Video Dump (and a spring show too)

I see lots of blogs doing photo dumps from time to time.  This is similar – but it’s more of a video dump. 

I logged into my YouTube account to upload videos from Miles’ Spring show last night and noticed that I had others to publish online.  Oops! I’ll spare you 10’s of minutes and only show you my favorite video from the archive.

So…. let’s go back to March.

Warning – this video contains SNOW!  After this winter, I know that’s a swear word.  Sorry! Consider yourself warned.

Miles, Nate, Caleb and Laura found a rare sledding hill in Chicago so that Miles could give snowboarding a shot.  Impressive!  Now we need to find a real hill! That’ll have to wait for another winter.

Now, here’s the event that inspired this post… 

Yesterday was not only Miles’ half birthday, but it was also his LAST spring show at daycare. He loves these things. See 2013’s Sound of Music themed show here.

You heard me right!  Miles is a 5.5 years old AND a singing fool. Enjoy!

This next song goes out to:

• all of Miles’ Aunts and Grandmas who are young at heart
• all of Miles’ girly little cousins
• all of the pretty ladies in Miles’ life who are princesses at heart

You know who you are!

The cold never bothered us anyway!

Happy Spring!

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Posted in: birthday,Chicago,Miles,Video

Miles is 4 today!

Miles is 4 years old today, and no one is more excited that him. 

I still cannot believe he’s 4. We waited so long to meet him and have been soaking in every moment since.  He’s changing, growing, learning, and loving something new everyday.

 

The first few months

October 2009 – year 1

October 2010 – year 2

 

October 2011 – year 3

October 2012- today – year 4

Today, little man, you are 4 years old!

You’ve not only mastered reciting your alphabet, you can write most of the letters beautifully. You’ve found that you enjoy an academic challenge. You’re quest to be the best has finally extended beyond athletics!

Speaking of athletics, some things NEVER change!  You can spend hours in an open grass lot running bases, fielding grounders, playing football or kicking a soccer ball.  You’ve even proven yourself a talented skateboarder.  Your father cannot get enough bonding through sports! Nothing melts his heart more than your love of “vintage” players: Michael Jordan, Scotty Pippen, and Jose Canseco. Re-enacting the weekend’s greatest plays seen on Sports Center or watching a full 9 inning baseball game are regular occurrences at our house.

This past year, you’ve camped a lot, attended a Bulls game, Cyclone Game, Cubs game, and an A’s game. You’re always telling your dad to work really hard so that we can buy the next set of tickets.

You’re a master baker, a great helper with chores, and a great singer.  Your favorite songs to sing are Justin Bieber’s Baby, One Direction’s Beautiful, Selena Gomez’s LoveSong, and Carly Rae Jepsen’s Call Me Maybe.  I’m still not sure where you heard most of these songs!

You’ve become quite the gentleman and are adaptable to most situations.  You play well with adults, boys your own age, babies and the ladies.  You understand your strength and know that different people play differently.  You love to be “in-charge”  of things too….

You want to be taller and faster than everyone.  This has made you a bit of a health nut.  You will reject  your dad’s offers for ice cream after dinner because you think it will make you slow.  You love to compare your height and arm length with us to prove how much you are growing!

Miles, I love watching you grow, even though my heart wants to keep you little forever.

Happy 4th birthday, buddy!

 

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Posted in: birthday,Miles

So, Here’s what you missed (part 3)

We celebrated my birthday on September 30th.  I’m still not really happy about it.  I’m not a fan of odd numbers, so 31 just isn’t sitting right. I spent my whole life looking forward to 30, so 31 is rather depressing. If only I could skip to 32 and hang out there for a couple years instead……

The boys made the birthday a lot of fun. I  love feeling like a princess!

We got up early, opened a few presents

Nate took Miles shopping… All on his own, he picked out candy corn pumpkins, orange fingernail polish, glitter fingernail  polish, a red pillar candle and some white dish cloths. What a thoughtful little guy!!  Really knows how to melt my heart :)

Nate went above and beyond to get me a travel, heat-resistant wrap for my hair straighter, as well as my very first garmin! It’s the forerunner 10 and I LOVE IT!

