Haven't you always wanted a Monkey!

Here's my first attempt at cake decorating, pretty good if I do say so myself!

Happy Birthday baby girl!

Kenzee had her 3rd Birthday party this Sunday. I was pretty worried when I woke up to thunder and lightning, but Chad kept assuring me the storms would be gone by noon. He called that one right on. We had a great time and Kenzee was so lucky to celebrate with so many family and friends (49!!!) The kids were kept busy with a bouncer, the pool, and in the play area. Thanks to everyone that was able to come and help us celebrate!

How was your 4th?

Ours was busy, as I am sure everyone else's was. We kicked it off Thursday night with fireworks at the park. Court and I took Kenzee and Haylee and then Haylee spent the night. Friday morning Amy & Maddie joined us and we went to the parade in West Peoria. The kids always love that as they get lots of candy and other things. After that we had a small party here at the house. We swam, ate, talked, ate, played bags, and ate. Kenzee headed home with Grammy and Papa so she could get a good nap. We were only half way through the weekend so we had to make sure she got some rest. Chad & I stopped over at the Zike's annual party for a while and then headed to the fireworks downtown. (No pics of any of this, battery died at the parade). Saturday morning started with tumbling class and then we came home to get ready for another party at Dede's. We had a great time at dede's swimming, eating and playing games. Sunday was all about resting after this long weekend of partying!
Here's a sample of the few pics that I got before the battery died on my camera.

long time, no blog

So I've been so kindly reminded by several people that I'm slacking on the blogfront.
We haven't had a whole lot going on around here that's blogworthy. Chad has been working A LOT, Court's living here for the summer, we all love having her here so much, and Kenz has been in a MAJOR funk. Multiple tantrums a day. I'm talking 20-30 minutes of kicking, screaming so hard she throws up, ughhhh I could go on. Today was tantrum free, I hope this is the new trend. Anyway, I guess I don't take pics when I am stressed out, cuz today is the first time this month I have taken any. We started at tumbling, ate lunch (and ice cream) at Culver's, then met Uncle Bill (Mike), Aunt Molly, and cousin Caitlin at the park for the Rhapsody in Bloom (art fair?). We had a great day today as evidenced below.

Audrey Caroline

I have seen this blog mentioned several different places and never paid attention until an old friend recommended I check it out. I will not tell you how many hours it took me to read the whole thing through all of the tears. It was well worth it. She is one of those people that has an amazing way of putting her thoughts on paper (or a screen). She really captured all of the feelings that I know I felt and still do. Her husband is part of the christian band Selah. A songwriter that had worked with Selah before (and Sarah Mclachlan) contacted them about writing a song in honor of Audrey Caroline. It is BEAUTIFUL. She has it on a slideshow on her blog, but it is on their upcoming album so it isn't available yet. The blog is www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com and the slideshow is in her April entries titled "Slideshow" The words are below:
I Will Carry You

There were photographs I wanted to take
Things I wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies, wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this?

People say that I am brave but I'm not
Truth is I'm barely hanging on
But there's a greater story
Written long before me
Because He loves you like this

So I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All my life
And I will praise the One Who's chosen me
To carry you

Such a short time
Such a long road
All this madness
But I know
That the silence
Has brought me to His voice
And He says...

I've shown her photographs of time beginning
Walked her through the parted seas
Angel lullabies, no more teary eyes
Who could love her like this?

I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All your life
And I will praise the One Who's chosen Me
To carry you

Chop Chop

Kenzee picked up the chopsticks at FlatTop and decided to give em a try. I must admit she did better than I do. z

Getting ready for summer

Kenzee decided to dig out all of her swimsuits the other night after Chad mentioned opening the pool this weekend. We had to make sure that all of her friends were ready for the event too.
(Who bought her all of those swimsuits!)