2 1/2 years old

   Hard to believe Miss Kaya is now two and half years old…cruising towards the big THREE!! Seems like only yesterday the little bundle was born.

  We definitely have an independent girl on our hands. I LOVE that she is opinionated and independent…willing to do most things at least once on her own..but..I will admit sometimes its not easy! It takes patience when I know that I can accomplish the task in ten minutes…to step back and let Kaya do it “herself” even if it takes 30 minutes and a little frustration on her part.

  She is picking up colors…she does great on all but green. She is also picking up numbers and will count…although she likes to say “one,two,three, six , nine”…She can name all her body parts and all the people and animals that reside in the Henderson household. She is a very quick witted little girl. She has recently picked up”shhhh please. My turn to talk”….as we are teaching her that its rude to talk over others and that you should “take turns”…she’s just not yet figured out that its not always her turn! haha

  She is over 3 ft tall and about 38lbs (last time we could weigh her) and ..is growing right on schedule. They said we will have a tall girl and I believe it as she is all legs…potty training is going pretty good even though she has been having issues with telling us that she needs to do a number 2 AFTER the fact…she is trying. VERY good at washing her hands after pottying, loves to brush her teeth..and..working on the hair combing. I had to find out what would help with tangles…she is ALL curls. Things are going much better in that area.

  No is one of her fave words when she is frustrated. And..if she gets in trouble and you are not giving her the attention she wants she will say “Mommy see me crying…do you see me crying”…or Daddy if its him. VERY hard to NOT crack a smile.

  She has a very big imagination and I love to hear her stories,songs and “trips” she takes. She loves to be animals (reminds me A LOT of her uncle Jonus at that age)…her fave being a frog. She still loves music a lot and loves to dance.

   Cant wait to see what the days/months/year ahead holds for us!

Goodbye…

  Goodbye to another year. It sure doesn’t seem like it should be 2011 already.

  Most people are wishing 2010 a big goodbye..but..our year wasn’t too bad. We all lived to turn another year older. We saw our daughter transform into an adorable,intelligent sweet toddler…able to do most anything. I got to see my brother for two weeks…first time in a year. We had lots of family in and out of our house. We saw a new baby come into the world…a wonderful addition to the family. And…we had a great Christmas full of fun. Granted…it wasn’t the easiest year ..but…we all survived.

  2010 had its ups and downs…and now..I hope EVERYONE has a prosperous and happy new year full of good health,love,happiness and family.

Kaya meets Addison

  To say I was super excited to introduce Kaya to Addison is a mere understatement. Kim and I have always said we’d live close to each other and have our kids together…and that our children would grow up close like we are.

  Kaya anxiously traveled up the road to see Addison with me,Steve and our cousin Amanda. As soon as we got there it was “where is Kimmy…where is Addie…” we explained to her Addie was eating supper. She demanded a bottle and she would feed her. I didn’t even go into explaining breastfeeding with Kaya as she has been in a “boob phase”…I just told her “You cant feed her only her Mommy can cause she is feeding her the way I fed you”…that satisfied her.

  Once Kim came out with Addie…Kaya was in love. She goes “I want to hold my new COUSIN”…lol…and hold her she did. She gently touched her feet and legs and loved her fingers. LOTS of kissing too. She told Amanda to “please step back. this is my baby and I know what to do”…she loved holding her.

All of us took turns holding Miss Addie…who is an adorable cuddle bunny. She is simply very sweet and pretty…and well loved.

  Once we got home Kaya jumped on the bed and goes “I think we need one of them babies”…hahaha..ahhh kids!

   I think Addie and Kaya will be great friends. In the message I posted on the DVD we made for Kim’s bday of Addie's birth,family messages and pictures..I wrote “We were blessed to grow up together and now we are blessed to raise two beautiful baby girls together”….

