So in Love...

With Macey! 1--I love your precious baby smell you have. I love to hold you in my arms and breath in your sweet scent.

2--I love the way your feet start kicking uncontrollably when you get excited (like when I'm picking you up off the floor or taking you out of your car seat.)

3--I love the way you instantly stop crying when I pick you up. It's a good feeling to know that sometimes you just want Mommy time.

4--I love watching you explore your world and learn new things every day. It's so fun to see you intently focusing on holding on to something and putting it into your mouth.

5--I love your smiles... especially the squirmy smiles that light up your whole face and cause your whole body to wriggle with excitement. I love you, little Macers!

So in Love...

With Kinnick! 1--I love that you are easy-going! You are so independent. You can entertain yourself for a very long time. You have no idea what a big help this is to mommy!

2--I love your love of books. It melts my heart when you crawl up onto my lap and put a book in my hands. Thanks to you, I have several children's books committed to long-term memory. When we finish a book, you flip it back to the front cover and sign more and then give me a big smile. You always get at least 2-3 readings before we move on.

3--I adore watching you imitate and play with your big sister. You look up to her so much. This is such a fun season of watching you become friends. I know that your friendship will grow and change, but for now I love that fact that no one on earth is better to you then your big sister (except maybe your dad).

4--I love it when you try to make us laugh. As soon as you discover something that we think is funny, you will do it again and again. I also love hearing you laugh at yourself. I could sit outside your bedroom door for a very long time listening to you talk, sing, and laugh as you fall asleep.

5--I love seeing your gentle side. It's a bit more rare these days, but you love your little sister so much. I love watching you interact with her. When you hear her crying, you run to help. When you see her laugh and smile, your face lights up. You are such a good brother (big and little!) I love you, little man!

So in Love...

With Sadie! 1--I love the way you tell stories... you can go on and on and on. You are so animated!

2--I love the way you take care of Kinnick and Macey. You are an AWESOME big sister to each of them. I love watching the way you love them differently. With Kinnick you have such a friendship--you love playing with him. With Macey, you are a little mom.

3--I love watching you exhibit positive characteristics that I am working at instilling in you (kindness, generosity, obedience, gratefulness, compassion). Sometimes I feel like I am getting no where and then I will witness an unprompted moment that shows me that my work is not in vain. To others, these "moments" may seem like nothing, but to me--your mom--they are everything!

4--I love watching you accomplish new things. Your biggest recent achievement is swimming with no floaties. Yes, you still have a long way to go, but seeing the look of pride on your face is amazing!

5--I love seeing myself in you. I feel that you are "cursed" with being meticulous and precise, but it's not all bad. It's good to know that you are MY DAUGHTER. I love you, little bug!

Vacation... Part 2

We loved spending a week with Nathan, Cori, Jaren, & Emmy when they were here in July. We started our week at Chuck & Janet's. We had fun fitting A LOT of different activities into a 3-day time period...
Not too bad for a group shot! Emery (4), Kinnick (1), Jaren (6), Macey (5 mo.), Sadie (3)

On Sunday night, the guys bought "supplies" and we headed to a ball diamond so they could play home-run derby. Jaren remembers playing 3 summers ago when we traveled to CO, but now he's getting a lot more involved!

The ball field was right next to a park, so the girls had fun playing while the boys played ball.

Emmery, Ellie, & Sadie

Aunt Cori & Macey

Emmy & Macey

On Monday we went to the Burlington pool. The kids loved it. The alligator slide was a big favorite. That night the kids did sparklers in the back yard:

And they ran races:
On Tuesday we headed to Fun City to spend the day at the water park:

Tuesday night we went bowling and ended the night with Dairy Queen.This was Sadie's 2nd time bowling (she went back in March at a friend's birthday party, but didn't really bowl). She had a lot of fun!

Jaren & Emmy also had a blast!

On Wednesday, we traveled back to Streator for the remainder of the week. We had a lot of fun hanging out and playing--outside and inside!

Cori, Emmy, Sadie, and I went for pedicures.

The girls enjoyed getting their fingernails and toenails painted.

We made some water games for the kids...

and they played in the sprinkler!

Emmy and Sadie gave each other another mani/pedi--complete with a sand rub!

We mixed up bubbles in the kiddie pool and used big wands to make giant bubbles!

Kinnick loved the big bubbles.

On the last night, we had a movie night.

We had set up our new tent in the back yard. The kids had fun playing in it. The morning before they left, the guys went golfing and us girls (along with Kinnick) had a tea party.

We had such an awesome visit... can't wait till November to see them again!

A Legacy of Love

We recently had the amazing privilege of celebrating Marc's grandparent's 65th wedding anniversary. A lot of planning went into the big shin-dig and everyone made an effort to be there. The party took place the day of their anniversary at the center where they live in an apartment. Before the party all the grand kids worked to put together a book with memories of their grandparents as they were growing up. We added lots of pics (old & new) and gave them the book at the party. I love spending time around the "DePauw" family... so many great people--it's truly a testament to Grandpa & Grandma DePauw! I must admit, when I actually saw this picture, I was almost shocked at how BIG the whole group is. 5 kids with spouses, 18 grand kids (8 married), and 12 great-grand kids (with more on the way). All but three of Marc's cousins mad it to the party (2 of them lived out of state and 1 was in a wedding).

Sadie, Kinnick, & Macey with their Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma DePauw

Sadie loved playing with the decorations--here she is showing us the "65".

The dining room where the party was held opened out to a beautiful sitting area with a bridge and some fish ponds. The kids loved playing outside and exploring! Jaren and Emery left the day before the party to drive from CO. We were so excited to see them when they arrived at the party!

Sadie remembered Atalie from our Christmas party last December--she was excited to see her again!

Emmy, Atalie, & Sadie

Kinnick--18 Months

Favorites: swinging, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Mac & Cheese, "special" drinks, playing outside, swimming, toy lawn mower, baby doll stroller, giving kisses, wearing hats, trash cans, shoes, Daddy, singing & making noises

Learning New Words: Dada, Mama, Sadie, Macey (baby), drink, bite, please, thank you, sorry, outside, yes, no, Wrigley

Kinnick's "Trick": He loves to throw people's noses away!

Kinnick is a problem solver--he works to get what he wants. He is also very meticulous. He does a good job following directions and he loves to be a helper!

Kinnick is always making us laugh. When he finds something that makes us laugh, he does it again and again!

Working on: Being gentle, not telling Mommy & Daddy No

Kinnick continues to be very independent a lot of the time! He is great at entertaining himself and loves to play with toys. He also loves to play with his big sister.

Kinnick shows that he is a BIG Boy by: Using utensils at meal time, walking up and down stairs standing up, trying to repeat words he hears, helping take care of Macey

Kinnick is special because: He entertains us with his singing and imitations, He Loves to give us kisses, He loves his sisters, He is such a sweet boy!