happy days

Today is our 5 year anniversary! Wow!

Rick is the best husband! He sacrifices a lot to make sure that the girls have everything they need, and to make sure we are comfortable and happy. One major example I have of this is his car. Anyone who has never had the luxury of riding in his car is seriously missing out! He prefers that the girls and I are in a safe, reliable car - even if he is not.

His cavalier doesn't have:

• power windows
• air conditioning
• cd or cassette player or radio (In fact there is a huge hole in his dashboard where there should be one)
• cruise control

His cavalier does have:

• power locks
• heat that only blows on high

He drives a minimum of a 35 minute drive to and from work everyday, maximum of 1 hour 30 minute drive. (Depends on what location he is auditing and traffic). He sweats to death every day without music or talk radio or sports to at least help pass the time! And has he ever complained? No. Talk about a great husband!

Another example? During pregnancy on average he gave me at least 5 foot or back rubs a week! I didn't even have to ask! He just wanted to do what he could to make me more comfortable while I carried our children. Yeah, he is awesome!

One more example. He is the most helpful person I know. He never says no when someone needs something! Whether it is someone at church needing help cleaning or moving, or it is a sibling needing some extra money, or someone needing some extra attention. He is more than willing to help out!

Now since everyone knows my husband is completely a number guy, here you go!

In our 5 years of marriage:

• 2 beautiful daughters (Reagan, Kennedy)
• 3 college degrees (Accounting BA, Parks & Rec BA, Accounting MS)
• 4 different residences (Haslett, Haslett, Grand Blanc, Howell)
• 5 vehicles (Taurus, Accord, Grand Am, Cavalier, G6)
• 2 pairs of hair clippers
• 4 concerts (Counting Crows, Ben Folds, Five Browns, Dashboard Confessional)
• 11 trips out of state (2-Illinois, 2-North Carolina, 2-Virginia, Idaho, Tennessee, Washington DC, Washington, Missouri)
• 3 different church wards/stakes (Williamston/Lansing, Grand Blanc/Grand Blanc, Howell/Ann Arbor)
• 2 televisions
• 1 piano
• 2 computers (same computers we owned before marriage)
• 8 jobs (3 for Katie, 5 for Rick)
• 3 pairs of glasses
• 8 church callings (K-Primary teacher, Librarian, Enrichment. R-Primary Teacher, Asst. Scoutmaster, YM Presidency, Elders Quorum Teacher, YM President)
• 3 kitchen tables (We always buy crappy ones)
• 1 dresser (Yes, just one!)

communication

It amazes me how kids can communicate so well without actually saying anything. Kennedy generally points to whatever she wants or where she wants to go or who she wants to come with her, etc... But today I was trying to check my email when I felt something cold and wet on my leg. I looked down to find Kennedy holding our wipes container in one hand and a single wipe in the other, which she kept putting on my leg. I told her to put it back, but she just kept trying to hand it to me. So I leaned down to take it from her and yup, I smelled poop. Apparently she was just trying to tell me to change her diaper - that little smartie!

shocking everyone

I have been waiting to post an update on Kennedy for a couple weeks now. We thought it was so fun to have Kennedy shock our families in person by just wandering around. We were able to totally surprise two of my Aunts and Uncles, my Sister, Our Parents, Two of my Sister-in-laws, and two of my cousins. So fun! So our baby is definitely a toddler. She has been walking for a couple weeks, and even does really well in our super uneven backyard. Her and Reagan play their own version of tag, and both squeal with delight. Reagan enjoys Kennedy even more now, for sure, and always tells her to "follow me!" I also officially weaned Kennedy just over a week ago. It is so nice to not have to dress in clothes for nursing anymore (i.e. I can wear dresses to church finally, not just skirts and tops!) We also moved Kennedy into the same bedroom as Reagan. I kept putting it off because I had heard so many horror stories of young kids sharing rooms, but they are doing absolutely wonderfully!
Two more things Kennedy says: "Uh-oh" and "Tay who" (thank you).


