Memorial Weekend

We played pretty hard this weekend.  On Saturday we ran a few errands and then we let the kids decide on something we should do for a fun family activity.  It didn't come as much of a surprise when they unanimously voted on going swimming!  We had a pass to the YMCA so we took advantage of that and headed to their aquatic center.  There they have fun slides so the kids were having so much fun.  Mckay and I traded places watching the kids so we could each take a turn lap swimming.  This really made me wish I lived a little closer to a pool and that we actually had a membership so that Mckay and I could do this regularly.  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, and even after being their over 2 hours, the kids were still not ready to go when the time came. 

After church on Sunday we headed to my parents' house to spend the night and go fishing and biking on Memorial Day.  The cousins have so much fun playing together, it is so fun to watch.  We had a lot of fun spending time with family.  Most of our trips to my house feel rushed to get back home the same day, so it was nice to take a little more time there this weekend. 

Payton getting ready to fish with Grandma.

 Having fun by the water. 

 Kenzie having fun outdoors.

 Brielle playing with me.  She loves to be outside.  Recently when we get her out of her car seat she seems to be saying the word "Go".  I think it just might be her first actual word... although she has said, "da da", "ma ma", and other gibberish sounds on occasion. 

 Taylor posing for the camera.

 Looking cute.

 We also took our bikes to hit a few trails.  It was good exercise and something that Mckay and I want to do more often. 

My Sweetheart after a long bike ride, (mine was cut short when Payton had a small injury).  Life with kids is sure busy, but oh so rewarding when you see them having a good time.  It seems like we are in survival mode while packing children here or there, tending to each of their needs, hoping that we can catch a break here or there for ourselves, obviously we all crashed after hitting our pillows after such a fun-filled weekend!

Preschool Graduate

McKenzie has been enjoying going to the Playschool put on by High School students.  It was about a 10 week course filled with crafts, fun learning, and snack time.  It was 4 days a week for a little over an hour each day.  It started at 8:00 in the morning, so needless to say I am glad that I am done driving her there most mornings and dragging the other kids out of bed to get there on time.  It was so worth it though because McKenzie loves learning and trying new things. Well she had a little Graduation ceremony the beginning of May and was so excited for this day for a long time.  She was happy that her dad could skip out of work for the morning to attend her BIG event. 

 Lined up and ready to walk.

 Getting ready for her diploma. 

 My cute little girl is growing up too fast!

 This year McKenzie has also been in a fun little Preschool Co-op with a few little girls in our ward taught by us moms (only 2 mornings a week).  It has been fun for her and she has made several good little friends.  Last week we had a little Graduation party for the girls.  It has been a fun year of learning for Kenzie.  She is even starting to try to read and sound out different words.

 Enjoying a cupcake

 Kenzie with her buddies.

This little girl is so ready for Kindergarten next year.  Kenzie loves learning new things and can't wait.  I on the other had can't seem to get used the the fact that my kids are even old enough to be going into 1st Grade and Kindergarten next year.  I try to put that out of my head as we are about to begin our SUMMER VACATION!!  Payton only has one more day of Kindergarten (his Graduation day), and then it is on to a SUMMER filled with fun and hanging out as a family.  We are looking forward to spending this time together and already have a few trips planned to have some FUN! 

Howdy Cowgirl

 Earlier this month McKenzie had a little field trip with her Playschool at the High School.  The High School Ag Department showed the children different animals and they also had a small tour of farming life.  Kenzie wanted to look like a CowGIRL that day and helped pick out her boots, jeans, button-up shirt, and even wanted braids.  She is so particular when it comes to getting dressed.  She always has her own plans of what she really wants to wear, there are times I can get her to wear different things that I pick out, but most of the time she wants to wear what she wants.  She is a total girl and would love it if I let her wear a skirt or dress every warm day of the year.

Little Miss Cowgirl!

 The other kids were fortunate enough to be able to go too (even Payton didn't have school that day).

 Taylor petting the sheep.

 Brielle loves animals and gets really excited when she is near one.  (Although this picture was actually taken at Kenzie's Graduation the next morning.)

Payton is in the Bronco beanie, listening to the teachers.

The kids had fun looking at the different farm animals, especially the baby ones that were super cute!

Brielle is on the MOVE!

So my little Brielle has started crawling.  She has managed to get around by rolling and pushing herself from place to place and has been close to crawling for a little while.  So finally last week she put two and two together and can now crawl.  She started off going slowly but has since picked up the pace quite a bit.  It is so cute and still makes me smile when she goes from sitting to crawling to get to where she wants.  It makes her a little more content as well. 

Brielle is kind of a Mommy's Girl right now, or at least when I am in the room that is who she wants.  So it is nice that she is becoming a little more independent, but crazy how fast she is growing up.

 She is a great sleeper.  I just put her in her crib and lay this blanket that I made for her on top of her.  She then grabs a hold of it and finds her way to the brown soft and fuzzy fabric on the corners as she alternates pulling it closer with her hands.  Then she snuggles with it and sucks on her bottom lip to put herself to sleep.  It is too cute. 

Brielle also had her 9 month check up last week (although she is closer to 9 1/2 months  old).  Here are her stats:

Height:  26 1/4 inches  (8%)

Weight:  16 lbs 0.6 oz  (5%)

Head:  44 cm  (44%)

She has a good amount of hair compared to McKenzie.  She also has 2 bottom teeth. 

For the most part our little Brielle is usually a HAPPY GIRL and loves to be outdoors and on the go!!

Speaking of Teeth...look who lost tooth #3.



Field Trip to the Idaho Aquarium

Last week we headed to the Idaho Aquarium for a field trip with McKenzie's Preschool Co-op group.  It was our first time going there and I think the kids had a good time! 

There were a lot of hands on things for the kids to do (if they were brave enough)!

They could feed fish, sharks, sting-ray, and even some birds.  As well as touching some of the different ocean animals.

 The kids loved observing for the most part.  They didn't mind dropping food for the fish to eat, but didn't want to get too up close and personal by letting the fish eat out of their hands...maybe next time!  It might have had something to do with the fact that one of the tanks had small sharks swimming around in it.  Kenzie did feed a cool bird though and Brielle loved looking at the animals in action.  Payton and Taylor also enjoyed taking it all in.  It was not the biggest aquarium, they are getting new animals coming soon, but it was still a fun experience!  Now we are so excited to go back to the Oregon Coast this SUMMER!

Family Fun Day

Each year we all anticipate the day after Tax Season and are ready to play as a family.  Mckay always gets the day off from work and we make fun plans with the kids for some much needed time together! 

 We usually like to start our day off at I-HOP for a yummy breakfast.

Then after a little shopping we headed to the Bounce house.  It is a fun place that is filled with several inflatables for you to play on.  Anyway, the kids were super excited for weeks and could not stop talking about going there.  They had a blast and played so hard that they each had red cheeks by the time we left.

Ready to jump around and let out some energy, since we have been stuck indoors through the winter.

  Spending time with DAD!!

He is wild and fun!!

 Kenzie is Stuck!

The following pictures are just action shots of the kids having fun.  It was hard to snap a good picture because they were running everywhere as fast as they could and taking in all of the fun.  But here they are regardless...

 It was such a fun day and as you can see by the looks on the kids' faces it was well worth it.  We kind of like each other!!!