The Chaffee Family

Easter 2011

2011-04-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

Our Easter was pretty low-key this year with all the birthday celebrations going on! We went to church and then headed into Daniel & Sara's for an Easter egg hunt and dinner.

Partying like a six year old!

2011-04-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

Oh, to be six again and have your birthday stretch out for over a week with constant cards, gifts, and people. Six years old and almost done with Kindergarten, our babies are growing up.

Morning of actual birthday before school.

Birthday party with grandparents and cousins.

Easton with his guitar cake!

Keara with her Barbie/Tangled cake!

Playing 'Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza' at the birthday party!

Keara and her friends that made it to the party.

Easton and his friends at the party (minus one).

Our Chaffee cousins birthday party. This year we headed to Great Wolf in Kansas City to celebrate a one-year, three year, 2- four-year, and 2 six-year birthdays!

Oh, and yes, I guess, I age too!! On my birthday with K & E.

Snow, winter, snow, winter, snow....

2011-02-16T18:34:00.000-08:00

We are all ready for winter to be over and warmer weather to arrive.

Our snowman that only lasted a few days!

Our ultra-talented son!

Allen & I on our ski trip to Colorado.

Maggie's 9th Birthday Celebration

Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

2011-01-19T18:11:00.000-08:00

On January 16th, my Dad turned 60! So, we had a surprise party for him. It was tricky, considering it was held at their house. We prepared food and all the guests arrived while he was entertaining grandkids in the basement!

That was a 'hot' cake!!

The Dolezal Family

2010 Wrap-Up

2011-01-19T17:50:00.000-08:00

This year went by so quickly, I can't believe it is over! Starting with the winter that would never end, we finally thawed out in April! May brought the end of our preschool era and the beginning of a fun summer. Allen did a lot of traveling through the spring and summer and started working on his graduate degree in Banking. In August, Keara and Easton started Kindergarten and I found myself at home alone for the first time in five and half years! I started substitute teaching and have kept busy with volunteering and various projects at home.

New Year's Eve with family!

Easton's first lost tooth!! He lost it right after seeing Santa. He was eating an orange slice and it just fell out.

Keara's first black eye. She got it at recess at school (by accident, of course!).

Maggie and her cuddling toy!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-19T15:34:00.000-08:00

Keara madly unwrapping a gift!

Easton got a bow & arrow from Santa

Keara (5), Easton (5), Brooklyn (4), Brody (4), Braxton (2), & Jett (9 months)

The Chaffee Family

Keara (5), Easton (5), Macy (1) & Kian (3)

Letters to Santa!

Thanksgiving 2010

2011-01-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

We have a lot to be thankful for in 2010. We are all healthy and happy, Keara and Easton love school and we are enjoying where we live. We celebrated by... eating, spending time with family, and of course, more eating!!

Keara and her teacher at the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast.

Easton and his teacher.

Me being proud of my pie :)

Fall Activities 2010

2010-10-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

With sports activities, work activities, and school, the last few months have flown by!

The first lost tooth!! What a dramatic experience...and how many more to go?!

Allen with his new toy!! I have never seen him so excited to mow!

This is Keara and Easton at a banking tailgate in Lincoln.

Easton was the star student for the week in his Kindergarten class!

Our little dancing queen!

Flag Football

Soccer

Allen was suckered into coaching a couple games :)

Allen & I in KC at a corporate event.

Our gold at the end of the rainbow!

The FIRST day of KINDERGARTEN!!

2010-10-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

At long last, the first day of Kindergarten! The joy, the tears, a bittersweet day. It's a whole new chapter for our family.

Rocky Mountain National Park

2010-09-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

In early August, we traveled to Rocky Mountain National Park with my parents. Since Mom and Dad travel out there almost every year, we had built-in tour guides! We hiked, played in streams, and explored the area. We participated in the ranger programs and Keara and Easton earned their Junior Ranger badges! I think they still had mine on file from 1984!! We had great weather and had a wonderful time. I keep hearing from Keara and Easton, 'when we going back to Colorado and roast marshmellons?'

Allen and I took off one afternoon and hiked up Deer Mountain. This is from the top.

We drove up Old Falls River Road and took a couple trails on the way up.

In front of Chasm Falls.

All of us in front of Chasm Falls.

Allen being "a good example" (huh-um) and crossing the stream!

Building dams.

Hiking up to Mills Lake. We hiked 6 miles that day- pretty good for little feet!

