The Gavman...is now the Stairmaster

No we don't cage our kids :o) Isn't he just so cute!!! Drool and all... Gavin has conqured stairs and obviously pulling himself up. We are on our toes more than ever, he's quite the explorer.

Footprints...

"... Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts..."

Beautiful Simplicity...

New Model In Town...

Peas...I really love Peas!

The look on his face was saying "...There are you happy now I ate my peas!" Gavin just started crawling, LOOK OUT WORLD (especially Morgan)!

Grandma & Grandpa Klaus' Backyard

Summer Fun with Cousins...

Preschool Graduation...

Morgan graduated from preschool May 24th, 2007. We have still made the decision to give her another year as she'll be going to Pre-Kindergarten at the Grimes Elementary School next fall. Their theme for preschool was "Dream Big." Each child was to dress as what they wanted to be when they grow up. Morgan was a rock star :o)

Old visitors that left a mess...

Our newly refinished basement recently flooded about 6 weeks ago. We just put in a new drainage system and in the process of tearing down the old sheet rock found some black mold and old termite trails. Little did we know we had this hiding behind the walls. Notice the crayon drawings on the wall, I hope these fellows weren't playing with this child as he or she was creating their master piece.

Pictures of a FUN Thursday afternoon...

She's almost as good as her Aunt 'Manda... and very proud of herself and her new found talent.

Da Da and me...

Watering...

There were a few dry days this past week Morgan was able to do her watering of the plants.

Pulling Myself Up...

Gavin turned eight months old this past weekend...time has zoomed by with him! We're not crawling but scooting around on his back, and rocking forward :o) No teeth have emerged as of yet but we're drooling like a leaky water facet :o)

Grandpa and Me...

In Grandma and Grandpa's Arms...

New Nephew, and Cousin!!!

Maddox Joel Wajda
Born: 4-16-07 1:11 am
Weight: 6 lbs 14 oz
Length: 19 inches

New Pictures...

Check out some new photos of the kidos...

Visit: www.thesmilestation.com



Name is: Jon Klaus

Access Code: LTTT0846107034TAR

Car for Sale...

2001 SATURN L200…$6670.00

Vehicle Highlights
Mileage: 52,000 +
Engine: 4-Cyl. 2.2 Liter
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: FWD
Color: White

Equipment
Standard
*Air Conditioning
*Power Door Locks
*AM/FM Stereo
*Power Steering
*Tilt Wheel
*Single Compact Disc
*Power Windows
*Cruise Control
*Dual Front Air Bags

*Car is in excellent condition. All service was provided by Saturn and Hickman Auto in Des Moines, records available. If interested call Jon @ 515-867-4882.

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.

Lend a Helping Hand...

As most are aware, Jon and I sponsor a ministry in Haiti called Pwoje Espwa ("Project Hope"). You can see the link on the left directing you to "Theo's Work" which will take you to their blog. I came across this ministry as a dear friend and past co-worker was deeply involved in supporting the children's health care of this wonderful project.

Everyone once in a while they make specific requests to help build-up their little piece of heaven in Haiti. Which is not easy given their current, radical, polictical issues.

I wanted to put a plug out to anyone that might be able to offer up some assistance Here's some items that they've requested a need for:

• A saxophone for Deronce Pierre-Jackson who's taking a course at a local music school


• Money to pay for food, salaries, personal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.) , repairs to the vehicles


• Money for linens for everyone to have their own


• Here are some estimated costs for future projects: Fence for housing $40,000, Houses to homes $3,000 each house, Playground $4,500 (includes see-saw pump for water), Library $35,000

Phone Issues...

I apologize to all, as Jon and I are having phone issues. Our phone line is o.k. but both of our aged cordless phones decided to go die at the same time. I'm wondering if there was a power surge or something. Anyway, if you're trying to get a hold of us, try our cells Shannon's 515-991-6602 or Jon's 515-867-4882.

Thanks!
Da' Klaus Haus

We all wanted to see it, well here it is...

By Day I'm a bouncing, baby boy...

By Night I'm a Punk Rocker...

El Chicito Guapo... (Handsome Little Boy)
We've all wanted to see Gavin with his hair spiked, like dad. His hair is longer on top so he ended up more like Uncle Wes than Dad but very cute none the less. Well last night I was trying some conditioner for cradle cap, and it was just the perfect consistency to do his 'do up right.

Love is beautiful, even prehistorically!

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/02/07/prehistoric.love.ap/index.html

A creature in our bath tub!

When it's time to take a bath for Morgan we never know what we'll get. Sometimes it's singing, playing with her toys but this time she's a monster of some sort. This was just to cute...I walked in to check on her and found her doing this. We both just laughed at each other.