Carter Mckay Kjar!!!

Carter Mckay Kjar made his entrance at 4:30 a.m. on Friday, February 19. He is birthday buddies with Jayleigh now--her birthday is the same day. Lacey and I (mostly Lacey) decorated the window for Amanda when she came home. Now, to the best stuff. Here is Carter with his daddy. He weighed 8 lbs. 13 oz. and was 20 inches long. He had quite the struggle. They finally got to bring him home today, Tues., Feb. 23. Poor Carter had to have an IV in his head because he had an infection. They also had a hard time getting his lungs to inflate. But all must be well now. They got to take him home finally.

Isn't he just so cute? He has quite a bit of hair. He is really pretty chubby for a newborn. Chris says he looks like a sumo wrestler.

New babies are just so much fun. Congratulations, Chris and Amanda! And Cody, too, of course.

Catch up time (again)

Treats that kids that ride Curt's bus gave him on Valentine's Day. They left it at the door, knocked, and ran. I was actually sitting in the chair when they taped these Valentines on the door. I didn't even know they were there.

Chris was hungry while Amanda was in the hospital so he brought some noodles (Cup of Soup) down. Curt and I were watching Jayleigh while they spent the evening in Mesquite. So Chris and Cody came down to visit, too. Chris found he had to share with the two little ones.

Look at Jayleigh. Doesn't it remind you of a mother robin feeding her baby birdies?

Cody being fed with Jayleigh licking her lips in the background.

Hungry kids!

Madalynn with her Zhu Zhu pet. We decided to give all the kids one since Audrey's was such a big hit on her birthday.

Audrey with her "fabulous" card game for her birthday.

Spencer with his Zhu Zhu pet.

Jayleigh's first birthday celebration. Shelly baked a special cake all her own that she could dig into. Fun tradition.

This was just the beginning. I didn't get a picture of the final result. But she had a great time.

Audrey with her birthday Zhu Zhu pet. I don't know how I missed getting a picture of Thomas with his Zhu Zhu.

Jayleigh opening her Zhu Zhu pet. Cody wasn't here because Amanda was expecting any day so we sent it down with Lacey and Landon. Cody hated his to death.

Opening presents is so much fun!

What a cute toy from mommy and daddy.

Cody playing in our room in Mesquite.

Introducing Mater! We found him at the car show in Mesquite. Isn't he cute!

Jayleigh doesn't like her new couch or anything. What a cutie! She loves her new little furniture.

Audrey opening Chris and Amanda's present on her birthday.

Sigh of Relief

Curt had a colonoscopy early this morning, and everything looks great. I am so thankful. One less thing to worry about, right? I know I haven't posted in a while--I promise I'll get it done. Good luck, Amanda and Chris, as you wait for that baby to make his appearance any day now. I'm excited about grandchild number 7! And Jayleigh has her very first birthday on Friday. Love you, Jayleigh!

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 is one we'll remember for a long time. We had a FULL house! All three married children with their spouses and all six grandchildren were at our home for the holidays. It was so much fun. We had the traditional Christmas Eve party at Grandma Kjar's where we get together and read stories, sing songs, and sip egg nog/ice cream. We all took turns reading stories. This is Madalynn reading the Christmas story. She is such a good reader! Audrey wrote and played a song for the event. It was so cute!

Thomas had to take his turn . . . .

. . . . as well as Cody.

Chris reading us a poem.

Cashelle reading "Funny, Funny, Mother." It is a family favorite.

Amanda taking her turn.

A.J. with Spencer opening his jammies on Christmas Eve back at our house.

Jayleigh opening her first Christmas jammies. What a clown. I love that face she makes.

Cody opening his.

Thomas getting in on the action.

Audrey checking out her jammies.

And finally, Madalynn getting her package opened.

What a load of presents!

And, look at all the stockings!

We needed a picture of all the kids in their new jammies before the opening of presents began.

Now, let the fun begin!

Jayleigh learned quick what opening presents was all about.

The kids all like to go sledding behind the 4-wheeler and truck. Look at how cold it was outside!

Getting ready to leave. Thomas was lying down in his sled and ready to go!

A.J. and his boys behind the truck.

Yes, Jayleigh got a turn, too!

Lucky even got in on the action.

Christian and Kaylee got a turn as well.

Wow, they were absolutely exhausted!

This is what happens when two little boys get hold of some white out in Lacey's room. Need I say more?

I think Thomas's face won the prize.

Cody got painted on too. I'm not sure who painted who.

During the break, Curt and I stayed in Mesquite and went to Las Vegas one afternoon. This is the new City Center that cost something like $8.5 billion to build. Out front is a fountain that changes colors at the top. In the background, that whole wall is a waterfall kind of thing. We took Chris and Landon out to lunch when they got off work.