Turkey Trot

2 Year old Runners (Thanks for the photo Alisha)

Chloe and Kenzie with their cake walk cupcakes and their faces painted.

I planned another kids race, this time a kids Turkey Trot. We held it the day before Thanksgiving in a little bit of drizzle, but we still had a great time. We had about 25 kids and a bunch of fanatic parents. It was quite awesome actually. Here is the video of the 2 year olds. We had three different age groups run. We started with the 4 year olds and they did pretty well. Elijah and Sophie were head to head, Elijah even tried to run Sophie off the track, it was quite hilarious. Then the 3 year olds went and they needed a bit of direction, they didn't seem to know exactly why we were running or where we were running to. After that race Brighten asked, "do you think we should run with the 2 year olds?" Brady chimes in "No Way! This is not their first race, they know what they're doing!" And they did, as you can see. I realized that almost everyone who was running has runner or competitor parents. Those 2 year olds knew exactly what they were doing, we have created a generation of brainwashed future competitors, and I love it. It sure was a lot of fun. Sorry for the jumpy video Lee got a little excited and was running while filming.
So

Christmas in Utah Anyone?

Hi friends, is anyone going to be in UT for Christmas? Because we will be!! We would love to see you if you will be there. Please let me know and hopefully we can set up some time to spend together.

Chasing Summer

Our Beautiful Beach House

Here we stand on the Beach

Kenzie and Owen had a great time living together for the week its great to have a built in friend.

Kenzie and Lee sharing a Daddy Daughter moment

I can't even begin to describe the wonderfulness of our spontaneous getaway to Emerald Isle NC. Talai had talked to me about 2 weeks before the departure date and told me that we had the chance to go to a free beach house for a week. I mulled it over in my head and decided that was a definite awesome possibility. Luckily, Lee has been "retired" lately and by the grace of goodness was able to go. (it was like the stars aligned because that just doesn't happen). So we packed our bags, headed to NC and enjoyed the beauty of God's creations. The house was wonderful and when I say right on the beach, I mean right on the beach, I have never stayed in a place like that. The weather was fantastic, 70 degrees everyday. The water wasn't even that bad although I still couldn't be convinced to go in. I'm not that crazy. Lee had a great time in the water and we had a great time watching him tame the ocean. We ate delicious food, we listened to music and had dance parties, we went to the aquarium, we watched movies, we read books, we spent time talking and listening to one another and most importantly we were all able to relax, even with 3 little kids. It was like a slice of summer came back to us in November and beckoned us to stay and enjoy just a little longer. We drove home Thursday night and when we got out of the car at home, it was cold and windy and I felt like I had just awoken from a dream. I know that Talai and Lee feel the same because we all refuse to admit that summer is over and winter is practically here. For now we are just holding onto our 2 day tans and our memories of the great times we had on Emerald Isle.

Talai and Owen sharing a moment

Me and Talai enjoying the beach

Kiddos on the Beach

Sharing a kiss on the beach


Austin had a great time on the beach as well, even though he sat in his car seat and watched most of the action. He was a great sport.

The beach was very beautiful, we had the whole place to ourselves. There was plenty of time for late night walks and romantic encounters...my husband is a stallion. (comment added by Lee, he probably didn't think I would keep this on, but I am)
PS, Thanks Talai for the invite, we had a great time with you.

1st Annual Kids Pumpkin Dash

We had so much fun at the actual organized pumpkin dash that we decided to hold our own. Thanks to everyone who came to make it such a fun time. The kids had a lot of fun, and it was fun to see them coming sprinting down the trail. They were fast! We are going to try and do a kids turkey run as well.

Here is Makenzie with her race bib. This is actually after the 2nd round of running.

All the runners at the starting line.

The finish line.

Halloween Galore

We have been fortunate enough to participate in multiple Halloween activities. I love October because there is always so much going on. We were able to participate in a kids fun run a few weeks ago where the kids ran 100 yards in their costumes. It was so cute and they got pumpkins and ribbons for running. We had a lot of fun

Here is Makenzie in her Princess Costume, courtesy of Alisha.

Here we are after the race with the giant scarecrow. The kids weren't really impressed.
We also went to the Air and Scare at the Air and space museum. It was a lot of fun. Kenzie loved all the stuff that was going on.

She has been talking about getting her face painted for weeks, she finally got it done at the Air and Scare.


Austin was there as well.


There was a huge Star Wars fan base so they brought out the big guns. You should have seen some of the kids there. The light in their eyes. A whole new generation of Star Wars followers.

Our next event was the Vienna Parade. This was our first time attending and we got a pretty good spot. It was a pretty good parade except it was really loud at times, and there were a lot of campaign people walking down the street which was less than entertaining.

