DeSoto Caverns Fieldtrip

A week and a half ago I was able to accompany Bayley on her class field trip to DeSoto Caverns. DeSoto Caverns in a cave about 45 minutes from our house. Bayley was thrilled that I would be able to come...thanks to a good friend who was willing to watch my other two kiddos. We had a very good time. The cave was nice, but kind of puny compared to some of the other caves I have been to like Timpanogas and Carlsbad Caverns, but nice for around here. Not only did they get to walk through the cave but they were also able to pan for jewels...I think that was the highlight of Bayley's trip. It was a fun day with my Fun seven year old!

Dora Live

Dora Look-a-Likes
Two weeks ago there was a Dora look-a-like contest at our local Chick-fil-A. Once I told Kendal about it, she was determined to enter and WIN. In fact in the days leading up to the contest that seemed to be all we talked about. That Tuesday night Jeff had a dinner for work, so I packed up the kids, including Kendal dressed as Dora and Trey as Diego and headed to Chick-fil-A. Not only did they have the contest, but they had coloring and other small activities for the kids....and as an added bonus they had free kids meals with an adult meal purchase. For the first little while Kendal and Trey were the only 2 kids dressed up so it looked like they would be the winners automatically (mind you at this point we had no idea what the prizes would be and really didn't care, it was all about the experience). However, as the time for the contest drew nearer little girls dressed up like Dora started coming in. All of the girls had the exact same costume (Kendal got hers a couple of Halloweens ago from Grandma G), and the others had black wigs. As they pretty much all looked exactly alike it was impossible for the judges to fairly pick a winner. So with the blessing of all the contestants and their parents, they put all the of dressed-up kid's names in a hat and picked for the winner. KENDAL WON! She was so excited! And boy were we even more excited when we saw the prize pack...she was 4 fourth row tickets to the Dora Live Show in Birmingham, a car wash, and of course some free Chick-fil-A food! It was a fun night and I came home with 3 very happy kids. Thanks Chick-fil-A!!!!

T-ball games, Dance Recitals, Etc.

My DANCING QUEENS

Want to know what we have been up to lately...a lot of t-ball, a lot of dance, and life in general.
Dancing took the center stage this weekend. The girls were excited to show off what they had been working on the last couple of months. Kendal performed a very nice slow dance and looked very beautiful in her costume. I think she is going to take a break from dancing and give some other activities a try. She likes to dance, but I can't say that she loves it like her sister Bayley does. Bayley did a great job this recital. She is in a class with girls a couple of years older than her and has very little problems keeping up. Of course, she is as tall as the other girls and looks just as old, but it says a lot that she has been willing to challenge herself with the older girls. She definitely has a dancers body...long and slender. I am very proud of both of my girls.

Grandma "G" and Bayley (notice the beautiful roses...the girls loved them)

The last couple of weeks Kendal has had a couple of t-ball games a week. She has enjoyed her t-ball experience and has improved as the year has progressed. She proved to be the most attentive girl on the team...the rest of the girls were usually in the outfield picking grass or talking, while Kendal usually at least knew where the ball had been hit. Now that the season is over or almost over, depending on if they decide to make up any of the cancelled games, the most exciting part of the season remains...the team party where Kendal will receive her trophy. (after the first game this year, she asked me, so now do I get my trophy??)

Kendal at the plate!

And of course, life has continued to be filled with lots of other stuff. The weather goes from being very nice to very rainy, so we have had the chance to enjoy our pool here and there. The kids are itching for a week where they can swim every day. Church callings continue to keep Jeff and I, mostly Jeff extremely busy. He is gone most evenings, however, makes a point to spend quality time with the kids when he is home. He really is a good dad and husband. Other than that, we are looking forward to the end of another school year in 8 days...but who is counting. This week I am headed on a field trip with Bayley's class. It should be a lot of fun to spend that time with her. And of course, the end of the school year means the start of school for Kendal is just around the corner....not a day goes by that she doesn't ask how many more days until she starts school. I love that she is so excited!!

