The first weekend of September was a father/son campout at church. We decided last minute that it would be fun for Daddy and Kellen to go on their first campout together! Actually, we have been really lame about taking our kids camping and it really hasn't happened as a family yet. I am really hoping that changes this next year! But for Kellen this was his first time getting to sleep in a tent, using a sleeping bag, etc. It was an exciting time for him! This picture pretty much sums this up!
I've been trying Really, Really hard to make it to the temple at least once a month. I am not perfect at it, but I AM trying! It's hard for me to make it in the evening, so I almost always miss ward temple night. So I decided to just start getting a sitter and going during the day on my own. And I have LOVED it. It is actually really nice to go by yourself sometimes. I can go there with my own thoughts; spend as much or as little time as I need, thinking, praying, pondering. It has really been a blessing. And it has also been good for me to have some alone time. A nice little break, just for myself. I am not really the type of mom that needs a whole lot of this. I know a lot of women that feel like the NEED time away from their home and away from their kids where they can feel like themselves for a little while instead of feeling like "mom" 24/7. Though I understand this feeling and can totally see where it comes from, it is just not something I crave for myself often. I don't need to get away that often. That being said, I do think that my days going to the temple have been a really good thing for me...a chance to recharge physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Often times while on my temple trips I will swing by and have a little visit with my dad. I am so grateful that he is laid to rest so close to us. A place where it is so easy to go and spend some quiet times with him in my thoughts and reflect upon memories. I will usually bring my phone with me and play "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" for us. That song will forever remind me of him and bring me comfort and peace when I miss him. (I will have to post the story of how that song became so special some time soon!)
I seriously don't know why I try and grow my hair out...because ultimately I ALWAYS end up chopping it right off again. Short hair and me are just meant to be. I don't know why I always fight it.
At 10 1/2 to 11 months this little cutie was Soooo close to walking! She was cruising along the furniture like a pro. She could take a step or two from one piece of furniture to the next without a problem at all. And she was mastering the art of pushing around her little grocery cart all over the house. It was only a matter of time before she was off and walking on her own!
Carys is such a sweet little baby. She is certainly a girl with an opinion and a mind of her own. But she is also a cuddler and such a sensitive, gentle little one. She LOVES to read books. She will grab a book and back herself into a lap any chance she gets! She was still waking up once or twice in the middle of the night at this age, though she was getting pretty close to sleeping through the night. At least she is a good napper. She LOVES to be carried (then and now). She would happily be hauled around on your hip all day if she had it her way. She does MUCH better in the store if she is in a carrier than if you try and put her in the cart. She is not really a fan of the car, though she is learning to tolerate it a bit better every day. She loves the dogs and has the cutest little barking noise that she will make while she chases them around. Though it breaks my heart to see my baby growing up right before my eyes, I am always anxious to see what new things she is going to do next.
Last year in the school jog a thon Makenna had won a pass to Boomers. So we thought it would be fun to have a special date night with mom, dad and the two big kids. And it was a blast. We played a riveting round of miniature golf. Dad and Kellen were pretty good (well, Kellen was pretty lucky). Mom....well...the kids could have given mom some pointers. Mom is not a golfer. No doubt about that. (But you can't be perfect at everything, right?)
Apparently you can't drive go-karts if you wear sandals. And if you know me then you know that is pretty much all I wear all summer. Which meant that Dad got to take turn with each of the kids on the go-karts (LUCKY!) They absolutely loved it and it was just as much fun watching the smiles on their faces as they came ripping around the corner. Though I would love to keep my kids little forever, there are also a lot of fun experiences that come with them getting bigger.
That moment when you look at your daughter and get a flash of her as a teenager right before your eyes. (Aaaahhhh!!!!)
This boy....he makes me laugh....EVERY DAY!
So apparently Krispy Kreme has a day every year where you can get a free dozen glazed donuts if you come to their store dressed as a pirate. Well, McKamey's most certainly do not pass up a dozen free donuts! Better yet, dress ALL your kids up and then you are crazy to think we would pass up 3 Dozen free donuts! (we didn't dress up baby...this year). The kids thought this was just about the best thing ever! And they got a huge kick out of all the people standing in line in their pirate garb while waiting for their free donuts. This will become an annual McKamey tradition from here on out.
With Makenna and Kellen both in school all day long now it leaves me with a lot more alone time with the two littles. So I thought it would be fun for me to do something special with these two. We decided to get the Con and I an annual pass for Sea World. I used to go a lot with Makenna and Kellen when they were little. But having so many kiddos now, it makes having Sea World passes for us all pretty pricey. So little Con had not been to Sea World all that much (compared to the older two). Plus, I love Sea World! And I am so glad that we decided to get the passes because going with the two of them has been such a fun thing for us to do. I love my special time with these kids. The years when you get them all to yourself and don't have to share them does not last for long. Gotta hold on to it tight while you can.
I am grateful for a little boy that can pass out anywhere, anytime. Just give him something soft to sit on and a nigh night and he is good to go.
When you have a sister that is your best friend then it totally melts your heart to see your own little girls loving each other. I pray every day that my children can grow up with friendships that will last. That they can always consider each other their best friends.
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