Super busy with my super heros!

Ok, for those who don't know, my lil man, Landon, is completely obsessed with super heros right now. To be precise, it's Batman and Superman. So, I have been trying to get his new big boy bed/room done and plan a super hero birthday party for the 25th. A few months ago, I ordered Landon some new bedding and move him to a big boy bed. At the time, he was really into pirates and he helped me pick out his pirate bedding. Boy, should I have waited!! As his new stuff is coming in, he makes the transition to super heros. So...back went the pirate theme and in comes the 'batman' theme. But this time around, we are going with a neutral quilt that i hope can last through the next transition. (ok, I admit, i think I might have loved the pirate as much as he did!!!).

We are now two weeks into school being back in and I am glad to finally catch my breath. I have packed in so much these past two weeks that I have been putting off because I needed the kids in school for me to take care of. Now, I feel a little caught up, but I still have lots to do before the kids birthday party on Sept 25th. All my free time that I have been getting, has been spent on finding party ideas on the internet. And I have loved every minute of it!

Anyway, we are throwing a combined birthday party for Landon and Kennedy next Saturday. We are having it at our house and I will just hope it doesn't rain! I checked the extended forcast yesterday and it looks good! Whew! I think I have enjoyed planning it waaaay too much. Lance thinks I am crazy, but what else am I to do!?!

I have also gotten back into a routine of exercising and playing tennis. I definitely have caught the tennis bug. I just need to keep practicing so i can beat Lance!! I did finally beat him, but it's no where near an even score.

Well, here are some pictures over the past couple of weeks....we got to meet our new nephew (Lance's sister, Leslea) last weekend and it's hard to believe how big he is after being born 10 weeks early. He is doing great and getting chunky!!

Quick photo before church...

First day of school

Landon holding his cousin, Hudson, and telling me to hush!

Hall grandparents and grandkids

Landon's every day outfit....i might need to get another so i can have one for halloween! ;)

Kennedy's birthday

helping with her birthday cake

Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet Kennedy

I have lots to catch up on, but that will have to wait for another post because this post is all about Kennedy Marie Hall!!

When we first found out over two years ago that we were having a girl, I have to admit, I was a little intimidated about it. I knew what to expect with little boys and I have been surrounded by boys my entire life- my brothers and some of my best friends growing up were boys- I wasn't too sure how to handle a little girl. Well, that little intimidation didn't last long at all. I just dove right in with some encouragement of special friends to help guide me along the way! Now, I just feel so blessed to have a sweet little angel and a girlfriend for life! I have loved every minute of it (ok, most of it)!

A lot of people tell me how much she favors me when they look at her. And now that I have watched her personality blossom, I have to say she definitely takes after me too! And I am sure my brothers will agree! She likes to aggravate her brother, Landon, but at the same time, she can't stand for him to be upset and enjoys loving on him. She just wants his attention!

Some tidbits of Kennedy at two years old:

- has no fear! Especially in water

- waves and says hi to just about everyone she sees

- always knows where her mama is...will drag toys to mamas feet just so she will play next to her

- speaks very well for her age, compared to Landon at this age

- already knows how to manipulate to get her way (that little grin she gives...geez!)

- still my good sleeper...easy to put down for naps and bedtime

- still uses a paci for naps and bedtime

- not too easily entertained...she loves people interaction and isn't into watching tv

- extremely independent

- has the best manners (she picks up on these without having to tell her, which still amazes me)

- very observant...

- likes things to be organized and picked up (or doors closed)

Well, i could really go on and on about this sweet little girl. I just love squeezing on her and spoiling her rotten. Last night we had my parents and lance's parents over for some pizza and cake to celebrate Kennedy's birthday. It was perfect. I don't bake too much but I LOVE this chocolate cake that my sweet pampered chef friend taught me. It is super yummy and I have been dying to have an excuse to make it again. It's not the prettiest thing, but did i mention how yummy it was???!!

September 16, 2008

September 16, 2009

September 16, 2010

A sweet reunion

In between the last month, I was able to meet up with a sweet dear friend of mine, Shannon Russell. She and her family are now at the university of tennesse where Eric is coaching football. Her parents have a lake house in Texas so the kids and I drove over for a day to visit with them and let our boys have a sweet reunion!! I was also able to meet the new addition of the family, sweet little girl, Hadleigh. It made me miss my dear friend!!!

Here are some pictures from that reunion. The boys had a ball playing outside, having a sprinkler party and going on an adventure!

Hayden tearing into his birthday present

even sweaty boys can share a hug and a kiss!

Sweet hadleigh (the Hayden look a like!!!)

Please don't be mad, Shannon, that i posted this one!! ;)

dirty boys!!

More beach and more fun!

Ok, so I have boycotted my blog again and just kept putting it off to get it updated. I really need to do better! This past month has flown by like the rest of the summer. A couple of trips to the beach can do that I guess.

The kids both went to see Dr. Neal, who is our ENT doctor and put them both on new meds before deciding to get tubes or not. Landon had them two years ago and he hasn't had too many ear infections, but lately he is getting some 'bulging' on the inside of his ear drum. And kennedy has just had 10 weeks of antibiotics due to infections, but I have to say that whatever he gave to her two weeks ago has seemed to work! We go back this Wednesday and I am curious to see what he says.

We have been at the beach this past week and it was also a mini celebration of mine and Lance's 7th anniversary!! We went to the Sugarland concert and was able to have Christy and Jeff Albritton meet us (they were already at the beach at the same time). I am just so fortunate to have such an amazing best friend and husband. It's hard to believe that we have been married for that long, yet it seems like yesterday!

