And over we go...
Caden is quite excited because Brett just returned from a 2 day safari in Benin. He just can't get enough of playing with his daddy! For more on Brett's trip, check out his travel blog at http://theplacesivebeen.blogspot.com
This is Caden with a bucket. Since most of his really cool toys are still on our container, he has had to improvise quite a bit. This bucket and other everyday items have provided him with hours of entertainment!
We can't look at this picture without softly singing to ourselves, "Climb every mountain, ford every stream..." Cade has fallen in love with climbing since we've been here, much to his daddy's delight, but this has also caused us to have to watch him extra close...
You'll rarely meet a little boy who doesn't think that high-fiving is cool, and Caden is no exception. All you have to do is put your hand up close to him and he will start slapping away!
We are so thankful to have a place to stay while we await all our belongings from the States. Our container is scheduled to arrive at the end of January, please be praying for it's safe arrival. Meanwhile, we are making do at the Miller's home while they are at Harding serving as missionaries in residence. Caden has really enjoyed all the new places to explore. As you can see from the photos, he especially enjoys swinging outside.
I know everyone has been anxiously awaiting for us to update...the internet speed has been another thing for us to adjust to. Please be patient with us while we figure out the most time efficient way to post. We love all our devoted readers and love your comments! 
Then he thought he could help me put sheets on the beds...
Caden decided that he wanted to try vacuuming and discovered that he loves it!
The best part of his new year's resolutions is that he is constantly wanting to help clean the dishes. He's become Mommy's little helper.
And then....he decided he didn't need Mommy's help and he could do the dishes all by himself!
Myriam is the daughter of Corine (one of Caden's teachers from the nursery). We were invited to their house a few days ago for lunch and had a wonderful time with the Saldana family. Myriam immediately took to Caden and they looked like the best of friends after only 5 minutes. So, today Caden got to return to the Saldana home and spend the day with Corine and Myriam while Brett and I went skiing (Merry Christmas to us!). It was so nice to spend some time together and never worry about how Caden was doing. We knew that he was having a great time. And I think these pictures prove it!
When Brett's parents were here, they brought Caden a special gift from the States....CHEERIOS! Now, I'm sure you're thinking, what? no cheerios in France?! Oh, there are Cheerios - but only the honey-nut flavor. These plain toasted oat cereal pieces have become like gold and we are slowly going through them. Caden decided to dump his small bag on the floor and shove as many in his mouth as possible until Mommy caught him.
Caden is making steps towards being a big boy. He loves to eat things that Mommy and Daddy are eating. Often, he refuses to eat cut up fruit pieces insiting he eat them just like us. The only problem is that he has a hard time knowing how much food he can put in his mouth before it's too full. We're working on it...
Christmas in Albertville, France
So, here's the story behind our little Christmas tree. First I have to say that I love my little Christmas tree. Last year we didn't have a Christmas tree...we had decided when we moved from Memphis to Montgomery that we would leave behind our dear fake tree in pursuit of a real one when the time came. Well, the time came and went without a tree...we had a newborn and money was tight. I assumed I would spend another Christmas without a tree. I was wrong. My thoughtful husband yanked one out of the ground one afternoon while he was hiking in the mountains. He was quite proud of himself. We put the tree (roots included) into a mop bucket and attempted to secure it with dish towels. Still wobbly. We then tied a birthday ribbon from the trunk to a hook on the wall. This worked wonderfully for about two weeks. Thankfully, we were home when the tree began to "tilt". We have since leaned it more toward the window for extra support. My Mom sent us the snowflakes and we bought the other ornaments and lights here in town. The one random ornament towards the top has to be our favorite...it says "Mon beau sapin, roi des forets" (my beautiful fir tree, king of the forests). Oh, and don't worry...Brett plans to replant the tree before we leave. Long live mon beau sapin!
Santa Claus came to visit Caden while he was taking his morning nap. He enjoyed opening his gifts (ok, so most of these were regifts from his birthday...but he didn't remember). We had to hide each toy after he opened it so he would be willing to open the next one. Little does he know that Santa was able to put lots of Christmas gifts for him on our container...Christmas will come again in January (maybe February) for this family when we're in Togo.
Don't let the smile fool you; he will leave you with nubs!
At a hotel we stayed at in Switzerland; we're pretty sure he called the front desk at least 5 times...
This is just a toy phone. We like it when he uses this one because there is no chance of incurring huge long-distance charges...
And of course, like all good 21st century missionary kids, Caden loves to Skype!!!
Seriously, how do you even get a glob of mashed potatoes that huge on your FOREHEAD?!?!?!
This actually seems like fun. Have you ever just put your hands in a squishy food and gotten messy? If not, stop reading and go do it right now...
Call me old-fashioned, but I've gotten quite accustomed to NOT having pasta sauce lathered all over my face. This is a very interesting spoon, however...
Hail to the Victors!!! Go Blue!!! Win this one for Bo!!! 
Caden seems to think that Christmas is in November...or at least he did today. We received a package from Nanna & Gran'Pa today (thank you, thank you, thank you) that contained this little bear - it was vaccumed sealed and resembled roadkill before we rescued it and fluffed it back up. Caden immediately grabbed the bear and hugged it with the biggest smile on his face. We thought you would all enjoy seeing a little of his sweet personality in these pictures. Currently, his name is "little bear" because he looks like a little Mattie (our big...ok, huge bear) and we've already begun teaching Caden: big bear and little bear.
And don't worry, mom didn't forget us...we got spiced tea mix to make our holiday season seem a little more like home this year. ;)
Winter and mountains go well together...
In this pic below you can get a great view of Cade's teeth. He has 4 molars now for a total of ten pearly whites!
When this little boy came into our lives on October 25th, 2005, our hearts grew. Today, our hearts are even bigger as our love for Caden grows every day.
Caden, you have been the biggest blessing to our family and we praise God for giving us the opportunity to be your parents. We love you, little guy!
* Chronological pictures of Caden with Mattie will now appear only one to two times a year.
One year later, we have the cutest dragon you've ever seen. ;) Caden enjoyed trick-or-treating with all the kids here at the Centre and mommy and daddy continue to enjoy the treats from the evening.
