got them Toy Story books, once Caden opened them he didn't want to set them down. She also made them and Eric matching beanies...they look so cute! They got so many great presents! Gram and Pappaw got them a tent and tube that we can't wait to set up in our loft. And they got so many fun toys and outfits. We also went to their cousin Aidan's 1st birthday party. Donita got a cute picture of Caleb, Aidan, Cole and Caden. Here are some pictures of the fun we had at their house!

Christmas at Gram and Pap paw

Caleb's Favorite Things

Caleb loves cooking and cleaning! At home, if I'm sweeping or vacuuming he's right next to me trying to help. Sometimes I'll let him have the broom after I finish and he walks around the kitchen trying to sweep. He looks so cute, the broom is twice the length he is! If anyone is cooking he has to be held by that person so that he can see what's on the stove. When I'm home alone with them I usually have them both in highchairs next to the stove while I cook. Over the Christmas holidays he got the opportunity to play at Jude and Jen's house and at Rich and Suzie's who both have play kitchens at their houses. He didn't want to leave! He had such a blast playing with their pots and pans and especially the spoons and measuring cups.

New Discoveries Continued

Caden has loved airplanes for the past few months. When we're outside he watches for them in the sky and spots them before anyone else can see them. Twice, Eric and I have taken them to the airport to watch airplanes take off and land. Gram got a video of Caden and Caleb flying like an airplane when we were in Maggie Valley for Thanksgiving. I'll try to upload the video later, it's not working right now.

New Discoveries

This year I have been really bad about keeping up with the boys blog. Between nursing school and those busy little guys, I haven't had much extra time to keep up with this. But my new resolution is to do a better job of chronicling their lives and new adventures.

In November, Caden fell off of our rocking horse and fractured his right tibia! He had to wear a cast for 3 weeks. He was such a good sport and never complained or acted as as though the cast bothered him.