Halloween Fun

We were the big cat circus act this year for Halloween. Kai was a tiger, Rio a lion, Jen a panther and Eric was the lion tamer. Kai was the star of the middle school parade as he jumped through the lion tamer hoop in front of hundreds of kids who spontaneously roared when he made it through. He had a blast giving out candy to trick-or-treaters at home. He would wait at the door and run to get dad when he saw kids coming, "Get up Dada, more kids coming!"

Happy Second Birthday Kai

Kai had an Elmo birthday because he is crazy about Elmo. He got a stuffed Elmo and balloons from Grandma and an Elmo Book from the Pitzman's. Grandma and Grandpa Waltenbaugh made an Elmo cake and he had a party with five little friends complete with Elmo stickers and cupcakes.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

We had a wonderful visit with grandma and grandpa. Rio was excited to meet them and Kai kept them very busy with blueberry hikes, a boat ride, visits to the farm, playground, touch tank, pool and beach. Kai had his first cookie making experience with grandma and some quality i-pad time with grandpa. Somehow grandpa managed to get the high score on the soccer game. How did that happen???!!! We can't wait for their next visit.

Rio and Family

Welcome Rio!

Rio Sanders was born September 24th at 8:55 a.m. in Anchorage. He weighed 10 lbs. 5 oz. and was 21 1/4 in.

Carabou Lake

Summer Fun

Kai has been enjoying summer in Homer with his family. Some of his favorite summer activities are swinging on his new swing set from the Etzwilers, playing at "Owen's house", feeding the chickens and collecting their eggs, kissing his new baby cousins, and kicking the soccer ball. He counts the float planes when we drive by the lake, "1, 2, 6". When someone is sad or angry he wants to hug them. He really loves "hoppers" (helicopters), "mocycles" (motorcycles) and "basickaballs" (basketballs) and the color orange. He borrowed cousin Owen's toy motorcycle and slept, ate breakfast and took a bath with it. Cousin Katie lifts Kai up so he can get the basketball in the hoop. Now he runs to the hoop yelling "basickaball player!"

18 Month Update

At 18 months Kai is learning new words everyday! He has about 75 words he uses regularly. He says all his cousin's names, "Own", "Azel", "Mimo", "Ee'in", Tuko, "MayMay", "Kyka", and "Kaykey". Some of his favorite words are "bada" for bottle "yoyo" for yogurt, "side" for outside, "pane" for plane, and "five" because he likes to give everyone five when he leaves. Mom's favorite Kai words are "loolul" for noodle, wada for "water" and "peas" for please. He has a few two word sentences, "dad home" and "shoe on".

Some of his favorite activities include throwing rocks in water, spruce cones in streams and balls everywhere. He likes to wear his blue rubber boots ALL the time and walk in the driveway puddle in any shoes. He loves kids of all ages and dogs, "daw, daw, daw". Highlights in his life are skyping Grandma and Grandpa in Portland and visiting the Chapple/Pitzman family in Homer.

Since his 12 month check up he gained 2 pounds and grew about an inch. He weighs 21 pounds 5 ounces and is 29 3/4 inches tall. That puts him at about the 5th percentile. We have yet to meet a little one his age that is smaller than him!

Easter

Kai had a Kodiak style Easter Egg hunt. The Easter Bunny made a visit to the beach for all the little kids. Kai lost most of his eggs to other egg hunters because he threw them out of his bucket. He loved throwing the sand and and even ate some, which he did not like.

He really got into dyeing eggs this year by launching them into the colors with lots of splashing and cracking.

Grandpa's Visit

Snuggles with Grandpa.

Visit with Grandma and Papa

Exploring Kodiak with Grandma and Papa.

Playing with Papa and the crazy ball machine.