Mackenzie's 1st Date and Kiss!

Well, it happened a little sooner than we thought, but Mackenzie had her first big date AND kiss last night! Who would have thought at 2 we would have a toddler who was dating?

Last night, we invited our neighbor's son Antonio over for dinner and fun. His parents both celebrated their birthday this week, so our gift to them was a night out. Little did we know, they would not be the only ones on a date!

Below are some pics of young love in action.




Mackenzie and Antonio's date at the Buzzard Cafe!



Seranading each other with a little karaoke. Their song of choice was "If You're Happy and You Know It" and boy were they ever!



Snuggling over fruit snacks and a movie!



Going in for the smooch. My girl did not hold back!



Ending their date with one last, sweet smooch!

Well, if this is any indication of what is to come in her teen years, we are in BIG, BIG trouble!

Playing in the Snow!

We are a family that loves SNOW! We waited patiently all December and finally, in early January, we hit the jackpot! I don't know who had more fun, Mackenzie or Mommy! Whether it was making snowballs, sledding, or crunching our boots in the snow, we enjoyed every minute of it!



Catching snowflakes on our tongue!




Weeeee!



Getting a ride from Daddy!



Mommy and Kenzie smilin' in the snow!



Our snowy, family photo!



Having "snow" much fun!

Getting Mackenzie to come inside after playing in the snow is usually followed with tears. However, we have found that a warm cup of hot cocoa does the trick. We're waiting for the temperature to get in the double digits again so we can enjoy more fun outdoors!

Slideshow of Favorite 2008 Memories

Christmas 2008

Posing in front of the Christmas tree.
Decorating Christmas cookies with Daddy.

Mackenzie and Cousin's Kaylee and Ella wearing their matching Snowmen jammies.

Waiting patiently for presents to be handed out at Grandma and Grandpa Buzzard's house.

Snugglin' with Santa.

• This Christmas was by far the most memorable one we have had as a family of 3. Mackenzie understood all about Santa and enjoyed all of the traditions that lead up to Christmas (Holiday Lights at the Columbus Zoo, Decorating the Tree, Making Christmas Cookies, and Visiting Santa at the Mall). More than anything, Mackenzie wanted a bell for Christmas. She came up with this idea after watching the Polar Express movie and it was all that she talked about. If Mackenzie was up to no good, all you had to say was "Santa is watching" and she would run to the nearest window to look for him.
  
• We enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner (Steaks, Shrimp Cocktail, and Baked Potatoes) at Nana and Grandpas along with countless presents under the tree. We hurried home to put out our milk and cookies for Santa and headed off to bed. The next morning we woke up and enjoyed our own Christmas celebration before heading up to Loudonville to see Grandma and Grandpa Buzzard and the rest of the Buzzard Family. There we enjoyed a yummy Christmas Brunch and then ripped into the presents. As always, Mackenzie and cousins Ella and Kaylee enjoyed countless games of Hide and Go Seek and each others company.
• The best gift of all this season was getting to be together as a family and creating memories that will last a lifetime. We thank God for all of the wonderful blessings he has given us.

A Walk Down Memory Lane...The Arrival of Mackenzie

• Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to become a mother. The week of my 30th birthday, I received the most amazing gift...motherhood! Jeremy and I were beyond excited. I will never forget sharing the news with our families. We told them that I had received a gift for my bday that wouldn't be delivered for 9 months...that of course being our baby. We did not find out the sex of our baby, b/c we are a family that loves surprises. Anyone that knows my husband knows that he is the Master of Surprise and a kid at heart (one of the many reasons I love him dearly). Mackenzie was surrounded by love from the very start. She is blessed to have two sets of Grandparents, 3 Aunts, 2 Uncles, and 6 cousins.

• Date of Birth: August 30, 2006
• Weight: 6 lbs, 15 oz
• Length: 19 inches

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mackenzie with Grandma and Grandpa Buzzard.
Holding Mackenzie in my arms for the very first time!

Daddy's Little Girl.

Meeting Nana and Grandpa Barth.

Our first family photo.

Our Darling Daughter, Mackenzie Rae Buzzard

Mackenzie is currently 2 years and 4 months old. She is a ball of energy and into everything!
She speaks in 7 word phrases and is not shy when it comes to telling you what she wants. She knows most of her colors, can count to 22, sings dozens of songs, and is learning to identify some letters/numbers.

• Weight: 28 1/2 pounds
  
• Height: 35 1/2 inches


• Favorite phrases: "I don't want any night night." "Hey, Mommy/Daddy, watch this" (this usually means she is about to do something quite dangerous, so you'd better run!)