Celebrated Christmas

  Kaya was a bundle of energy Christmas Eve..assuring us that she was NOT going to sleep and that she WAS petting a reindeer. She was one determined lil girl..even talking about reindeers while dozing off. She finally gave it up and we got her tucked into bed. Thankfully Steve played Santa and I got to sleep…hehehe…and come Cmas morning the house had been visited by HoHo (Santa).. We are still not sure why Kaya refers to Santa as “her”….haha

  Kaya was in amazement at her dollhouse from Uncle Jonus…

It is a beautiful almost five foot tall wooden dollhouse with an elevator and lots of furniture. Santa was nice enough to deliver her all the dolls she needed as well as a Mammaw Doll for the house. Many awesome gifts from Santa followed….a new chair and footstool from Jonus,clothes,a leapster laptop,a singing doll,a moon dough farm…many nice gifts as well as a “sock” of goodies from Santa. She was VERY excited to see new markers,paint,a baby my pretty pony and Princess chapstick.

  The day was spent lounging around and was a great family day. I made two plates of fudge using the easiest recipe I’ve ever found…and ..we just enjoyed being together. I think I was most thankful for a daughter that was excited over EVERYTHING yet polite enough to give hugs and thanks yous.

   We also got to talk to Jonus via the computer Cmas eve night. His unit was the ONLY unit on base that pulled a mission that went from six am to ten pm their time. Jonus was upset that they had to wait so long to talk to their families that day..especially all the guys that have lil kids or new babies…but..at least they all got a lil bit of time to talk before bed. They were picked for QRP the next morning (quick response patrol) as backup to the unit so …he needed his rest. But…to know he was ok, talk a few minutes, share our joy of the holidays…and…to know that he missed us and we missed him was very comforting. This was my first year without him and it was MUCH harder than I though even though I did a good job of holding the fort down…lol..but..I missed him terribly. We always have done the same thing…one gift before going to Granny Wades (which always was batteries or socks..lol) and then a night of family and fun..then another day of the same on Cmas day. This year..his cmas came via care packages from us and family and friends…prayers for his safety..and our thought of him…and our cmas from him came via FedEx, and Facebook. I can say I got three of the best gifts….seeing the joy on my girls face, being with my family..and knowing my brother was safe for another day.

Almost Christmas

   Well its almost Christmas time. In three days will be Christmas Eve when we go to my Granny’s for the Wade family. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Kaya always enjoys seeing all her cousins. Then Christmas Day will be at my Mom’s family for dinner…once again lots of little cousins to play with.

  Weather is predicting ice,sleet and snow for Cmas eve so we will have to wait and see. My family lives WAYYY out in the boondocks soo that may alter our plans.

  Kaya is getting excited for “surprises” and to see “HoHo”…Santa.

  Last Saturday we hosted Steve’s family for Christmas and it was a great time. Both girls got lots of gifts and had a blast. We ate way too much great food and just enjoyed being together.

Picture from Iraq

  Got a very nice unit picture from my brother in Iraq this week. It showcases their silliness and ability to have fun no matter what. And..you cant deny that the lil Christmas tree is too cute! haha

 

It makes it easier to see his face and see he’s ok..but..its hard to NOT have him home for the holidays. I miss him teasing me that I have too much holiday cheer..that I'm a cheese head..and..I miss waking up on Cmas day and seeing him and watching him with our daughter.

  But..hopefully this year on Christmas Day he will wake up to peace and quiet, have a safe good day and maybe for one day..even if its only one minute…the world will be happy. Maybe unrealistic but…you can always dream! haha

New addition…

  Well after SEVERAL long hours and a lot of sorta patient waiting..haha…we now have a new cousin…Addison Lou. She is simply beautiful. A perfect 8lbs 8oz 19inches long with black hair.

  I cannot even begin to say how excited I was to NOT be the one in the bed..haha..but the one helping to coach..and..how proud I am of Addie’s Mommy and Daddy for doing such an awesome job.

 

I have to think that maybe us Wade girls have the market cornered on beautiful babies .. Kaya is VERY impressed with her new cousin..informing us that she’s “awww pretty”…cant wait to properly introduce them next week.

  

  I can say that Joey did great too and I was VERY fortunate to have my Mom to watch Kaya so I could be by Kim’s side. We were at the hospital till almost midnight Sunday night…they decided to wait till Monday to induce her…then we got less than four hours sleep before heading back on Monday…and..then..17 hrs later MIss Addison made her debut into the world.

