Lucas' First 2 Weeks at Home

Daddy & Lucas needed a nap as soon as we got home from the hospital.

One of our first pictures where he's wide awake.

Big Sister Lindsay cuddling with her baby brother

What a crew!

Brenna loves to help and was very anxious to give him a bottle.

Mommy's Photo Shoot

Sweet Boy

Lucas Samuel

Our baby boy entered our lives at 6:57 p.m. on June 29 weighing 9 pounds, 6 ounces and measuring 21-1/2 inches long. The doctor induced me right around my due date because they were pretty certain he was going to be a big boy (we expected bigger!). Everything went better than expected though and we are so glad he's here and healthy.

Lucas Samuel Kruse

Proud Mommy and Daddy


Sleepy Boy

Our first family picture as a family of 5!

Summer Fun

Here it is six months later, but I am bound and determined not to give up on this blog, especially with the new baby about to arrive and hopefully lots of great pics to share. The girls and I have been enjoying our summer break so far. Lindsay and I have spent a lot of time shuttling Brenna around to t-ball and swimming lessons and Lindsay's new line is "When I'm older, I get to ..." as she hears that a lot. We're ready and anxiously waiting for baby to get here, but it should be anyday now.

We visited the Blank Park Zoo early in the month so Brenna could see her beloved giraffes. We had a great time with Pa and Grandma Jean as well as cousins Nic and Maddie. Lindsay wouldn't stand still long enough to get any good pics of her though.

Brenna's first t-ball game. She has really been enjoying it and told me she loves it as much as "fifteen days in a row of seeing her grandmas!"

Playing outfield, yes, she's the one with the pink mitt.

Brenna and Lindsay riding the smiley train at Town & Country Days. Linds could've done this all day.

Chase and Lindsay ready and waiting to "catch" their parade candy. It didn't quite work, but they still ended up with a bag-full!

Swimming Lessons

We're Back!

Well I obviously didn't keep up my resolution last year, and I'm not foolish enough to promise I'll stay on top of this blogging in the coming year, but I'll try to do better. (Won't really take too much!) It was a bit of a crazy year as both Brian and I took on new jobs. Next year will be even crazier though as we are expecting our third in late June. The girls are ecstatic to be big sisters and Brian and I are anxious to find out if they'll have a little sister or brother. I was going to try and post some of my favorite pictures from the year, but that might take forever, so I'll just add December and take it from there. Best wishes in 2010!!!

Brenna started Just For Kix dance this year and really enjoys it.

The winning Christmas picture. Can you tell we're to the point of bribing/threatening them for just one good shot?

Cute picture of Brian & BrennaBrian needed a new card partner and Lindsay was willing. I just love the little tutu sticking up though.

Brenna ended up being the understudy as Mary for the church program. She took the job very seriously. I'm a little biased, but it was pretty precious.

Brenna's 4th Birthday

We celebrated her actual birthday by going out for ice cream with her grandparents.

Lindsay was extremely excited to have both sets of grandparents together!

Grandma Linda made the cute Tinkerbell cake for her party last Sunday.

Our best attempt at a family picture.

Brenna and all of her cousins. It's hard to believe my oldest nephew will be 7 this summer and the 3 "babies" are barely babies anymore. Where does the time go?

Christmas Fun

Trying to get a Christmas picture.

We tried m&m's for bribery which obviously didn't work.

The final and winning shot.

Sugar Cookie Time

Four Generations - My Grandma Kroneman, my mom Marjean, me and Lindsay & Brenna

Brenna had her first church Christmas program on Christmas Eve.

Brenna & Adri getting in the spirit.

Lindsay too!

A cute picture of Brenna and Aunt Katie. It was a Cyclone cheerleading outfit. I'll have to get a picture of her in it and post - it's adorable!

Brenna was super excited about this as she'd found it at Mom's house a few weeks ago and was really bummed when we told her it wasn't for her.

Just Getting Caught Up

I have obviously not been doing very well keeping this updated. Maybe that can be a resolution of mine for 2009? We'll see! There were a few pictures from November that I thought I'd add anyway.

We took this same picture last Thanksgiving of Brian's parents and the grandkids so it is a hoot to see how much the kids have grown in a year. I think they were more cooperative when they were all a year younger!

Picking out Christmas trees with Grandma Jean - Brenna, Lindsay, Nolan, & Nic.

We decided on this one after quite a hike.

Brenna all dressed and ready to go to Disney on Ice.

Disney on Ice in Des Moines.

Brenna and her friend Elizabeth during intermission.