Welcome Fall...

We have been busy, but this seems to the theme to our life right now. We had parent teacher conferences on Tuesday evening and Kenna's was perfect she is excelling in all areas and she is a wonderful student. Jackson's was a little different, as I walked into his classroom the counsler who is a family friend walked in with me and shut the door behind her, I couldn't help but feel like I was in school again and I was about to get in trouble. They showed me Jackson's tests scores and we then figured out the he is developmentally behind but they think it all due to his speech. I was a little confused because Jackson has a great vocabulary and you can definetly understand everything he says but we have figured out that even though he uses a certain word he may not be comprehending what it means. As his mom I couldn't help but question what I could have done differently, because I keep feeling like this is my fault. Mrs. Doenier and Shelli Selby were amazing and told me that I did nothing wrong and that they will never give up on him and he is going to be fine. I know he will be fine and this is not the worst news a parent can get but I want everyone to see all that I see in him, he is an amazing little boy who gives the best hugs and loves to make people laugh. They are testing him this week for speech and then he will go twice a week for thirty minutes to have one on one work with a speech pathologist, they seem to think this will be what he needs and I hope it is but if not we will figure it out because as Jackson tells me all the time he is a genius and I will make sure we will find out what helps him understand everything. Other than that Mrs. Doenier said he is a sweet little boy and she loves having him, I thank God everyday that he has her.

On Thursday since Jackson was already out of school, we checked Kenna out early and went to the Okahoma State Fair. We had lots of fun. We people watched, ate a pork burger and cinnamon rolls, the kids ate a corn dog and we all drank root beer out of a jug. We looked at the all the horses and bulls, this was the kids favorite. Russell was such a trooper to take us since he had to go straight back Thursday evening and work at the fair. Friday the kids were out all day from school and we had a leisure day, Russell had to work so the kids and I went to Hobby Lobby to get all the stuff to make Kenna's parrot costume and I promised them if they were good I would take them to Toys R Us (which worked great), they showed me lots of goodies they want for Christmas. We also went to Target and got Jackson's Superman costume and he is so excited. Saturday Kenna had production practice for her Caged dance in Tuttle and Melissa, Lexie, and Brenna rode with us out there, it was a closed practice so Melissa and I went and found garage sales in the big town of Tuttle, it was interesting but we did find a few treasures and had lots of laughs. Mimi and Pops kept the boys and I met Pops after practice was over and got the boys and we just hung out and played at the house for the rest of the day since Russell had to work and estate sale and then the fair (so glad this was his last day of the fair for this year).. On Sunday I worked on Kenna's parrot costume and I love the way it is turning out and so far I have only spent $10 on it (yay for me), I love being creative and it turning out even better than I imagined. We put our fall/Halloween decorations up and cleaned, the weather was perfect so the kids played in the backyard, and when I say kids I mean Russell too. Kenna practiced her solo for an hour because we have our first solo competition of the year at OU on October 9th. She is doing better and better everyday and I know she will do great on stage, I am so proud of her. Well now off to bed to gear up for another busy week!!

Welcome Back Mock Family Blog!!!

Okay here we go again and I am going to try to keep up with this blog. I really want to document all the little moments with my family and friends. Since my last post alot has happened with our family.

Russell and I are very busy parents and in between the parenting we try and make time for our marriage, we have learned this is something we still need to get better with. Russell is still loving his job but is working crazy hours with what seems like not alot of days off. I let my real estate license go inactive for the reason I have not time to commit to a client right now but I love being able to give myself 100% to my kids and my husband (but mommy needs some girl time too). Our kids are growing into such wonderful and fun little people. Kenna did her first competitive dance season last spring and has truly found her passion, she is AMAZING!! This year she is doing a solo (Heartburn), a trio with Lexie Inge and Brenna Nichols (I've Got a Crush On You), the production dance (Caged), and two group dances (Ridin In Style and Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair). We are so proud of her and still can't believe how far she has come, she has so much confidence. She started second grade and has Mrs. Lee, she is still adjusting to having a new teacher and new class but I am hoping the days just get better for her. Kenna and I both have gaines lifetime friends with her dance family and we both love it but then again I love anything that involves being with my babies.

Jackson played soccer last spring for Yukon Thunder, he loved it but Daddy was not to impressed because the team had no practices so we decided not to let him be on that team again. He finished up Pre K at My Lamb's and hated leaving Miss Konnie but was excited to finally get to go to Sissy's school. He has Mrs. Doenier this year for Kindegarten and we love her so much, I feel like she will be great for Jackson. Unfortunately on the third day of school he had to go visit Mrs. Selby because he layed down in class and told the teacher he was to tired to do his work and that he would just wait for storytime on the floor. Mommy was a little worried that this was a sign of the year to come but Jackson proved me wrong and has been amazing ever since.. This makes mommy's life so much easier. He is all boy but with the best hugs..

And Brody, the baby, he is still being the baby of the family. He has quite a little personality and makes us laugh on a daily basis. School starting back up has been a little hard for him because he misses Jackson and Kenna so much but he does love having to not share mommy and daddy for a couple of hours. He loves Disney Cars, monster trucks, Toy Story, and anything that had to do with sports (i think he will be our athlete).

Well there is our life in brief, I will try to catch up more through future posts.....

It's Been A Long Time....

