Sickies

Unfortunately Brandon brought back sickness from our vacation and kindly gave it to the rest of us starting with McKenna, moving on to me and then finishing out with Marek. So, basically we have been home bound since last Thursday getting over the crud. This picture sums up our weekend in a nutshell! The four of us laying around watching TV.

The Oregon Coast

We just got back Saturday from a week long Oregon Coast vacation. My brother and his wife along with their son Knox and of course my mom were all in attendance. I have to say I was dreading the idea of driving 7 plus hours in the car with two small children, but to my surprise and joy both Marek and McKenna did great! Got to love portable DVD players!!! Once there we walked the beach at Roackaway, road on the carousel and bumper cars in Seaside, visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, perused the shops in Cannon Beach, watched the Olympics every night, and ate lots and lots of food and Tillamook ice cream. Having three little kids all under the age of three running around was hectic at times but a lot of fun. And since we only get to see Kyle, Stacie and Knox a handful of times during the year, spending a week with them is very special to us. Here are some pictures of our week on the Coast.

First day at the beach

Marek and mommy in the ice cold water

Knox just relaxing and looking adorable on a bench in Cannon Beach

Marek loved the water!!!

Nana and Marek looking at the fish at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

Kyle, Stacie and Knox touching starfish and other little sea creatures at the Aquarium

Walking the beach

Marek, daddy and McKenna walking though an exhibit at the Aquarium

Marek and Knox enjoying some delicious Tillamook ice cream at the Tillamook fair

More ice cream eating

Knox and Brandon were barying Marek in the sand...he loved every minute

McKenna loved seeing all of the animals at the Tillamook fair!!!

Nana and McKenna playing at the house

We could barely get Marek off of the tractors at the Tillamook fair. He LOVED them!!!

Knox being his adorable self on the beach

Family photo

The Sales

Nana and the grand kids

Playing in the water on our last day on the coast

McKenna is 1 Today!

It is absolutely amazing how fast this year has flown by! It does not seems possible that 12 months have passed since we brought our little McKenna Grace home. But what an amazing year it has been. Since the day she was born McKenna has been the sweetest most happy baby on the planet! I can not emphasize how easy she has been. She loves to play and laugh, and she enjoys just being around people. The past year has been such a blessing because of you McKenna and we can't wait to see how much more you change and grow in the upcoming year! We celebrated little girl by having a laid back family party. Brandon's mom made her an adorable strawberry shaped cake with a matching mini one just for her. We barbecued and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. With that being said here is a photo montage of McKenna's big day.

Mommy and the Birthday girl!

Checking out her decorations. The tutu lasted about ten minutes before she pulled it off.

McKenna with Aunt Kammie and Uncle Bryan. Their poor son Noah was home sick. :(

Great Grandpa eating next to the Birthday girl.

Nana and McKenna posing for the camera.

Mommy, Nana and McKenna.

The four of us.

Grandma Barbra and McKenna cheering while everyone was playing lawn games.

Marek watching the adults play lawn games as well.

Nana, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa watching McKenna open her presents.

Unwrapping her first present from Uncle Klyle, Aunt Stacie and Cousin Knox. It was a Melissa and Doug shopping cart, score!

Unwrapping more presents. She was really more interested in the paper of course.

Ridding her new mini mouse cruiser! Thank you Grandma Barbra and Aunt Suey!

The cake table. We had to guard it because Marek was trying to eat the cake all evening, He loves his cake!

McKenna blowing out her candle with daddy.

The first touch of cake.

The first taste.

Big brother stepped in to help out. :)

Once we cut her a smaller piece she really went to town.

Playing with Nana

It is no secret that Nana (my mom) is one of my kids most favorite people. If you ask Marek who he loves the most he will immediately reply, "Nana". She has coached him on that response, but none the less he does love her very much. She is a very hands on Nana. She plays any game under the sun with Marek...cars, sword fighting, karate, and trains all the while including little sissy in all of the fun as well. My kids are very lucky to have such a wonderful grandparent and I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful mom!!!

After bath play time with Nana

Bob's and Babe's

I am very lucky to have a sweet and caring grandpa and grandma - but what is even more of a blessing is that Marek and McKenna have wonderful great-grand parents that love them to pieces. My grandpa, affectionately called Bob's by Marek, has Alzheimer's. He doesn't remember a lot and can't talk that well any more, but it is truly a joy to see him light up when he sees our two munchkins! My grandma, Babe's, sends sweet little cards to the kids every holiday (Halloween, Valentines, etc.) and Marek gets so excited when he sees that he has received something in the mail of his very own especially when it is from them. Thanks for having us over on Thursday grandma and grandpa. We love you very much!!!

Hanging with the Talley's

Today we headed up to my friend Sara's house to have a play date with her two kiddo's Rylan and Ayla! Sara is in my Mops group and is so awesome! We hit it off this year and really wanted to try and get together over the summer - of course so our kids can play, but also to have mommy adult time too (if you have kids you know what I mean). The kids played in the kiddie pool and on the slip-in-slide while we drank cool drinks in the shade. What more can you ask for? Marek had so much fun that he didn't want to leave. Thank you for having us over Talley's! We will definitely have to have another play date again real soon!!! Here are some pics of the kids playing.