It's A Girl!

Yes, we found out today that we are going to have another little girl. We are very excited! I am due September 27th and looking forward to a long hot summer. The kids are more than thrilled to be adding to our family. I will have lots of helpers! Sorry about the pictures, but I didn't have a chance to scan the ultrasound pictures.

Never a Dull Moment

Life has been busy...fun busy, but busy nonetheless. We have had many blog-worthy events, but because of my procrastination I will stick to the highlights so that I am not sitting here at the computer all day.
Kendal Turns 5 years old!
After much anticipation Kendal's birthday came and went. She had a great birthday. We started out the day by heading to Lamar's Donuts for her favorite breakfast...donuts! Then later on in the morning we had her Birthday Party. She invited 9 close friends to a "Puppy Themed" birthday party. Unfortunately the weather was not nice, so we had to do most of the activities inside. Entertaining 9 kids between the ages of almost 2 and 7 was a lot of work and A LOT Crazy. Fortunately my parents came from Georgia to help with the party and the Mom's were very understanding and helpful as well. I only took three pictures....did I mention it was a bit CRAZY...but all in all Kendal had a great birthday.
We love our 5 year old Kendal. She is so excited to be 5 and can't wait to go to school with her big sister next year. In fact, she thought that the day she turned 5 she started school...she was very disappointed that she has to wait until August. She still is very much obsessed with dogs and babies. She will make a great mother some day. She loves her NEW bed...she had been sleeping on Bayley's trundle and now feels very grown up with her own bed. She is still a great helper when she wants to be and still a bit of a "firecracker" when she wants to be as well. WE LOVE her and we are so glad that she is a part of our family.

Party kids enjoying hot dogs at Kendal's party

Kendal blowing out the candles on her Puppy Cake

Easter

We had a very nice Easter. The Saturday before Easter we headed to North Georgia to celebrate Baby Spencer's first birthday. It was a great party that included lots of good food, cake, and an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Spencer and Leigh have the perfect yard for an Easter egg hunt. The kids had a lot of fun and got LOTS of candy.

The Sunday of Easter Jeff called off all his early morning church meetings so that he could be home with his family. It was nice to have him around to watch the kids find eggs, to have him fix breakfast, and just to be able to have help on a Sunday morning. We enjoyed a great Easter dinnder, courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa "G", who came to our rescue at the last moment. We were stuffed and very happy. We did take time to put aside the "eggs", good food, and Easter bunny for a moment and reflect on the Savior and his death and resurrection. What a great day!

Kendal loved the Easter bunny...Bayley was too cool and Trey was scared to death

Once again, Bayley was too cool for the bunny ears!

Trey painting his egg

Fishing

Jeff has found a new love this spring...Fishing. He has always enjoyed fishing, but for most of our marriage golf has taken priority over every other hobby. Due to his current work schedule as well as church calling, he has had little time for hobbies in the past year. Fishing in our backyard has become something that he can fit in on the fly and gives him a much needed respite from his hectic schedule. Recently he has caught some pretty big fish and just about every time he goes out he can get at least a couple of bites. The kids and I partcipate when we want to, but most of all enjoy admiring his fish.

Showing off a good size Crappie

Spring Break 2009

Bayley's spring break was last week. The first couple of days we stayed here at home and did get out to do a couple of activities. One day we went to the park for a picnic and to play. One day we stayed in and watched movies. And on another day, we went roller-skating. The girls have been a couple of times, but this was the first time that I have taken Trey to a skating rink. I didn't rent him skates because I thought he would just get frustrated and end up crying most of the time. The girls skated for over an hour and as they were taking off their skates Trey begged to put Kendal's on. I thought we would give it a shot and teach him a good lesson....that he was NOT ready to take on the world of roller-skating. After we laced up the skates, he took off like he knew exactly what he was doing. SO FUNNY! The first time he fell he struggled to get back up, but then was right back at it. However, it didn't take long for him to have a substantial fall onto his behind before his skating that afternoon was over. Next time we go I think I will rent him the skates...my little boy is growing up! Speaking of growing up, Trey is officially potty trained. The week before spring break I finally decided to take things seriously and put him in underwear. He caught on very quickly and has done great the last couple of days! No diapers...for a while that is!