In front of Alberta Falls.

At Mills Lake.

A growly bear at the end of the trail!

Mmmm...

...smores!

The Fleeting Summer of 2010

2010-07-28T12:32:00.001-07:00

Time flies when you're having fun! And, maybe, that is why I am sitting here at the end of July wondering how the summer went so fast, not to mention the last five years. With Keara and Easton starting school in August, I feel like we have to squeeze everything in and make everyday fun like I'm sending them off to a boarding school and won't see them for six months! So with trips to the zoo, the Childern's Museum, playtime at the park, bicycling trails, swim lessons that have them actually swimming, several evenings of tee-ball games, two trips to Colorado and lots of lazy afternoons at the MO Valley pool, I hope they remember all of our fun!

Boulder/ Eldorado Canyon State Park

2010-07-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

In July, Allen headed to Colorado University in Boulder to begin year one of a three-year program in the Graduate School of Banking. He was there for two weeks, so Keara, Easton and I packed up and drove out to visit for a few days.

This is in Eldorado Canyon State Park near Boulder. We took a morning to explore a few trails.

This is in downtown Boulder, an entertainer who sets himself on fire and juggles knives at the same time! Easton was amazed and we had to keep reminding him that this was this man's special talent and probably (hopefully) not his!

Pool time, and our dare-devil children...

Miss Sophisticate!

Getting ready to watch a movie by the pool!

The hotel we stayed at was between Boulder and Denver and it was wonderful. They had movies and popcorn by the pool, cookies and milk before bed every night, a morning with the chef creating an ice sculpture, and little backpacks filled with trinkets when you check-in. We will be there in July the next two years!!

Summer 2010

2010-07-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

4th of JULY, 2010

We went back to Platte Center for the weekend and enjoyed the parade, kiddie games, tractor pull and the afternoon at the lake.

Keara and Easton patiently waiting for the parade to start (well, actually, for the candy to be thrown!)

They figured out that waving gets more candy!

Easton in the tractor pull!

Keara in the tractor pull! She was very determined!

Keara won third place in the 5-year-old group, out of the four girls and five boys that participated!

...And, Easton could have cared less, he got enough junk at the kiddie games to dress up like a patriotic pirate!

We went to some family friends' lake for the afternoon to swim and eat.

And, went for a boat ride.

Keara got the relaxation part down real quick!

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MISCELLANEOUS SUMMER PHOTOS

Keara got around six inches cut off of her hair in June.

Ready for Vacation Bible School!

Our backyard pool.

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TEE BALL

Allen pitching to Easton.

Easton looking like he is serious!! :)

The spectators!

Keara and her friend, Molly, playing during the games.

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CHAFFEE FUN

At the beginning of the summer, Keara and Easton spent a week down in Clay Center "helping" Grandma & Grandpa. They also got some good times in with their cousins!

Many hours were spent in the pool, jumping through the pool, going down the slide into the pool, jumping off the slide into the pool!!!

Easton claims he is "allergic" to babies!! But, between him and Keara, he is always the first one to go up and try to tickle their feet of give them a smile. This is Easton with our youngest cousin, Jett.

Dance & Baseball

2010-06-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

Keara's first year of dance came to an end with the year-end recital. Her class performed to 'I'm a Little Teapot.' After months of practicing, the group of four- and five-year-olds did a great job!

Ready to dance!

The performance videoed at dress rehersal. (for some reason my blog isn't centering the video, so it looks like I am taping the little girl next to Keara, but that's not the case!!)

to see more go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo4OHUGC7Sc

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Easton has been busy playing tee-ball this summer!! He is a great little hitter and almost always enjoys it. Allen is assistant coach, so Easton gets a little extra heat if he is fooling around.

Up to bat!

In the outfield.

Graduation & Boston

2010-06-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

In mid-May, Allen and I went to Cape Cod and Boston. It was a neat area to see and visit. We started in Cape Cod for a couple of days and drove up to Providencetown at the tip of the Cape. Then to Boston. We walked part of the Freedom Trail, sat in Boston Common's Public Garden and watched the swan boat rides and remembered the story, "Make Way for Ducklings", a storyline set in the Public Garden, that I've read to Keara and Easton over and over. We also visited the harbor, went to a Redsox game, learned the subway system and ate dinner in Boston's North End, Little Italy area- yum!

Allen & I on the shore in Cape Cod.

The Candy Manor in Chatham, yum- yum!

