Winter Wonderland

We got some more snow this weekend and I walked down our street and got some neat pictures. It was absolutely beautiful! It was a heavy snow that laid in the trees for days. Luckily, I got the pictures because today everything melted with the temperature rising to 45 degrees.

Baby's 1st Christmas

We finally decorated our tree this weekend and got Landon his "baby's 1st christmas" ornaments. They are from Hallmark (of course) since all our ornaments are "Hallmark." We got him a Pooh to match with Lukas and also this cute baby bear with the number one. This one is actually a series that continues to his 5th Christmas. Collecting hallmark ornaments is Ben's hobby. We also got Lukas a Thomas the Train ornament. He loves it!

3rd Tooth

Landon's 3rd tooth has broke through. Ben and I were really shocked because we thought, for sure, it was going to be on the top. Now he has three teeth in a row. 

This morning we got up early and took the kids to "AVH Breakfast with Santa" The kids visit with Santa, get a gift, breakfast, cookies, and do crafts. It's really fun. Afterwards, we did some running around at the Galleria. We're able to eat out a restaurant with Landon now that I'm giving him table food. We went to Chili's and Landon didn't fuss once, well except for more food. 

Landon has been walking behind his "push toy" all by himself really well. We think he's on his way to walking very soon. Also, the other day, Landon climbed the top of stairs all by himself. Of course, we were behind him:) I usually let him go up a few times a day, they say it's really good for babies. This is about everything new with us. Hope everyone's doing well.

Gamble Tree Farm

Today, after church, we went to get our Christmas tree at the Gamble Tree Farm. This is our 4th year to return to the farm. It's become a family tradition for us. It's really nice. They have a big barn that you go in afterwards to pay for your tree and you also can look around for ornaments and wreaths. They also have food and drinks and have tractor rides to go pick out your trees. Lukas was a little disappointed because we didn't get to ride the tractor up to the trees. It was super cold, so we drove the xterra up. You have to have 4 wheel drive to go yourself. Sometimes they don't let you drive up if it's too muddy. The ground was frozen so we didn't have any issues. Here are some pictures from the day. Enjoy!

New kitchen table

We finally went and bought a new kitchen table to replace the old wobbly one. This one actually has four stools. The old one only had two, then we were down to one when Ben broke one this summer. We actually got it half off on sale. Lukas was ecstatic to get the new table. He even helped put it together. He also was busy making "his" couch from the packaging.

Pre-K Update

We had our teacher conference at the beginning of the month and Lukas is doing very well. His teacher, Mrs. Blair, said that the only issue is that when he doesn't want to do something, he doesn't do it. But, she said that a lot of boys are this way and it's a "boy thing". She started sending optional homework home. Once they finish it, they turn it in and they get more to bring home. She isn't making it mandatory since it's just pre-k. Lukas actually enjoys doing his homework. I have been working with him on writing his name and he's so doing so much better (notice his name on the first sheet). I scanned some of his work that he brought home this week and I took a picture of Lukas doing his homework on Tuesday. Ben and I are so proud of him.

Santa Clause

Today, we had an early appointment to get our pictures taken for Christmas. After we were done, we took the boys to see Santa Clause. This is the first year that Lukas was not afraid of him. We were so excited! He couldn't wait to sit on his lap and tell him that he wanted "Neville" from Thomas the Train. (He even told him that he is at Kmart...LOL) We have been waiting for two years for Lukas to get into it, and it's finally happened...this is going to be the best Christmas yet...Though we say this every year. After we were done visiting Santa, Lukas wanted to ride the train (of course). Landon even got to ride the train with his daddy! It was a splendid day:)

9 Month Check-up

Wow...Landon turned 9 months on Wednesday. I can't believe how fast time is going. Ben took him for his check-up this morning and he weighed in at 20 lbs, 11 oz. He now measures 291/2" (which he's still in the 90%). Dr. Gibson said that Landon's working on 4 teeth coming in. She thinks that they will be in soon and will all come in at the same time. Ben and I aren't looking forward to this! Of course he had to get his usual 3 shots, plus a flu shot. We also had Lukas get his flu shot today. He's really good about getting shots. Needless to say, the boys were in bed by 7:30 tonight, which is really unusual for Lukas...Poor kids.