I have not got to write anything in awhile so I will try and get back up to speed the best I can. All three of my kids have had some kind of cold over the last two weeks, Jackson and Brody have both had to be on antibiotics and Kenna still has a really bad cough. Brody has been the sickest, it all started with an ear infection and he had a cough and then he started throwing up. I called Dr Bowen and she started on him on antibiotic right then and he started to get a little better but he was still continuing to throw up everytime he woke up from a nap or in the morning, I am beginning to think he might be slightly lactose intolerant because yesterday he had one bottle of milk (I know he is to old to be on the bottle but he is the baby and it is hard to give up all this when I know he is my last) and thats it and hasn't thrown up in twenty four hours. I am hoping we have figured out the problem, I am keeping my fingers crossed. It is so hard when Brody gets sick, I still get so scared that something bad is going to happen so I watch him like a hawk and constently make sure he is breathing normal, I am sure this is annoying to him but I don't ever want him to be that sick again.. On a lighter note we got to go on a field trip with Jackson's class to the Science Museum, Russell and I got to spend some quality one on one time with Jackson. He is such a good little boy and brings so much joy to our lives. He loved the museum, some things were a little to old for him to understand but we still had a great time and always love to see him get so excited about seeing new things.. Oklahoma had big winter storm on that started on Thursday (January 28) that was constent until Friday evening, we got about 3/4 inch of ice and around 6 inches of snow on top of that. We haven't gotten out of the house since Wednesday, well at least me and the boys haven't but the snow looks beautiful. Kenna and Russell went to the Daddy/ Daughter dance tonight and had a great time. Kenna is really coming into her own and is gaining so much self confidence, Russell said she was dancing on the dance floor when no one else was which is a huge change from last year when she barely went on the dance floor and never by herself. She and Russell had their little dance routine that she loved which is where he spins her and slides her between his legs followed by the dip, this was a little hard on Daddy's back but it was all worth it for Kenna. She spent most of the night dancing with Daddy, Olivia, and Uncle Matt but still got to see some of her other special friends there. Russell said she did the zombie dance when Thriller came on and she also broke out the Robot moves, I love that she is having fun and not worried about being embarrassed, I hope she only gains more self confidence every year. They had a blast and now Russell is worried that next year he won't be able to keep up with her but I know no matter what they will always have a good time together!! I am off to get my baby to sleep and hopefully not go this long again without blogging...

Brody's 2nd Birthday Party

This weekend was busy but so worth it!! On Friday Russell and I went and finished up Brody's birthday shopping and the kids stayed at Mimi and Pops, this is usually what our date night consists of anymore but thats OK with us we love doing for our kids! Jackson came down with an ear infection which settled in his jaw area and this caused swelling (it looked horrible) and he would cry out saying that his cheek hurt, I felt so bad for him, his little face was so sad.. We had to call Dr Bowen Friday night and get him started on antibiotic, Kenna went to the Yukon basketball game with Matt and Merry, they also invited her to stay the night. We got a phone call at six in the morning from Meredith to tell Kenna was throwing up, she threw up all day..Poor girl I hate when she is sick like that, she looks so pitiful. On the big party day, Sunday, everyone was well and we had Brody's birthday at Express Clydesdale Barn. The weather was beautiful, so the kids got to run around outside and play which was great because they have all been couped up in the house because we have had arctic weather. Brody had a Woody and Buzz from Toy Story theme and that seemed to be the theme with the presents. We got him a Shake n Go race track (he loves cars and he loves Cars the movie), we also got him electronic play loader like Pops drives, and a baby Trex so he can play with Jackson, Uncle Miken and Aunt Waybee got him a play shotgun that shoots bullets (yes I said shoots bullets) and a wonderfully loud push Popper that you can't turn off and a Cars shirt that Aunt Waybee made just for him..Mimi and Pops got him a Toy Story tricycle (which is his favorite thing), Sophie dog, clothes, and Pops got him cowboy chaps and a cowboy hat. My personal favorite part of his birthday was watching him and Wyatt together, they are going to best buddies, it is so funny watching them interact right now with their little headstrong personalities. I hope they world is ready for these two little boys!! He had a wonderful birthday and it always nice to be able to celebrate these special moments with the people we love the most. I still can't believe two years have gone by, but I know it only gets better from here!

Oh My God, Oh My God, Oh My God You Guys it Legally Blonde The Musical

We started our weekend early with Kenna and I going to Legally Blonde The Musical and had the best time. The musical was so good and it always nice to have one on one time with my babies. We went to dinner and I let Kenna pick, so of course we had to go somewhere with pasta, her pick was Zio's. We had great seats and I had so much fun watching Kenna's face with all the pink sparkly outfits and all the great music..It is hard to believe that I have daughter who old enough to go do these things with me now, I remember when she was born I thought that time seem so far off and now it's here, sometimes I wonder where all the time went..I am just trying to take in every moment!!

Wordless Wednesday

Ally Jo and Kenna at North Pole City, I love this picture. Classic Ally Jo and Kenna!!

Late Night Rendevous-Painting

So this is what I have been up all night doing these last few days. Kenna's face was priceless when she saw her painting, it doesn't get better than being able make something for your kids and them love it so much. I was surprised at how much I loved painting and making my own creations with my own ideas and actually loving the finished product. I will post more creations as I have time (which seems like never, but I am really trying to get better). Today was a pretty normal day, Kenna had school and me and the boys stayed home and played and Russell went to work, we are still trying to get back into schedule after the holidays. Tomorrow will be busy, I will be getting ready for Brody's Toy Story birthday party at Express Clydesdale barn on Sunday and Kenna has dance. I am off to hang out with husband and try and get some much needed rest, but I really want to paint some more..Oh wow what have I started??!!