The Redsox Game.

Copley Plaza. Above, an old church. Below, our hotel.

Keara and Easton graduated from Preschool at the end of May. They attended Good Tidings Preschool for two years and loved it. Now, on to Kindergarten!

Patiently waiting their certificates. I love this picture and Easton's expression.

Their great teachers and teacher-assistants.

Allie & Dutchess

2010-05-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

This May we got two new kittens, Allie and Dutchess.

Keara picked out Allie. She actually picked her when she was just a few weeks old. Allie may be male, but I guess when she/he's spayed/neutered, it really won't matter!

Easton picked out Dutchess and when we asked him what he was going to name her, he came up with Dutchess!! Which actually, the name fits the kitty pretty well.

Dutchess

Allie

When we brought them home, Maggie was so excited!! They all cuddle at night.

A stroller full of kittens.

Five-year Photos

2010-05-22T15:15:00.001-07:00

Our homemade five year pictures! Keara and Easton were willing one day, so I took them down by the lake and an old barn and took some photos. Actually, by the end, I had two little posers!

Soccer 2010

2010-05-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

Easton played soccer this spring and liked it. It may have taken a few years off of Allen's life with his level of frustration, but Easton had a good time and ran some energy off!

soccer action

relaxing

our medal at the last game!

Five Year Olds

2010-04-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

On April 20, 2005 at 3:28 p.m. and 3:44 p.m., we welcomed Keara Angela and Easton Allen into our world. It's hard to believe that was five years ago already. We had a great time celebrating their birthday.

I am constantly amazed by some of the things that come out of their mouths. Such grown-up thoughts that I didn't even think existed in those little heads. Sitting having lunch the other day, Keara informed me she was going to be an animal doctor when she grows up and that she decided she was not going to have any babies. When I asked her why, she asked, "Well, who would take care of them." And, I said, "you." She replied, " No, taking care of kids be boring! But, you can come visit me when you need to take Maggie to the doctor." Easton said in one breath he can't wait to get married and in the next, "Mommy, I'm going to live with you forever, okay?" By the way, since Christmas, he has decided he wants to be an elf when he grows up! Because, "I be very good at making toys for boys and girls." And on talking about going to Kindergarten, I said I was going to miss having them home every day and they told me that I could just marry Daddy again and that way we'd have more kids to take care of!! "It be okay Mommy, we will come home!"

Making their birthday cakes.

Learning to drive!!! Hey, at least they're wearing their seat belts!

Our kitty and pirate birthday cakes.

Keara and her horse balloon!! We had a kitty/pirate theme going on, but ended up with Princess and Star Wars napkins and a horse and motorcycle balloon? I think for those of you that know me well, that shows you how far I'VE come in the last five years!

Easton opening gifts.

Keara and Maggie- they've become quite the pals.

Easter 2010

2010-04-30T09:54:00.001-07:00

We headed back to Platte Center for Easter weekend. We colored some eggs, hunted some eggs, and posed for some Sunday-after-church, kids are cranky photos!! We also got to meet Sally's new kittens, two of which will be joining our family in May.

Keara being silly!

Hard at work coloring eggs!

The four cousins.

Our family photo.

Hunting eggs.

Sally and her four kittens.

PaRty TiMe!

2010-03-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

At the end of March we went to Kansas City to see our brand new nephew, Jett. We also decided to celebrate all of the cousin's birthdays, since we have five, well, now six, that span from February through April.

The birthday guests of honor: Brody, 4, Braxton, 2, Easton, 5, Brookly, 4, & Keara, 5.

Pat & Arica's new little boy, Jett.

Allen & Jett

The best Japanese Steak House in KC, GoJo's!

Easton & his cake

Keara & her cake

Time to swim!

Being the fearless girl she is, Keara getting thrown in the air!

The End is Near (of Winter that is!)

2010-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

I feel like we just survived the longest winter ever. On March 18th, when I wrote this, after 99 days, we finally didn't have snow on the ground!! It was 63 degrees out, the warmest it had been in over four months.

Everything about winter wasn't sooo bad, we had several fun days of sledding and skating and building snowmen. However, I can only say that right now, because today I saw a tree that when you looked at it in the right light, at the right angle, you could see just a tiny glimpse of green coming through!

My birthday celebration!

Allen bought me a drill for my birthday!! (And, to his defense, a very cute pair of sandals!)

