Kennedy's Musical Video's

Here is the video of Kennedy's dance she did in the musical. They did such a good job, especially for having only practiced the dance 3 times before doing the musical.

I couldn't get it all on here in one video, so it is broken into three. It is about 3 minutes total. Don't feel you have to watch it all.

Christmas County Spelling Bee

Kennedy was in a musical at our church this past Sunday. It was called the Christmas County Spelling Bee. It was very cute and she did a fantastic job. All the kids did. Kennedy was one of the four cheerleaders and they did a little dance during one of the songs. I have been trying to post the video, but it is apparently to big. I will work on fixing that and getting it on here also. It is so cute. Here are some pictures from it. The blond in the front with her is her best friend, Ella. Behind her with the brown hair is another friend, Lauren. The girls have decided they all want to wear these costumes for Halloween next year and go trick or treating together.

Happy Birthday Madison!

Yesterday was Madison's birthday! I can't believe she is six already! She started off the day great. She had her favorite breakfast of ebleskivers (sp?) then, as if she hadn't had enough sweets she took little donuts to church for her Sunday School class. We went to Panera Bread for lunch, a favorite for her. However, I should have known something was up when she didn't eat much. All she wanted to do in the afternoon was lay around and watch TV. For dinner she said she wanted sausage pizza, so that's what we had. She only ate one very small piece and then wanted to skip cake and ice cream and open presents. As soon as she was done, she wanted to have Daddy read her a story in bed. We sang Happy Birthday, but she was snuggled up on her Daddy's lap. Unfortunately, no fun birthday pictures or video's like Mackenzie's. It had to have been the worst birthday for her so far. I think we will have a redo this weekend when she is feeling better. Madison woke up around 4am saying her tummy hurt and was running a fever. It is not strep throat as I had feared, but we have medicine anyway since the holiday's are coming up. Not sure I like that idea, but hopefully it will make her better here soon. Usually two doses and she bounces right back. She is sad to be missing school today and tomorrow since it is Native American craft day and tomorrow is the Native American meal. Oh, well. I think Cinderella is doing a fine job of making her feel better right now.

Hope you are all feeling well and looking forward to a fun Turkey Day! If Madison is better we will be joining Greg's family at his Aunt Judy and Uncle Gary's house. It will be fun to see everyone again. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Mackenzie's birthday video's

Here are a few video's from Mackenzie's birthday. We just got the video camera and this is my first attempt at putting them online. We will see if it works!

This is from the gymnastics studio's open gym.

More open gym. Getting brave enought to go down the big slide.

Singing happy birthday.

Happy Birthday Mackenzie!

Today was Mackenzie's 3rd birthday. We had such a great day. Madison and I took her to McDonalds for breakfast then after we took Madison to Daisy Scouts and school she and I went to open gym. She is not the bravest, but she loves the place anyway. I will admit that she was much more willing to try things today then in the past. Must be the extra year she added today! Afterwards she went with me to pick up her Mickey and Minnie balloons and she Spongbob birthday cake. She really wanted the cake to be eaten on Ariel plates, but I told her that something had to go together, so she went with Minnie plates. She was very excited with her gifts. She got clothes from Mommy and Daddy, she LOVES clothes, Mickey and Minnie t-shirts and tattoos from Madison and an Ariel "barbie" and tattoos from Kennedy. For the past week we have been asking her what she wants for her birthday dinner. She has said "pepperpony" pizza each time. She cannot say pepperoni and we don't try to correct her since pepperpony is so much cuter! Anyway, late this afternoon I mentioned the pizza and she had a fit. She informed me that she HATES pepperpony pizza and that she wanted mac-n-cheese. Well if she had told me earlier I could have made our favorite homemade mac-n-cheese with ham, but she didn't, so we gave in and bought the box stuff. She was thrilled! I guess it's OK since Sunday is Madison's birthday and she wants sausage pizza. I am happy to not have to eat pizza twice in one weekend. Enjoy the pictures from her special day.

Playing at USGTC open gym!

Finally brave enough to go down with big slide, backwards!

Minnie and Minnie, I mean Mackenzie.

She loves her Minnie ears!

The Sponge Bob cake. I really tried to have her get the Princess or Mickey, but she was not having anything to do with them.

12 Years!

Yesterday, November 16, Greg and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary! I still can't believe we have been married for 12 years and I have to say it has been a great 12 years. It is hard to believe that in those years we have finished collage, moved to Barrington, started new jobs, moved to Fox River Grove, had Kennedy, got a dog, had Madison and Mackenzie, moved again and so much more. It has been a busy and sometimes crazy 12 years, but years I would never trade for anything.

