Kinley is 5 months old

Seeing as though Kinley is actually 6 months old today, I thought it might be best to do a short post first on her 5 month milestones.

Just like every month before, Kinley is spoiling us with her smiles and cuteness.  This month she decided that she should tackle sitting up and she is doing a great job, but hasn't quite mastered it yet.  She is pretty routine with her sleeping, with two 1.5hr naps during the day, and sleeping from 7:15pm - 6am at night.   We started introducing rice cereal during out meal times to her.  The verdict is still out on whether or not she likes it.  Hmm, what else?!  Oh, she makes lots and lots of fun noises.  It is absolutely hilarious to hear her in the car blowing bubbles or popping her lips.  It's just too cute!!

This month I tapered off nursing due to horrible stomach cramps I was getting due to nursing.  No, fun at all.  Kinley has adjusted nicely to formula, and the bottle and I have been enjoying no crippling cramps.

Loving on those toes

Not too sure about this spoon thing and the stuff that's on it.

Josh made Kinley a reading circle.  Similar to the one he made for Carter when Carter was 6 months old.

4 + months

Kinley is just cruising along hitting milestones and markers along the way (not that she is literally cruising...more like rolling).  She's got a fun personality that enjoys the attention that her older brothers give her.  She is, however, most smitten with her daddy, and a tad bit bashful.  It's quite endearing to watch her just track Michael around the room, and as soon as they make eye contact she smiles, but quickly looks the other way!  I'm thinking someone loves her daddy very much, what do you think?

Some of her milestones at 4 months of age are: rolls from back to stomach (hasn't figured out how to get back to the back yet), giggles, blows bubbles, can make a funny Ewok-like noise (very entertaining), and can grasp toys.  She's pretty stubborn when it comes to her naps...she thinks short but sweet.  We've been working on it and there are days I think we've got it figured out, but the very next day we will be back to short naps (like a newborn) and I'm really not sure what to do.  It can be quite frustrating for this type A personality momma.   I have to remind myself that it took time for the boys to figure it all out as well.  We will get there.  We will!!  Napping aside, Kinley is a sweet little girl.  I still have to pinch myself that it's not a dream that I have this little girl.

Some of her favorite things right now are her play mat, an Infantino Giraffe, sleeps with a little cuddly ducky, her daddy and brothers.

Isn't she just beautiful?!

Hurray, I can roll over!

So very blessed by these sweet faces!

Kinley's Ewok noise I found this video on my phone and thought it was too funny not to share.  This is Josh's impression of Kinley blowing bubbles.  Enjoy!!

Another exciting new school year

So many changes and things to anticipate for this school year.  Quite the array of emotions as we prepared for the start, with excitement excelling over them all.

Michael has worked hard all summer long to prepare for the athletic changes that are taking place with the school merger.  Now that his hard work is starting to play out he is enjoying the fruit of his labor.  There has been a lot of dedicated administration and staff that has dedicated lots of hours to help the merger along and we are so appreciative of their dedication and hard work.

Josh started 2nd grade with Mrs. Smith. He has a bunch of church buddies in his class, as well as some friends that he has shared a class with since Jr-K.  He was anxious on the first day of school, but that anxiety quickly dissolved into excitement once him and his buddies learned a little bit more about what 2nd grade was all about and they got into their rhythm on the playground.

Carter started at RCS this year in the Jr-K program twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It seems Carter starting school has been much harder on me than I expected (like burst into tears randomly throughout the week).  I am so excited for him, but I still feel like he is my little baby. He seems to be loving school and seeing all his friends, so I am delighted by that.

Washington 2013

It was a fairly last minute decision to travel to Washington for a visit, but despite the last minute planning it was a wonderful trip.  Some of the highlights from our trip: Watching Bethany and Becca perform in their summer stock play, Cousin play time, Kinley sleeping through the night, PNW strawberries (aka Heaven on Earth) and ice cream, Birch Bay, Josh and Grandpa building a Fast Track game, seeing Uncle Kevin since he traveled around the world for 8 months, Children's Museum with Grandma Parine, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and seeing Uncle Dan and Aunt Rachel after they had been camping in Montana for a week.  There a many more things I could mention and each of them equally as special and as memorable.  It was a fun trip filled with lots of laughter and family!

