Look How Big!!

Reagan is growing like crazy. She was at the doctor for some make-up shots and they weighed her at 15.3 lbs. She gained 2 pounds in 3 weeks...she is getting stronger and happier every day.

Kiersten's Birthday Presents

Kiersten is growing up so fast and she had very specific things she wanted this year for her birthday. She really wanted a Nintendo DS and an American Girl Doll and an IPOD. She sure can wish BIG.

We agreed to get her the DS and she used some money from Grandma Jody for a doll like an American Girl doll from Target. She decided if she really like it then maybe she could wish for the real thing for Christmas. She was pretty excited to pick out her new doll and pay for it all by herself - Thanks Grandma!!

The Ipod is still something she really wants and she still has some birthday money so we are going to look on ebay this weekend. Thanks Grandma Nancy...wish us luck bidding!

Kiersten is such a sweet girl and a joy to have in our family. I have always said that everyone deserves a Kiersten. We couldn't live without her and it is great to see her growing up before our eyes.

When we were in Utah this summer I was certain that it would be Reagan that changed the most but many people, including Matt, have told me that Kiersten has changed the most. She is really becoming more confident and we love her so much! At her well check up this week she was 75% for her weight and 90% for her height.

Happy 7th Birthday Kiersten

First Day of School - August 25th 2008

Back to School Night
Kiersten's teacher is Mrs. Wright
Austin's teacher is Mrs. Sherman (he wouldn't let me take his pictures!)

This picture is for the Grandma's...Kiersten has been biting her nails for 2 years now and she finally stopped this summer. Grandma Jody told her if she didn't bite them for a month she would order her a Hannah Montana nail kit. I guess she earned it! We painted them for her birthday and the first day of school.

The morning of the first day of school...Yes it is dark outside - we catch the bus at 6:40am. For those who know me well- you know this is NOT a good thing for me - especially since Matt is not here to help me get up! I can easily set the alarm and turn it off and not remember a thing! I am sure we will miss the bus a few times but on this day they were up and ready for the new year!

I told the kids to pick either a new backpack or new shoes for school. Austin chose some new Tony Hawk shoes (Matt can't believe I let him get white shoes)...notice the UK colors.

Kiersten just had to have this new backpack...I must say it is pretty cute.

I was a little bit of an over achiever this day - especially because it was Kiersten's birthday. I made these cute cupcakes out of Family Fun for all the neighbor kids on the first day of school. Kiersten had a great time delivering all the goodies.

Happy 1st day of School and Happy Birthday Kiersten!

What a BUMMER!

I have been working on my posts from the past week but tonight all I can say is what a BUMMER. The Olympics to the Dem National Convention...so depressing - not to mention the 2 days of rain.

Come on Fall TV Schedule! With Matt gone all week - TV is my highlight and this week is AWFUL!

Have a good night!
Marci

Another Celebration - Pool Party

Some of our neighbors got together for a back to school pool pizza party at our neighborhood pool on Friday night. It was many of Kiersten's friends so I made 2 cakes and we sang Happy Birthday to her at the party...sort of an impromptu Birthday party but she really enjoyed feeling special.

Happy Birthday a week early...

Kiersten's actual birthday is August 25th - which this year happens to be on the 1st day of school. I remember many years that my birthday was the first day of school and I hated it.

She wanted to have a "cousins" birthday so we celebrated it early with the Taylors. She made a cake and we got a DQ ice cream cake. What a treat! Can you tell by the smile on her face that she is thrilled to no end!





The picture cracks me up...you can tell these little 4 year olds want to be like the big boys and their toys. They are intently figuring the game out for themselves! They both inherited their big brother/sisters old game boys when they upgraded to the DS.

Putt Putt golf - with a Train!

Some fun pictures from miniature golfing...you ride a train to the top and mini golf your way down. Unique and fun!

THE BEACH!! So happy to be here...

Cousin to Cousin well always be,
special friends from the same family tree.

We have missed the beach this summer and Tracy and her kids - we are so glad to be back - even if it is with 7 kids and 2 moms! Tracy and I have it down to a science and the kids do really well together. We will do anything to go spend a day at the beach and enjoy the sun with our best friends.