My Babies

Here are some pictures of my babies. These are mostly for my family who request pictures.

My diapers babies.


This is Austin on a walk, he is looking more like Makenzie everyday. Look at those eyes and the dimple.

Here is my beautiful family.

Cox Farms

We had our Joy School field trip last week to Cox farms and it was a lot of fun. I cannot begin to describe the beauty of fall. It was the perfect day, warm, sunny, the leaves were incredible. We were surrounded with good friends and good fun. Makenzie wasn't as terrified this year of the wagon ride, but she was still pretty scared. Maybe next year.

Genevieve, Makenzie and Essence on the Wagon ride. Kenzie was ok until the Aliens came out.

I love this picture, it captures the beauty of fall here.

Austin and I enjoying the Cow

Lee got to accompany us, I love doing this kind of stuff as a family

Makenzie for the next Baby Gap Model

So I don't know if I do this stuff because I am bored, or because I want to win, or because I think Makenzie is seriously gorgeous, but I did it. I entered Makenzie into the baby gap contest. Originally I really wanted to win the "Fan Pick" because you win a trip to a Beaches Resort and lets face it the only way I'm going to make it to the Bahamas is if someone else is paying. Well then I realized that the number 1 fan pick already has like 12,000 votes. That's right 12,000, who are these people? Who knows that many people? Anyway, if you feel like voting for Makenzie everyday, and feel like sending the link to everyone you ever knew, feel free. Otherwise we'll just hope we have a shot at the judges pick. Thanks to Alisha for taking such freaking cute pictures of Makenzie. Here is one of my favorites and one of the pictures we submitted for judging.


To vote for Makenzie click on this link. You can vote once per day.
http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/smashmonst/706922636/

Just Annoyed

So this is one of my complaining posts, so if you don't want to hear it, don't read it. Kenzie woke up in probably the worlds worst moods, like screaming uncontrollably, throwing things, pushing me etc. On top of that I think Austin has come down with a cold. But to make matters worse we are stuck for 3 days. They are repaving our parking lot (why, there was nothing wrong with it?) So we aren't allowed to park in our lot until Wednesday night. Well that makes it pretty hard for a mom with 2 kids. If I want to get out of my complex I have to off road in the woods behind my house (which is a little too bumpy of a ride for Austin) because there is no sidewalk that connects me to the road. Who designed this place? My car is at the Jones' so after I off road out of my complex I then have to hike it to Melissa's to get into my car. I also have been needing to make a Costco run for quite some time, I noticed today we only have a handful of Kenzie diapers left so the clock is ticking. But then the question is, how do you make a Costco run, and then carry it a quarter of a mile and up 3 flights of stairs to your house? So realistically Costco will have to wait, and so will the grocery store, and when we are starving and out of food on Wednesday I'll curse the Condo's name and blame them for the fact that I've been a moody mom because they have made my life so inconvenient. In addition to that, they just informed me that they are going to paint my front door and that I have to keep it open for 2 hours so that it can dry. I love when my whole house smells like paint (especially with a newborn), and maybe I should just throw a welcoming party for all the bugs who decided that the front door means an open invitation. On a slightly humbled note, I'll admit, better planning on my part would have been good, but I'm going on an average of 5 hours of sleep a night, I live with a 2 year old and a newborn, I can only be held slightly responsible. So if you are walking by my complex this week and hear the faint sounds of crying and screaming, its probably me and the children high on paint fumes and held captive by the asphalt monsters that crowd the exits of our complex.

Life Right Now

I know these aren't the most exciting posts, its pretty much to show my family pictures of Austin. So here he is, along with his crazy sister. These pictures perfectly describe their relationship. Makenzie all up in his grill all the time, playing with his toys as if they were hers, pretty much just being kind of annoying, but we're happy she loves him so much.

Makenzie lying on Austin's mat. No she can't lye next to it an just watch nicely, she has to shimmy her way in and lay right next to Austin (if she had her way on top of him) and take over the toys. "Austin look!" At least she thinks they are fun. Notice the concerned looks on Austin's face as if he were saying with his eyes "get this curly haired monster away, she's getting a little too close."


My sweet little boy!

One tired baby and one very tired Dad.

Crazy Pants McGee

So we had a new baby and I am still taking more pictures of Makenzie than I am Austin. I am trying to take more, its just easier to take pictures of the one that says "Mommy, watch, Mommy take a picture, etc." So here are just some pictures of the latest.

Baby Austin just lying there taking in the world.

Austin doing the thriller dance.

I had no idea she was putting on this face until I looked at the pictures. Then I started laughing. Who is this girl?