Winter 2010

2010-01-20T14:10:00.000-08:00

Snow, wind, blizzards, fog for several days straight and now ice, and we are only 20 days into 2010! I am starting to wonder if I will ever look out my window and not see white! Three days house-bound so far, and one more may lead me to invest in some snow shoes!

Playing on our mounds of snow.

A branch covered in ice.

Desperate to use their new umbrellas, Easton heard 'freezing rain' on his weather radio and conspired with Keara to go outside to use their umbrellas. As we stepped ouside and literally all fell flat on our butts, they were a little disappointed that freezing rain wasn't exactly umbrella rain. But, after playing for awhile, I heard, 'look a rain drop', as some sleet fell from the roof and they finally got to use their umbrellas!

A snowman built with Daddy (well, actually, built by Daddy!)

A sun dog over the lake in early January.

Before ballet one day.

Holiday '09

2010-01-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

We traveled to and fro and finally landed back home. The one thing that comes to mind as I think about our Christmas this year is more and more snow. Our 3 1/2 hour drive to Kansas took 6 hours and lots of map work as interstates and highways were closed. And, after the trip to my side, we came home to 4 more inches of snow- for a total of around 31 inches in the last couple weeks.

However, all four of us had a great time at our families' homes and feel blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

The five Chaffee cousins, Keara, Brooklyn, Braxton, Brody, & Easton

The Chaffee family

Allen getting attacked!

Keara & Macy

Mom & Dad with the grandchildren

Ringing in 2010 with our neighbors, Michelle & Sean

Lovely Miss Lulu

2009-12-31T11:26:00.000-08:00

Lulu went to heaven this week. She was a very special kitty and will be dearly missed. I have never known cats could be so fun until Lulu. She would go on walks with us and follow us around like a puppy. She was a cuddler and was Maggie's constant companion. And, she probably killed more mice and rabbits than a cat that lives ten years.

She was so amazing, they named a toy after her- the FurReal Lulu!

Keara & Lulu when we brought her home.

Maggie & Lulu getting acquainted...

and then she showed Maggie who was boss and took over Maggie's blanket! Eventually, she let Maggie back on that blanket so they could cuddle together.

She would join us everywhere and when Keara and Easton would play on the swing set, so would Lulu!

She was the proud Mama of five kittens.

She joined us camping in the backyard!

She followed us on every walk we took. This is from one of our last spooky forest walks.

Farewell, Miss Lulu.

Christmas at Home 2009

2009-12-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

With the Christmas Blizzard of 2009 going on outside, we managed to have a fun Christmas, all nice and cozy inside.

Family photo after Christmas Eve Mass. Keara and Easton sang with the Preschool Sunday school class at Mass.

Easton and Allen hate taking pictures. So, this is for their benefit!!

Opening some presents on Christmas Eve.

Trying to carry on a tradition (since someone else isn't...huh-umm)!

Presents for Lulu and Maggie!

Maggie cuddling with her toy!

Leaving cookies for Santa!

Waiting to be Santa!

Easton and his toys!

Keara and her toys!

We had a lot of fun this Christmas. Keara and Easton are really starting to get into the fun of believing in Santa, understanding the nativity, and counting down on the calendar. Kringle, our elf on the shelf, came to stay on Dec. 1, and left candy in our advent calendar everyday they were good. Well, they got candy every day, I don't know if they were good everyday! We had questions on how Kringle got here and how did he fly and why doesn't he talk. And, one day, as I went into a long explanation of how Kringle flys and that Santa told him not to talk, Easton looked at me and might even have felt a little sorry for me and said "maybe mommy, maybe Kringle just a decoration".

We saw Santa on several occasions and by the time we saw Santa the third time, they claimed they already talked to him and he should know what they want. We made a list and memorized it! When Santa brought Keara Barbie clothes and a puzzle, she looked confused and told me, "I didn't have these things on my list, hmmm, that sure a nice Santa!"

So, needless to say, opening presents was Keara and Easton's favorite part. I would have to say, watching them open presents was my favorite as well.

Preschool Christmas Program

2009-12-23T15:04:00.000-08:00

Keara and Easton singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star at their preschool Christmas program (I don't think Easton will have any ADHD as he gets into school, and yes, he is using his Christmas star to shoot people!!!)