Off that subject - I love, love, love yard sales! I bought an $8 bicycle last week to go with the $15 bike trailer I got a year ago. We went on two bike rides today! I will post a picture to show you my new bike, it is a classic! No speeds, and you brake by peddling backwards. It rides really nice, but no wonder people were so much thinner back in those days - riding that thing is a workout! Especially while hauling 50+ pounds! Now if only I can find a playhouse for the backyard...

we love you summer!

Yippee! Warm weather has finally arrived! We broke out the pool a couple days ago, and as you can see the girls absolutely loved it! It was Kennedy's first time in the pool. Reagan pretended to swim around the pool (which was only like 8-10 inches deep at the deepest point.) Kennedy completely drenched her hat and had water constantly dripping off her face. I managed to get a couple good shots before they decided to splash me.

I am hoping for many, many more days like this!

first haircut

Yeah, it seems really late, but Reagan finally had her first haircut. I have trimmed her bangs a couple times, but never cut the rest of her hair. I just loved her natural layers and couldn't cut them off. But I finally decided she at least needed a trim, so I made her an appointment with my stylist. She was really excited to go have her hair cut.

The before and after shots of her hair. She only took off about 2-2.5 inches.

Reagan was so well-behaved!

Reagan and Autumn afterwards.

they say the darndest things

Kennedy is just starting to say a few things, so I wanted to document them.

• Hiiiiiiii
• Dada
• Wha See? (What do you see?)
• Hee-ya ("Here" when she hands stuff to you)
• Aaah ("Again" when she wants you to keep doing something she likes)
• She can also hum the song "twinkle, twinkle"

Reagan says the strangest things sometimes, here are a few of the recent ones.

• That's exasperating, okay!
• We're not gunk, we're not spit, we're just Reagan, we're just.
• Shhh... I'm on the phone. (She will ask you to talk when she is playing with a phone, and when you start talking she will shush you.)
• I tooted out of my butt!
• Jon is black and Becky is yellow. (After being very confused, I asked her if she was referring to their hair and she said yes.)

awwwww

Best Friends

They are at such a fun stage to watch! They get so excited when the other one wakes up in the morning or from nap time. I love randomly finding them doing something cute together.

finally

I rarely find the time to update the blog lately. Luckily, you probably rarely have time to check it, so no harm done. Here are a few pictures I finally loaded onto my computer a few days ago.

Our tax return money put to good use! We hired Mitch to come put in a patio for us. I was shocked at how much work it is, especially since he did it entirely by himself. We love being able to enjoy our backyard more now, and even eating outside when the weather permits!

Kennedy LOVES to feed herself. So we take a LOT of baths!

Reagan made a stepping stone for us to use when we step off the patio. I was super impressed!

Anyone been wondering where my bag lady tendencies went?

Did I mention that she loves to feed herself? I did? Oh. Did I mention that she styles her hair with her food? Yeah, thats sweet!

Earth day in downtown Howell.

For Earth day Reagan made another birdhouse.

time for a nap?

Rick went upstairs to get Reagan when we heard her wake up from her nap. After about 15 minutes I realized I didn't hear her anymore and Rick never came downstairs. So Kennedy and I went to investigate and this is what we found...

Apparently Reagan went back to sleep, so Rick thought it was time for him to take a nap too!

the party

The Invitation:

(That is Kennedy's hand,

folded to show she is turning one.)

The Decoration:

(Artwork by Reagan and Kennedy)

The Goody Bags:

(I forgot to take a picture of them.

Stickers and artwork by Reagan and Kennedy)

The Thank You Jars:

(Reagan painted these and filled them with M&Ms)

The Grandmas:

(Kennedy took a pre-party nap with my mom)

The Cake Eating:

The Guests:

The Presents:

The Half Birthday Girl:

(Totally oblivious to the party around her,

enjoying Kennedy's new books)

The Swingset:

(Our Birthday present to both girls)

my baby is 1!

Kennedy had her first birthday party on saturday. The weather ended up being great, so we were able to play outside on her new swingset. We had tons of great company who showered her with wonderful presents. I will post more pictures later, but here are a few shots of the birthday girl!

I love her three tooth grin! Here she is after she devoured her cupcake!

She started slow, but eventually dug in and made a great mess!

She loves her presents, even though she wasn't super interested in opening them.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who joined us for Kennedy's big day! We were so glad you could spend the day with us!