Moments Caught on The Phone

In this new generation of smart phones, I find my phone to be used more and more often as my out and about camera. I don't necessarily like this, because the pictures are not as great. But at least I get to capture moments and silly things that perhaps I would not otherwise get to capture. Since I am so behind in my posts I figure this is a good way to start off with my catching up...

The cashiers at the costco food court always look at me like I am crazy when I order each of these kids their own slice of pizza....the slices are HUGE! But if there is anything my kids will eat a lot of then it is pizza...and they love their pizza from costco!

Is this boy not adorable? I was used to seeing this image growing up, but it was usually a cat in the clean laundry, not a toddler. This is much better....doesn't leave hair behind. He saw his "nigh night" in the basket and just couldn't resist getting in there and right at it!

These are probably the cutest valentines I have received....love it!

On the 101st day of school we were supposed to send our kids to school dressed as a dalmatian, which Makenna loved! Any excuse to dress up like an animal is a great one for Makenna, and these days dalmatians top the list of favorites. I thought she was adorable!

We have recently gotten a lot of bonding and visiting time with Brookie down here. It is fun getting to see Kellen and Brooke have some alone time when Makenna is at school and see how much the age gap between these two is closing. They are only 9 months apart. They can play so quietly and nicely together!

Con Loves his Daddy and is always looking to have as much Daddy time as he can when he is home. I love seeing my handsome boys together.

Isn't baby Kipper just adorable! I love this little boy and love that I have gotten to have more time recently with him to get to know him even more. He is such a sweetie....though I think he is going to mature into being a lot like his cousin Conner...Into EVERYTHING!

Conner really is growing and becoming quite a big boy these days. And he is adopting a very big boy attitude as well. He has decided he is really for big boy style swinging and also loves to run and swing on his belly.

Handsome boy post hair cut!

These two have a bit of a love/hate relationship, but in the last week or so I have been seeing a lot more Love in there! Maybe the age gap is starting to close and they are realizing they can be good play mates instead of just bugging each other all the time. They need to figure it out because they will most likely be sharing a room sooner rather than later.

Kenna and Kara taking a hard earned ice cream break at the end of a long week of Kindergarten.

...One of those nice moments....

This afternoon was really good for Makenna and I just wanted to record down a couple of things before I forgot them.....These few moments that, as a parent, let you know you are doing something right and what you are trying so hard to teach Is sinking in...

Makenna and Kellen were outside playing. Kellen hurt his foot trying to climb on top of the dog house. Makenna walks him over to the table and sits him down and says "Kellen, do you know what I do when I get hurt? I pray to God and tell him I am hurt so that he will help me feel better."

Later that evening we were cleaning up the toys before leaving Grammy's house. Makenna was very obviously going above and beyond and having a big smile while cleaning. I told her thank you so much for being such a good helper and working so hard at cleaning up. She then says "Mom, do you know why I am cleaning and helping you so much?" I asked her why. She says "Because I am trying to be like Jesus. I know that makes him happy and you happy, right mom?"

Love her. Love the Lord. Love seeing my children love the Lord!

It Really Is the Happiest Place on Earth!!!

Warning to the reader: This post is going to contain very cheesey language, sentiments and memories. Call me a sucker, but there really is something magical about Disney. That combined with the fact that I am get older and more and more emotional, I can't go to Disneyland without having a moment (or two) that makes me cry. Love that place.

The last time we had been to Disneyland was when Makenna was 3 and Kellen was 1. This trip was even better this time with the kids being older and more able to appreciate what they were experiencing. After 2 years of being there we were actually able to go there twice recently. Once as a family with Grammy and then once while Grandma and Grandpa McKamey were here....hence the reason why this post is so overloaded with pics. But hey, if any place is full of Kodak moments, it's Disneyland.

Our little Makenna is certainly getting bigger, but there is something about a pair of mouse ears that seems to erase some time....

Love the cheese face and the squinty eyes

As it should be, it's a small world was at the top of the list of favorites for the kids. I love the way kids just look and stare in total awe on that ride.

The Con is still figuring out what to think of moving horses....

I just love my mommy! It's so fun doing these types of things with her now...being a mom myself...understanding her love for me in a way I never fully appreciated before...seeing her be a Grammy.

One of these days that sword is going to budge!

The kids were not being super photo cooperative this day - Nothing wrong with capturing reality every once in awhile

Kellen and his first pair of Mickey Ears! He has really appreciated this. He was very cute about wanting to wear them, especially the second time we went.

Big head or small hat??

This picture was taken right before my big emotional moment during this Disney trip. We had let the kids pick out their souvenirs and were waiting for my mom and Makenna to get back from riding space mountain so we could go home. And then all the sudden super loud, "Dreams really do come true" type music came on over the speakers and then as we were standing on main street it started "snowing" (peppermint smelling/flavored pretend snow)! Kellen was just in awe. He and I stood out in the snow twirling around together....just felt like that perfect moment at the end of a perfect day....

We need to get Grandma and Grandpa some ears :)

Anxiously on the way...2 hours can be a long time to wait

These two were so cute together. Makenna would comfort Kellen on the "scary rides", they would talk about the things on the rides that were real and what was pretend. Kenna would tell Kellen the stories that pertained to the rides. It was very sweet to watch.

I think Dumbo may have been one of Grandma's favorites....just the right speed and thrill level for her.

I hope this does not give the kids a warped perception of what jail might really be like....

Kellen's Prayer

For awhile Kellen was always saying the exact same prayer every time:

"Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for all our blessings together,

Please bless the food,

Name of Jesus Christ, Amen"

So we asked him to be more thoughtful when he prayed and think about more things he is thankful for. This is now his prayer every time:

"Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Christmas,

Thank You for Halloween,

Thank You for Easter,

Thank You for Valentines Day,

Thank You for my Birthday,

Bless the food,

Name of Jesus Christ, Amen"

There you go.....

F-A-M-I-L-Y

Last week we had the pleasure of having Grandma and Grandpa come out to visit and stay with us for a week. I can't even begin to say how great it was to see them and spend time with them and watch them spend time with the kids. The kids had a blast with them. They were so excited about them coming to visit. This was Conner's second time seeing Grandma and Grandpa and I was so happy for them to get to see more of his lively and loving personality and for him to get to bond with them even more. There really is nothing that compares to family and the relationships and love we share with each other.

Grandma scored big point with the Con by pushing him around the backyard on the trike. He is always trying to lull someone into doing this for him and of course his Grandma was more than willing to do it all day :)

Kellen made sure to introduce them to each and every one of his babies.

During the visit Kellen's new bike we had ordered came in. Seeing him on the trike was just starting to become painful...he is so tall for his age he was just starting to look ridiculous cruising around on the thing. He was definitely ready for something bigger. This bike is awesome and Kellen is already doing really good on it!

Makenna was thrilled to be able to show off her skills on the monkey bars to Grandma....a lot of time and blisters have gone into developing such a talent.

Such a goon!

I swear this boy gets more and more handsome every day

I think Conner almost gave Grandma a heart attack as he climbed on, in and over every piece of equipment at the park. Doesn't matter if it was intended for 6-10 year olds....Conner is right there ready to take it on! He is so fearless. I must be getting used to his craziness because it doesn't phase me the way it used to, but I get a good laugh seeing other people respond to him.

Good thing he is willing to wear a helmet....he needs one with all the stunts he pulls off.

Grandpa and the big kids shining up pennies with Grandpa's magic solution.