This guy lost his a tooth on the flight up.  Our last two flights he has lost a tooth.  Crazy!!

Grandpa DeJong and Josh playing the game, Fast Track. They actually later that week built their own. How cool, huh?!  

Grandma and Kinley bonding while at Birch Bay

Josh digging in the sand at Birch Bay

The cutest boys on the plane

Enjoying the rainbow trout in the fish hatchery that is just down the street from my parents house.  

Grandma Parine took the boys to one of the interactive Children's  Museum downtown Bellingham

The most handsome man on the plane and the sweetest baby.

Kinley and her Uncle Ed bonding.  Uncle Ed has quite a gift with the babies.  Kinley was quite smitten with him.

Cousin Sarah chasing Carter around the Grandma and Grandpa DeJong's house

Grandpa Parine took us to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.  Such a cool zoo, and far less people than we are used to with the San Diego Zoo. 

Carter getting some personal time with one of the Lemurs. 

A familiar sighting outside my parents house.  Their usually a couple families of them that roam the neighborhood.  

Carter enjoying a puzzle at the Children's Museum

Fun 4th of July activity with Aunt Julie

Carter's Teddy bear pancake

The kids with Great Grandma Stuurmans

Carter and Uncle Kevin

All the kids at the C Shop in Birch Bay

Unwavering

unwavering. unconditional. all-encompassing. devoted & friend. All words I use to describe you, dear husband!  You make each day a joy to wake up to and each evening a joy to come home to.  Our marriage is one I am proud of and cherish!  Happy Anniversary, Blue Eyes!

Summer Camps 2013

My biggest fear about summer vacations from school is that my kids will get bored.  Not annoying, whiny, or rambunctious, but B.O.R.E.D.  Now don't get me wrong because annoying, rambunctious, and whiny all happen. My kids are no exception, and I don't blame them.  That is why I chose not fight those fires and get down to the root of it all with boredom.  You know what I'm talking about (uh, huh, I see you nodding your head)!  So my solution was summer camps!

I aligned a few options for the boys to chose from depending on our vacation schedule and they chose the ones they would enjoy the most.  Once we had our vacation schedule finalized we registered them for their camps.  Josh chose to do the Camp TLC at Trinity Church and Carter chose swim lessons at the University of Redlands with the Ducey Swim Camp.

Camp TLC offers different options, or electives, for the kids to chose from when they come to camp.  Josh chose to do field games.  He enjoyed it for the first two days, but grew bored with them.  He said next year he wants to try the Bulldog Sports Camp at the University of Redlands.  I have heard rave reviews, so I'm excited for him to try it.

Carter's experience w/ the swim camp was amazing!  His teacher, Bryan Ducey, was an excellent teacher and I greatly appreciated his patience with Carter.  On the first day Carter wasn't so sure about all the people and vastness that is the U or R pool.  So Bryan put Carter on his back while he taught the other student.  Carter eventually warmed up and learned so much.

Needless to say, I think we averted boredom!

Kinley's Baptism

This post is long overdue, but alas here it is:  We had the privilege of sharing Kinley's Baptism, on June 9th, with Michael's sister, Julie and her beautiful family.  It was a gorgeous day and everyone was excited, including little Kinley herself.
Pastor Scott performed the baptism.  We really appreciated during the sacrament how Pastor Scott went down to Josh and Carter's level and talked to them about how influential they are in the upbringing of Kinley.  It was pretty neat to see their eyes light up with the knowledge that they too are important on this day.  Finishing the sacrament, Kinley's Uncle Ed, led us in a beautiful ending prayer.

