Happy 4th Birthday Kenzie!

After counting down the days for months, Kenzie finally got to celebrate her 4th birthday! She had her all of her good buddies over (all but 1 were boys!) and they jumped in her bouncy castle, had cake and ice cream, and smashed in a pinata!

For some reason (I still haven't figured out how this came about) Jen dressed up in the family-joke dinosaur costume and scared the poor kids to death (ok, not really, they were all laughing!). They all ran around screaming and hid on the sides of the castle...it was so funny!

Here's all the kiddos eating cake and ice cream. We were talking later about how we think it's funny that the kids never eat the cake, just the frosting on top. I told them next year I was just going to hand out jars of frosting!

Maddie wanted a turn so bad with the pinata...every time one of the kids hit it she giggled so hard! So she got a few whacks at it and loved it.

Deb, Meg, and David flew in to pick up their new puppy and stopped by the party, the kids loved chasing it around.

We had a family party on Sunday night, my family and Mema and Papa, and Laura and Paul came over for dinner and cake. Kenzie got spoiled! She got this Dora vanity from my Grandpa, and she got this Ariel dress-up from Laura, two of the favorites this year!

Since we have been talking about her 4th birthday every single day for at least 6 months, I woke up this morning waiting for talk of the 5th birthday and of course, she said "Mom, on my 5th birthday, I get a number 5 candle, don't I?" It never ends.

Great Granpa's Visit

My Grandpa came to visit us last weekend with Meg and Deb! I love that my kids know him so well and get to see him at least a few times per year! When we first saw him, Kenzie ran up and gave him a huge hug, and Maddie cuddled in his lap for about 5 minutes (this never happens, we thought she was sick!) We spent the weekend swimming in the pool, eating, shopping, and golfing ( I think Melissa still owes Grandpa money for that one...you know he threw the game at the end, right?)

Deb, Meg, Kenz, and I in the "hot one"

Why I love my Grandpa:

1. He is hilarious! I am always laughing when he's around, and he always has some witty comment to make! He makes the everyday mundane things in life funny and entertaining!

2. He is so easy to talk to and treats everyone with respect. When he owned his business he made it a point to get to know even his sales people. Everyone in his company thought of him as a good friend, and many of them still keep in contact with him today!

3. He is never thinking of himself. Last month I was visiting him, and had to take Maddie to the E.R. at 4 in the morning. Guess who was right there with me?

4. He has lead the most interesting life! Jen swears he has made up half of it! But who else has had dinner with the Mafia and has a picture to prove it?

5. He is completely dedicated to his family. He is always there when his family needs them. No matter what!

Love you Grandpa!!!!

A Day at Elitch's

Kenzie has been bugging me for an entire year to take her on the teacups again. She went a few years ago with her cousins and loved it! So Dave and I dropped off Maddie at my parents house (thanks Mom and Dad!) and had a fun day with her! I asked her if some of the rides were too scary, and she said "I like scary!" My kind of girl! The scariest ride was the roller coaster and she couldn't get enough of it.

At the end of the day she asked "did you love watching me on all the rides?"

She rode the roller coaster over and over again!

Kenzie's Cake

So do you see the bucket full of sand w/ a purple ball on top? Kenzie spent some time making me a "blueberry cake" while I was working out in the backyard. She told me to come over and eat it..so of course I came over and pretended to eat the entire cake. When I was done she said " And I didn't even put cat poop in it for you, mom!" WOW!!! THANKS KENZ!!!!!!!!! Hopefully her career aspirations won't include becoming a chef.