After church,  they made me a fancy breakfast with pancakes, bacon, OJ, and flowers.  Nate and Miles have mastered pancakes and orange juice! Luckily, Titus was visiting!  He’s a bacon guru!! Thanks guys! Can you believe that the flowers still look great 2 weeks later! Here they are:

Afterwards, we practiced 2 wheel biking!

He’s soooo close!

Our evening ended properly!

Thanks, boys!  You’ve succeeded again! I love you all so much, even when you point that camera at me when I’m not looking.

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Posted in: Bikes,birthday,Kelly,Miles,Nathan,Video

So, Here’s what you missed (part 2)

On September 15th, Nate had a birthday!  32 welcomed  him warmly…
We had a cozy little party at home on the 13th since we had plans to be out of town for the 15th.
Miles has a blast planning the party. To begin, the presents!
Miles has been obsessed with Spiderman lately.  He’s even started referring to his dad as the Hulk.  Miles wears his Spiderman costume everyday after school.

Dad needs a hulk costume.  We couldn’t find one that would fit dad, so he settled on a set of hulk fists. BUT….  he only wanted dad to have the fists if he could get cool Spiderman stuff too.  I had to explain to him that this was DAD’s birthday, not Miles’ birthday.  After that, he no longer wanted to get the fists.  Sop… here’s the pile-o-love!

He finally settled on this for Nate’s “big” gift:

Lots of living room basketball in the dark now…

Miles also picked out silly putty, baseball cards, and a box of fruit roll ups. It should be noted that the putty and cards are currently in Miles’ room.  Also, Miles ate all but 1 one the fruit roll ups.  I guess we need to teach the spirit of giving a little better.
     
We did get Nate a couple practical gifts as well; a laptop stand thing and a bright orange watch!

We also had cake… this year made to Miles’ specification.  I asked what kind of cake his dad would like.  He answered with “Dad loves baseball.  He wants a baseball cake!” Ask and ye shall receive…

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Nate’s actual birthday, we travelled to Ames, Iowa for a Cyclone football game and a tailgating with coworkers. This was Miles’ first real football game . Catching up was incredible, but I failed to photo document any of that.  I did, however, capture a couple pics of Miles and Cy with my phone.

We all had a blast!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATHAN (aka DAD) !!!  We love you!
(see orange birthday watch below)
 

Congrats, ISU on your 37-3 win over Western Illinois University!

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Posted in: birthday,Nathan

She’s a Purdy Thirty!

Happy July 3rd to many of you….BUT Happiest of Birthdays to you, Miss Bethany Joy! 

I’ve heard –many, many times – that had you delayed your first breath by just a few more hours, your name would have been Amy Erica!  Yikes – I feel that your given name is one of your greatest gifts, don’t you agree?!

I’ve been hanging around the Klinge’s for greater than 11 years now. I learned of the family’s love for traditions, both old and new.  Little did you know, that nearly 2 years ago, you started a new one. Click here if you need a giggle/reminder!

Now onto the blast of your past showcasing just a few of your talents and spiritual gifts:
(aka photo dump from a time in your life I wish I could have witnessed!)

Strength – look at that control!
Is this Beth or Paisley?!  Wow – Klinge’s make cute kids!
 
Taste - Early development of your refined palette

Provider- just honing your master chef skills

Thankful - Showing outward appreciation for those who love you.

Brave– holding an awkward pose in the arms of a grumpy brother so that a photo opportunity is not missed

Quick learner – little time passed from demonstration until mastery

Maternal instincts – Paisley and Adelyn don’t know how lucky they are!

Great aim – this will surely come in handy on that acreage!

Beauty – you can never underestimate the importance for adequate sun protection

Confidence – yours is contagious!

Bethany Joy…. you were a cute little girl, but you are a beautiful woman – a very purdy thirty!
Welcome to the club!

(Pictures generously provided by Kathy’s photo vault)

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Posted in: birthday