Family pics

Here was our attempt at family pictures. I thought entertaining one kid to smile at the camera was difficult, I had no idea how easy that was until I had 2. My goal was to get good 3 yr pictures for Mason and good 1 yr pics for Audrey. Accomplished. An added bonus was to try to get pictures of them together and . . . a family picture. With some help of our favorite photographer, George Miller, (with help of Cathy and my mom that day) we did get some great shots! Thanks George!

HE DID IT!!!

It's been a busy couple weeks! Mason turned 3 October 7th. He had a great party. It was firefighter themed to go with the theme of the year. It's fun now, because he's really starting to get it, the party is for him, there's family, friends, cake, ice cream, and . . . oh yea, presents! It's so fun. Audrey turned 1 a couple weeks later. Another great party, she was a doll. Such a princess in her new chair from her great mamaw. She literally sat there smiled at the camera and let us open her presents, occasionally grabbing some paper herself, then checked out every gift as we handed them to her. Too cute. We have also had some fun checking out daddy's fire gear.
Tonight was a big night! Kenny graduated!!! He is officially done. He starts shifts next week. His graduation was so nice. The recruits were allowed to have their choice of who gets to pin their badges on. Kenny had Mason and I go up there. Mason was so excited when we told him about it. He did so great. He actually got it on almost all by himself. I'm so proud of both of them. Kenny has worked to hard to get here. He deserves it! Here are a few pictures from parties and graduation. Enjoy!

Pumpkin time!

So we actually made it out to get pumpkins despite our busy, busy month. We went to Beasly's on the westside of town with Matt, Stacie, their boys and Stacie's family. It was beautiful although it did get a little warm. Here are a few of the 200 pictures that were taken by our built in professional photographer (Thanks George!!)

Remembering 9/11

9/11 is so sad every year, but this year is a little more close to home. Now that Kenny's in the fire service, it really makes you think about what these guys do every day and how dangerous their job is. Mason & Audrey are in their firefighter t-shirts in honor of all the firefighters that lost their lives and for the ones still fighting today.

As for the rest of the summer, it seemed to fly by. We passed the time by swimming at Mamaw's, which Mason has ended the summer with twists off the diving board with NO ONE catching him, then he swims to the wall! We went to Cherie and Todd's lake house for Labor Day. It was the closest thing we've had to a vacation in a while (3 days). The weather was perfect and we had a blast. Boating, fishing, tubing, and waverunning! On a more sad note, little Audrey has unfortunately inherited her moms ability to easily get urinary tract infections as a kid. She had one, I'll spare the details on how I got the urine, just say tricks I've picked up from work. She was on antibiotics for 10 days, then we scheduled a VCUG (test to see if urine backs up to the kidneys). Low and behold, we have another infection. So more antibiotics, then reschedule the VCUG. She's such a trooper. The only big thing is until the antibiotics kick in (24-48 hrs) she has high fevers and an awful time sleeping (pretty much means me and her are bunked up on the couch all night). What are moms for! Kenny's been doing great is school. Absolutely loving life! Count down till Nov. 6!!! Now for the pictures you all have been waiting on!

Mason, showing off his skills

The little ladybug herself

Riding the fair train to the State Fair

Mason and Daddy-Daddy had a picture taken like this when he was little, we've done it every year we've gone!

having fun at the lake house

Mason actually got in the lake, and liked it!

Daddy and Mason tubing!

On the boat, Audrey really didn't mind her life jacket

A day in the life. . .

Some days I just have to laugh and think, "What did I really do before kids." I mean how could I have been busy when I got up at 10:00 and was on my own schedule. Today we headed to Target for a few odds and ends which usually ends up being an expensive trip once we hit the kids clothes section. Mason loves to walk now and not ride in the cart, which can make for a busy trip. After 2 potty stops (what are you supposed to do when you kid tells you he has to pee 20 mins after he just did) which can be pretty interesting when your cart is full so you can't take it in, Mason's not tall enough to reach the potty, so I have to pull his pants down and lift him on the potty all while holding Audrey! Needless to say, there is a big sigh of relief when the kids are strapped in and the car is packed of all the goodies I just purchased. But look at these faces, I wouldn't trade it for the world. They make a simple trip to Target so entertaining!

Here are some more recent pictures. The first to are from Memorial day at Cherie's lake house. This was Mason's first trip on the wave runner. He was a big fan of them, just like the 4-wheelers. This was Audrey's first boat ride, and just like Mason was at her age, she hated her life jacket and just decided to take a nap. Then the kids and I at mom's pool. We're very spoiled with that pool. It's always warm, open all the time, and not very crowded! The next picture is of the kids before we left for the Carmel fest parade for the 4th of July. We went with Erin and the boys. It was rainy, but somehow we talked Daddy into not studying and coming with us! Thanks Daddy! Mason loved it! Audrey slept in the stroller. The final picture is the night of 4th of July. We went to Grant and Jessica's house to set off fireworks. Mason liked the little car fireworks and sparklers. He wasn't to sure of the loud, big fireworks. It turned out to be a perfect night!

Ok, I'm going to post pictures from the 4th of July soon, so these will have to do for the first blog. These are my 2 little angels. They keep me going every day. Some days are busier than others, but none the less, they always make me smile.
Mason is getting more and more independent every day. He loves being the "big helper"and loves his sister. I'm proud to say, he's successfully potty trained. He is 100% all boy and loves being outside. This summer we remodeled. . . actually pulled an "Extreme Home Makeover- Ty Pennington style" on our house, so there were lots of big equipment to watch and lots of dirt to get into. Mason was in heaven!
Audrey is the sweetheart of the family. She is so laid back, content wherever. Loves watching her brother run around. She is a big time mommas girl and loves to cuddle. She has just learned to crawl, primarily after remotes, phones, and most importantly, Mason's toys! Which Mason is very good about sharing! (at least for now!) She says 2 words now: Dada was the first! Then Hi has been the latest.
Kenny recently started in the fire academy for the Indianapolis Fire Dept. He has enjoyed it so far, even the extra "team-building" exercises! He has done very well on his tests!! I'm so proud of him! He has 18 weeks left (3 or so weeks of EMT school, couple weeks of HAZ-MAT school, then the rest of the time will be fire school). Graduation is November 6th. Let the countdown begin!
As for me, I've been busy keeping the kids occupied so Kenny can study when he gets home from school, working, and helping Kenny study. We've been spending lots of time at Mamaw's pool, going to the zoo, and enjoying the nice weather. Kenny's study time has actually given my time to practice bedtime routines for when Kenny starts shifts in November. We have lots going on this summer, but we like staying busy! More blogs to come!