  Best thing was seeing Mommy and Baby happy and healthy..then beating the bad weather home to love on OUR lil girl…lol.

Gearing up for Christmas

   Kaya is in full holiday mood and we love it. She has played out in the snow even though now she will buck against going out because we make her wear a coat! She wants to just wear a long sleeve shirt and her pants/boots etc. Yeah, that doesn’t fly too well! ha-ha

   She loves the Christmas tree and really likes to see it lit up. She’s been trying to go to bed during the day because she thinks when she wakes up “hoho” (Santa) will be here! Its so funny and awesome to see that childlike wonder in her eyes.

  She has asked us when we are going to pick Uncle Jonus up, as he was “home for Halloween”…that was a hard one to deal with. We explained to her that he cannot come home this year for Christmas but that we will record her when Santa brings his gifts and that Jonus can hear her and see her when we record her and she can talk to him. We also explained that he is doing a big boy job in Iraq and that he came home at Halloween so another man can come home and visit his baby at Christmas. She seemed ok with it.

  I start a seven day stretch tomorrow..hate them.Saturday we will have Christmas with Steve’s family at his Aunt Judy’s. We always provide a few treats and the meat and everyone pitches in. We do gifts, play games and just have fun. I definitely look forward to it every year.

  Then..I have to work 8 to 4 Cmas eve so that will make it fun as I have to be at Granny’s no later than six pm. We usually soup and sandwiches and the gifts and visit. Its always fun but..I do miss my Grandpa Wade. This year Kim is due Dec 25th so that may make it interesting. I personally think she will go before that date..but..she may surprise us and go over. The dr said for her to expect a big baby..def. over 8lbs!

  Christmas Day all of us are off and this year we are going down a little bit later than normal to my Uncles for Cmas. I just don’t want to get up and run on Cmas morning now that I have my own baby. We will have a big meal and its always fun. Kaya is blessed with lots of cousins,aunts and uncles on both sides of our family. It will definitely be hard this year as this is our first Cmas without Grandpa Roberts…and that man LOVED Christmas. But…we are lucky to have him in heaven with Grandpa Wade, Grandma Roberts,and Grandma Johnson keeping an eye on us and I'm sure sharing a few laughs as they watch Kaya.

  I am very much in the holiday mood this year. One reason is because I am determined Kaya will have the wonderful holidays I had as a child and ..with Jonus and others gone this year..its hard but..I am keeping it rolling! ha-ha Life is going great and to watch our child enjoy the wonder of snow, Christmas, and all the festivities that goes with it warms my heart more than anything!

Surprises Surprises

  Well..Saturday morning Kaya and I ran some errands…hauling trash,running to the bank etc…and when we got back..there was a VERY large box on the front porch….and within minutes…a FedEx guy appeared with another box. Jonus had told me to keep an eye out for deliveries on Saturday. He said that the big box would be Steve's and the lil box would contain a few items…that was to be open immediately ….and that I would understand when I saw it.

  Well….Kaya and I tried hard to be patient..but finally made Steve get out of bed and come look …

The suspense was killing us.

  Steve opened the big box first…and was VERY happy. Jonus had sent him a luxury leather computer chair that has the colts emblem on it…and inside the small box..the first gift was a Colts snuggie for Steve to wear. Steve got a big laugh out of that because him and Jonus always tease me that the house is freezing…

When I saw Steve’s face at the next gift..I knew it was something extra special. Jonus had sent us a very nice video camera…with instructions that we were to use it to record the holidays, Addies first day in the world and Kaya ….all so we could share it with him…

  Needless to say I welled up in tears immediately….we now had a way for Jonus to hear Kaya and see her grow besides pictures. Steve hugged me and said it was ok..it was a great gift and it would definitely get used. I think it hit me harder too..cuase this year my brother will not be home for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day..and its hard. Now I could share US with HIM and he could hear us…lol

  We checked it out,charged it…and did our first video…Kaya singing Jingle Bells her style.

