july is almost over?

Can it really be that July is almost over? Schuyler's first day of Kindergarten is Sept 4th and approaching quickly. She has her kindergarten Dr. appt on Monday. The other day, she made us a little book of words she can spell. Lamp, gift, pig, ring, and one other I can't read = ) It's so neat. But, what is truly great is watching her become a caring human being. This year she and the other kindergartner's assume leadership roles. During the summer, she is in the toddler room helping out, serving lunch, helping with walks, helping put on shoes, etc... I witnessed firsthand how well she does the other day at pick up time. A toddler was throwing a huge tantrum on the floor. She looked at John, went over and offered her hand and said "your mom is waiting for you". Off he went = )

Swimming lessons concluded last night and both girls moved to the next class. Next time we resume, Schuyler will be in level 3 and Mack will be in level Aqua Kids (it's like level 1 1/2. For those swimmers who are ready for level 2 but not tall enough). This weekend when we were in Hastings at the waterpark, it was very apparent what great strides both made this year in swimming. Hastings was fun! The kids were busy non-stop. Schuyler enjoyed her first baseball games with Grandpa!

Eli is going non-stop. We are trying desperately to got our house in order. He's in the bathroom, girls' room, etc... There is no containing him. He goes from sit to crawl back to sit! He is pulling himself up on everything. I walk in to get him after nap and he's in his bed standing. Sheesh. That happened fast. He is enjoying all foods! Rice cereal is still his favorite!

Vacation bible school starts next week! Kids will be tired!

feeling under the weather

I'm recouping from some nasty bug! I ended up staying home yesterday because I felt so rotten. It PAINS me to use my very valuable PTO for me being sick but I guess sometimes you have to do just that. My body ached all over and I spent the day in sweat pants, sweat shirt, and socks and could not get warm! And, why does this always happen when hubby is out of town. It's a good thing my MIL was in town with my niece to get the girls to swim lessons, help with dinner, etc... Gma took the girls back to Hastings (we're heading there tonight) and then dad came over in the evening to help with Eli. (Yes I was THAT sick)!

Congrats to my cousin and her husband on the birth of their first child. Jaxon Carter Volkmer entered the world on 7/16/07 at 7:51 p.m. He was 8 lbs 5 oz and 21 in long. (Disclaimer: stats may not be exact). He is a beautiful baby and you can bet I'll share pics (eventually)=)

Here is just one of Mr. Eli at 6 months! Can you believe he pulled himself up yesterday. Goodness gracious. He is really concentrating on those large motor skills!

I'm here!

I’m still here! Just didn’t get around to blogging last week. But I’m back, with lots of tidbits, as usual.

We had a nice 4th. Seems like a long time ago! We enjoyed some swimming at our neighbor’s, Eli and myself included. His first time ever and he had fun! Fireworks were a different story. Schuyler still loves them, especially the yellow “smokies” (translation: smoke bombs). Mack calls them smoke balls and it might be the ONLY firework she enjoys. She held her hands over her ears the whole time. She wouldn’t even take them off for homemade ice cream. I had to feed her the ice cream. We tried some pretty pink earplugs but she kept pulling them out. Eli was not a fan either! They would go off and his little face would scrunch up, the lip would come out and down came the tears. He went to bed around 8:00. I kept Mack out until 10:00 or so but it just wasn’t worth it! I brought her in and she went to bed!

That weekend, the girls went to Hastings to see Mark’s parents. This was a first for them and they kept BUSY. Eli got to be an only child for the weekend!

Last week we resumed swimming lessons. Schuyler is in a class of 4; at least this time there is one other girl! Mack basically enjoyed private lessons on Tuesday b/c there is one other boy and he would not get in the water. He was a little more receptive on Tuesday but it’s just the 2. Eli began veggies on Monday. He’s now had peas, green beans, and carrots and appears to like them all. His favorite is still the rice cereal. He bounces up and down in his high chair. Also, the world is changing for us all as Eli is crawling and becoming very mobile =)

Mack and Eli had Dr. Appts last week, 3 year and 6 month respectively. Eli is 95% for height and 85% for weight. Mack is 50% for both. Can you believe Mack weighs only 10 pounds more than her brother! Both were quite the little show offs. When Dr. asked if he could tripod, I put him down and he sat and then went to his crawl position and off he went! Mack was asked to draw a person among other things. Not only did she draw it, she drew it backwards so it was facing him. LOL! Then, she played little miss shy. She hid behind me when asked to recite the ABC’s, but when he briefly left the room, she was belting them out. He actually heard her 3 doors down. Isn’t she funny =) But, most importantly, they are healthy!