Trey on skates

Last Thursday we headed to Destin for a couple of days to enjoy the beach. The kids have been dying to go to the beach and had a great time. Bayley of course loved the water, waves, and sand. The beach would be a great place for that girl to live. Kendal was a little hesitant at first of the ocean water, but got into it and ended up enjoying the water and sand. Trey finally warmed up to the idea of the ocean water by the last day. He much preferred the indoor pool at our hotel....I don't blame him. The weather was a little cooler and windier than we would have liked, but we did have a great time!

We found Krispy Kreme in Destin....happy kids

Bayleyand Kendal picking their seats...could they be sisters?

The kids enjoying the pool

Bayley jumping waves

Trey messing around at the beach

Bayley building a masterpiece

Trey was determined to use his chopsticks to eat at P.F. Changs

Bayley holding a crawfish

Surprisingly brave Trey holding a crawfish

The view from our room

I still am playing catch up after last weeks activites, but it's was totally worth it!

Reminder

This is a quick post to remind myself the things I want to write about next week....I have been in a bit of a blogging slump. Anyway we are leaving tomorrow morning for a quick vacation to Destin, Fl and I have lots to do besides blog. So when I get back I will update you on the following:
-Kendal's Birthday Party
-Trip to Georgia for Baby Spence's party
-Easter Celebration
-Spring Break
-Jeff Fishing
-Trey Potty Training....he is potty-trained!!!!
-Upcoming Life Events
-Of course, our trip to Destin

Maybe by setting an outline for myself, I will fulfill my desire to record the events of our lives in a timely manner...something that hasn't been happening much in the last couple of months...definitely a blogging funk! However, I WILL BE BACK!

Fat Lips and Fire Stations

Fortunately the two incidents do not go together. Trey got his first fat lip this week. He was on his way downstairs when he took a tumble hitting his lip. As his lip began to swell it was hilarious to see his reaction. At first he didn't want to put ice on his lip, but after I showed him how BIG it was and he began to feel the swelling he insisted on putting the ice on his lip...have I mentioned how VAIN this boy can be. He cares what he looks like, even at 2 1/2....have you ever known a boy that age who cared what his hair looked like. He has an opinion already and if I try to do his hair any other way that "down" he will take things into his own hands and make sure that every hair is back in place. My visions of a cute toddler boy with spikey hair is NOT going to happen around here.

Our big adventure this week was a visit to the local fire department. They gave our small playgroup an all access tour of the fire station. They let the kids climb around the fire truck, check out the gear, and gave each of them a hat, coloring book and crayons. My kids loved it, but Trey especially enjoyed the trucks. In fact out of all the of the kids there, he seemed to enjoy climbing around in the trucks the most. He didn't want to get out and he jumped in the drivers seat every chance he got. It was a lot of fun.

We have a big day tomorrow. KENDAL turns 5 years old. She is SO excited...we have talked about tomorrow just about every day in the past 6 months. Today as we went throughout the day she would just all of the sudden say "you know tomorrow is my birthday" just about every hour. It was so cute! We are having a "dog-themed" birthday party tomorrow for her friends and she also invited her favorite neighborhood dog, Cider. She is borderline obsessed with dogs right now, so there really wasn't much of a question what type of party she wanted. I'm sure I will be posting pictures and highlights in the week ahead.

Finally, Bayley started her own blog today. As I was doing some work on my computer this morning, she asked if she could start her own blog. I actually think it is a good idea and will be a good way for her to journal her life through her blog. I have made her blog private, but if you are interested in taking a look, let me know and I will send you an invite!