• Favorite foods: grapes, blueberries, sausage, pancakes, toast, soup, fruit snacks, and CAKE. If you ever ask Mackenzie what she wants to eat, you can count on her saying CAKE!
  
• Favorite activities: reading books, building towers, dancing/spinning, hide and seek, jumping in her inflatable castle, singing and helping Mommy around the house.
  
• Comfort Items: We never leave the house without our dear friends Brutus (the Buckeye) and Doggy. They are stuffed animals that accompany us to the grocery, playdates, car rides and bedtime.


• Qualities: hysterically funny, outgoing (she must say hi to everyone when we're in public), kind, helpful, an adventurous eater, and very smart for her age!
  
• Typical Day: Up around 8, has breakfast/plays, lunch around 12, nap from 1-3:30, has an afternoon snack, Assistant Chef to Mommy in the kitchen/preparing dinner, Dinner around 5:30, bathtime, playtime and finally bedtime around 8ish.

The Story of Us: How We Met

• Jeremy and I met in April of 2002, although he doesn't remember meeting me until August. We were both out of college and in the working world. We lived at an apartment complex called Meadowview, off of Dublin Granville Rd/161. I was a second grade teacher at Indian Run Elementary and he was in Sales for Qwest Communications.

We met on a brisk, Spring morning around 6 am, outside of our apartment building. Sirens were blaring and our apartment complex was up in flames. Yes, it was truly sparks and love at first sight. . . well, at least for one of us that is! We had passed each other and exchanged hello's before than in the parking lot, but this was our first actual introduction. I had had my eye on him for a while and joked with my friends that he would be my boyfriend one day. We only talked shortly as he was off looking for a neighbor's lost cat and I was phoning into work to let them know I would be late. Our building was eventually condemned due to smoke damage and we were all scattered to different buildings. I thought of him often the months that followed, but didn't see him again until 4 months later .

• It was a Sunday afternoon, and I was driving into the main entrance when I saw a car that looked like his at the clubhouse. It was August now and it was the last week the outdoor pool was open. I decided to go for it and changed into my swimsuit and headed to the pool. I remember thinking that if he was with friends than I would probably not say hi until the right opportunity arose. But, as I walked down the steps to the pool, there he was sitting alone. I walked right up to him and asked him if anyone was sitting in the chair next to him. He replied "no", so I began laying down my belongings. I told him that we had met before and it was then that the story takes a turn for the worst. Before I could remind him of the apartment fire, he asked if I was the girl who lived near him who rode a skateboard. I remember thinking, do I look like the type of girl that rolls on 2 wheels? (no offense to you skateboarders out there) I politely said "No, I don't own a skateboard" and then he inquired if I was the girl who asked to borrow his cell phone late one night a few weeks back. I reminded him that we had lived in the building that had caught fire, back in the Spring, and he acted like he remember me. I however knew it was just to be polite. We reminisced about that day and ended up talking and laughing for several hours. By the end of the day, I knew for sure that he was a catch and hoped that one day I really could call him my boyfriend. Several hours later, we packed up our pool belongings and walked out to the parking lot to our cars. I was hoping that he would ask for my number, but he DIDN'T! I thought, what is wrong with this guy? I know I was sweaty from being at the pool, but come on! So, I decided to yet again take things in my own hands. I told him that we should get together sometime and hang out and he said "Ya, that would be great, I live in Building A." I replied "All of Building A or do you have a specific address?" I was beginning to wonder if there was any interest there on his part or not. He told me his address and as I drove off, I repeated it over and over until I could find a scrap of paper inside my apt.

• A week later, I walked over to his apt, knocked on the door and. . . NO ANSWER! He was either gone or not answering his door. I left a note saying that I knew of a fun Japanese Restaurant that had karaoke and if he ever wanted a good laugh and a night out, to call me. The next day, he called and asked me if I had plans for that evening and of course I said NO! The truth is, I did, but I was not missing my chance to get to know him better. From there, it is history. We hung out every day and have been inseparable ever since. Who would have known that the love of my life was right in my backyard all along? We have been happily married now for almost 4 1/2 years and I love him more with each day that passes.

My Very First Blog

One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2009 was to create my very own blog. This may sound like a simple task to many of you technologically savy folks, but this is quite a sophisticated task for me. I am excited about having an avenue to share all of the happenings that take place in the lives of the Buzzard's! As the years pass, I will look forward to revisiting these special memories that may fade with time. Ready or not, here I post!