Santa Visit

2009-12-15T18:15:00.001-08:00

Every year Allen's work has a family Santa day . This is the third year we have gone. This is the first year Easton has willingly sat on Santa's lap and even carried on a conversation. In fact, the smile in the photo is the first genuine smile we have been able to capture on camera for a long time. Keara sat on Santa's lap and smiled, but she wouldn't even look at his face. Even when we told her to talk to him, she just looked out the corner of her eyes without turning her head!

Ready, with our lists!

Easton & Santa

Keara & Santa

Deck the Halls!

2009-12-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Decorating the house for Christmas...

Keara even dressed up! She was my decorating fairy. "Look Mommy, that look nice here." Needless to say, a few things got rearranged after bedtime!

And, Easton loves the 'BIG ladder'! We cut a deal with him- he is able to go up as many rungs as he is old. He was pleased!

And, of course, decorating the tree!

Happy Birthday Allen!

2009-12-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

December 7, 2009

I'm Thankful for...

2009-11-15T19:53:00.000-08:00

11/15/09
...kitties & horsies (K)
...pirates & Christmas trees (E)

11/16/09
...flowers & doggies (K)
...my friends, the ladybugs (E)

11/17/09
...Mommy (E) (ahhh)
...cookies (K)

11/18/09
...swords (E)
...Santa Claus & the Reindeer (K)

11/19/09
...Daddy (K)
...Spiderman (E)

...the nice day and our SPOOKY FOREST! (me)

Our walk through the Spooky Forest

11/20/09
...caterpillars (K)
...butterflies (E)
***Can you guess we read a book today about a cute little caterpillar that turned into a beautiful butterfly?!

11/21/09
...BIG ladders & Christmas lights (E)
...our Christmas tree (K)

11/22/09
...Daddy (E)
...shopping with Mommy (K)

11/23/09
...cousin Kian (K)
...Mommy (E)

11/24/09
...cousin Brooklyn (K)
...Jesus (E)

11/25/09
...playing with Granny (K&E)

Halloween 2009

2009-11-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

We had 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Batman' this year for Halloween!

Carving a pumpkin.

Decorating a pumpkin.

Ready to go get some CANDY!

Arizona

2009-11-03T09:30:00.001-08:00

Allen and I went to Arizona in early October (Allen went for work and I tagged along). We drove up to the Grand Canyon for the weekend and then stayed the week in Paradise Valley. He had to work all day, so I was forced to relax and do nothing! I layed out by the pool and read and had a spa day! It was great! About a half mile from our hotel was Camelback Mountain. I spent two evenings climbing it and got to the top once! On my second time down, near the end, thank God, I saw a tarantula (so that kind of took the, 'oh, wow, I could live hear' voice out of my head for good!

At the Grand Canyon.

Part of the trail on Camelback.

Allen having me point to where I climbed!!

The resort we stayed at.

Dolezal

2009-09-26T19:26:00.001-07:00

Here are some photos of our Dolezal get-togethers over the past month.

First family photo with newest member, Macy!

Macy in her baptismal gown and bonnet!

Keara with Granny & Grandpa's loveable Mater (one of Lulu's kittens). She can't get enough of Mater and he seems to like Keara just as much.

Grandpa & Keara

Granny & Easton

Keara and Macy

Sweet little Macy

Easton and Kian crusin' in the gator!

Ballet & Karate!

2009-09-26T18:58:00.001-07:00

Keara started a ballet class. She loves it, of course what little girl wouldn't want to dress up and dance around with ribbons!!

Easton started a Karate class, The Lil' Dragons! He is very excited about it, learning different moves, stretching and even learning about 'stranger danger.'

So far they are both doing well and are, for the first time, experiencing a social situation without one another.

First Day of Preschool 2009

2009-09-26T18:52:00.001-07:00

We are back at Preschool for the second and last year.

Easton dressed himself and came downstairs like this saying, "okay, ready to go, Mom!"

August 2009

2009-08-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

CHAFFEE "CAMPING" WEEKEND

We had Allen's family up for a weekend and we 'camped'.

Ann & Kory pitching their tent (for the first time since they got marrried FOUR years ago!).

Kory inspecting. Ann, well, being Ann!

Looking a little confused...

but, job well done!

Setting up camp!

Getting ready to roast marshmallows and make some smores! And afterward as we were covered in bug spray and sticky marshmallows and melted chocolate, we all went inside, bathed the kids, showered ourselves and then back to the tents- the convenience of backyard camping!!

