Fun in the Sun

It's so weird to be going to the beach in February... Florida's so crazy with this weather=) It does make for some good times with the girls when they need something different in their daily schedules...

Let's go!

Hmmm... is it cold?
The water was so beautiful!

Woah- it's chilly!!!

Makenzie's little feet...

Kaylie's little feet...

Bright sun, Mom!

This is nice...

Thanks for playing with us Daddy=)

Photos of our new place...

Here are some photos put together in a quick slideshow of our new apartment. William and the girls have done a great job getting things put in their new places and organized. I've been able to help some, here and there. Can't wait to be 100% again to do more and get that comfy "home" feeling=) Enjoy!

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Settled In:)

Well... we're finally out of the house and into our new apartment. We had a little rearranging of schedules to do since my surgery came up so fast. Almost everything is moved here. We're in no hurry since the house is still OURS and will be until we close. As time permits, we'll get things transferred over until 100% emptied.

My mother will be staying at the house only until she can find a place of her own and get settled with what lies ahead for her and my sister. At least they can stay there with their things while we have our remaining items there as well.

Our new apartment is really nice! We have loads of room, so putting things away is kind of challenging. Not only can I not really do much until feeling better =(, but we have space to utilize, not just cram everything into one area. The girls love the fact that they have a play room again, especially one with their own bathroom. Our office/guest room has lots of odds and ends things in it right now until we can sort through it all. Since my mother has her couch, what we've been using while at our house together, I thankfully found a really nice pull-out sofa through the online freecycle site. Down the road when we can afford a different one, this will become the guest room couch/bed. Our living room has a wonderful view of the lake and fountains in it. It's very calming to just sit and watch nature from a second story view=) Lots of room for visitors. ~hint, hint~

With regards to my surgery, everything is going well. Yesterday was tough dealing with the nausea. YUCK! Today, the incisions are really sore. All in all, I'm getting closer to feeling better and back to chasing/playing/picking up my girls=) I must admit one good thing is the weight I'm losing from not being able to eat much. I didn't really want to lose it through surgery, but I'll take it! I'm surprised at how many muscles were affected by what the procedure entailed. I can feel them all now!!!

Thanks for the prayers and e-mails... I promise to keep everyone informed with our lives... Even though word travels, expect our version/accounts to follow if not mentioned before we're ready!

I'll try to get some photos posted soon. Somewhere around here are my cords=)

Sooner date...

Our move-in date has been upped to Friday evening! William works starting at 3pm, so he's signing during the day. Around 5:30pm, I'll finish up and get our keys=)

My favorite part- the cleaning: you never can tell how well a place was cleaned. So, Kristy to the rescue. I definitely have my Dad's OCD towards cleaning. Fresh place for a fresh new start- YAY!!!

We're hoping to move what we can Saturday. My mom's getting a storage unit for her things, with the exception of their bedroom items. The girls are excited to have them with us again in the new place. This time they have a bathroom all to themselves, Mom and Tricia their own, and William and I our own. Sunday leaves time with me and the girls doing little things here and there while William works a day shift.

It'll be a busy weekend, but very much anticipated for sure. I'll try to get some photos of the girls helping pack (still haven't started- hehehe) and our fun move=)

On the Move Again...

Okay, it's time to move! After a month of paperwork and searching for the right place to move, we've finally found our next home. We're moving into a really nice and big 4 bedroom/ 3 bathroom apartment. The apartment is almost twice the size of our house. We've been getting the girls excited about getting new beds and dressers: big girl room=) We have a tenative move-in date of next Monday, February 25th.

Since I've lived here for just about 16 years, we knew the area was very safe for our girls to attend school. This new place is about ten minutes north of our house. Brand new, only three years old. Kaylie will begin Kindergarten at Creel Elementary in August. (Wow time has gone by way too fast!) She will stay at the Children's Country Club to finish out her VPK classes.

Our house should be settled within the next month. I love the idea of knowing we have gone through owning a house, but as for right now, we need to be "moveable". It's definitely been a learning experience. We now know how to install bathroom fixtures, lighting, paint-paint and more paint, and many other techniques we would have never gotten to experience without having this house.

So, let the packing begin... yeah- I haven't started yet=(

Lots going on... more to follow...

Valentines:)

Valentine's Day... what a great holiday for kiddos! They're too young to get all mushy and wanting of the expensive gifts... perfect for the candy and fun times together=)

The day before Valentine's Day, I was able to watch Alexander for my friend Heather. What a cutie pie=) He had a great time playing with the girls and acting as their little baby to have a tea party with. I got a little creative and had the three of them help make chocolate covered strawberries. May I just say, melted Hershey Kisses aren't the best to use, but it sure was a lot of fun trying- LOL! I think they had more fun playing "poke the berry" than dipping them.

