All Grown Up

Somehow, before my eyes, my little girl has grown up.  I don't know if it's because I've been so preoccupied with a newborn, busy juggling 2 kids, or trying to sell a house, but I am so proud of  what a great kid she has become.  I have been making monthly posts about her little brother, for the past 6 months, so I decided that she was due her own post.  So, sweet girl, this one is for you!

*Some of our best conversations are in the car.  She is so observant and is never reluctant to say "S-T-O-P, stop Mom, the light is red, or G-O, Go Mom, it's green.  Ocassionally, she will yell out an "eat our dust" to a car we are passing. 

She no longer takes naps, but occasionally will if we go for a car ride.  I will admit, there are days when Momma needs a break and I will load up the kids, pop in a movie, and take an afternoon drive...and within minutes she is out. 

*She LOVES swimming, and is taking her second round of swim classes.  She is not afraid to put her face in the water, bob under water and touch her feet to the bottom, or even. . . .

. . . dive off the diving board. . . that's right, not jump, but dive!  She is completely fearless!

*She can spell a handful of 2 and 3 letter words (go, no, yes, etc), along with family names (Mom, Dad, Mackenzie...we're still working on Caleb).  She also knows her birthday, phone number, address and how to call 911.

* She is ridiculously independent.  I'm not sure if this is a girl thing or part of being first born, but there are few things she wants us to do for her.  She picks out her own clothes each day, brushes her own teeth, straps herself into her carseat, and makes some of her own meals (with my help, of course).  This is a picture of her changing out of her swimsuit  and into her clothes after swim lessons.  I will tell you that if she was aware of the fact that I snapped this photo, I would be in the dog house. Every day when she goes into change, she says "Mom, don't come in, I need privacy."  :)

*She is head over heels in LOVE with her brother.  She is completely smitten.  She gets the best smiles and best cackles out of him.  She loves the role of big sister, and we are so proud of her.  I hope this special bond continues all of their lives.

*She loves to cook.  One night last week, before bed, she said "Mom, tomorrow morning let's make pancakes.  We need to get the ingredients.  Directions:  flour, milk, eggs, butter, jelly and syrup. Does that sound good, Mom?" I am predicting that this girl may be hosting her own show on the Food Network!

*While she still has moments of being a typical 3 year old (whining and dramatic), she surprises us with her maturity.  Without us asking, she is good to use please and thank you, and will even reply with a yes ma'am.  One night we were out to dinner with friends and there was a table of kids next to us being really roudy, running around and refusing to eath their dinner.  Their mom got onto them and Kenzie was taken back and totally absorbed into the situation.  A few minutes later I took her to use the bathroom, and we crossed paths with the kids from the table next to us (let me just add that they were without their mom....all 4 kids, running wild....nice, right?).  Kenzie went right up to them and said "can you guys sit down and eat your food please?"  I was so proud of her.  I have no doubt that she will be a leader in life and will not shy away from doing what is right. 

I love you so much, sweet girl!  Thank you for making our life full of laughter.  I hope you always stay a "Mommy's girl" and will let me share in the joys and sorrows of your life.  Love you to the moon and back!

A Look Back

It's hard to believe how much life has changed since this moment. . . .

When we had the whole world ahead of us. . .

 

When we took fancy vacations, like our wonderful honeymoon to Jamiaca. . ..

and met life long friends there.  . .

. . .  and then we learned that our family was expanding (and so did Mommy's belly:) . .  .

. . . and we were full of joy. . .

and months later, we  were blessed with a beautiful, baby girl!

. . . and Mommy got the girl she had always wished for. . .

. . . . and we became the 3 Musketeers

 and then we learned that our family was again growing. . 

                                    

. . . and that Daddy would get the boy he had always wished for. . . .

. . . our perfect little buckeye. . ..

. . . and we now had built in playmates, who adored each other. . .

. . . and we would become a family of 4!

How life has changed since the day our family first started. . .

. . . every step of the way, we've done it hand in hand,

 

. . . what an adventure these past 6 years have been!

Happy Anniversary, Jeremy!   I love you!

4th of July

We celebrated the 4th at the Buzzard's lakehouse this year. It has become an annual tradition (click here), and we LOVE it! To be surrounded by family, watch fireworks reflecting over the lake, and hear our little ones giggle over smores, what more could you ask for? That same weekend, my older sister Melissa, her husband and 4 (soon to be 5!) kids came up for a few days to my parents house. We enjoyed swimming at the pool, playing outside and taking all the kids to the 3-D showing of Toy Story 3. What a wonderful weekend, surrounded by the ones we love. It was a great way to remember and appreciate the freedom that we take for granted, but are allowed each day!

                                            4th of July Celebration at Apple Valley

Sparklers!

Fun with Cousins!

                                             Ooey Gooey, Finger Lickin' Good S'mores!

                                                             Snuggled up for the Big Show!

I love this one. . . I am quite certain Bubba does not love the choke hold!

Waiting patiently for the show!

Watching the show with my sweet boy.  It doesn't get better than this!

                                         Fun (after the 4th) at the Lakehouse. . .  .

Hangin' on the dock after a good nights sleep

Riding the Wave Runner with Daddy. . .

                                                                and Grandma!

                                                              Bubba's First Boat Ride!

Two seconds after this picture was taken. . .

She was out cold in Grandma's arms!

and Bubba was asleep in Daddy's arms!

Playing with Grandpa on the dock after his big boat ride!

Still out cold following the boat ride!

Enjoying lunch on the dock before heading back home to see the Limburg's!

Hanging with the Limburgs at Nana and Grandpa's!

Cuddle time with the cousins!

too bad these kids don't like each other. . .

Teaching Caleb how to keep his form while doing a manly push up

Getting words of wisdom from great grandma, Monty

Reminding Uncle David and Aunt Melissa how great babies are (number 5 is due this fall!)

learning all about electronics from cousin Michael. 

Swimming with the cousins

Watching Toy Story 3 in 3-D!

**if you look closely, Kenzie is actually asleep....didn't make it past the previews!

Happy (belated) 4th Everyone!