This is one of my new ways home! I have been exploring the country roads (or in this case, the 'minimum maintainence roads' to see if I can get to our house from the the west highway without going into town. I guess it's a good thing I have four-wheel drive! Allen doesn't like me the car so dirty, but I think it's kind of fun!

Our neighbors had the inside track with the Henry Doorly Zoo train, so we got to go on a tour of the trains they have at the zoo and take a train ride with the train conductor. It was a lot of fun!

THE GREAT WOLF LODGE

We went to Kansas City for the weekend and stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. It was a great time!

Letting the silly-ness out!

I don't know if they knew what would hit them!

Easton and I going down the Howlin' Wolf slide!

They crashed, second day nap time!

Out to eat- looking thrilled, I know!

Daddy and Keara.

July 2009

2009-08-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

July went by fast and furious. So much took place, it is hard to get it all in!

The newest member of our family arrived, our niece and cousin, Macy.

Keara, Easton and I traveled down to Topeka to visit the Rupp family. Arica and Brody joined us and we had a lot of fun playing princess, fighting over toys, and swimming at the water park!

We also traveled to Ross, Iowa to visit the Nelson's for a double birthday party. Here Keara and Easton are joining in on a game of bochi ball. Please note, Andy is not throwing Woody, the dog, it just looks like it!

We had four year photos taken (a few months late).

Smiley Easton-man.

July 4th, 2009

2009-07-07T13:47:00.001-07:00

We celebrated the fourth in Platte Center with the parade, kiddie carnival, pony rides, and tractor pull- pretty good for a town of 370!!

Getting ready for CANDY!

Throw it here!

Allen getting out of the cube maze. Built by the boy-scouts well enough to scare a 32-year-old man!

Keara participating in the tractor-pull. I never heard so many people yelling at 4-year-olds!

Easton's turn- Allen was nervous!

Easton enjoying his third place medal and tootsie roll!

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After the Platte Center festivities, we headed over to some family friends' for dinner and fireworks. The weather didn't quite cooperate, but we had fun regardless.

Allen's Work Party

2009-07-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

In June, we attended an appreciation day for Allen's work.

Allen was in the dunk-tank. Keara and Easton enjoyed that!!

Keara got her face painted like a kitty!

Family Fun on the Trampoline!!

2009-05-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

Keara and Easton got a trampoline for their birthday. Here are a few action shots of the whole family playing!

This last one is of Easton getting ready to play baseball with Daddy. He was thrilled when he found Daddy's old bat that already said 'EASTON' on it!!

Miscellaneous Moments

2009-05-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

Kitties, kitties!! Here they are about five weeks old.

Snack time with our friends, Chloe and Caroline, who stayed with us for a couple of days.

Easton and I dancing at a wedding reception. Easton was a dancing machine!

Mother's Day 2009

Keara and Easton on their last day of preschool (for this year anyway).

Playtime with the kitties. Lulu had five kittens on April 13th. Here they are about three weeks old.

Keara and Easton in the Jungle at the zoo.

Keara playing dress-up and Easton being the photographer.

Mexico

2009-05-17T18:50:00.001-07:00

Cancun with the Chaffees! We had so much fun and look forward to our next trip some day.

The ten of us: Allen, Sinead, Kory, Ann, Pat, Arica, Jerod, Amy, Luke, & Amber

Happy 4th Birthday Keara and Easton!!!

2009-04-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

I remember my Dad telling me, 'you're growing up too fast,' and wondering what he was talking about. But, now I know. They grow up too fast. Today was Keara and Easton's 4th Birthday and I have no idea how four years could fly by so quickly. They sure have come a long way...

That's sure a nice Easter bunny...

2009-04-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

Birthday PARTIES!!

2009-04-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

Keara and Easton had so many different birthday celebrations that when the actual day came, they were a little confused as to how it could still be their birthday (not that they complained!).

Over Easter weekend, we celebrated cousin Brody's birthday in Kansas City and then traveled to Clay Center and had Easter and celebrated Keara and Easton's birthday with the Chaffee side.

Here is Brody opening presents with a little help from his cousins!

Arica and Pat had a pinata for Brody and that made Easton's day!!

Here is Braxton exploring on the deck.

Keara and Easton on Easter Sunday morning before church.

Oh, those wonderful family photos!

The five grandkids digging into the gifts from the 'Easter bunny'.

After lunch, because of the weather, we headed over the Mike and Trudy's house for an egg hunt in the basement. In this photo are the on-lookers!!