  I cannot thank Jonus enough that here he is all the way over there,and he thought of us in such an amazing way. I'm VERY lucky to have him as a brother..and Kaya is blessed with such a wonderful Uncle…

  My wish this year…is more people think about their loved ones…that maybe they need to hug them more, love them a little more..because not everyone will have the luxury of having someone dear to them home for the holidays. I would LOVE to hug my lil brother on Cmas day..any day..but..I have to wait.

  I ask too that everyone remember all the men and women…military and civilian …overseas and stateside that cannot be home with their loved ones for the holidays. As we sit down to a fine meal with family..they will be eating chow hall food or enjoying Cmas out of a care package that someone loved them enough to send…as we open gifts and enjoy our family time…..they will be suiting up for a mission, dealing with bombings and…thinking how they’d love to be at home right now….

Thanksgiving

   Our Thanksgiving went pretty well. Kaya had a blast helping make all the food..she said her favorite to make was the “punkin pies” and “sweet tatoes”…and she did great helping. She even pitched in and helped with dishes…hope that work ethic sticks with her when she’s a teen and its her chore!

  

Steve always deep fries our turkey…and I wouldn't go back to baking one for anything. The night before he marinates it with Creole butter injections…then the next day mixes butter and Cajun powder together and rubs it into the skin…then into the deep fryer it goes…less than two hours later…a wonderful turkey

  This year is was me,Steve,Mom,Kaya and my mother in law Teresa. We all had a blast…and ate too much. Then we through a movie in the DVD player and just vegged out for awhile. It was nice to relax…especially since I had to work on Black Friday which meant being up for work at 3am..ugh..

   This Thanksgiving I was thankful for family…and most thankful for a beautiful little girl that we love with all our hearts.

Been a busy two weeks…

  After a big surprise from Uncle Jonus…he showed up unexpectantly the first week of my vacation…we have really had a blast.

In the last two weeks we’ve celebrated Halloween….

We’ve had Thanksgiving and Birthdays…We’ve celebrated Christmas (Minus the tree to keep from Kaya being completely confused…lol)

And we’ve spent ALOT of family time just being together and loving each other…

  You don't often think of how many simple blessings you have…till you hear someone mention things you never thought of. I know personally after the last two weeks…I value things I do have even more. A soft warm comfortable bed, warm home cooked food, tea(oh yeah tea…lol),being able to hug the people I love ANYTIME I want, and being together as a family.

Our daughter is indeed blessed to have an Uncle that thinks of her as his child. Who loves to spend time with her and yes, he may spoil her..but..he gives her the most important things in life:attention and love.

  Today’s blog may seem a bit random..lol..but..there is alot of emotions today…We are feriously proud of my lil brother..but..letting your brother/child go off to a redzone (war zone) isn't easy. Half your heart is bursting with pride..the other half..is deployed. You know the waiting game begins again..this time for seven to nine months. And..its even harder with a little girl that realizes that her Uncle is gone.

  But…thanks to modern inventions…we can keep in contact by cell phone till he hits Kuwait then he goes on blackout…then..we will have email and facebook….

Its been an insane busy two weeks..but..lots of fun and we’d do it all again to have him home a few more days :)

Halloween time….

 

  Kaya decided this year to go as a Princess Fairy…why..because she loved the wings…and she was a “pretty princess” so she needed a tiara. Cant argue with that logic!

  Since she is recovering from the croup..we only let her venture to our neighbors. She did excellent at saying Trick or Treat..repeatedly till they came out with candy. She received candy, homemade cookies and change. She was VERY happy.

  The rest of the evening since family plans were canceled due to illness we let her play around the house in her costume. She LVOED it.

 

  She has really been into Halloween. Tonight we are having a lil family party…since Uncle Jonus is home…and having snacks and eating off her jackolantern plates. She has been ready for the party since Thursday night! So she should have a good time.

  She loved her costume so much that she even wore it today playing around the house…

  She added her “princess shoes” today while playing dress up. She walks really well in them.

