A Day at the Zoo

Last Sunday Gary, Kendall and I decided to head to the zoo for a day of family time. It was so much fun!



Kendall LOVED the animals. You can clearly see the joy on her face!

Baby peacocks

Feeding goats with Daddy

The grapevine tunnel

Here's some grapes

Look at this, Mommy!

OOOHHHH

Not the horsey, Daddy!



The bench is fun!



Wordless Wednesday: Grandma Ann and Grandpa Paul

Campin' on the 4th

On the 4th of July weekend we had the privilege of going to Campers' Paradise near Nevis, Minnesota for a camping trip. Gary's family went there every summer growing up and he loved it so he wanted to bring his family there ('cause he's sweet like that). We talked our good friends Carmen and John into joining us with their wonderful sons Peyton (4) and Logan (1). We had a wonderful time and we had some exceptionally well -behaved children! We even managed nap time everyday for the one year olds! The campgrounds are on an island and are beautiful and secluded. The beach was sandy and perfect. There was a water trampoline and a big playground for the kids. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather. It only rained for about 2 hours the first night we were there otherwise it was sunny and warm. The campgrounds also have awesome trails for riding bike that we truly enjoyed! It was so much fun that we booked our trip for next year already!




Our BIG campsite!

Our tent (my birthday gift from my momma) thanks Mom

Gary grillin'

John and Peyton playing bean bags

Kendall in the Ergo

strollin'

Kendall and Logan going for a bike ride

The beach

Peyton

Carmen and Logan

Floatin'

Beach Baby

Camping is fun!





 *I was on this trip, too. I just happened to take all the pictures so I'm not in them. And I'm ok with that.



Kendall Through the Seasons

10 reasons (in no particular order) that Kendall's Daddy is Amazing

1. He knows all about breastfeeding, breast pumps, milk supply, etc. He was my rock through our breastfeeding troubles! I couldn't have kept up with pumping as long as I did without his help.

2. He wants Kendall to grow up knowing Jesus and that He loves us and that we are saved by grace through faith. 

3. When someone said that if you respond right away to a crying baby you are "spoiling them" and by letting them cry it out you "toughen them up" he replied, "By responding to a crying baby right away you teach them they can trust you".

4. He likes to get down on the floor and play with Kendall and her cousins.

5. He shows Kendall that he loves her Mommy. I feel pretty lucky that she gets to have parents that are very much in love with each other.

6. He loves holidays and celebrating them.

7. He works so very hard so that I can go to school and take care of Kendall.

8. He always puts Kendall and I first.

9. He loves to do things with his family.

10. He takes such great care of us! We love him so much and are so greatful to him!

Happy Father's Day, Gary!

I have a confession

Sometimes we co-sleep. I know many people believe that this is a horrible thing to do. I've heard all the reasons why. It's hard on a marriage to have a child in bed with you. The child will form the habit of sleeping with you and you won't be able to break it. You might roll over on your baby.

Kendall and I co-sleeping when she was 2 weeks old

It started when Kendall was first born. You know how people say newborns are only awake for an hour or so at a time? They lied were mistaken. Kendall was a night owl for the first 2 months of here life. She would be awake from 10 or 11pm until 4 or 5am every single night. She didn't fuss or cry, unless I tried to put her down. She would just lay in my arms. Sometimes she'd drift off and I'd ever so carefully put her in her bassinet. It never failed. The instant she was out of my arms her eyes would pop open and she would demand to be picked back up. I've never been big on the whole let them cry it out idea so back to my arms she would go. This is how we started to co-sleep. I would eventually fall asleep on the couch holding Kendall. It was the only way I got any sleep. At 2 months she started to sleep some at night in her crib and has been a pretty good sleeper ever since. But on nights when she is fussy, teething, sick.... We bring her to bed with us. She always starts the night in her own bed. If she wakes up we try all of the obvious things (diaper, drink, etc). If all of that checks out ok and she is still not wanting to sleep we simply bring her into our room. It doesn't happen all that often. A few times a month. But we don't see any harm in it. It hasn't formed a pattern so we don't feel that it's becoming a "habit". If she wakes up seeking the comfort of her parents we feel like it's ok to give that to her. We don't worry about squishing her and our marriage has grown stronger through parenting Kendall together. Nothing makes my heart melt the way it does watching Gary love our daughter. And who wouldn't want to wake up to Kendall's sweet little face!

Nanny's Birthday

Today was Gary's Grandma's birthday. We celebrated by going out for supper together. We met first to attempt to take some family pictures. Next time we will have to plan it better and take the pictures after we eat because the kids were restless. Here's what we ended up with:

4 Generations: Mom- Debbie holding baby Riley, Great Grandma Maryleene and Grandma Trudy

4Generations: Dad-Gary holding Kendall, Great Grandma Maryleene and Grandma Trudy

4 Generations: Dad- Adam holding Brady, Great Grandma Maryleene and Grandma Trudy

Brady (4) and Riley (2 weeks)

Kendall and Brady- 2 peas in a pod

Have you ever tried to take a picture of 5 children? Here's how it goes:

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Good enough for now, better luck next time

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Love

Introducing Riley

Riley James, May 25th 2011, 7 lbs 4 ozs, 20 1/4 inches

His beautiful Mommy, Debbie

Proud Daddy, Ricky

Trisha and RJ, his brother and sister. They live in Oklahoma with their mom but we are thrilled to have them here for 7 weeks.

I love this picture.

Kendall really likes her new cousin and wants so badly to hold him.

My dear Riley, I am so excited that I get to be your auntie. We all love you very much. We prayed for you to join our family for so long. You are a very lucky little boy to have such wonderful parents. You are your Mommy's biggest dream come true. You have a very fun and sweet Daddy. We thank God for you, sweet baby.