Easton had a Spiderman cake and Keara a Princess cake!

Then the Sunday before their birthday, we celebrated with my side at our house.

Here is a second cake that I made.

And, Easton's cake. (it's a sword for those of you who are asking, what is that- YES, he has a fascination with swords, right now we see it as a healthy fascination, but we'll see how fast healthy can go to physco-killer!)

They received helmets to go with their bikes. Easton was very excited to get ALL of his gear on- helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves!

Allen and I got them big-kid bikes.

Here is cousin Kian loving his ride in the gator.

And, the three cousins...

And, to end the day, Keara couldn't handle it anymore and we found her fast asleep on the living room rug at 5:30 embracing her new Belle doll.

Family Weekend

2009-02-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

We went to the T-Rex restaurant/tourist place at the Lengends in Kansas City with my sister-in-law, Arica and nephew, Brody. In this picture, someone obviously said, 'SAY CHEESE!'

We liked the fake-looking dinosaurs over the real-looking ones that were a little 'sccarry'.

Keara was in dream-land at cousin Brooklyn's house. Playing dress up and with 'too many princess things'. Here is one of her great faces she has been making- what a proper princess!

And here is a photo that will someday come back and haunt them, at least the boys!

Easton and Brody- quite the buddies.

Brooklyn had her 3rd Birthday party. It was princess themed and everyone had a great time. Isn't she so adorable!

And, of course, there is our little man, Braxton that is, not Rick! He is already 10 months old and is doing a one-armed army crawl right now. We went swimming at the hotel after the b-day party and it was Braxton's first time. Being a little cold, he didn't last too long.

Snow Days

2009-01-18T19:19:00.000-08:00

It's only the middle of January and I feel like we have had snow on the ground for months now. Keara and Easton are enjoying it (well, except when it is -15 degrees out).

We have been out sledding- and actually taking turns pulling each other...

making snow angels...

purposely falling in the snow...

drinking hot cocoa...

and, now as the temps are rising a bit, building a snowman.

And, lastly, kissing our snowman good-bye.

Family Portraits

2009-01-18T18:37:00.001-08:00

Back at the end of Christmas, I was going to post all of our fun times at everyone's houses and all of the great presents Keara and Easton are playing with, but it is now the middle of January and I am looking back getting a kick out of everyone's family picture- oh, the fun of the holidays!

A try at the three grandkids after Christmas Eve Mass. The presents are just way more exciting and Easton's dry lips got in the way of most family pictures!

Hello Allen!!!

Daniel, Sara, and Kian (being as cooperative as an 18-month-old can be)

Granny and Grandpa with their three grandchildren.

Yes, the only Dolezal family Christmas '08 photo I have...beautiful!

Now, at the Chaffee house, getting five kids three and under to pay attention and look at the camera all at the same time. You have to believe there is a lot of- look, Mommy has a monkey on her head- can you say stinnnky feet- Easton, put your foot down- Brooklyn, stop kissing your brother...etc.

Allen and I and our cooperative children.

This was suppose to be a 'crazy' picture, apparently Allen didn't get that memo, or maybe I was just too crazy!

The Rupp Family- Ann, Kory, Brooklyn and Braxton

The Hayes Family- or, oh wait, just Arica

The Hayes Family- Arica, Pat & Brody

Grandma and Grandpa and the five grandchildren.

And, this is probably the best of the bunch. Taken with a timer on a camera and by some miracle, everyone is looking and mostly smiling.

Christmas Music (Easton style)

2008-12-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Easton singing Away in a Manger!

Family Christmas

2008-12-21T07:47:00.001-08:00

From Mommy & Daddy Keara's favorite gift was her Airel doll, complete with Flounder!

Easton's favorite is his light saber.

Daddy's favorite gift was his TV!!

After Santa came!

Our Christmas morning. Keara and her toys.

Easton and his Santa toys.

Preschool Christmas Program

2008-12-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

Before our Christmas program

Keara & Easton's Preschool had their annual Christmas program. These pictures are of the 3-4 year-old group. Half of this group is in their Tuesday/Thursday morning class. They are singing Jingle Bells

Keara letting Santa know ALL the things she wants.

Easton wasn't too fond of Santa and actually didn't say a word to him, except a forced Thank you.

The Making of a would-be Christmas Card

2008-12-16T15:53:00.001-08:00

We really tried to have a cute little Christmas card with some brother-sister love, but we really just didn't want to cooperate.