Austin riding the waves!

Joel - the surfer dude - who doesn't like to get wet!

Reagan really like the ocean breeze - hanging under her umbrella and relaxing in her "lounge chair". She did well and we spent 2 full days at the beach.

Brandon is scoping out the waves - deciding what is next.

Loving the waves - having so much fun!

A rare picture of Tracy at the beach.

Kiersten and Kelly soaking up the sun.

1st day with COUSINS!! NC Maritime Museum

The first day we were at Tracy's house it was pouring down rain. We decided to take the kids to the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Lots of history of the NC coast, Blackbeard and pirate stuff. The day we were going they had a man coming to show and talk about venomous snakes. The boys were all over that! Here is Brandon looking at the snake.




There are not too many pictures of me beacuse I am always taking them. Tracy snapped this one of me taking a break, looking at the fish.

Joel and Brandon looking in a Sea Capsule. You could not pay me to go down in the ocean in this thing!

It was a good solution to a rainy day. We then went to an AWESOME restaurant called Clawsons. It was quite a site to see 2 moms and 7 little kids come to eat but they did great and the Shrimp was the best I have ever had!

The Road Trip to the Beach...

August 12th

A funny (or not so funny) start to our trip to the beach. With Matt working in Chicago, we were on our own to drive to the beach. We were excited to get there and I worked hard to pack, get the car ready and we were off.

I assigned the person sitting next to Reagan to be "baby patrol" and they had to help her if she was crying. This used to be the coveted seat, now it is punishment because Reagan does not like the car very much. Kiersten got the responsibility first and she happily fed her a bottle. We live in the country and the roads to Tracy's are all country roads. Austin gets very car sick and he was saying he was going to throw up...Reagan drank her bottle so fast that she spit the ENTIRE bottle back up in her car seat and Brandon had to go to the bathroom. This was all in the first 30 mintues!

I was almost ready to turn the car around and bag the entire trip but we stopped at a crappy gas station and got everyone feeling better. I cleaned up Reagan the best I could and then we said a prayer to help everyone, including mom. The kids agreed to keep going and do better. Reagan was an ANGEL the rest of the trip and we made it safe and sound.

Matt flew in on Thursday night and back out to Chicago on Monday am. Crazy life that we have right now but we are making the most of it.

Reagan at 3 months old

Reagan has really changed this week hitting her 3 month mark. She is much more content, still doesn't love the car, but doing much better. She is sleeping like an angel at night - going 10 hours a few times! She doesn't take good naps during the day but that is just fine if she is sleeping so long at night. She is cooing so cute and so close to full on laughing. Her 2 month check-up was late because we were out of town but she weighed 13.4 lbs and 24 inches long. That puts her in the 90% for height and weight.

Life is getting better...

My last post was a little harsh (I think Matt was a little taken back as he was reading from his hotel room in Chicago) - it is always hard to come off vacation, especially when we need to get the house on the market.

We got through the week getting school supplies, cleaning/organizing and enjoying our friends that we haven't seen all summer. The weather was so hot but we made it through. Matt returned on Friday and we went out on a DATE. I found a new babysitter and we had a nice dinner and shopping.

The weather finally broke and it is beautiful this week. We came to Tracy's today to spend time with her family. We are going to enjoy the beach and the Olympics! The kids LOVE to be together and we have missed them this summer. We are happy to be here and are loving the Olympics. It is one of my favorite things.

Back to reality...

Many people complain that blogs are only for bragging...we I am here to tell you tonight that I am back to reality of my REAL life. No more vacation. I am a mother of FOUR who has laundry, gardening, doctors appointments, HOT HOT NASTY weather, bills, cooking, church work, and no husband until Friday...lots to do! (Oh - and both my babysitters moved away while I was on vacation...how's that?) Good Night!

Reagan's 1st photo shoot

Wendy Gettings took these cute pictures in Utah. Her sister works with my mom and I had her take these while I was out visiting. She did a great job! Thanks Wendy...