An Aggie Girl!

Kinley has been copying our words more and more lately.  This past week we were able to get her to tell us her Teddy Bear's name (also happens to be her favorite college!)

SO CUTE!!!

Easter Weekend 2013

This Easter, our good friends the Depenbrocks came from LaSalle, IL to visit.  Jason, Angelique, Jalen, Ann Marie, and Drew all made the 6 hour trip to visit with us during their spring break weekend.  Thanks guys!  We had so much fun visiting.  It was such a beautiful weekend and we were able to have lots of fun outside.  We visited the Omaha Zoo, Fontenelle Forest, and had an Easter egg hunt.

All the kids (and adults) really enjoyed the zoo.  The tigers had recently had cubs so that was really cool to see.  Also, we got the see one of the gorillas kick the glass and beat his chest a few times.  We brought the wagon to pull Kinley around in however she insisted on walking on her own most of the time.  She pretty much would stay in the wagon unless Drew or Ann Marie was in there with her. 

We had never been to Fontenelle Forest before and it was really cool.  They have a wooden path walking trail that weaves throughout the forest.  During the walk Jason and I heard a turkey tom gobble nearby.  This inspired Jason and Matt to download turkey calling apps on their phones and try to call him in.  Surprisingly in worked and called in 2 additional toms.  So cool to have them that close and not really care that we were standing there. 

On Easter Sunday, we were all surprised to see that the Easter Bunny had come overnight and left eggs hidden inside and outside for all the kids.  He was even nice enough to leave a note for the bigger kids asking them to please leave some eggs for Kinley.  The Depenbrock kids were all so good about helping Kinley.  In fact, the girls wanted to give Kinley almost all their candy.  I had to kindly tell them that that wasn't necessary.  Sweet kids!

Enjoying the Zoo

Hmmm - What's in there?

Ann Marie decided she wanted to pull Matt in the wagon

About 2 steps in, she decides to push.  Uphill!

Love those Depenbrock kids!

Just taking a drink break

Add caption

I love how terrifed Drew looks

What should we see next?

Kinley loved playing in the water

Our best attempt at a group picture

Family pic!

Kinley kept trying to run back to the water when it was time to leave.
Daddy kept having to go get her. 

As you can see she wasn't happy about having to leave the water

The adults drink break after a long zoo day

 

 

 

The girls took turns pushing K through the trails

Kinley insisted on trying to climb this however refused to help.

And now, mad that she is at the top and not still on the ropes

Strike a pose!

Still mad that she wasn't still on the ropes

Awesome turkey that came in when the guys called it

So happy to be walking alone on the trails

Cheese!

Kinley really enjoyed hunting her Easter eggs

Ann Marie was so patient with Kinley as she got her eggs

Wow!  Another one

Now Drew comes to help.  Those girls were great with Kinley

Look at all my eggs Mom

BUBBLES!!!!

Now time to open all those eggs

Kinley was anxious to eat the candy inside.  Guess she couldn't wait to open it

This is what happens when you fall asleep in a house full of girls!

She was worn out after a long weekend. 
Also recovering from a fever the night before.

Kinley's Easter Present

So for some reason, Kinley has been really into Ducks lately.  She always points at them in books and says "duck".  She doesn't have many words and somehow "duck" is one of them.  So, Matt decided he wanted to get her some ducks for Easter.  Why?  I have NO IDEA!   We ended up getting 5 ducks.  Two for us (they have to have at least one friend) and three for our friends the Depenbrocks.  We decided it would be fun to give each of their kids one so that Jason would have to drive 6 hours back home with ducks in the car.  Ha! I will say though that Kinley really liked them.  And they are cute!  I never thought that taking care of a duck would be something I could say I have done but, as all you moms know, you would do anything for your kids.  We'll see how long this lasts though. 

We ended up keeping the 2 yellow ducks.

Don't they look cute?

 

Various Updates

This past month has been busy for us.  Kinley has also had a few firsts and some changes.

 On Friday, March 22, 2013, KINLEY HAD HER FIRST KISS!  This is a day that I will forever remember.  I wasn't sure whether to laugh, cry, or get upset.  I was picking her up from school and a boy named Braden, and girl Addie and Kinley were all standing near eachother playing.  Addie walked over and kissed Braden.  I joked to the teachers that they had better watch out because there was a romance budding.  Next thing I knew, Kinley walked up to him and gave him a BIG kiss ON THE LIPS!  I immediately said "Oh, you just wait till I tell your Daddy".  She just looked at me and smiled.  It was the cutest thing ever.  The funny thing is that this is the same boy that bit her a few months ago.  I guess she has forgiven him.  :)

On Monday, March 25, 2013 Kinley got tubes placed in both ears.  We had to check into Children's Hospital at 6:10 a.m. and weren't allowed to give K anything to drink until after surgery at 8:00.  I thought she would struggle with this but she did great.  The hospital had a large play area for the kids and she loved playing with all the new toys.  I was so scared when they took her away since I know she doesn't really like strangers.  But she did great.  Surgery went well and only took about 15 minutes.   Anesthesia however was not so great.  She was super angry when she woke up and was pretty much inconsolable for about 30-40 minutes.  It was breaking my heart.  After a long nap though she did fine.  So far, I think the tubes are really helping.  She has about 5-6 new words since getting her tubes.  Doesn't sound like much but we are excited because that pretty much doubled her words.  Her speech continues to be delayed but we are working on it and I am hopeful that the tubes will continue to help as well. 

Random updates - Kinley continues to love shoes and loves being naked.  She is becoming very independent and starting to want to dress herself instead of us dressing her. 

Enjoy some pics!

Giving Minnie some snacks

Watching some tv - pretty sure Matt was watching Swamp people
or something silly like that.

Barely fits under this table anymore

So, she took her shirt off in order to figure out how to get it back on

We were on the way home from surgery.  She crashed within
minutes of getting in the car.  Needed her baby though.

Oh boy!  A little messy after eating a smores treat.

Driving the firetruck at the Children's Museum.

For some reason she loves this NYE hat.

Cheese!

Kinley insisted on wearing her coat and hat.  Put them on herself!

NAKED TIME!  K ran down the hall after bath and put on her hat.
Trying to get on her coat too.  Guess she was cold?!?

Had to show this because you can see her cute little booty

Her new lounging position

This is a new nightly routine.  She brings Matt every
pair of shoes she has and wants to put them all on. 
Guess she really loves her shoes!