I can admit…

I can admit having my brother home, snoozing under our roof, safe,fed,warm and happy is the best thing ever. We have always been VERY close..and..I'm lucky that he sees my husband as his brother and vice versa. And..I'm blessed to have my husbands family look at him as their own. That doesn't happen in alot of families…but it does with ours. They opened their heart to him, they pray nightly for him, they celebrate with us for him, and they feel my pain when they know I'm hurting cause I don't know where he is or how safe he is…they are FAMILY.

  One thing that has been nagging at me..is when he leaves. I do not allow myself to think about it much..but..it creeps in. And my main worry…is ..Kaya. When he went to basic..she cried. When he came home for Cmas break…and then left after two weeks..she would sit at the garage door crying wanting him (he played video games in there with her and worked out in there with her)…Yes she eventually got over it…talked to him on the phone and online as much as she could and carried his picture around till it was all wrinkly.

  But..hearing your baby cry isn't easy. So I am anxious this time when he leaves. I know she knows he loves her and that he has to go..but..she is a child. Its hard.

Busy Busy…

  Well since Jonus is home..we are all on vacation next week. But..it will be busy. We have plans with Kaya of course..but..we also have to make use of the time we have off together.

Sunday night..Halloween night..as Kaya says “We going to party”…We are having a family Halloween party. Lots of snacks, Kaya in costumes, movies …just together and fun. Kaya may trick or treat at a couple houses but she’s getting over being sick and I don't want to get her coughing again.

  Then…one day next week will be Thanksgiving! Steve is deep-frying a turkey. NOONE does a turkey like him. The meat is simply..irresistible. We will have all the trimmings to go with it.

  Then..we are going to have a day out with everyone at Texas Roadhouse…Jonus wants a “real American steak”…so he’s going to have it. Last plans had twenty five or so of us going. Even if its just five..it will be fun cuase it will be celebrating my brother.

  Jonus and Kaya are going to have a shopping day since he will not be home for Christmas. That should be interesting…

  People may think..does it bother you he wont be home for those holidays? Yes..it does. But. Halloween is his favorite  and that is the one he got to come home for. We will make due with the time we have and celebrate. We will not be putting up a tree or doing gifts..as we can send him his gifts over there…as it would confuse Kaya too much. But..we are going to do everything we can to have “holidays” while he is home.

Homecoming

  Thursday night we were sitting on the couch talking.A good family friend Amy came over to check on Kaya. We hear a knock at the door….I go to the door…standing there is a guy  in a boonie hat and camos. It took me a second to realize it was my little brother Jonus!!!! He was home from Iraq. Its been 10 months since we’ve seen him, almost four months since we’ve heard his voice.

  Come to find out he had got leave, set it up with Amy to pick him up and decided to suprise us for Halloween. BEST trick ever…with the best treat ever! He was wore out since he had been on planes for two days (went through four provinces in Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Ireland,Atlanta then Indiana) and had basically only snack food and one meal.

I will try to describe how it felt when I realized it was him. My heart stopped…then started beating a million beats a minute..I couldn't stop crying,hugging him and squeezing his face. Mom was..simply..stunned. She didn't speak for ten minutes!! Her birthday was Sunday and this was definitely a great late bday gift!

   Kaya is in heaven. They wrestle together, watch tv together, dance and listen to music together. EVERTHING is Uncle Jonus right now. She is stuck to him like glue and we love it. He was worried she wouldn't remember him. No fear in that.

 

 

  Too many people forget to count their blessings and appreciate the small things in life. I have my brother…who has been in a bad warzone..home for two weeks. That alone is a blessing. He has lost four friends since he landed in Iraq. To be so blessed to be one of the lucky families that has their loved one to hug and hold..is..indeed a blessing.

   I'm very very proud of my brother, proud of what he has accomplished and what he is doing. He is a wonderful example to Kaya that if you set your mind to it…you can accomplish anything. He joined the service at a later age..told he wouldn't ever get in or pass PT..guess what..he did it, is stationed in Iraq..and in three months has moved up rank. He’s physically fit, mentally strong and still has that heart that I love. Listening to him talk about his “life” over there..is hard. You don't realize how nice it is to have FROZEN real ice-cream, real junk food, hot water, pillows, till you hear from someone that don't. Life in Iraq…for the soldiers and the people of Iraq..is not one of luxury and fun. He has MANY pictures of lil kids on his computer…and he not only gives them treats and water..he gives them attention. That..is..a true soldier and a real man.