We went to the Farmer’s Market this weekend as a family. It was a warm one but very fun! We got brats, cinnamon rolls, smoothies, kettle corn and homemade root beer. It’s seriously the best!! Unfortunately, they were out of the farm fresh chickens = ( You have to hit that stand early!

Things to come… Eli’s 6-month pics and, hopefully, pics of my bro and SIL puppies. Ernie, the cockapoo, and Sophie, the Weimeranar. In the interim, here’s a beautiful teen from a month or so ago. She is beautiful and it was good practice for seniors!

I am keeping my promise!

As promised, I am including LOTS of recent family pics! But first, thank you to all who gave me input as to which logo to use. The blue came out on top but it was fairly even. Either way, I couldn't have made a wrong choice.

A few tidbits before the pictures (or just scroll down=) Last Thursday concluded the first session of swim lessons. Both girls made significant progress. Schuyler will repeat level 2 again and, much to my surprise, Mack will repeat level 1. She had only one category with a no pass, acutally she marked it in the middle of pass and no pass. That was balance! All the important stuff like floating and holding her breath, she passed. (Okay, I might be a bitter party of one on that subject).


The weekend was fabulous!! Mark and I enjoyed an 18 hole round of golf with our friends and the kids were absolutely spoiled (but in a good way)!!! Mark and I are so blessed to have such awesome family!! I'm enjoying some days at home this week as none of the kids have daycare. We're having fun! I hope everybody has a fun and safe 4th.

One more thing. On a more serious note, my brother's MIL has uterine cancer. Please keep her in your prayers. She is one fantastic woman!

And, at last, pics...

The before and during of the first rice cereal...


The "haircut" incident. I have no clue why our carpet looks so disgusting!!!

The "friend" bday party...

The girl with more spunk than McKenzie, Katie!
Her other friend Shaine, better known as Shainie... (She is blowing her toes dry. How cute!)
The "family" party with, yes, another Lightning McQueen cake. (Or, in Mackie language "Lightning The Queen".!

My LOGO!!

Lookie what I got! An official logo! Custom designed by the very friendly and talented Erica Hernandez. She is closing up shop and has some great deals for any of you fellow aspiring photograhers out there. Can't wait to get some business cards and marketing material. So, which do you prefer, green or blue???

As for other happenings, Eli had rice cereal for the first time last week! He enjoys it VERY much and gobbles up every last bit! Hope to post some pics soon of this "first". I don't if I've mentioned this before, but he is a *blankie* boy! He loves to hold his blanket just before bed or nap or when nursing. And, he can ususally be found cuddled up with it. He has 2 favorites, one is knitted from my mother. He likes to put his fingers in the holes. The other is soft on one side and silky on the other. Guess which side he likes... the silk!

Mackie had a great bday weekend last week. There is actually a girl with more spunk in her than Mackie. One of her bestfriends, Katie! Whew! From the minute that girl walked in our house it was a whirlwind. She kicked off her shoes on the mat and was off running and screaming with McKenzie. Guess what McKenzie did the Friday before her bday party. She cut her hair!!! It was drama. It was quiet (a sure sign of trouble). I walked into the girl's room to find Mack with scissors in her hand and a pile of hair on the floor! I over reacted and started crying. So Mackie starts crying saying "what did I do?" Then, Schuyler starts crying "will McKenzie's hair be okay". Mark walked in wondering what in the world was going on. The good news, it's not as bad as I thought. She cut bangs plus a little more. It will take a while to grow out though. On a brighter note, if you get a chance, ask Mack to say sunscreen. It's hillarious. She says scrunscreen or scrunchcream!!

Okay, pics of the kids to come! I promise!

Mackie turns 3!!!

