Vegas - Parties - and more

Busy is an understatement right now. WOW excitement in our house. Hence the reason it has been almost a month since my last blog. Since then we had a wonderful Mother's Day and then Ben and I took a 4 day trip to Vegas with my parents and NO kids. My wonderful in-laws willingly took the three little kids for the entire time!!! Yippee for wonderful in-laws. Cameron went to his Dad's. We had a great time. Did not come back with any of their money but we did not lose all ours either... We just got back last Wednesday and as everyone knows after vacation you need a vacation but there was no time for that. Ben and I both had to work the rest of last week and then had a crazy weekend. Friday night we had my sisters two boys over. I swore my house was never that loud. They all had so much fun. Saturday Ben brought the kids to my work for our Mural Dedication, then on to Goddaughter Kaylee's 2nd birthday party. Sunday also jam packed - Server training for Cameron from 9 to 1 then we headed over to cousin Joe's ROCKING graduation party. It was hot yesterday (not as bad as today) and the kids had an absolute blast with spray bottles and cups of water!!!! Now this week is full of more work, throw in some baseball practice, and then head up north for the weekend. I tired just thinking about!!!

Cameron practicing!

Clayton, Kenzie & Calvin

Kenzie loves it outside!

Just the girls!

So this weekend Ben took the three boys up north for the opening weekend of game fishing and mommy stayed home with Kenzie. I had to work Friday evening at the Recognition Dinner for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Although I was sad to miss the fun up north and a weekend with my boys I was also looking forward to the BIG Dinner for work and then spending some quality time with my little angel. Kenzie got to have a sleep over by Gigi and Papa's on Friday while I was working. I have to say I should not even call the fun I had Friday work, but that is my wonderful/amazing job. I just love it. Every year BBBS hosts a Recogniton Dinner to honor our Bigs and Littles as well as our Community Partners and this year we had around 260 people in attendance. It was amazing and made me realize what a wonderful place I get to work for.


Today Kenzie and I went to cousin Xavier's first soccer practice. It was really cute. I went into work for a couple hours and Kenzie got to hang out with her Auntie Wendy, Uncle Wes, and cousins Xavier and Isiah. Then I came home and Kenzie and I cleaned the house - a ton. It was amazing how much I could get done with only one good little girl at home. I volunteered to babysit for my girlfriend's 7 week old little girl Keira for a couple hours this evening so they could get some time away and so that I could snuggle a LITTLE baby again. I was just shocked that Kenzie was that little just 7 months ago. We had a good time and Kenzie seemed to like Keira too. It was fun but I am sure glad I did this without the boys around because I imagine it would not have been as easy if they had been home. Kenzie was pooped out after playing with her little friend and was in bed shortly after they left and then I got to clean up some more. I sure miss the boys but I also realize that I love the feeling of having a "moderately" cleaned up house. It is much easier to be motivated to clean the house when you know that you may not get the chance again for a while.


Tomorrow is another busy day of projects, church, getting ready for my sister-in-law's rummage and then getting ready for my dirty, tired little and big boys to get home. Hope everyone else had a fabulous weekend and got to enjoy the great weather too.

Kenzie waiting for Keira to arrive!

Kenzie & Keira

Kenzie and Kiera - Poor Keira that is a big hand coming at you!

Kenzie found her favoriate new toy - Keira's nuk!

Keira waves!

Yipee for Parks!!!!

Some things really make me smile these days. I LOVE PARKS! The wonderful weather (minus the tons of rain this weekend) has been great for us. We planted new grass in the back hoping that some year we may have a decent lawn. But until then I am trying hard to keep the kids out of the back till this new grass has a chance to come in. We have been trying to get out to check out the parks in the area. I am finding some that I love!! Ben and I took all the kids to the Jackson park last week and it was so fun, even for Cameron.... Then last week I took the kids to the park close to Ben's work I think it is called Homestead Hallow. It has a great playground, huge sandbox, vollyball net, basketball court, soccer fields, and even a pond that Cameron can fish in. It was SUPER. We had a complete blast. Then met daddy and went out for dinner. Just wanted to share my excitement. Busy week ahead and really fun weekend, I hope. The boys are all going up north for Friday to Sunday and I am working Friday for our big Big Brothers Big Sisters Recognition Dinner and then a weekend with my baby girl!!!! I have a list 2 miles long of all the things the two of us are going to get done while the boys are away! Shopping might just be on the top of that list!!!! Have a super week..

Cameron in the swing!

Calvin loving the slide!