  Welcome home PFC Wade….just remember..big sis outranks you in this house :)

Croup

   Well…we have been battling croup. The nastiest five letter word ever. Kaya started out with a simple lil cough, slight fever and runny nose. By Wednesday fever was gone but the runny nose stayed and a HORRIBLE cough took over. The dr asked if she had ever had it…which she’s not…and gave her three doses of steroids to take. Directions too that if she coughed uncontrollably to sit in the bathroom in a steamy shower with her or take her outside in the cool air. Either would decrease her discomfort in her throat.

  First night..the steamy shower did nothing but make her hot and uncomfortable. That day we went on about three hours sleep and she coughed off and on all day.

  Finally the warm vaporizer last night seemed to help. We let it get steaming ,then put it behind a fan set on low….and barely coughed all night till four am.

  Bad part of the steroids is that it does make her a little emotional and teary eyed at times. I'm just excited that tonight I might get six hours sleep…lol..>I’ve been going on anywhere from three to five hours a night. Thank goodness I'm on vacation!!!

  Worst part of croup is the cough..and the inability to really do anything much for it…to hear your baby cough like that about kills you.

  Thankfully she seems to be on the mend!

Kaya’s first “baby shower”…

  Well Sunday the 24th was Kim's baby shower. They are expecting their first little one on December 25th which is pretty cool in itself…and doubly cool because Kim’s birthday is Christmas Eve!!!

  We couldn't attend the baby shower due to me having to work ..so we decided to go up after work and hang out and visit. Kaya was in seventh heaven checking out all the baby stuff! She toured the whole nursery checking it out. She gave it her stamp of approval.

The nursery is beautiful…cream and dark brown with a raspberry stripe…then the bedding is flowers and ladybugs.

Kim got alot of stuff for her shower but Kaya was most excited to give her her lil gift. She got her new cousin to be Addison Lou a ducky that temps water, a rattle and a set of toy keys…She told Kim “its for Addie”..Kaya was convinced that we were going to Kim’s cause “Kimmy FINALLY had the baby”..we explained to her Addie was still in her Mommy’s tummy….

I'm really glad Kaya seems excited about the baby. Kim does a great job of including Kaya in stuff and we were all impressed with how much Kim’s belly has grown in just a couple weeks! She looks beautiful…

  Before we left Kaya kissed Kim’s belly and goes “Bye Addie”…very sweet. I cant wait for Miss Addie to make her much anticipated arrival into the world..and to see Kaya’s face when she “finally” gets to hold that baby!!

Jack o lantern

  Well Kaya and Daddy decided to carve Kaya’s pumpkin Saturday. Kaya had a blast being Daddy’s “assistant”..

She thought the “guts” were neat…but yucky. Steve let her help separate out the seeds from the “guts”.  Steve boiled the seeds and then baked them with butter and cinnamon ..Kaya really seems to like them as does Steve. I'm not too big of a fan of pumpkin seeds! Kaya put the rest of the yucky stuff out in the yard for the deer to eat on.

Her pumpkin ended up looking awesome and they did a great job.

Once it got dark, we took it outside and Steve lit it up. Kaya shouted “WOW the monser”…

  She’s pretty impressed with ALL pumpkins carved or not..sooo she was VERY impressed with this one. At bedtime she asked where her “punkin” was…we told her on the porch. She informed us it would get cold and should sleep with her. Needless to say it did NOT sleep with her! :)

A nice Sunday drive…

  We decided since the weather was so great today and there was nothing on our agenda…that we would pack some snacks and the camera and take a nice drive.

   We started out heading towards Williams where we took one of my favorite pictures

This is on Hwy 450 heading out of Williams towards Shoals. Kaya had fun pointing out the red,orange,green and yellow leaves.

