Kenley Update

I haven't written about Kenley in several months, and she has changed and learned so much since turning 2. I still cannot believe she is 2 1/2 years old, and she is already asking when she will be 3! She is such a loving, friendly, sassy little girl. She is totally a mommy's girl, however she has daddy wrapped around her little finger as well.

Below are some of the things she is currently doing and activities she enjoys:

• Is very verbally and is always talking. 
• She loves to play with stickers and could play for hours.
• Is really into art: painting, stamps, coloring (with markers), etc.
• Loves to dance and shake her "booty!" 
• Can say the days of the week and the months of the year.
• Is able to identify the majority of the letters in the alphabet, the sounds, and a word that is associated with the letter. Identifies letters everywhere we go...it's fun watching her learn! 
• Can identify coins (quarter, dime, and penny). Still inconsistent with nickel.
• Is able to state the vowels of the alphabet. 
• Loves to play with her baby dolls. 
• Is attached to her little pink blanket and Rapunzel doll. 
• Is able to count objects.
• Has memorized several books that we read to her. 
• Loves to wear tutus! She wants to dress like Fancy Nancy all the time! She's a true girly girl!
• Is able to state the month and day of her birthday.
• Is totally into princesses! I think she truly believes she is a princess! 
• Is going through a phase where she is really attached to mommy. However, I've already noticed it subsiding slightly.
• Is taking gymnastic lessons, however she is asking to take dance. We will probably sign her up for dance too after the Holidays. 
• Likes to sing all the time and knows several songs by memory.
• LOVES K-State! Is so excited for the game each Saturday! 
• Her favorite colors are pink and purple.
• Enjoys playing games on mommy's IPhone.
• Can spell and identify her first and last name.
• Is really into the Holidays this year which makes it even more fun for us!

We LOVE you little princess! 

Shaver Lake

This summer we went with our friends to their cabin in Shaver Lake, CA. It was about an eight-hour drive to the cabin, due to multiple potty stops mainly because of me :) I love weekend getaways especially when spent with great friends, campfires, lots of giggly, loving children, fun in the sun, and relaxing on a boat. 

Kenley loves picking flowers.

On a hike.

Daddy and his little girl. 

Shaver Lake

I just love this little girl to pieces! 

Enjoying a marshmallow. 

On the go. 

So cute.

Kenley enjoying a very rare treat! 

Lake Tahoe

Boy did this summer fly by! Looking back we had one busy summer filled with lots of swimming, relaxing with my sweet Ken Bug, hanging with friends, and family vacations. In June, Blaine and I went with several of our friends to Lake Tahoe for a weekend getaway. The views in Tahoe are breathtakingly beautiful, pine trees for as far as you can see, crystal clear lake that is surrounded by mountains, and stunning sunsets. We plan on going back and taking our little darling with us.

Lake Tahoe-North Shore

Great friends and baby Bradley!

I love this man so much!

Posing after a great dinner at Lone Eagle.

"Striking A Pose!" 

Some of you will know what I mean :)

On our way to the Chart House for an amazing dinner!

The Guys!

Wine + Sunset + Great Friends = Happiness! 

Summer Fun!

As summer comes to an end, we are packing in as many activities as possible. A few weeks ago we went with some friends to Zoomars; a petting zoo in San Juan Capistrano. Zoomars is located in a very unique and historical area of San Juan Capistrano. This area if filled with antique shops, adorable cafes, and The Tea House, which has fabulous tea, scones, and mini sandwiches. We really must make our way to this area more often.

Looking a little uneasy holding a bunny! 

Kenley and Logan petting one of the animals.

Zoomars has a large area filled with corn for the kids to play.

 It's essential one large sensory box! 

Boy did the kids love it!

Her first pony ride! 

She wasn't too sure about riding the pony, 

however I was so proud of her when she decided to give it a try.

This child is super cautious, which I am totally okay with, therefore this was a big step for her!

This week we visited the Santa Ana zoo, which is quite small, however for our little ones it's the perfect size. 

Playing at the park before looking at the animals. 

Okay, seriously, it doesn't get any cuter than this! 

Cuties! 

Checking out the monkeys! 

:)

She's even a little princess at the zoo! 

I just adore and love this little girl!

What little sweeties! 

Ty and Kenley checking out the cow!

On the way home from the zoo, Kenley and I were talking about which animals she enjoyed seeing the most. She said, "the monkey's are my favorite. They're so adorable!" Then she said, "and the cow!" I said, Kenley we didn't see a cow, forgetting about the one above. Her response, "Mom, yes we did. The cow in the barn. Mom, it's not a real cow it's a fake cow!" Well excuse me, little Missy :) 

Potty Trained!

I had originally planned on waiting unit my first day of summer to begin potty training Kenley. However, our little sweetie had a different plan. On Sunday June 3rd, she woke up from her nap and asked to wear her "big girl" undies. We had been discussing potty training and made the decision that once we put her in undies then we would not return back to diapers. As we felt the inconsistency could be confusing for her. So, we jumped in with two feet and put her in "big girl"undies! We are beyond blessed to have a dear friend who babysits Kenley and was willing to help with the training. I, being the neurotic type, was stressing that it would take forever to train her. However, that was not the case at all. We basically didn't have to do anything. She literally has only had 5 or 6 accidents total, which were within the first two days of training. She has not had any accidents since day 2! She's pretty AWESOME!  Oh boy, I pray our next child is as easy :) When we started training we put her in pull-ups for her nap and during nighttime. Now, almost a month later, she has been asking to not wear her pull-ups while sleeping. I must say we will probably stop using them very soon, because she has been waking up dry after her naps and nighttime. She LOVES to wear her "big girl" undies. Every morning, I hear her open her chest of drawers and get her undies out! She then walks into our room and immediately asks to use the restroom then to wear her undies!

Love potty photos :)

She was taking a bath and realized she had to go! 

She is so proud of herself and rightfully so :)

She is totally obsessed with washing her hands! 

What a BIG girl we have! I am so very proud of our little angel!  

Mother's Day!

LOVE!

This little sweetie brings so much joy and love to my life! 

Easter 2012

During Easter weekend, we attended our churches Easter service on Saturday. It was a beautiful service, full of love and celebration of our Lord and Savior. On Easter Sunday, we woke up early and read Kenley the story of Easter. We then lead her downstairs to stumble upon all the goodies the Easter Bunny left her :) After looking through all her treats, we headed to the backyard for an egg hunt. Kenley loved looking for eggs! Blaine ended up hiding the eggs over and over so she could continue the hunt...note to us hide more eggs next year! :) Later on in the day, we went to our good friends house to enjoy a delicious Easter meal and some fun in the sun!

Easter Love

On Easter we celebrate love,
love coming down from heaven,
love blanketing the earth
in a transforming embrace;
unique and infinite love,
giving more than we can imagine
for us, to cleanse our sin,
a perfect sacrifice, Lamb of God,
the walking, talking Word.
He is teacher, role model, friend,
this God in human form,
dying, then rising from the dead,
proving all who believe
will also rise
to have eternal life, with Him,
Lord of all.
Oh, Happy, Happy Easter!

By Joanna Fuchs