Clayton likes the rock wall!

The Rettler's take over the swings -

Kenzie, Cal, Clay & Cam!

Clayton, Calvin & Cameron on the slide!

Seriously???

I think I will just share these and not do any explaining!

Calvin pushing Clayton

Calvin

ELkenzieMO

I could not help myself. These are some of my favorite pictures of Miss princess after her bath.

It's been a while!

Tons of stuff going on here. But I keep forgetting to add it to my blog. I will try to the brief update of what I can remember.


We had a SUPER Easter. Of course the bunny came to our house and hid every one's basket as well as some filled eggs. We also got to see a bunch of family which is always nice.


We finally painted in the living room! Only been on the "to do" list for 4 years.


Kenzie has 2 teeth now and moves like a crazy little animal. She does not really crawl but more of a roll/worm thing. Very funny to see. She is still a total doll and a very easy baby.


Cameron is doing great with school, finished the wrestling season and will soon be starting baseball. He is a great big brother to his sister and just adores her but he is still a bit of a challenge with the twins who he loves to bug and annoy and they do the same to him.


Clay and Cal are just plain crazy. They got haircuts AGAIN- Ben buzzed them and they screamed the whole time. They are doing great in underwear (even to bed) although I am washing sheets pretty often because Clayton can not always make it through the night but does not want to wear a pull up or diapers because he is a BIG BOY. At home the two of them never stop talking then when we get out in front of other people they both clam up and hardly talk at all.


We are all loving the warm weather and hoping that it stays now because the boys all love wearing shorts and I love not having to get them all bundled up and that they can put on their own sandals when it is time to leave.

ON TO THE FUN PART - PICTURES

Kenzie - Check out the hand - did not see that till after I took the picture!

Kenzie waving!

We had a blast coloring 4 dozen Easter eggs. Cameron had a friend over and all the boys colored them shirtless (less of a mess).

Cameron

Clayton - He really liked the yellow and wanted to do all his eggs in just yellow!!

Calvin - "THE HULK" 2 seconds into coloring and he sticks his whole hand in the Green dye.

Kenzie - Her eggs stayed white - I wonder why!




EASTER PICTURES !! SO MUCH FUN & SO MUCH CANDY!!

Kenzie

Cameron with his loot!



Calvin and Clayton running for the eggs!

Life is funny!

I have decided that life is just plain funny! I can't think of a day lately that I don't find myself laughing at things the kids do and say. Sometimes it is just me at home and then I want to call everyone and repeat every funny thing to Ben and my parents and to anyone who will listen. I wish I had a little more time and a better memory so that I would be able to write down all these things so that I don't ever forget them. But as fast as one thing happens and I am laughing about it the next one is happening and I did not even have the chance to share the first. People talk all the time about the terrible two's. I think they must have been referring to it being terrible when the kids are no longer two. I LOVE THIS AGE! I want to remember that so when I do have a bad day I can look back and know I really did have fun and will again. So that being said Monday it was time for the twins to take a nap and I put them in bed and apparently they were not ready yet. I was in the living room with Kenzie and heard them talking to each other and laughing and giggling and just generally goofing around. All of the sudden it got very quiet in their room. Then I hear Clayton say to Calvin "are you sleeping, Calvin?" and a long pause with no answer. Then Clayton says "what, you not gonna tell me?" I peek into their room and Calvin is sound asleep! It was so funny!!! They are also super sweet to their sister lately. And Kenzie continues to be the best baby ever!!! She got her first little tooth on the bottom and you would hardly have noticed it. Such a little dolly!! Did not make a big deal out of getting it at all. Hope the rest of them come that easy.

2 weekends ago we had a St. Peter's Family Fun Night at the Hartford Rec. We took all the kids and had a total blast.

Cameron playing soccer!

Kenzie playing at the Rec

Clayton playing basketball!

Calvin playing Basketball

Cameron taking a swim at the Rec!

Clayton did try the pool but was not a big fan!

Twins trying out basketball in the pool.

Calvin LOVED the pool and the water - stuck his face right in!



Calvin again - Loving the water spraying at him!

We are also super excited about the wonderful warm weather that has been coming! So excited for summer and being outside. The boys are so independent with the things they can do outside now. Only one major/minor injury so far. Cavin got smacked right between the eyes with a hard ball. Luckily it turned out to not be a big deal but sure gave us a scare. Not looking forward to any more posts about summer injuries. Hope everyone enjoys the nice weather and here is to hoping for NO MORE SNOW...