3 years ago this day, our little McKenzie was born. She was our father's day gift that year. I had been having contractions that a.m. but we managed to meet Mom and Dad at Hy-Vee for breakfast. Everyone, but myself ;-), enjoyed a nice, but quick breakfast. Schuyler stayed with them while we checked in. Labor was a breeze and she arrived at 2:09 p.m. I remember the first thing I noticed was her sweet little dimple chin. Happy bday Mackie!! We had to already open 1 present this a.m. Schuyler "urged" her to open a specific one b/c she remembered it from several months back when we bought it. A Cars slip-n-slide. Mackie took rice krispie treats to share during snack time as well as pictures from when she was born.

Other odds and ends. I was able to shoot a 15 yr old last week as well as a darling little 6 month old. I can't wait to share. The field trip on Friday to the nature center was a success. I took my girls and another friend from their class, Amelia. Amelia is a bit of a personality too! On multiple occassions she said "this is taking too long". We all touched the snake and turtle (yes, myself included). Schuyler was the teacher's pet! Not only was she front in line for everything, she had answers to a lot of quetions. For example, she knows what a cold blooded animal is. Amazing! We had lunch with daddy and went to Star City Shores in the afternoon. Mom met us there which was awesome b/c I would have had my hands full!!! Papa took the girls in the evening for a work celebration where they had a good time! Sunday was father's day and Mark's bday. He celebrated with a golf lesson and round of golf on Saturday. We took him out to lunch Sunday and I made a homemade strawberry cheesecake. It was delicious. NOTE: to anyone with baby, do not feed him/her cheesecake. Yes, Mark thought Eli should share in the celebration. Maybe I should have made him get up with him in the middle of the night = )

As for Eli, he is quite the little talker. He exercises his voice at the most interesting times, usually church and when we're out to eat. Alos, he is, for the most part, sitting. A little assistance is required at times.

Another busy week and weekend ahead. Just one of my little birthday girl!!

Mackie Stories

Well, as many of you know, our little McKenzie has enough personality and spunk for 2 or 3 people and she has been letting it shine! My photo friend had rented a lens and I wanted to give it a try before returning it for her. I have an upcoming shoot at Wesleyan campus, where I've never shot before. So, I grabbed the lens and kids and headed to Wesleyan. Schuyler was in photo mood, which is rare for her. I'm snapping away when I hear a blood curtling cry coming from Mackie. I'm expecting to see blood, however, it is no more than her pointing to a bug. She is deathly afraid of bugs. Rollie pollies and lady bugs are fine, anything else will elicit one of these horrendous screams from her. In fact, the guard came out from the building I was shooting in front of to make sure everything was okay. I was slightly embarrased. Needless to say, I didn't get many shots of Mackie. The ride home was terrible! There was a bug on her window. We listened to the scream/cry all the way home. Schuyler tried to ease her worries by offering her this advice, "McKenzie, don't worry. Only a mosquito will bite you and it doesn't hurt, it only sucks your blood." This makes matters worse, and Mackie starts cyring even harder, to the point where it's hard to breathe. "I..... DON'T..... WANT..... IT.... TO .... SUCK.... MY.... BLOOD". I have to laugh to keep my sanity. This is quickly followed by "DON'T LAUGH AT ME". I think she stayed inside the rest of the night!

Ready for another (shorter) story. Last night marked the beginning of swim lessons. Both girls enjoyed them but Mackie LOVES them. She was center stage. When ever a volunteer was needed, she was first in line! She is actually a very good little swimmer. I imagine after this session Schuyler and Mack will be in the same class. There were tears afterwards b/c she didn't want to leave swimming lessons. And, she was upset b/c Schuyler's class got to jump into the pool and her's did not. Oh, the drama!!

The week will continue to be busy. Violin lesson tonight, I have a photo shoot (if it stops raining), and a visit w/ a friend I haven't seen in a year or two. Tomorrow is swimming again. Friday I'm taking the day for a field trip in the a.m. and celebrating Mack's bday (a few days early). Dad is taking the girls that night. Hopefully, I can play catch up on some photo stuff. Saturday will be a 6 month shoot. Sunday is Mark's bday and father's day. Whew!

Here are a few images from my Home Portrait Party this past weekend. Cute, cute kids! These are 2 of the families.