Fire Cracker Fire Cracker BOOM BOOM BOOM

We made our annual jaunt down to Kansas (actually for the 2nd time this year) to hang out with the Kansas fam over the 4th of July. Over the last few years we've seemed to make being in Kansas a tradition celebrating the 4th. We always enjoy the time we get with family; eating yummy food, reminiscing, playing yahtzee with granny, going to the zoo and pool, watching fireworks, and above all making memories. The hardest part of the whole trip is saying goodbye. They say goodbyes are not forever only temporary and I'd like to believe that, until we meet again - be safe, laugh, love, and live for the moment. The value of a moment is something that can last an entire lifetime. I value minutes, moments, hours, and days because we never know what life may throw into our path.

"Heaven Seems a Little Nearer When Someone You Love is There"

I wish there were visiting hours in heaven! I miss you grandpa, our trip home wasn't the same without you. I missed seeing you in your chair, I kept waiting for you to stagger in and sit down; wearing your white tank with your levis half way done up and belt buckle hanging array. I missed seeing you on the porch swing watching the kids play in the yard. I missed pouring your coffee and the sound of your shaver after your shower. I missed seeing you reach down to let a small hand grasp yours so you could lead the way. I missed watching you pull your boots on and go out to the shop to use the bathroom (hey when you gotta go you gotta go). I missed your tight hugs that end with a couple pats on the back. I missed seeing you lie next to grandma when we woke up in the morning and hearing her tell you to put the oxygen back on. I missed watching your feet tap to the beat of an old time tune. I missed you talking with your hands, hands that bore the marks of age and hard work. I missed you at the dining room table, so quiet yet observant while eating a good meal. I know you're happy and you're waiting so patiently for us to join you so our circle will be complete. As sure as the sun sets and the moon rises, I carry you in my heart and soul waiting for the day you will wrap your arms around me in one of your extra tight embraces. Keep strumming your tune and shining your light because we know you're there and it helps us smile through the tears. I loved you then, I love you still, I always have, I always will.

7, 8, 9.....

Yes I know, I'm 3 months behind and as much as I would love to say I will get better and be more diligent about staying "on top" of things I probably won't. This little ham is sooooo much fun, her personality has really evolved in the last few months. She pulls the cutest faces and you never know which face she will beam at you. She scoots on her bum, rolls to where she needs to be, and goes backwards but refuses to crawl, stubborn child this little diva is. She's 20 lbs. ALREADY (I know don't judge - we grow em big) we can't seem to keep her in clothes. She flies around the kitchen in her walker, running over innocent toes and we don't even want to go with the speed she catches down our driveway. She cries when you walk out of a room then immediately flashes her two tooth smile when she sees you again. She adores her big brothers Kaleb and Kanyon, she will squish up her nose and grin from ear to ear when she sees them. She's obviously a superb eater but wants to feed herself, talk about an icky mess. My heart aches when I'm away from her, I just want to pick her up and squeeze her (she hates this) every chance I get. In the last month, she started saying dada, kittyyyyyyyy, hi, and we caught her on video saying uh oh although she hasn't said it since. She loves to be outside in the sunshine, going for walks or bouncing in her exer-saucer. If I could freeze frame these moments with her, I would do so in a heart beat. She's the beat to my heart, the cheese to my sandwich, the pop to my corn. I want to keep her this little forever, keep her safe, away from the hardships in this world and from ever being hurt. I can't thank you enough Kimbree for lighting up my world, every day.

Eggstra Easter Fun

The pics pretty well speak for themselves in this story! Easter was a blast, we dyed and hid Easter eggs, took the 4-wheelers, and had a cookout up by Hiawatha. Kaleb and Kennedy struggled finding their Easter baskets AGAIN this year and they may or may not have had a slight meltdown. In the end they found each others baskets and gave away their secret hiding spots. Kaleb got a new pair of levis and some cologne, Kennedy got some new flip flops and a few summer shirts, Kanyon got a killer squirt gun and new belt, Kimbree got a new little swimsuit and some bath toys, in addition the oldest kids were hooked up with lots of candy :) yay for candy that rots teeth. I hope that one day the kids will look back and remember our holidays together and laugh at the fun we had.

Six Month Cutie

We've reached our 1/2 bday (6 months) to say it came fast is an understatement. Kimbree is a ball of bliss, my heart simply explodes with massive amounts of love for her and that love seems to grow daily. She is the only child that still lets me take her picture and she actually wants to snuggle; her siblings have shunned me off from those things - BOO so not cool. Her 6 month check up proved her to be advanced for her age and her pediatrician was baffled at her developed motor and sensory skills WOOHOO a smarty tarty. Her growth continues to soar; she is 27 inches long and 17 lbs. 5 oz. She has already upgraded to 6-9 month clothes. This little cutie is an eater, she still loves anything that is put into her mouth (even if it looks like baby poop). She's drinking out of a sippy cup and can self feed with little dissolvable puffs that you put on a tray for her. She sits perfectly on her own and will likely be crawling in a months time. She loves to see you and know that you're there. She will often "fake cry" when you leave a room just to get your attention and then burst into a beam of brightness when you walk back and gaze at her. She loves toys that make noise and anything that she can fit in her mouth. Her first tooth came in a week after she turned 6 months old. She loves to be outside and was a true trooper during her first trip to the wave pool. After Kimbree's 6 month photo shoot, I finally saw the person she truly looks like is my grandma. I adore my grandma, she's a woman of true value! I will never be able to pay her back for all of the the great attributes and values she's taught me throughout my life. Kimbree, you are already teaching me lessons about life and love. I feel like I waited forever for you and now time is going so fast, I wish it would slow down a little so that I could keep you my baby forever but we both know that's not feasible. My love for you is deeper than the ocean and bluer than the prettiest sky!