Cutie Keely

Sometimes I just can't get enough of this girl!

10 Months Old

We have a big boy in our house! I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that Brayden is 10 MONTHS OLD! Only two months away from his 1st birthday. It's just shocking to me. Our big guy is about 19 lbs and his head is only 1 cm smaller than Keely's! He is still the happiest little guy who constantly makes us laugh. He loves being tickled and has become quiet the independent eater. We are moving away from the baby food and enjoying all finger food! Looks like we're ready for 1st birthday cake!

Looking Back

When did my baby girl get so big?!?!
Today Keely climbed into the swing insisting that it was "ee ie's urn"(Keely's turn). So in she went and enjoyed some R & R. I had to look back and found this picture of Keely at 6 weeks old! So crazy to look back then (just two years ago) in our little apt. in Italy with our new baby girl as new parents. Not having a CLUE what we were doing and just trying to survive each day. Well, not much has changed! But so far Keely seems to be turning out alright and I think Brayden is too, so something must be right. Looking at her now seeing how much she's grown in such a short time really brought a tear to my eye. Just imagining what she'll be like as a kid... teen...young woman...wife...mother! I know she's only 2 but as everyone has said, "the time will fly," it truly has and it made me want to take one moment today to stop and enjoy my baby girl.

Jungle Fever

Before we left for our vacation I started decided to get my garden started. Although late in the season Brent had just finished the yard and so we thought we should just give it a go and see what happens. So this is what had began to sprout before we left...

It was so exciting to see the little green life come forth from the ground and I couldn't wait to see what it would look like when we came home.

But I truly never expected that it would look like this!

My yellow squash (as Keely says...lellow uash!)

Tomatoes!!

And the first item picked from the garden...ZUCCHINI!!

We enjoyed some grilled zucchini with our ribs last night.

Can't believe that it is doing so great. We are having so much fun tending to it (with the exception of the infestation of STINK BUGS, YUCK!) Showing Keely how to help pick weeds and see the food we are growing. Looking forward to some fresh food on the table!

Rock Star

We have a new rock star in our house! Brayden was due for a much needed haircut. It started out as just a buzz cut like dad allowing Brayden to have some relief from this heat...

but then Dad said "Let's see what this would look like".

I guess that's when I realized that I was not in control of the situation...so this is the result.

But it would appear that Brayden is enjoying the cool breeze he can feel on his head.

And according Brent, "he just looks AWESOME!"

Road Trip!

I have been putting off updating this blog for the past week knowing that there was so much to update that I really didn't even know where to begin. So I guess the best place to start is off is of course the beginning. About a month ago we left for a road trip for our much anticipated vacation to the east coast. We were headed to North Carolina for my Grandma's 90th birthday party then up to Virginia for some family time with Brent's parents. Brent wasn't able to take much more than a couple of weeks off of work so he flew and I ventured to DRIVE. Not being a dummy I decided to find some recruits...my niece Lydia and nephew Jaccob.

So mid-June we began our adventure. Our first day we made our way through Texas and on to Oklahoma where we made our first stop staying with my oldest sister who was only a few weeks until her due date with the newest baby to the Hillard family. We spent the days trying to keep the babies busy. Keely enjoyed watching Mary Poppins a million few times each day. I think a few times we through a few other movies in there. Brayden enjoyed his backseat buddy Jaccob. He played games and even convinced him to let him out of the carseat every once in a while. We made our way through Arkansas, Tennessee and finally made it to NC! We enjoyed eating Carolina BBQ everyday a couple of times (even letting Brayden try it out) and had fun visiting with our family. Grandma had a wonderful birthday party filled with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We spent an afternoon at Dan Nicholas Park where we enjoyed riding the carousels, paddle boats, and trains.

Finally we made our way up to Virginia! After so much traveling I was relieved to stay somewhere for a few weeks. We spent our first week relaxing by the pool with Nana and Pop-Pop. The guys went out fishing one day where Jaccob caught his first shark fish! We made sure to spend a day at the beach where Keely just dived into the ocean, Brayden on the other hand did NOT dig the sand. He instead enjoyed some Mee-Maw time.

Over 4th of July weekend we went to Williamsburg exploring Busch Gardens and Water Country. Talk about FUN, FUN, FUN! We met Elmo and the rest of the Sesame Street gang. Everyone dared rides, even Keely! Brayden enjoyed anything water or animal. Needless to say there was something for everybody. On 4th of July we BBQ'ed and then made our way to Colonial Williamsburg to listen to the fifes and drums and watch the spectacular firework display. As great as my kids are with water they are NOT good with loud noises. Anytime Keely heard the fireworks she would cling on for dear life hold on to the nearest person in sight repeating "all done" over and over. Poor thing was not a fan.

We sadly had to make our way back across the country but with a few stops still in store. We we so fascinated with Memphis on our way to the east coast we decided to add that stop on our way back. Being in Memphis we of course made a stop at Graceland. Touring Elvis' mansion, seeing his cars, planes, and everything else extravagant! After Graceland we made our way to downtown Memphis checking into hotel and taking a stroll down Beale street.

Last stop on the trip, back to Oklahoma where we met new baby Sydnee! Sydnee Leigh Rodgers was born on July 3, 2010 at 12:10 am. She is just a doll with the longest arms, fingers, and feet! Keely wanted to hold the new baby and give her so many kisses. I couldn't believe how much of a giant my little Brayden looked compared to that new bundle of joy. Mamma Teresa is doing great. Everyone is happy and healthy! I of course squeezed in any baby time I could get in between my own little ones.

That is the sum of our adventure! We had so much fun and gained so many experiences. I couldn't have made the trip without the help of Lydia and Jaccob. Along with all the help from family along the way. Thank you for the fun and the memories!

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