Lance had to go back to work on Monday (poor thing had to get to Dallas for the Ranger/Yankee game for 'work'). So me, the kids, and our WONDERFUL babysitter, Lindsey McDaniel, stayed the rest of the week by ourselves and had an absolute blast!! I really wanted to get someone to come with us, but looking back on it, I loved the downtime that I was able to get and Lindsey is such great company to be around. Plus the kids LOVE her.

We were also able to drive down the coast to Panama City to visit some cousins of mine and let our kids play together. It was great to visit with Kyle and his wife, Meredith and to see my Aunt Lisa and Uncle Jack. I can never get enough of my family!!! Especially when I hadn't seen Kyle since he got back from living in Budapest and I loved seeing my Uncle Jack feeling better now that his cancer is in remission. It was a LONG day, but the kids played hard and loved it. It was also a great break from the everyday routine at the condo.

Here are some recent pics:

This one is Kennedy in a Matilda Jane outfit, which is a new line that I am obsessed with!

The adcox family joined us at the beach and it was Sara's birthday! She got to enjoy some birthday pancakes!

Adcox and Hall kids

August beach trip pictures

I absolutely love this one...not quite sure how I got it! ;)

We were able to meet up with my cousins in Panama City. Caden and Reese Liner with the Hall kids

Ha!!! Wiped out from swimming!!! ;)

50th Lake Greeson trip

Ok, so it's not MY 50th anniversary for going camping at Lake Greeson, but it's my family's (mom's side of the family). My grandparents started taking their kids to this beautiful lake and I love it! But it's definitely different since having kids of my own....a lot more work!! At least we we were able to stay in my parents RV with air conditioning, a shower, and a bathroom.

Lance was able to stay for about 4 days and got to see the fireworks from our houseboat. The kids and I stayed an additional 6 days for a grand total of 10 days camping with a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old!! And not to mention that Kennedy had an ear infection the entire time so sleeping with her every night was not fun! I am just glad the weather was very pleasant and I was able to spend some quality time with my family. I was even able to get some rounds of skiing in! It seems like every summer I am either pregnant or nursing a baby (too tired to do anything).

The highlights of our trip were the fireworks on the 4th, campfire talent show, swimming, jumping off rocks, and tubing/skiing. Also, Kennedy learned to say my dad's name "Papa Penny" (papa Kenny) and it was too cute. Her vocabulary has really gone to a different level these past two weeks. Landon was in heaven with all the rocks to throw in the water and playing with all of his cousins.

Here are some pics!

Kennedy with her first pigtails

So glad they both love the water and tubing!

enjoying a gorgeous sunset!

This was the first time that both my brothers and their 'significants' and kids were all here at one time!! It seems like someone is missing every year or not there at the same time

waiting for the fireworks

My dad and Landon on their 3rd annual bike adventure

Peach parade and more

Last weekend we enjoyed going to the Peach Festival parade and survived the summer heat. The kids had a blast seeing their friends, catching candy, and watching the parade. Both filled their bags up with candy and believe it or not, a week has gone by and neither one of them have asked for it since!!! I can't believe it!

K and her buddy Anna cooling off after the parade in the AXO house

Here comes the parade!!

Had a nice firm grip on the loot!

I finally got a two wheel bike for Landon to ride and last night we busted it out! I have to say that I am quite proud of my little man riding without training wheels. I know a few months ago that i posted a video of him riding, but this is the first time he has done it since then (bad momma for not getting him one sooner!)

We have really taken it easy this week. We have had a slight break from the 100 degree heat and have been able to play outside without a swimming pool! Every morning this week, the kids have been taking swimming lessons. But the afternoons were spent at the house and not going every where.

Kennedy cried the entire 30 minutes the first morning because she wanted me to be in the water with her. So, the next four days I decided to leave in my car and not watch and that helped a ton!

By day two, Landon was jumping off the diving board and swim to the ladder. He has conquered his fear of deep water and realized he swim over it. It was good week for him and worth it. Especially learning to float on his back.

Kennedy can hold her breath for a long time and it still amazes me. She has learned to kick herself up to the surface of the water, but can't get her head above water. She didn't have much success with floating on her back, but at least she listened and tried! Here is a video of her going off the diving board and swimming, sort of. ;)

We leave this afternoon for our annual trip to Lake Greeson in Arkansas. Would should be there for about a week. Let's hope the weather isn't too hot for camping!!

swim, swim, and more swim!

This week we have gone swimming at least once a day, if not twice a day. The kids are loving it and it's a great way to stay cool in this VERY WARM weather! We did have a few play dates thrown in there, but of course, it involved water! One afternoon, Suzanne and her kids came over to play on the waterslide...here are some pics.

Landry and kennedy playing in the sandbox

The Tyler kids with Landon and kennedy (we had to bribe them for a group shot!)

Soap Suds fight!!!

Sweet Jake

Lance left on Thursday to attend some meetings in San Francisco and then got to go to Pebble Beach for the US Open. He comes back tomorrow, but unfortunately, the kids and I will be in Shreveport for an entire week. I am conducting a basketball camp at St Marks and my parents are going to help with the kids. I hate that we won't get a chance to see Lance on Father's Day! :(

This morning, I took the kids to pick blueberries and Landon LOVED it! Kennedy, not so much. I am not sure if she was feeling too great and all she wanted is for me to hold her. After that we hit the Ruston Farmers market in search for some peaches. I have been trying to get over to Mitcham's peach orchard all week but never made it. I just hope they have some after next weekend's peach festival!

Kennedy picking blueberries

Landon was so proud of all the blueberries he picked!

And here is a short video of Kennedy jumping off the diving board this morning