  We headed back the country roads in Williams..cutting through to Silverville…

This is the road off of the Graded Road that leads down to Padanaram.

  We drove to Fayetteville then cut back Coxton headed towards home. On that road we saw Kaya’s fave thing…

COWS!! haha She loved naming and finding the cows, horses,and birds along the way. She decided all the animals were eating supper…but wasn't happy that she hadn't seen any piggies..haha

  It was a great drive and fun to get out and see all the fall colors. Wont be long till winter will be on its way!!

Counting down…

  I am counting down to vacation. And to say I'm excited..is a mere understatement..I will work seven straight days starting Monday..then be off…fourteen whole days. I cannot wait.

  It doesn't matter that we don't have a ton of plans or trips etc…its just going to be nice to be with my husband and my daughter for two whole weeks..no alarm going off at six am…wellll…knowing Kaya she will be my alarm but its much nicer to wake up to her than the screaming normal alarm!

  We spent this evening outside,playing, looking at the leaves and just talking. Every time I look at her..I cannot help but smile and think…what a wonderful little miracle. How did I get so lucky to have her. And when she puts her little hands on both sides of my face and smiles..well ..my world is instantly better!

  Kaya was 28 months on the 12th of October. I look back at some of her baby pictures and she has grown so much. Chatters like crazy…a big vocabulary.  She is a little mocking bird..picking up every word and sound. Loves to laugh. She has decided that ranch is the best…everything needs to have ranch on it, in it or be dipped in it. Every day is just a day full of new “awws” and excitement

Enjoyed a family day

  We decided last weekend to hit Spring Mill again..mainly because the village is up and running ,the grist mill would be going and they had decorated for fall.

  Kaya was more than ready to hit the road…asking several times on the way over there if she would see “punkins” and “monsers”…she was dead set on seeing at least a “tiny lil monser”…

  Once there she was very excited to see all the pumpkins lining the paths..each one carved differently. She excitedly had to open each pumpkin up..check the inside and laugh. She was particularly fond of the puking pumpkin…  The whole village had lots of fall colors,scarecrows, pumpkins and mums.

Kaya liked the scarecrows…stopping to check each one out..and to squeeze the legs of them. We have two smaller ones on our front porch..but they are different from the ones at Spring Mill…

I like this picture…lil miss Independent hiking along the trail..lol…

She stopped at each flower in the flowerbeds..smelling them and smiling. I love this picture..mainly cuase she looks soo..angelic and sweet..

It was a super fun day…I think Kaya could go there every day and find something new and exciting. We love to see the smiles on her face and hear the WOWs she exclaims as she finds something new. They had the loom going too and she had fun watching them weave.

Trip to Spring Mill

We decided today since we had Ethan and Emily up to take a trip to Spring Mill. All the kids including Kaya like it over there.

  We hiked around the village. Kaya was in awe cause the people were in the house performing different duties (such as pottery,woodworking etc) and each house had a fire in the fireplace and they were cooking outside.

  We had a great time even though it rained on us a little bit. Trying to get a picture with all three kids in it was nearly impossible as Em is against all pictures and Kaya couldn’t sit still long enough to have all three in a picture! 

First we stopped at the concession stand and got hot chocolate. No one could resist this sweet little face! LOL

We managed to get this cute fall pose of Kaya. Even though she looks very serious in it!

And we managed one good picture of Ethan and Emily together. With Emily its either no smile or a goofy face…lol..so it was nice to have a good picture of the two of them.

In this picture we let Kaya check out the fireplace…not too close and it was screened in but the look on her face says it all. She informed everyone that the fire was “very hot and hurt”…

  After Spring Mill we decided what was more fall like than going to Appleacres and getting cherry cider,popcorn and caramel apples with nuts. All four kids (I say four cuase I am including Steve..hehe) approved it.

 

I think all three pictures speak volumes..the apples were well received! haha

  All in all even with a little rain the day was fun. I love hearing all three kids laugh and have a good time. We adore Ethan and Emily and they are so good with Kaya….truly good big cousins!