ToddlerLand

For those who do not have a toddler yet or who LOVE
the toddler years you may not want to read this entry.

I will just say right off the bat....I am not fond of the toddler (1yr-3yrs) stage. This is such a fun age that involves a ton of learning and exploring but for me it is very consuming and exhausting. Just when you are done fixing one disaster they created, they have gotten into a whole new one. Plus, they are typically needy of you and whiny. As I write this entry, I feel completely guilty for saying these things but I am hoping that one day when my children have grown I will look back on this, read it and laugh.

This week was a typical toddler week.....on top of my other life duties. The week started off with the water pump on my car going out and we had to get by with one car (that is never fun). Then, in the middle of the week I had to start the process of fixing an old root canal that now needs a crown (aaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhh). That night we were able to get my car back but by then Hanna had such a long day of being carted all over she was beyond cranky in the ride to the mechanic and back home. By Thursday Cali had been home for 3 days from school and I was tired from dealing with a sick child all day/night, a typical curious toddler and all my other daily jobs. I took Cali to Target to get some stuff she needed for a homework assignment and while there Hanna fell out of the cart. She ironically did this 2 minutes after a Target worker had told her to be careful in the cart or she would fall. She was screaming of course and I'm sure in a lot of pain. At that point I just wanted to hit "fast forward" on my life remote and get to next week because I was done with this one. So, bottom line toddlers are cute and fun but only if you have nothing else to do all day except entertain them and tend to their every need and want.

This example may not sound like anything big or serious but mind you I have left out a lot of details of the week. I only included the big events that make it challenging to please a toddler while dealing with life. I love my kids and adore Hanna right now for her cute fun self..... despite my grumbles.

2010 here we come!!!

Well, the year started out with some pretty BIG NEW for us........we are being transferred to Monterey, CA. The initial shock was hard to swallow since we are very sad to leave so many good friends here in San Diego. However, at the same time we are excited about living in beautiful Monterey and for the fun new adventures it will bring our family. The kids were sad at first but each day they have found a new reason to love the move. Seth is excited to see all the sea life there and Cali can't wait to make a bunch of new friends. And well...Hanna....she just wants to be where ever her family is. We will be able to rent a house with a yard and garage and that is what we have wanted/needed for so long. We don't have to be up there until July so the kids can finish out the school year.

I have had some really bad days where I cry alot and other days where I can't wait to live somewhere new. I think the changes will be good for us.

So, now it's just wait and see what other big events take place for the Knoop Troop in 2010 !!!

So dang cute..

Ok, so I know I post alot about Hanna but she is changing, growing and going through too much not to write about it. She got a hold of Cali's helmet and wanted to put it on. She looked so darn cute and even posed long enough for me to take a picture.



This is what memories are made of.

2009 Knoop Christmas Events

Christmas 2009

We did a lot this year for the Christmas season. The kids helped me put up our tree since KC was deployed for the first half of December. When he got home we looked at lights with friends, went to the Presho Clan party, spent a weekend with the Anderson Grandparents and the Chases at Camp Pendleton in the beach cottages. We had a gift exchange party at Monty and Rebecca's house. We went to Burbank to see dad, sherry and the boys but also spent time with Dave, Kristi and the kids as well as Grandma Schmidt. Cali went to a Christmas Princess Tea party with Snow White. And last of all we had a nice Christmas day at home opening gifts and remembering the true reason for this time of year.....the birth of Jesus.

We are very blessed with good friends, family and an abundance of love.
May next year be just as fun!

Hanna and her bumps...

Hanna has certainly reached the age of bumps and bruises. I feel like just when she gets rid of one...a new one comes along to replace it. This one she is modeling came from a fall at the park. I actually did not see it but according to Amanda McKamey she just fell over, head first onto the concrete. Wow!!! her head must be that heavy to incur such damage. The head bump was a huge goose egg and all spotted from blood coming to the surface. Her whole face was red and irritated, she got a little cut on the side of her nose and on her wrist. However, you can see that she still appears to be happy and cheery....even by the next day. Gotta love her!

Hanna is such a girl

For a few weeks Hanna insisted on taking this purse, filled with toys, everywhere. She would even throw a fit if we left it in the car or forgot it at home. She is so cute and doing her best to be as much of a girl as possible. Amazing how they come wired that way!

Year End Events

These are a few year-end photos.
Seth and Preston playing the Wii. This was Seth's favorite person from school.

Cali thinks she is a "bee princess". In other words, she thinks she is going to save all the dying or hurt bees. There is one in front of her in the first picture and then she is holding it in the next picture. She has such a love for animals...of all sizes.

Poor Hanna was Cali's victim one day during
dress-up. Cali thinks Hanna is her dress-up doll.

The Knoops at the Del Mar Holiday of Lights.






Cali and Hanna were having a dance party. Cali was dancing her heart away and Hanna was just content watching in hopes that she would get pushed in the stroller a few times.


2009 was a very eventful year. It was filled with hard times like loosing a dear friend Alyssa Joyce to almost losing McKenna McKamey. It was a year of learning how to adjust to KC's new schedule which kept him away over half of every month. We struggled financially in hopes of paying debt off and starting anew in 2010. However, in the midst of our trials we still managed to laugh, sing, smile, travel, give lots of hugs and remain faithful that our devotion to thee will keep us safe. I am thankful for my trails and that after each one I am able to look back and realize what I learned. May 2009 leave me with lots of memories for the good and may 2010 do the same.
Happy New Year!