Giving Thanks!

2008-12-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Blair and in Clay Center, KS. On Thursday, we hosted Thanksgiving Dinner and then went into the lighting ceremony. On Friday, we traveled to Clay Center. And, on Sunday at church, all the kids listened to the childeren's story and then Keara and Easton and their cousins, Brooklyn and Brody performed for the special, singing B-I-B-L-E, Twinkle-twinkle, the ABCs, and Itsy-Bitsy spider. They did a great job and will be a video that I am sure one of them will use when they are a famous singer!!

Thanksgiving Feast at Preschool

2008-11-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

Keara and Easton's Preschool puts on a Thanksgiving feast every year for all of the preschoolers and their families. They bring all of the food, set up stations, and let all the kids have a hand in mixing, pouring, and stirring the food (after we thoroughly washed our hands- thank God!). Our group was in charge of the corn casserole. Between food preparation, we made name tags, colored turkeys, sang songs, played games and then they got to reveal the hats they made. We enjoyed our meal of ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn casserole and pumpkin muffins.

*For all you parents, please don't let your child be the only child that doesn't have any parent, grandparent, family or friend show up to eat with them.*

Pie-fection

2008-11-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

I made my first homemade pie yesterday. I was always under the impression that pie-making was almost an art and was intimidated to even try making a pie, sure that it wouldn't turn out. But, that morning I asked Keara and Easton if they wanted to make an apple pie and they were so excited. I went home and the only recipe I could find for the crust was one with lard- yum! So, I called my Mom and got her recipe and we made the pie crust dough and then cut up the apples and finally put it all together and enjoyed the smell of a baking pie. I do have to say, it turned out, and tasted really good.

Halloween

2008-11-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well, this was probably Keara and Easton most fun Halloween so far. They couldn't wait to go trick or treating. Keara wanted to be a princess and well, I kind of pushed her to princess Belle simply because my Mom had the perfect fabric to make the dress and Easton has always wanted to be Spiderman and actually already owned the costume. They had fun dressing up, but the best for them was the door-to-door candy! They were a little shy, but when the bowl of candy got to eye level, they were all for it! Today all we have been hearing is 'Have little snack? Maybeeee, candy?'.

Nebraska Game

2008-10-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

Allen and I had so much fun going to a football game. It was Nebraska and Baylor and what I was guessing to be a pretty boring game considering it was Baylor, however, we are now just Nebraska, so it was very good! We had great seats thanks to the CEO of Mutual and the weather was perfect. After the game I got to catch up with an old friend, Todd and his wife Chanda who were in from Philadelphia and also Jed and his wife, Janice. It was kind of reminiscent of college days. As we walked back to our car, we passed all the bars and I bored Allen with stories of almost everyone of them. Like where his sister Ann meeting a guy at my bacholerette party and Lacey and I scamming drinks off of random men and then another where Allen and I went on our first date. We finished off our day out (without kids!!) at Lazlo's for dinner, which has undergone major expansion. I use to be a hostess there and now I think I would get lost. So, all in all, we had a really good time and decided we should really try to go back to a game once year.

Chaffee Fall Harvest

2008-10-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

Mid-October we went back to Kansas to experience some of the fall harvest. We had a good time with everyone and we all ate way too much (a typical scenario whenever we go to our families' homes). Keara and Easton learned all about the combine and the semi and the elevator bins. Easton is now the proud owner of all of Daddy's old die cast tractors, trailers, and other kinds of pull-behind equipment I don't the names of!! I am sure by next year, Keara and Easton will be throwing out farming lingo and I will just be shaking my head acting like I understand. They are like little sponges, absorbing everything they hear.

Sunflower Photo Shoot

2008-09-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

There are so many sunflowers blooming right now and Keara and Easton's favorite past time is to go and pick flowers. Well, Keara picks them to proudly display in a vase. Easton usually picks them, tears all the pedals off and then sees how far he can through the rest.

Photos from the Past

2008-08-25T14:33:00.001-07:00

There are so many pictures to share that I didn't know where to start. Moving from Kansas City is kind of where 'family' life began for Allen and I. When Keara and Easton arrived in 2005, life became centered around their every need and desire. Our family vacations so far have been fun, adventurous and usually a little hectic and sleep-deprived. We are up to four cousins and waiting for more!!

First Day of School

2008-08-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

Keara and Easton started Preschool today. They said they had fun and actually want to go back!