My parents came down on Thursday and stayed with the girls while Greg and I got away for a long weekend. On Friday morning we went to Genevia and stayed at a wonderful hotel. The Harrington was awesome. (It was my dream master bedroom/bathroom.) We spent part of Friday doing the spa thing then went to see the new 007 movie and then to a nice dinner. Since it was "our" anniversary and not "my" anniversary, I had to give in to the movie. We were both disappointed with it though. Not the best Bond movie. Anyway, Saturday we spent some time at the Aurora outlet mall. Of course, most of what we bought was for the girls, but it was still fun. That night we went to a steakhouse for dinner and then to Zannie's Comedy Den in St. Charles. It was a fun and funny night. Sunday brought a wonderful brunch and then we headed home. It was certainly a great time away, but it sure was nice to walk in the door to the squeals from the girls. Mackenzie is a Mommy's girl and she would not let me put her down the rest of the day. So, thanks Mom and Dad for making this weekend away possible!

And Greg, if you are reading this, thanks for 12 wonderful years! I can't wait to see what the next 12 have in store for us. I love you, babe!

OK, now that the anniversary is over it's time to concentrate on the two birthday's coming up this week. Mackenzie can't wait to be 3 and keeps telling us she is three already. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were at Thanksgiving with our 3 DAY old Mackenzie. Where did those years go?

We are still here!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have lasted posted anything. Sorry! Life has been a little busy lately. Not a whole lot big happening, just our normal crazy life. We had my family in town a couple of weeks ago and celebrated Madison, Mackenzie and AC's birthday's. We won't get to see them until Christmas time, so we thought we would do the birthday thing a little early. They will be spoiled enough at Christmas so lets spread out the spoiling! I will post pictures of that when I get some from my sister (hint, hint). For now, here are the pictures from Halloween.

You want me to stick my hand in there? I don't think so!

Well, OK. Hey, this is fun!

Group shot. Kennedy, the hippy. Madison, the cowgirl. Mackenzie, Jo Jo the clown.

Ear Plugs Anyone

About a month ago Kennedy came home with a letter saying that Orchestra would be starting for anyone interested. Fourth grade! Are you kidding me? Well, she has heard that Greg used to play the violin and for a few years now has wanted to play it. She was so excited when we told her that she could give it a try. Thursday was the first lesson. She will have practice for it every Thursday at her school, during the school day, for 30 minutes. They will also have three concerts throughout the school year. Starting the end of October they will also be having a 1 hour practice BEFORE school each Thursday morning to prepare for the concerts that will take place with the 5th graders. Below are some pictures of what took place Thursday after she brought the violin home for the first time.

Greg had to give it a try to see if it was like riding a bike. Once you learn you never forget. I don't think that is true with violins!

Then Kennedy got out her book and stand and gave it a try. It was her first time using the bow. They had not even picked them up in their first practice, so she was having a great time making noise!

Poor Mackenzie! While Kennedy was playing around with it I looked over to the couch to see Mackenzie looking like this. I don't think she is a fan of the violin!

Daddy's Little Helper

Last week when Greg went to mow the lawn Mackenzie went out to watch. As she sat in the garage waiting for him to start she spotted the backpack carrier. I don't know if it was the curls or the big blue eyes just like his or what it was, but this is what I saw when I looked out the window. Boy did she have a great time. It was also most likely her last time as she it getting way to big for the carrier. I am pretty sure if I look hard enough I will find pictures of each of the other girls doing the same thing.

Apple Picking

Kennedy and Madison had the day off of school on Friday, so we headed up to Hebron, IL to go apple picking. We went with the MOPS group from our church. Kennedy and Madison each brought a friend, so I had five girls with me for the day. They were all pretty good. Mackenzie was a little naughty with not listening, but what is new!

Our gang picking apples!

Kennedy had a great time finding just the right apples.

Madison enjoyed it, but the bees were pretty bad, so that took some of the fun away for her.
There were not very many good apples within Mackenzie's reach, but she was determined to get some anyway.
When she did get a good one, she ate it immediately! I am hoping that I got them all wiped off before she started eating them, but I cannot be sure.Here is our group. Mackenzie, Brooke Swanson, Madison, Kennedy and Macaela Silva.

After apple picking we headed down to their petting zoo for a little break before having lunch.

Madison and her buddy Brooke! Boy, apple picking is hard work!