Kaylie had a party at school on Valentine's Day. Her teachers invited Makenzie, William and me to help celebrate. All of her friend's were so nice! I felt bad for the teachers, seeing nap time was just after the sweets=)

The night before, William and I stayed up well into the night making 24 sandwhich cookies and 18 cupcakes. There was no way I got to bake this time... William jumped at the opportunity to get his hands in on the action! We had fun baking, decorating and getting all of the cards ready for Kaylie. It was the first year participating in anything kid-like for this holiday, so we marked it down on the calender as another 1st=)

Let the poking begin!

Kaylie ready to dip away
Alex wasn't too sure about the chocolate=)

Hmmm... Can I eat it now?

Our sandwhich cookies- "strawberry mist" inside!

Baker Will=)

I was the decorator=)

Kaylie helped add the heart sprinkles for the X's & O's

"I got to wear a little lip gloss and blush for my Valentine!"

Kaylie's party at school... bring on the sweets!

Kiara & Kaylie

Kaylie and "The best" teacher- Ms. Jennifer!!!

Morgan, Alexxis, Kiara, Kaylie & Jonathan

Kaylie's favorite Valentine... from Jonathan<3

Woah... too much candy!

Makenzie made out in the sweets department=)

LOVE...

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To my husband William and daughters Kaylie & Makenzie... I love you with all of my heart<3

To my family and friends... wishes for a wonderful Valentine's Day! I may not get to see a lot of you very often, but it's days like this holiday when I think of our times together:)

Sad day...

Well, how weird is it to post about our favorite Mexican restaurant within only a few days?! This time it's a sad post...

The night of February 3rd, morning of February 4th, brought a very bad electrical fire to Dos Amigos. From Ms. Terry, our friend/owner of the restaurant, we heard something went wrong with wires near the salad bar. The whole dining area was torched, to include the bar eating area as well. Most of the kitchen was very damaged. They were hoping to save some appliances. Thankfully, the fire started after the restaurant closed, so no one was hurt=) With so much remodeling to do, there's no date of reopening yet... guess when it does we'll get to have a great big celebration there!

Good luck Ms. Terry and crew. We can't wait to see how beautiful the place will look=)

Side view of dining area outside

Those flames were bad...
The ouside eating area was pretty trashed

Valentine Workshop

Saturday was a fun Mommy and girls day together=) John Casablancas MTM agency had the Valentine workshop set up for children ages 2-9. Makenzie was asked to join in the celebrations, her first visit to the agency. The director remembered Kaylie from the Pretty Little Princess Pageant and asked for her to come along as well.

They started off making fun Valentine projects with colorful markers and stickers. Thank goodness, because it really helped them to get relaxed. Afterwards, each kiddo got to get infront of the camera and say their name and do their little commercial. Let's just say it didn't go as planned=) Both girls were together, so as to not be nervous... both stared at the camera like dear in headlights!!! Ms. Gina waved, saying "hi" which got cute smiles and waves from both. Kaylie corrected her on her name pronunciation, but still was a bit nervous to say her commercial. Makenzie was so interested with smiling and the camera! She watched Ms. Gina turn the viewing monitor around and then asked, "Turn it around please? See me?" Big laughs from that one! Next time they'll be more comfortable.

After the taping, the girls participated in the runway... can I just say how thankful I was that both tried their hardest and made it without completely freaking out. Makenzie went the whole trip around holding one girl's hand, but when asked to let go, she started crying and got nervous... "Mommy!" I stayed to the side with her while Kaylie proceeded to make five trips around. She even put her right hand on her hip! Makenzie kept smiling for the camera, even while holding onto me. Afterwards, they were congratulated on how well they performed. It's expected for little ones like Makenzie to get nervous... Ms. Gina was proud of how well she did make it through at least once=)

Everyone had the chance to watch the videotaping. They all did a great job and had fun- the MOST important thing of the day. We met with the woman in charge of working directly with the children. She asked for information on Makenzie, wanting to set up a photo shoot and to get her "comp" card ready! With the performances today, both her and the agency director are going to sit down and see what's next for Kaylie=) Lots of people kept asking if they were twins! I swear they act like it at times...

So, now we wait and see what's in store for Makenzie and Kaylie. There will be an Easter workshop coming up soon that we'll prepare them for. Can't wait to see the difference! It was a great day... lots of new things and fun times=)

Makenzie making her heart project Kaylie adding lots of colors

Makenzie on her first runway walk=)

Kaylie strutting her stuff

Mini Vacation

We headed off to Orlando Sunday night to visit Grandpa Mel and Grandma Donna. They had a really nice time share we spent two days and nights sharing with them. Donna had her three year old Great Grandson Cameron along. The girls had such a good time playing with him and interacting with all of us, both at the resort and Sea World.

