Klinge Vacation

Those of you following our story for the past few months may remember Miles’ crazy life in late August/early September….

While we were trying to move halfway across the country, Miles spent time with each set of grandparents.  Here’s the first part of his trip.  And below is a photo montage of the second part.  Thanks for sharing the pictures, Grandma!

Ohh.. Grandma broke out the big guns with this vintage road bike! What a little ham!

What do you mean, there’s a speed limit?!

Grandma is great with picnics!

Building muscles with Milk and Uncle “Gosh” Don’t I look HUGE?! No booster seat needed here!

 

Quality puppy and blanky bonding… a necessity for his sanity!

Helping out in the kitchen is always a blast too.

Grandma and Aunt “Ahn-na “appreciated the extra help, right?!

Some cuddle time was even reserved for Aunt “Bess” and Great Grandma Briden.

We have ourselves a climber here!! Thanks for spotting, Anna!

Grandpa made Miles’ day with the guitar!

No Klinge adventure is complete without special attention from Crazy Uncle Caleb! Catch me, I dare you!

Seeing Miles again after 12 days away was great!

Both Nate and I were super glad to have him back!

Now…. onto the Chicago Life!

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Posted in: Kelly,Klinge's,Miles,Nathan

Miles’ first cousin

This weekend was a super cute weekend!

On September 23, 2010 at 6:41pm, sweet Kendall Carolina was born! Coming in at 8lbs and 7oz and 19.75 inches, she’s cuter than I could have ever imagined…

There’s definitely something extra precious about a baby girl!

 

 

Sadly, Carrie endured a super long labor leaving me with lots of time to prepare Miles for the gentleness required to be a great older cousin. A little boy can never get enough practice honing his talents for how to properly treat a girl!

Of course - once her name was announced, we immediately had to start practicing her name.

Miles struggled with this.  After celebrating his dad’s 30th birthday only a few days prior, a little confusion set in. Miles heard “Kendall” as “candle.” Definitely not the same. Miles would hold up his pointer finger, say ‘hot’ and then blow out the ‘candle.’ At least we have a few more months to practice before we are hurting poor Kendall’s feelings!

Saturday afternoon, we got to meet Sweet Kendall! Miles was shocked to have been dethroned so quickly. He didn’t even get a chance to plead his case! Here’s their first meeting…

I just don’t get it! Who wouldn’t love THAT face!?!?!

In attempt to get his ‘favorite’ status back….

Sorry, Miles!  You’re too big to be the favorite grandBABY…

 

Towards the end of our visit, Miles finally agreed to hold Baby Candle. The moment caught below lasted a whopping 6.5 seconds before he changed his mind.

Mom, Dad, and Grandma are just smitten :o)

Alas, I have to include this final photo! In true Klinge fashion,  she looks great rocking that Jordan hat!!

WELL DONE, Tim and Carrie!  She’s perfect!

Welcome to the family, Miss Kendall Carolina!

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Posted in: Kendall,Miles

He’s demanding a recount….

Can Nate really be 30??

The math associated with his birth certificate and driver’s license say “yes.” His mother’s memory confirms!

However, Nate’s youthful outlook on life and toddler-esque energy level flex every muscle to prove otherwise.

On September 15th, my sweet, adoring husband turned the big 3-0!!  Since this is my blog – I feel I have full right to say that he’s a mighty fine 30!  That baby face will secure his young, vibrant appearance for years to come.

Sadly, Nate’s been dreading this day since he turned 25. Unfortunately, his birthday fell on a Wednesday during a pretty hectic transition time for our family.  Having just moved to Chicago, I felt a little unprepared.  I failed to organize a surprise party. My several attempts left me flat on my face and empty handed. We were left celebrating just as we celebrated his 29th, 28th, 27th, etc.

Nate was up early in the AM to get ready for work.  Miles and I handed him his gifts as soon as he was dressed. In attempt to channel the kid in his heart, we got him a Wii.  We also embellished his feet with a look of his adolescence.