First Day of Kindergarten

Madison had a big day today. It was her first day of school at both schools. Madison will be going every afternoon to Countryside, Kennedy's school, as she calls it. She will also be going two mornings a week to St. Marks for a math and science class. She is very excited about that one because our Pastors wife, Bonnie Barber, is one of the teachers. After two years of doing five half days for preschool, she was ready for something more. This seemed like a great addition to her Kindergarten. It gives her a little something more but still leaves her a few morning a week free to sleep in and have play dates with her new friends from Countryside. I know she will have a few new ones already when she gets home today. She is the one that makes friends easily. Madison was so excited to go to school until a few days ago. This morning she got out of bed and came to eat breakfast. She wasn't eating, so I sat down next to her and asked her what was wrong. Wrong question! She put her face in her blanket and started crying. She said she was scared to go to school. After a nice long talk from both Greg and I, she was ready. I am sure it helped that she started her day off with Mrs. Barber. A familiar face is always nice to see in a new situation. Things got mixed up with the buses, so this week I pick her up and take her to her other school. However, next week, the bus will pick her up at St. Marks and take her to Countryside, so it will truly be two FULL days for me too! She thought is was pretty cool to eat lunch at St. Marks with some of the other kids. Lunch Bunch is apparently pretty fun!

First Day of Kindergarten. Mackenzie the ham can't be left out of a single picture.

Trying to act all sad!

There's her cute smile!

By the tree outside of St. Marks Day School.

Outside Countryside waiting for the buses to arrive. Her teacher told all of the kids to bring in their favorite stuffed animal. She brought in Snuggles her horse that she was bribed with at Shawna's wedding.

The buses were very late today, so the girls waited on the benches outside the school. I can't imagine why they would be so late! Imagine all the kids riding the bus for the first time and most of them probably scared and some crying. Mom's taking lots of pictures of them next to the bus, getting on the bus, buckling them up, crying as they wave their kids off to Kindergarten. I can picture the scene. In fact, I am sure I was that scene at one time. Now do that for each kid riding. Oh, boy! I am sure it will be much better tomorrow.

Madison somehow made it to the front of the line even though when they first lined up she was about fourth in line. Anyway, here is a, not so great, picture of some of the kid in her class. It is really nice, the kids get off the bus and the teacher is waiting for them. They have a door in their classroom that goes directly outside, so the kids don't have to go through the somewhat confusing hallways. At the end of the day, each kid riding the bus will have a fourth or fifth grader that will pick them up from their class and walk them to their bus. Most likely it will be someone on their bus so they will help them get on also, before the other kids are allowed on. Not that I am a worried/nervous Mom, but for those that are, these are some great safety features they have for the little kids.

First Day of 4th Grade

This was supposed to be a combined post of both of the girls first days of school. However, as I was putting this together I decided I had to many pictures for one post, so they each get their own. Here is Kennedy's.

Last Tuesday was Kennedy's first day of 4th grade. I just can't believe that she is old enough to be in 4th grade. I certainly don't look old enough to have a 4th grader, right??? Anyway, she was very excited to go to school and even woke up around 6am to take a shower. I had to tell her to go back to bed for another hour. The bus doesn't come until almost 8:30am. She got the teacher that she had wanted, so that helped. On Monday, the day before class started, she had meet the teacher day. Not only did she meet her teacher, who seems very nice, but she was also able to visit her teachers from 2nd, 3rd, and the resource teacher. She had a fun time seeing them again. We just loved both her second and third grade teachers and they are both teaching different grades this year. I am a little excited for next year already because Kennedy's second grade teacher is now doing 5th grade. I am certainly going to try to get her again next year. Also, her third grade teacher is now doing first grade, so I am going to try to get her for Madison next year. Heck, maybe Mackenzie can even get Madison's old preschool teacher! Wouldn't that be fun!

My big fourth grader!

Mackenzie is sure going to miss Kennedy. They are the best of buds and had a great summer together.

Sisterly Love!

Mackenzie was so excited for Kennedy to get home from school. We had to go out to wait LONG before the bus was supposed to arrive.

Here are the three girls that get off at our bus stop. Believe it or not, Ally, the one on the left is two years younger than Kennedy. She is going to be one tall girl. The one on the right, Kate, is a grade older. They are all good friends. This week, Madison will join them on the bus on the way home.

Daddy/Daughter Weekend

Greg took Kennedy on a Daddy/Daughter weekend last weekend to Whitehall, Wisconsin. We have some friends that used to work at Fort Wilderness with us that have started a new camp. It is called Harvest Home Farms. They have a beautiful setting in the woods with lots of land. They have lots of animals already. Kennedy, of course, loved the horses. She is an animal girl so she like them all. Below are some shots of her with just a few of the different animals they have. It was a great weekend for the two of them. They took hikes, rode horses, went swimming and had fun with friends. Mike and Becky have four kids, two girls then two boys. Their second daughter is the same age as Kennedy and they had a great time together. Kennedy has already asked when she can go back. We would like to go as a family next time.

Kennedy took this picture of Greg with the cat that followed them on their hike. Isn't that view beautiful!

Kiki with the cat.

Kennedy and Madeline Poulos.

Taking the horse for a walk after their ride.

At first Kiki said she was afraid of the sheep, but she soon warmed up to them.