LANDON's MILESTONES:

• Pulls himself up on anything and can even walk along the couch and other stable objects

• Responds to his name

• Understands a few words such as "no-no" (If I get real stern, I usually make him cry)

• Says "mama" but not specifically

• Sits very well independently

• Bangs two toys together

• Plays interactive games such as "Peek-A-Boo" and "Pat-a-cake"

• Eats certain foods with his fingers
• Holds his bottle

• Sleeps through the night except for an occasional night wakening

Enjoying Fall

Fall is coming to an end and Winter will soon be here. I think that was the last warm day we are going to have for a while. Last Friday, was a gorgeous day, we took the boys outside for the afternoon. We were raking leaves, playing on the swing set and then ended the evening with a wagon ride. The boys really enjoyed it.

In Loving Memory

Derek W. Cline
June 8, 1958
November 6, 2008


(Photo I took of Derek & My Mom on September 14, 2008)

Survivors include his wife, Martha Jane (Coyle) Cline; a son, Adam J. W. Cline of Shelocta, PA; a step son, Clint Glass of West Leechburg, PA; step daughters, Kelly Jo Remaley (Ben) of Vandergrift, PA and Kristy Marie Glass of New Kensington, PA; step grandsons, Lukas and Landon Remaley; his mother, Evelyn (Kalenack) Cline of Parks Township, PA; a brother, William W. Cline II (Debbie) of Parks Township, PA; a sister, Deann L. Cline of Henderson, NV; and nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his father, Dean W. Cline on October 30, 2000. The family asks that donations in his name be made to the First United Methodist church in Leechburg or to the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life, Blistered Sister Team in Apollo c/o M. J. Cline.

God saw you getting weary,
He did what He thought was best;
He put His arms around you
And said, "Come and rest."
He opened up His golden gates
On that heartbreaking day,
and with His arms around you
You gently slipped away.
It broke our hearts to lose you
You did not go alone,
Apart of us went with you
The day God called you home.


Derek,
Thanks for all of your love and support and taking such great care of my mom. We love & miss you and will cherish all of our memories spent together. Till we meet again...
Kelly, Ben, Lukas and Landon

Trick OR Treat

Tonight the boys and I went trick or treating around Vandergrift. The boys got a lot of use out of the costumes the last couple weeks and so many treats. They got to wear their costumes at ZooBoo, Leechburg trick or treat night, Lukas' school Halloween party (yes, Ben dressed Landon in his costume too), and then tonight. HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Carving pumpkins

This weekend the boys and I carved their pumpkins. Lukas wanted a spider on his and drew a bat for Landon. This year they actually turned out descent. Lukas and I carved his pumpkin Friday night. I was too exhausted to do Landon's pumpkin, so we carved his Sunday afternoon, which worked out better with his schedule. Landon loves his pumpkin. We go and visit them on the porch a few times each day:)

ZOOBOO

Today, my mom and I took the boys to ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo. This was our first year to attend halloween at the zoo and it was really neat. They had all kinds of activities set up, haunted house, spooky train ride, trick or treat, artist drawing with chalk on the sidewalks and a parade with a costume contest. Our friend, Kim Fanelli, made her neice (Rebecca) an elephant (Angelina) costume that won first place. As for those of you who don't know, Bob and Kim Fanelli named the first baby elephant "Angelina". We spent most of our time in the aquarium (the boys favorite). The Polar Bears were really active today and we got to see the new tiger sharks that weren't there the last time we went, which was two weeks ago. Lukas loved the sharks, we visited them twice. Here's a sneak peek with the boys in their halloween costumes that my mom made. She did an excellent job. Thanks Mom!