Miss Makenzie=)

Miss Makenzie... our sometimes shy, yet extremely energetic sweetheart:) She's been doing so good with keeping busy as a little sister and big sister. When Kaylie's home from school, Makenzie enjoys playing Barbies, pretending to be a teacher/mommy/animals, and coloring mounds of beautiful artwork. During the day, she is the best helper I could ask for. From being my assistant with cooking and chores to entertaining Dannen with her silly dances and one-of-a-kind songs. She also loves playing online... Nick Jr., PBS kids, Learn to Read Starfall, and Playhouse Disney are a few of her favorite sites:)

Her favorite time with Daddy is when they play Wii together! She has become quiet the kick-butt bowler and table tennis player. Makenzie really enjoys watching and sometimes helping Daddy play his games. They help find the enemy guys and search for hidden items together. It's too funny watching her get excited and keep telling William, "Hey- you forgot something... uh-oh watch out!". Pretty sure William couldn't be more proud of his little gamer!Every once in a while, we'll notice Makenzie gets quiet and hides in her room. Yes, she's VERY sneaky. One afternoon, she came to me saying she tried new make-up... AHEM... more like Hello Kitty stamps!?!? Yes, her eye lids, cheeks, and lips sported the "new look". I attempted to make my own bumper pad for Dannen's bed. Well, after a long process, I totally changed my mind. What to do? Ask Makenzie to undo the sewing. She thought it was "sooooo cool, Mommy" to help:) I must say, she did it really fast!
When on the road, searching for our awesome Florida snow/flurries, we stopped at Chuck-E-Cheese. Talk about a cRaZy place! The kids had such a good time playing games and hanging out together. Makenzie's favorite was a game where she had to stop a light to earn tickets.
Ahhh... our little "floor" sleeper LOL LOL LOL Ever since Makenzie transitioned to a toddler bed back at 20 months old, she finds her way to the floor. The first night in her big girl bed, she positioned herself on the floor pillows, meant to soften the fall if needed. Over the past few years, we'll go in the room to find her half under the bed, curled up with stuffed animals on the other side of the room, and recently hiding in our room. I went to go to bed the other night, and nearly tripped on Makenzie... she was all comfy just inside our bedroom door, wrapped up with "bearie"- her favorite stuffed animal. She can sleep anywhere!

11 1/2 months...

Dannen is already past the 11 1/2 month mark... almost the BIG 1 already:) I had to share a few things before the big day...

Walking is in the VERY near future. Dannen loves to walk along furniture and hold hands while walking. He's even taken two steps on his own quite a few times! When he stands in the middle of the room, bouncing up and down, like dancing, it's pretty hard not to laugh along with him:) Once he understands that he can go, go ,go, we're in for lots of "fun":P
Our growing little baby boy has 7.5 teeth, cutting 2.5 at one time. He's pretty into multi-tasking a lot lately. Along with the new teeth, he's really started to enjoy feeding himself. We bought him a neat plate, spoon & fork set that he LOVES to use. He feeds himself, with the exception of jarred bananas and green beans.

Dannen's new favorite: Spaghetti O's!!!
What kid doesn't like bath time? I swear all three of my kids are like fish. Dannen's new thing to do is cuddle up next to the faucet as the warm water runs out. He loves the floating books, doggies, and yes the girls' ponies and pet shop toys LOL On a daily basis, you can hear him try to speak. When he wants his sippy of juice, clearly he says "juice". We're working on "milk", which I swear he said just this morning! Daddy taught him to say "dude". He sometimes gets "ball" out while playing his favorite game with anyone who'll sit down with him:) He also says "poo" when he's pooping... think I can potty train that area if I really tried! He loves to point at everything and attempt to say it's name. Trees, lights, fans, cars, trucks, balls, and the cat are great attention getter's for him.

It's amazing how much such a tiny little person can soak up in such a small time frame... a little sponge:)

Enjoying School

Kaylie is doing so well this year in school. First grade has been such a great experience for her. When the second semester began, Kaylie started in the 2nd Grade Reading Group! She LOVES to read... not only to herself, but to anyone who will listen. From books to magazines, cereal boxes, signs as we drive, and even cook books. Ask her to bring a toy in the car, and it's usually a book:P
She is quite the artist, too. We go through SO MANY crayons, markers, colored pencils, coloring books and stacks of colored paper. If I kept everything, I could honestly wallpaper their room and still have leftovers!
Kaylie really works hard to make sure her handwriting is getting better every day. She practices all the time and gets super excited when her teacher, Mrs. Haskins, congratulates her on work well done. Kaylie's spelling is awesome! With a few words miss-spelled here and there, she does great. So far, she has received 100% on EVERY weekly spelling test given!

Next up on Kaylie's school agenda- tHe sCiEnCe fAiR pRoJeCt.....

Church at the movies...

Who would have thought... the church I've been longing to find is right under our noses. Or to be more precise, at my husband's theatre. Yes, William's movie theatre, the one he's worked SO VERY hard to call his as the General Manager, is home to our new Church: Grace Church of Melbourne.

