Kaine's 4th Birthday...

...finally! Kaine's birthday was 3 weeks ago, and I am finally getting around to posting the pictures. Oh well, better late than never!

Well, for Kaine's birthday, we decided to go to Chuck E Cheese's. We invited Kaine's good friend, Marlee, to come with us. We all had a blast! We picked a great day to go--it had snowed a TON that day, so there was hardly anyone there. It was really nice.

This was Layla, for pretty much the WHOLE time we were there! What a good baby!

Kaine and Marlee in the playground-thingy

Kaine loved riding this horse.

Halle had so much fun! She loved this little car:)

Not sure if this was allowed or not:) Kaine loves to climb!

Kaine and Marlee eating Oreos

This was Kaine's favorite arcade game. He was shooting deer and fish--he was pretty good at it, too!

Kaine and Marlee racing their jet ski's

Riding the horse together--they are such good friends!

I wonder why Halle loved this place so much? The pop and oreos probably had something to do with it:)

Halle even got to meet Chucky! She was a little shy at first, but she warmed up and then she wouldn't stop talking about the "mouse, mouse, mouse, mouse..." It was really cute!

So anyway, then 2 days later, this was Kaine on the actual day of his birthday. This was in the middle of the afternoon, and this is sooooo unusual for him! He NEVER takes naps! I think was feeling a little sick:(

Nathan is the cake decorator of our family! He does such an amazing job. This year, Kaine really wanted a shark cake, which I though seemed a little hard, but Nathan was up to the challenge! I baked the cake, but Nathan did EVERYTHING else-all the decorating. Great job, honey!

The finished product!

Happy 4th Birthday, Kaine! I love you!

He is already talking about his next birthday! He can't wait to turn 5!

Happy Birthday Kaine!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little Kaine!! I can't believe it, but he turned 4 last Saturday!! He is growing up sooo much. More birthday pictures to come soon!

Christmas 2009

Well, I thought I would do a Christmas recap. We had a wonderful Christmas with our families (haven't done christmas with Nathan's parents yet, since they've been in Florida. But hopefully I will be able to post pictures of that later). Anyway, here they are:

Here is Halle, making a typical ornery "Halle" face. She is constantly making us laugh--such a fun little girl!

Here is my grandma holding Layla. She just loves holding our babies!

This is Halle and Quinn (Corey and Erika's little boy). They are the same age, so I had to get their picture together.

Kaine got 2 guns with this little holster thing. He loves playing with it!

Jill with Halle and Layla

Halle and Quinn in a big gift bag:)

Halle just loves her little sister!

My dad playing with our kids, as usual:)

Mom and Halle looked so cute sitting there with their matching shirts!

Kaine and Halle opened their stocking stuffers with Layla in the middle:)

Kaine's favorite gift--a new guitar!!

Halle got some cute underwear in her stocking and wanted to wear them on her head for some reason! She looked so cute! (and no, she is not potty trained yet!)

Our annual Jim Schwartz family picure

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas! I know we did:)

Eight Years!

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary! I cannot believe we have been married for 8 years! I know it sounds very cliche, but each year seriously keeps getting better. I could not ask God for a better husband and daddy! Nathan is an amazing husband, and such a good leader for our family. Not to mention, he is my best friend! Happy Anniversary, Natie--I love you!!!

pictures:)

Here are some more recent pictures of our 3 sweeties. Layla is doing really well--she is a great baby! And Kaine and Halle continue to love her!

Little Layla:)

Kaine and Halle like to entertain me by "dancing" on this coffee table. Kaine loves to make really silly faces to make me laugh:)

Kaine has been my "babysitter" lately. He just sits on the bed and talks to Layla--it is sooo cute! He likes to place pillows all around Layla so that she is "safe." I paid him a quarter the other day and he was really excited about that!

Kaine and Halle "playing" with Layla

After Layla's bathtime--she really doesn't like baths too much, but afterward she is so sweet and cuddly!

Halle playing in her "boat" with her animals

I was so excited the other day to see Layle sucking her thumb! When Halle was a little baby she would put herself to sleep so well because she sucked her thumb! So I am hoping Layla picks up this skill.

This might be the first "awake" picture of Layla that I have posted! She is more alert each day!

Halle was being cute with these sunglasses:)

Have a great week, everyone!!

Layla Raine

We are so thankful that God has blessed us with another sweet baby! Last Monday, November 23, Layla Raine was born at 10:13 am. She was 6 lb 5 oz (our smallest baby!) and 20 inches long. I would have to say it was my easiest, most painless delivery yet (gotta love those epidurals!!) But seriously, not to be too graphic, but one halfhearted push and she slid right out! So that was a blessing, too!! Anyway, she is doing great--a little sweetie. Kaine and Halle seem to really love her, too. Here are some pictures:)

What a sweetheart!

The classic "yawn picture"

Proud Daddy!

Proud Mommy!

We were so thankful that our hospital lifted the ban on kids under 18 visiting! Just a few days before Layla was born they changed the rules, so we were so excited that Kaine and Halle were able to come and see Layla in the hospital!

Kaine just loves his new sister!!

He was even so kind to share his stuffed animal with her! (if you can't tell, Cheetah is laying on top of Layla)

Halle is fascinated by Layla--she is constantly touching her eyes, nose, hair, hands, etc and saying "nose" "eyes" etc. It is so cute! (at least, until Halle pokes Layla in the eye--poor little thing, she will have to be a tough child!)

Nathan taught Halle to burp Layla

Well, I was trying to get a cute picture...as you can see, it wasn't working so well:)

Sweet little Layla :)

Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Layla!