Klaus Haus News...

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to pass along some recent exciting news. Jon and I have made the decision to have me stay at home with the kids!

I'm extremely excited!!!

I'm hoping to use this time to focus on the kidos, as I know how important this was for me growing up. I loved spending summers, and going to the daycare where my mom worked right after school. I can't wait to spend more than 3-4 hours a day with Morgan and Gavin, that will not include rushing around for bath time, dinner, and bed time routine in some hurried evening drill.

We're holding Morgan back from kindergarten to give her one more year to focus on building her speech, and becoming more confident. Plus she's still about 6 inches shorter than other 4 1/2 year olds. She's such a peanut! We've enrolled her into what they call Pre-Kindergarten at the elementary, which is a half day everyday for a whole school year, and she's still going through round-up this year. I can't wait for Gavin, Sassy and I to be able to walk and drop off and pick up Morgan from school, plus it's with in walking distance. That will just be awesome!

My current job does not have any part time opportunities available, so I'm going to take it up a notch withTastefully Simple, and look to do some free lance or contracting stuff as it comes along. Our current Daycare has also offered me the opportunity to work a few days there as well. I just know that with my entepreneuring mindset and current skills, that this is going to open a whole new world for me! I'm already writing ideas down...I'm really looking forward to this.

Many Blessings!

Shannon

p.s. Our email has officially changed to sjklaus@msn.com

Fashion Show

Click on the poster above to get a better look at the details of a fashion show being hosted by several local designers. If you're in town, and have time stop in. It's supporting a great cause!

Just Chillin'

Gavin...6 mos

Our most recent weigh in was 16 lbs 1 oz...this was the beginning of March after the flu bug. So by now I think we've blown that away.
I think we're officially working on teeth, and have now consumed, peas, greenbeans and carrots. He's still not a fan of real food. He likes his bottles and cereal. He has almost become a master at sitting up, the Donald Trump comb over, and can say "da, da, da..."

Bath Time Fun...

Klaus Haus Favorite Recipe...

Mrs. Short's Paella:
One of the most colorful, and flavorful dishes ever!

1 bunch green onions
1 green pepper
1 bag of baby carrots
2 celery stalks
2 can's sliced black olives
1 jar sliced green olives
1 package chicken rice a roni (I've also subsituted brown rice with chicken rice a roni seasoning)
1 lb pork sausage
2 pkgs of budding slice ham or beef

Cook rice a roni as directed. Brown sausage and ham or beef together. Chop onions, green pepper, carrots, celery, add to sausage mixture. Drain olives, and to sausage and vegetable mixture, simmer for 10 minutes. Add Rice.. to pot of vegetables and meat. Cook for additional 10 minutes.

Eat with with Tortilla, sour cream, and salsa optional.

I love this quote!!!

“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” ~ Doug Larson

Fred the snowman...

Meet Fred the snowman...he was about 3 1/2 feet tall. This was Morgan's first snowman. It was funny as we had fun building him, but as he starting looking like a snowman Morgan was a little scared of him (see the second picture). Once she realized he wasn't going to start singing to her like Frosty, he was o.k. Unfortuantley for Fred, I had to take his scarf inside, and he melted in two days :o) With our current weather and wet snow, this is the perfect weather to rebuild Fred.

Recent Snowfall...

This was from last week's snow/ice fall...it was fun. The branches above are actually of our big maple in the front yard, and they were about touching the ground. One thing about living in Iowa, is that you have the ability to enjoy every season. Morgan and I loved rolling in the snow, and doing a little shoveling while making snow balls. I'm sure the neighbors got quite the kick out of us.

The one we're currently experiencing has a lot more wind, and as of now less snow. However visability is very minimal.

The Klaus Haus is currently spending their time enjoying making tacos, watching "The Goonies," and trying to stay warm, and healthy.