Christmas-time with FOUR kids!

Obviously, our Christmas plans changed with our new addition, so we had multiple celebrations with family in the weeks the followed. Travis and Bryana were able to be with us that first week. We had a blast with all of the kids!

The Best Christmas Eve Gift EVER

For those of you who are sick of seeing Nick's bloody head, we have something a lot cuter for you to look at - Makenna Noelle. She was born Christmas Eve, which was a special surprise! The night before, Nick and I had planned a date to see "The Forgotten Carols" at the Orpheum in downtown Phoenix. My water broke right before we left, but I wasn't quite sure that was what had happened, so we decided to go to the show. As the show progressed, I became more certain that I wasn't just experiencing pregnancy incontinence, so we called my OB at intermission. He said if I wasn't experiencing hard contractions, I should just stay and enjoy the show, then get our things ready and head to the hospital. So we did! (Great show, by the way!) We got to the hospital just before midnight, and she was born the next morning at 8:29.

Nick's Trauma

This Monday, Nick underwent minor "surgery" to remove a cyst on his head. He called as he left the doctor's office, moaning and groaning in pain! I told him next time I'll come to hold his hand! Actually, he did very well and is glad to have that procedure over with! He'll have the stitches removed shortly and will forget the whole ordeal!

Hiking with the Brummers

Early in October, we went on a Saturday morning hike in the Superstitions with our friends, the Brummers. Nick carried Kaden back-pack style, and I carried Makenna as I do every day (my load was a little lighter than Nick's that day!) You can see in one picture that Kaden had to lean around Nick's back to get a good view of the mountains ahead of us. Our friend, Lindsay, caught all of these great pics, including those of our little hiker-in-training. He loved it! (And the weather was amazing!)

Attachment

Kaden is getting more and more attached to people. Grandpa and Grandma Balls left a few months ago to serve as full-time missionaries in San Jose, CA. Soon after they left, I caught Kaden stacking up books to get their pcture from it's normal place and putting it on a shelf that he would have easy access to. Pretty sweet!

The other picture is Nick's return from his big "hunting" trip in September. Ask him about it sometime! :) He came home sunburned, dirty, and smelly, but Kaden didn't care! He just wanted to give Daddy a BIG, long hug!

Visits to Paradise

Kaden loves to play with his cousins, especially if he gets to play outside with them! The last time we visited their house, I couldn't get him to come inside! These pictures are from a few trips to visit them in far-away Paradise Valley (booo!). We miss having them close!

Our Little Dancing Man

Kaden loves to dance (Nick wants me to mention that he loves to play ball, eat dirt, and many other "manly" activities as well). Anytime he hears music, he starts to move. The movement is usually initiated in one arm (which looks somewhat like a one-armed chicken dance), then spreads from there. Before you know it, he's doing circles around the room. One night, just before bedtime, we caught him in the act. Due to the late hour, his orientation was a little off. However, thanks to his "toughness," he got back up and got his groove on again. (As a side note, he wore out the play button on his little Dora CD player, so he's had to look to other musical sources for inspiration!) (Sorry for the dark video! We didn't have all the lights on!)