Zamma and Auntie Tricia joined us Monday evening, after finding out some great employment news. We had steaks and wine to celebrate her birthday=)

While at Sea World the second day, we attended the Shamu show. Unknown to us until that morning, they were taping the audience for the new 2008 DVD Believe Shamu Show to be released sometime this year!!! It was so much fun being a part of history and watching the kids faces throughout the whole show. I can't wait=)

Thanks to Grandpa Mel and Grandma Donna for such a nice and relaxing stay. The girls had so much fun playing at the park and the pool! To little Cameron- we love you and can't wait to see you again some time real soon=)

*Click to watch a little slideshow of our visit at Sea World=)*

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Roller Skates?!?!

Kaylie attended her very first birthday party this past Sunday. Her friend Kiara was having a party at the Galaxy Skateway just down the road from our house. *Last time I went there was as a ninth grader back in 1993!*

They enjoyed playing on the fun zone with a very slippery slide and lots of climbing areas. Kaylie stuck to Kiara the whole time: eating pizza, sharing the cake, and the best part- opening the gifts. For gifts, she picked out the same package of her favorite puzzles and a little Brat doll that wears a backpack and goes to school. "Mommy- it's just like Kiara at my school! It's perfect!"

I was completely floored when Kaylie wanted to skate. She's usually really shy about trying new things, but not that day. One time around with Mommy was enough for her... "You can go now, I'm okay! Just wait on the side" My heart froze, not from rejection, but from realizing my little girl is growing up so fast!

I'm so proud of her for being brave enough to be on her own and have a good time=)

Kaylie & Kiara

Time for the candles!
WAHOO!!!

"Mommy, I want to go by myself..."

Always ready for the camera=)

*Click to see very short clip of Kaylie making her way around the rink by herslef!*

*Click to see Kaylie skating without holding the wall=) -It's crooked, sorry!*

Happy Birthday Grandpa...

Just wanted to send a Happy Birthday wish to my Grandpa Schultz...

He was the type of Grandpa to make you laugh and giggle at the funniest things. At my senior graduation party at Disney, he even got the "hot" waitor to come over because his granddaughter thought he was cute=) Talk about embarrasing!

Along with my Mom, I was there at the end when my grandfather passed away. The morning of July 5th, I said my final goodbyes, not knowing that morning was the end. I remember later in the afternoon, while with my mom and Aunt Candy and her boys, walking through a park up in Manitowoc or Two Rivers (not for sure). Still to this day, I can smell the flowers and feel the cool breeze... the exact time he passed away. Goosebumps... To walk back in his apartment with my family there and him waiting to be taken away was something I'll never forget. Unfortunatley, it was a precursor to seeing my Father a few years later...

Because my Grandpa meant so much, with his RED SOCKS & funny stories to name a few=), our Kaylie was named after him. He passed away just one year before her birthday. Even though his name was Raymond, everyone used to call him Kelly... hence Kaylie!

So, Grandpa, here's to you on what would have been your birthday... I miss you=)

Happy Birthday Zamma=)

***Happy Birthday to you***

***Happy Birthday to You***

***Happy Birthday dear Zamma/Mom***

***Happy Birthday to you!***

We wanted to wish the best Zamma a great day! Kaylie and Makenzie get the BEST tickles, piggy stories, fish counting, and puzzle times. Thanks for caring so much=)

Mom, here's to another year of fun ahead. We're praying for some inspiring news today... ZAP- I know you can=) Thank you for everything you've done as a Mom and Zamma, especially these past few months=)

<3 We love you <3

A favorite time together...

Under the bed, again...

My little Makenzie sure does have weird sleeping habits. The very first night she slept in her "big girl" toddler bed, I found her underneath tucked comfortably on the pillows placed for falling protection...

Just the other night, I went in to find her once again sleeping under the bed. This time it was her "nah-night" blanket for a pillow... Since it was dark, I thought she was a stuffed animal and went to nudge "it" out of the way- then realizing OMG it was Makenzie! I pretty much peed myself laughing so hard from being scared at her turning her head, still asleep, and looking at me=)

Playtime=)

Makenzie had a cold at the beginning of the week, so she had a few "testing our patience" moments all week long. I think the term TERRIBLE TWOS comes to mind=) I keep telling myself this too shall pass=) Even while feeling "lucky" (her version of yucky), Makenzie and Kaylie have been doing a lot of good interacting.

Both girls are really becoming so independent, so playtime together is very important. Along with puzzles, they really enjoy coloring a lot. Crayola has a new package of markers that has larger and smaller sizes- perfect for two little girls who are learning to share. Every morning and afternoon we pull out the markers and get loads of awesome drawings. They sit together saying all of the colors. Kaylie likes to spell out the names written on the sides. With the good job she's doing on her letters, Makenzie has picked up about 60% recognition of the alphabet letters. So, now their favorite song to sing is the "ABC song". Thank goodness for plastic food... it's restaurant time. They love to get their baby dolls and play for a full hour! Kaylie sayd she's the manager like Daddy=)

Here is a slideshow of some photos of them playing together this past week. Enjoy!

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