While Nate was at work, the cable man came. Not only did we get our internet hooked-up, but we also got Cable TV for the first time in more than a year and half!!  Needless to say, Nate couldn’t wait to get home.

We made him dinner and a special cake.  The dinner isn’t worthy of details as we attempted steak – without a grill!  But the cake was an ice cream cake.  We had layered dark chocolate cake, coffee ice cream, and heath toffee bits. The cake was topped off with cool whip, heath bits, a chocolate shell swirl, and candles. Please note: we opted against 30 individual candles to maintain the ice cream cake’s integrity.

Miles jumped the gun a little and started blowing the candles out before the birthday song was over…  Although, at Nate’s age, he surely appreciated the help!

The rest of the evening was spent laying on the sofa watching ESPN and the ‘I shouldn’t be alive"’ marathon… I was not about the get in the way of my man and his remote…

Happy 30th Birthday, Nathan!

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Posted in: birthday,Nathan

Sad day for ISUARCH

Yesterday was a sad, sad day for the ISUARCH plates.




They've officially retired and have been replaced with the following:



The magnum never looked so foreign. I'm not sure how I feel about it.....yet!

(At least they weren't the CYNTYST plates.... I would have publicly mourned/ cried for that loss....)

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Posted in: Nathan

Water Colors!

While saying good-bye to friends on the east coast, Miles received a few gifts from one of his favorites.  The water colors, in particular, have been a lot of fun!  We’ve not only been channeling Miles’ fast paced brain activity into a constructive, creative direction – but we are developing motor skills and color recognition at the same time.  Many of you know about our little color struggle… everything is blue!

1 set of watercolors + a couple sheets of fancy paper…

… + one Miles sugared up on parts of dad’s birthday cake (assembly was in progress)

 

= a couple one-of-kind masterpieces

Well done on the gifts, Jess!  I’ve rarely seen this much focus or thought

 

Getting started…

 

Listening to directions: dip dip dip in the water, tap tap tap to get ride of excess water and swirl in ONE color!!

So far, so good!

 

Voila! Tre Magnifique! (or some happy french expression)

Not too bad for week one of Mommy Daycare!

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Posted in: Miles

Where did he go?

Whatever happened to Baby Miles?!

I remember – way, way back, nearly 2 years ago- when we brought Miles home from the hospital and naturally started calling him Baby Miles. Rarely did we refer to the tiny little man as Miles.

This was true for our friends and family as well.  While walking through his first daycare center, the little 2-3 year olds would ask me to put the infant carrier on the floor so that they could see Baby Miles.  He was tiny and adorable. What can I say?!

Do you remember this one of a kind crib?!  Built by Nate’s two hands, this baby bed is made of wood (the white portion of the end panels) from an airplane that his grandfather made for him when he was a small boy.  This is where Miles first dreamt his sweetest of dreams!

Miles has no idea how lucky he has been this past year ++

Go to Sleep, Miles (13 months old)

Now… he’s upgraded to a full sized bed!

I know… He’s drowning right now, but he promised to grow into it :o)

Would you expect anything else from Miles?  His first response is to jump on the bed.  After being corrected, he tried to get around the parental ruling by just ‘bouncing’ on the bed.  Grr…. Don’t be surprised if you read a blog about Miles getting a cast or something similar in the upcoming months…

Overall impression: Miles approves!

He’s now tucked into bed.  There was a little fussing, but he’s doing well so far.  I just went in to check on him and its was a difficult game of “Where’s Waldo..”   I pulled the sheet and blanket up to cover him and left him alone all snug in his new bed!

I wonder how early my morning will arrive now that Miles is no longer behind bars…. :o)

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Posted in: Miles,Video

6 Amazing Years Together..

I know, I know….

This blog is SUPER late, but I’m going to do my best to get caught up!

On September 4th, Nate and I celebrated 6 incredible years together.  Not only was this the day after unloading our household into our new Chicago apartment, but it was also the day we drove back to Iowa to get Miles back.  He had spent 12 days in Iowa, bouncing among family while we packed up our New York lives and hauled it to Chicago.

