We've had a lot of fun at the Kiefer house this month! Jacey-Kate went to stay with her Vu-Vu and Dee for a night and just loved Dee this trip. She got to open a few late Christmas presents from her Aunt Kellie and Gigi. She actually figured out how to unwrap the presents. Sad for mommy since she loves opening presents, too!

January and February 2011

Jacey-Kate has had so many fun adventures over the last two months. She had her 18 month check up where she figured out she could hide from her doctor in the fire truck exam table cabinet. It snowed at the beginning of January, so we were able to sled and enjoy the week off with daddy. Aunt Yumi came to visit and we got to have lunch with great grandma Faye, grand uncle Alan and grand aunt Pat. We also surprised daddy at his office, that was so much fun to see where daddy spends all his time when he's away from us. Today we fed the baby lambs at Serenbe which was just too precious. We love living in a community where there are baby animals being born year round. The weather this week has been off to an amazing start, we're loving the 60 degree weather and hoping it continues to warm up! Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Christmas 2010

Hoping to post more often now that I'm at home again. My long term sub position at Woodward Academy was great, but confirmed that my role now is at home with my sweet little girl. She is a little girl now....definitely not a baby any more. Jacey-Kate makes us laugh all the time now. She's doing something new every day. Russ and I love watching her experience life, it's going by too quickly. Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Fall 2010

I have been a slacker lately, mainly because I'm back at work full time at Woodward Academy. I've enjoyed teaching again, but not enough to leave my little girl every day. I feel like I miss so much and she's doing new things almost daily. This long term sub position has been a great test, but I'm looking forward to being done in 3 weeks.

We've had a wonderful fall! Russ cheered on the Buckeyes and of course Jacey-Kate and I have cheered on the Roll Tides! We've been disappointed, but hey, as long as we beat Michigan and Auburn it'll be all good in the Kiefer house.

Russ' family visited in October which was so nice because they were able to babysit while I was at work and spend lots of one on one time with Jacey-Kate. Mary Jo made Jacey-Kate's cupcake costume for Halloween. Of course I'm a little biased, but I think she was the hit of the party! It will be hard to beat that idea next year. We had a lot of fun with them while they were here and look forward to visiting at Christmas. Keeping our fingers crossed for snow.

This morning I took Jacey-Kate to ride the Pink Pig. It was so much fun and brought back childhood memories. I hope she'll really enjoy it next year. We went to see Santa, too. That didn't go over so well. Mommy had to sit with Jacey-Kate and she still screamed.

We head up to my parents' tomorrow to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Sustakovitchs. We're lucky this year, we get two Thanksgivings! I need to bring out my maternity pants again. :-)

Hope you have a Happy Happy Thanksgiving!
Eat lots of turkey.

Beach Trip

Jacey-Kate and I flew to Myrtle Beach, SC Tuesday evening and enjoyed 2 1/2 days of gorgeous beach weather and fun with the family. Wish we could have stayed longer and that Russ could have been with us. We ate incredible seafood while we were there. Christy and I are so lucky being married to such wonderful cooks! Jared grilled grouper, shrimp and tuna while Christy fried buffalo shrimp. We had so much fun at the beach. Jacey-Kate skipped her morning nap because she was playing so hard...and eating so much sand! Mom and dad were so great playing with Jacey-Kate, Luke and Lily Anne. Jacey-Kate loved her newest cousin! I think she's going to be the BEST big sister. Enjoy the pics!

Summer Visit to Michigan

We just returned from a FUN visit to see Russ' family in Holland, Michigan. Our long weekend was packed full of swimming, swinging, eating, shopping, games and playing with Jacey-Kate. We watched two sunsets at Lake Michigan which were gorgeous. Russ, Mary Jo and Laura are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Jacey-Kate loved swinging on the swing set at the beach and the park. Wish we all lived closer! Enjoy the pictures.

Jacey-Kate at 13 Months

I love Jacey-Kate being ONE. She is so much fun and makes Russ and I laugh all the time. Within the last month, she has started talking more, saying a few words, but mostly babbling. She is into everything and loves practicing walking with her lion walker and her car walker! We have a hard time keeping up with her because she's on the go and never sits still.

We just got back from spending the night at the lake with my brother's family. Jacey-Kate loved seeing her cousins, but I think she really enjoyed her first boat ride. We all played in the lake and enjoyed our time together. Next week, we're headed to see Russ' family in Michigan. We're very excited to experience Michigan in the summer time!