William was excited to welcome the Pastors and new church to his theatre back in October '09. They held one service in the months of October, November and December, along with a Christmas Eve service. Beginning in January, services began every Sunday of the month... a big accomplishment!

The kids and I first attended in December... when we were INSTANTLY "hooked":) What an amazing feeling... something I personally have been longing for for many, many years. Kaylie is in the K-6 class, Makenzie in the Preschool class, and Dannen's in the Nursery/Toddler class.

William's main job Sunday mornings is to have the building available and running smoothly for the church staff and members. He does get to listen to the service and enjoy the music, while helping with lights and making sure the building is safe for all inside.

I was excited to bake yummy muffins one weekend for everyone. (The girls LOVED helping me early Sunday morning.) Last weekend, I volunteered in the Nursery/Toddler class. Dannen did great, while I helped out with three very sleepy little babies!

This past weekend, William and I volunteered as part of GC's Plant Team to help out with an elementary school's fundraising event. It was so nice to get out, lend a hand, and do it together supporting our church. We gave up time with our three kids (who were hanging out with Zamma & Auntie) to watch over 50+ kids at the bounce house!!! Talk about a fun and cRaZy time:)

As a treat, each week William takes one of our girls early, before I head down with Dannen and the other girly- rotating each week:) We're very thankful for such a wonderful Pastor who offers a ride to and from work Sunday's for William. With one very tiny car and three kids, it's a BLESSING!!!

We're looking forward to wonderful experiences together as a family and with our new "family" at church. I DEFINITELY believe William getting this theatre was for many more reasons than just a place of employment:)

Come Fly With Me...

With a nice breeze and comfy temps, we just had to take the opportunity to fly kites...

Kaylie, ready to go!

Makenzie & Zamma prepping the kite

Hey, what about me???

From Dannen's prospective...

It's up in the air!!!

Look at it go!

Okay, how does this thing work?

Just chillin'...

I see you...

Time to play

Sisters are forever...

Hmmmm...

*Falling leaf*

Third Haircut!?!

Well, who would have thought it would take us three tries to get a kiddo who grew hair faster than anything??? Dannen has had two hair cuts so far, with today being his THIRD!!!

Talk about A LOT of hair!

Hmmm.... what's going on here?

Ahhhhh.... what big blue eyes you have... hey it's cold in here now!

W...O...W...

Dannen was totally loving his new hair cut. He couldn't stop looking at himself, smiling in the mirrors:) The girls were so tickled at his new look! I think the "new" Dannen brought out the braveness in him. Since he's now getting over his double ear infections and cold, this gave him the perfect time to show off. Yes, that's him standing up on his own! He loves to go from sitting to standing in seconds. Today, he even pulled out his remote as to say, "Hey! I look so handsome... I control things around here now!" LOL

It's snowing!!!

Well, last night the news posted warnings and watches for real WINTER weather...
With three bundled up kids and Grandma, we ventured out in search for snow. Our trip took us up the coast of Florida, then over towards Sanford. Right before we reached Sanford, our wish came true...

Frozen water

Frozen tree leaves

SLEET on the car
~Video with sound of sleet bouncing off!~

Kaylie and Makenzie tried hanging out the car window to feel the sleet!

I pulled over at a local plant nursery to take pictures

Florida Palm Tree with sleet on a stump... what's wrong with this picture?!?!

Dannen LOVED watching the window fill with rain/sleet

We made a fun stop at Chuck E. Cheese, where my mom and sister met up with us. (Pictures of that fun will be posted later!) On the way home we finally saw the flurries all of us have hoped for. It was hard to capture on camera while driving on the interstate. When I got the chance, my camera died! GO FIGURE!?!? But we can definitely say, it SNOWED and we were in it<3

It's FINALLY Cold!

Well, I've complained long enough about how hot Florida is... It's finally cold!!! The wind chills are hitting low 20's. Florida is having the longest cold snap in 9 years! I went to the store earlier this evening and just about lost my breath from the cold air. Makes me miss those freezing cold days/nights in Missouri!!! Now, if it would only snow.............. =P

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! A few years ago, we started a tradition... tear up old Christmas cards (keeping photos and the fronts of some) and make our own confetti.

William was lucky enough to have to work at his theatre to ring in the new year. Yes that's sarcasm, in a good way though... getting to say "his" theatre is a blessing! We've come accustomed to talking on the phone on certain special occasions:)

I invited my mom and sister over to help the kids and I enjoy the night. I made Pitas for dinner, then everyone joined in and ate chocolate fondue- loaded with bananas, strawberries, apples and marshmallows.

During dinner prep, the kids helped tear up the cards...

Dannen joining the fun!

Auntie and Kaylie making their pile

Then it was time for the mess... oh wait I mean fun LOL

Dannen was so excited, he didn't know what to do first. I'm sure he actually ate a few pieces!

LOL LOL LOL The girls and my mom totally surprised my sister and covered her with confetti! LOL LOL LOL

WAHOO!

WAAHAHA!

My little confetti new years kiddos<3>