Don’t get me wrong, seeing family again was great!  Holding Miles again was incredible, but spending a night out with the man I adore was amazing.

We went to the cute Water Street Cafe in Waverly, IA. We enjoyed a nice meal of Midwest Beef (much missed) and a great bottle of wine. We relaxed, talked, and reminisced.  My life is great!

Though we had agreed not to get gifts, Nate found/created something so personal and perfect!  How could I get mad!! Before leaving NY, we really wanted to find authentic art from the streets, created and sold by locals.  Of course, the day we set aside to seek out art, all of the artists were MIA.  Here’s where my adorable husband comes in….

He spent HOURS cropping and editing more than 500 of the photos we took during our last 14 months in NY.  From those pictures, he created a whole new piece of art that will forever remind us of our East Coast adventure.

What arrived was a large canvas that still needed to be stretched onto bars.  Hold on tight for the big reveal!  I love it!!

Staple, staple, staple…

Stretch, pull, tug…

Tuck those corners

Look at this beauty!!!

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Hello, Little Piece of NY

And the best part….  It’s the Klinge version of New York

Your eyes are not messing with you.  This large picture is made up of lots of OUR pictures!!

 

 

Who wouldn’t love this man?!?!  His heart?!?! His mind?!?!

God had blessed me with a treasure; a treasure that I will gladly love until death do us part!  I would say that I’m lucky, but that’s an understatement.  I am blessed!

I love you, Nathan!

Happy Anniversary

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Posted in: Kelly,Nathan

Papa… Tractor…. Grass!

Miles has been missing from our tiny NY household for a week now. Would you like to know what our precious little monster has been up to?!

I was dying to know what I was missing – so thanks for the photo updates from Iowa!


For the last month or so, Miles has been obsessed with cutting grass on a riding lawn mower.

In fact, many of our family dinners have been serenaded by an adorable broken record – Papa – Tractor – Grass!!!

Miles cutting grass at the furniture store – both indoor and outdoor










Miles riding REAL and toy tractors….













… taunting the little farm cat.



Just so that you know, Miles has enjoyed a little activity outside the Farmville theme. Here’s the quick 22 month old speeding around Eagle Point Park with Grandma and Emily.




Not only did he exhaust all power from the car, but he played on a majority of the play sets throughout the park.

I’m not sure who was more tired – Grandma, Emily, or Miles! (although, I think I have a pretty good guess!)

Location:Dubuque, IA

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Posted in: Banwarth's,Miles

Big Changes, Big Dates, Big Kid

I’m so sorry that we’ve been neglecting you all for a few weeks. There’s been a lot going on. I hope to put together a few backdated blogs with pictures soon. However, briefly, here’s our big news!

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No – we’re not pregnant…..

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Nate got a job……. In CHICAGO!!!!

He starts on Wednesday, September 8th. If you’re interested to see where, click here.

With that said… here are our big dates:

August 16th (yesterday) – I gave my notice a work

August 23-25th – Nate, Miles, and I head to Chicago to find a new residence. Miles is going to remain in “the middle” until labor day weekend thanks to help from his grandparents.

September 1st – my last day at Boehringer Ingelheim… I’m kind of bummed about ending my 6 year tenure! They’ve been sooo good to me!

September 2nd – our moving truck is going to haul us out of New York.

September 3rd – we hope to unload the truck at our new Chicago home

September 4th – Nate and my 6 year wedding anniversary – and driving to Iowa to get our little man back and other family mingling.

September 6th – Head back to Chicago and settle in a little

September 8th – Nate dresses up to impress the city of Chicago with his sweet designs and hardcore work ethic. My resume will be updated with a Chicago address so that my job search can amp up a little.

Many of you know that September is always a big month for us – but this may be one of our biggest. There’s a lot more to going on – but we’ll save that for another entry!

Thanks for your prayers, love, and support!!

And here's the part you've all been waiting for....

A blog is never complete without a little Miles!

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Posted in: Kelly,Miles,Nathan