You ask a 2 year old to smile, this what you get.

We wrap Austin up like a Burrito baby so Lee decided it would be fun to wrap Makenzie as a Giant Burrito Baby.

He's Here

Austin arrived on Saturday after a long and well pretty painless labor. The worst part was I was just waiting and waiting for something to happen and it didn't for about 14 hours. Then he popped into the world. I guess he was just sick of being inside he just burst out and made a grand and now painful entrance. He weighed in at 8 lbs and was 21 inches long and he is so perfect. He looks a lot like Makenzie did when she was a newborn. He looks just like Lee from behind with all that blond hair. He is a sweet little guy and we are so happy to have him in our home. It has changed the dynamics a bit but I am sure we will make things work.

When will it end?

So I only have 3 days to go. But when this baby will actually come is a mystery. Today I can say, I am so done with this. I am sitting in my house and I feel like I am about 900 degrees even when I am standing in front of the fan and with the AC on. I want so badly to leave my house but I don't really have anywhere to go and the thought of getting Kenzie in the car and going somewhere exhausts me. I actually wanted to go walk around the mall and see if I could induce labor, but that just sounds like too much work. I still may try, if anyone wants to go for a stroll in the mall, let me know we could do some unnecessary shopping while we're at it. I guess the most frustrating part of being 9 months prego is just not knowing when its going to end. If I knew at least I could just be like.. well I've got 3 more days better make the most of it. Instead I am just feeling like it will never end and am I doing anything productive..?? Are you kidding me, no! Here is my sad attempt to show you how big I am, someone else should definitely be taking this picture.

Finally, we found out!

We're having a BOY! It was pretty obvious from the ultrasound. We're really excited and now I feel like I can do some final preparation. Like pick a name and get some boy clothes. If you have any name ideas please let me know, we are clueless right now. If we pick your name there may be a treat in it for you.

Ballet+Tap+Tumbling=Ultimate Happiness

We've got a little dancer. Kenzie's friend Chloe invited her to her little gym class which is a ballet/tap/tumbling class. I never know how these things are going to go. Especially since you have to be 3 to be in the class. I thought well what the heck we'll try it out. Kenzie had the time of her life and to my surprise she tried to do everything, and with gusto! She was so excited. My favorite part was that Kenzie really looked up to the biggest girl in the class who was about 4. Every time it was her turn to skip across the floor Kenzie went with big adoring eyes with her. I am happy that the girl thought it was fun as well. The heart melter part. There were some rings that Kenzie really wanted to swing from but she was just too little to reach them. So she got a mat and was just struggling to get to them. Here I am the mom watching from the outside thinking... Oh Kenzie, you're just a little too small feeling a little heart broken for her. Then the two biggest girls in the class come over and stretch the rings over to Makenzie so that she could reach them. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. It was one of those heart melting moments when I was reminded why Jesus tells us to be like little children. I wish I had some actual photos but my batteries died right after this video. Sadly this is the lamest part of the whole class, I wish I could have gotten some action, but this is what I got. Part of me really wants to sign her up for the Fall semester in this class. Anyone interested in doing it with me?

There's only 1 way 2 say....

So Makenzie is a pretty good little singer, she actually knows quite a few songs which is pretty impressive. This one is my favorite. Don't mind her being goofy or me laying on my bed.

It was Great

So our teeny vacation was much needed and much enjoyed. We had a blast. We did some swimming in the pool, some swimming in the ocean. We did a lot of relaxing. We had our couples pedicures and couples massages. My massage was incredible. For any woman who is mostly pregnant, if you have the means get a prenatal massage. Nothing has ever felt so good. I have had other massages but this one was incredible, my poor little broken body needed it. Lee and I spent some time chilling on VA Beach. I saw a huge school of dolphins about 20 feet out in the water. That was cool. Lee and I also went on a dinner cruise one night and we had a blast. The food was good, we got a great table for 2 by the window, and I busted a few moves on the dance floor. Yes I was the only white person on the dance floor, but I can hang with the best of them. Some lady actually said to me while busting a moving "whoa bubba." What does that mean? I mean I know I am looking pretty prego but I am still not sure how to interpret that.
Lee and I had a blast on the cruise, it was a beautiful night, we got to go up to the ship open deck and enjoy the lighting storms that were going on all around us. When we got back to Richmond Kenzie had had the time of her life with Grandma and Grandpa. She got 100% attention from them, ate steak on the deck,they even took her to Busch Gardens to see all her Sesame Street friends in person.

She had a pretty good time. She keeps telling me she went to Disneyland and saw Elmo. We're sad its over, but happy we had the time to rejuvenate.