Carter is 4

We love celebrating birthdays at our house.  We try to make them super special and memorable, which usually means we drag it out for a few days.  Who doesn't love celebrating something for a couple of days, right?!
Carter's 4th birthday was a blast.  We celebrated with his Grandma Parine, who was visiting for the long weekend, on Sunday afternoon.  It was wonderful that Grandma Parine was able to be here for Carter's birthday and meet lil Kinley for the first time.  Thanks for coming to visit, Mom!  On Monday afternoon, we celebrated with his two bestest boy buddies, Luke and Jonas.  After the boys had some fun on their own we invited their families to join us for dinner and cake.  These boys are great together.  I just treasure their little friendships and how each time they see each other their little faces just light up like they haven't seen each other in years.  So precious and I can't wait to watch their friendships continue to blossom.  Then on Tuesday, his actual birthday, we were joined by our framily, the Layels, for dinner and gifts. Always a wonderful time when with the Layels.   It was a special three days for this sweet boy indeed!  We love spoiling you with love and attention Carter-roo!!

I remember the day Carter was born like it was yesterday, yet today he is now 4.  Carter has made such huge strides in so many areas of development this year.  It's exciting to see him grow into quite the little boy.

Some of what we have been up to

Seems like Kinley has been getting the spotlight on the blog.  Undoubtedly with good reason, but the boys deserve some spotlight time too.

Josh, our soon to be 2nd grader (WOW!!), has been absolutely loving 1st grade.  His love for his teachers and school has not wavered since the start of the school year.  He continues to enjoy learning and though school seems to come naturally to him he is constantly asking questions of "Why", and "How".  I love that although he understands the questions and answers in front of him he desires to gain a deeper understanding of what makes things the way they are.  It is my prayer that he continues his love for learning, school, and pushing for understanding for a lifetime.  It is truly a gift he has.  He also seems to be growing at the pace of a bean stalk.  I can't believe how big and old he is getting!

Although his baseball team's season wasn't one to brag about Josh did really well.  He wasn't very excited about baseball when the season started, in fact, when his teacher, Mrs. Wit asked him one day in class, "Why do you like baseball?" he answered, "I don't! My mom just signed me up!" I just shrugged my shoulders when Laura (Mrs. Wit) looked back at me in the classroom.  Josh's T-ball team last year, the Yankees, only lost one game and had two very talented and wonderful coaches.  They were great with the kids and teaching techniques.  You couldn't help but to like baseball after being on their team and Josh was no exception.  But he apparently forgot his love for the game in-between seasons, but his Momma didn't.  Thus signing him up for coach pitch.  After a few practices his memory and love for the game came back and instead of a frown heading to practice there was a smile in it's place.

Carter is just as sweet as ever.  Welcoming Kinley into the family has been a little bitter sweet for Carter.  He was the baby of the family for almost 4 years, so the little girl stealing his limelight has been hard, but he loves her so much and makes it quite evident.  My good friend, Becca, that usually watches Carter while I work has been gracious enough to take Carter for one day each week so Carter can play with his two bestest friends in the whole world, Jonas & Luke.  This has been a great for him. On the days that he is home we do a little bit of preschool and go outside to ride the scooter, or tricycle as much as little Kinley will allow.  Carter is my outdoor guy and he goes stir crazy being in the house all day with Kinley and I.

Showing off his somersaults.

Lovin on his sister!

Carter, our soon to be 4 year old, has asked to play soccer in the Fall.  So we are kicking up the busyness a notch this coming Fall with Carter in soccer, Josh in basketball, Michael coaching football, and Kinley and I kicking it in the SUV carting them all around town.  Huh, and to think I was going to try to take a class or two...just for laughs I might still try.  Love the busyness that surrounds my family...such blessings.

Michael is chugging along with teaching and taking on the added responsibility of AD for both ACA & RCS middle schools and the RCS elementary school.  His health has been anything but a breeze over the past couple of months though.  He completed the second part of his ear surgery with great success, but has had one ear infection after another since then.  At this point the surgery hardly seems worth the pain the infections have been, but hopefully over time those will disappear.  He had his semiannual check up with the Liver Transplant doctor and unfortunately his levels are high, in-fact higher than they have ever been. NOT GOOD, and quite alarming.  He is on meds that should help and has a follow up in three months.  Ugh!  

As for me, I'm doing the mom thing and though somedays are trying I wouldn't change it for anything.  I have been absolutely treasuring the time at home w/ the kids and the open door policy at the house for friends to visit.  It has always been a dream of mine to have friends just walk in w/o knocking.  For them to know that my house and what is in it is theirs too.  Because truly what makes a home is the people you fill it with.