Kennedy's First Day of 4 Yr. Old Preschool

Kennedy started 4 yr. old preschool this morning.  She will go 3 mornings a week (last year she went 2).  She was excited but as with every big event she gets a little nervous and resisted every little thing this morning...getting dressed, brushing her hair, eating breakfast...blah blah blah.  Once we started taking pictures with her backpack and started loading up in the car all her nerves vanished! =)

Kennedy in front of her school.  She was so excited to see meet all her new friends she could hardly stand still for this picture!

Pick out your name tag!

All set to go!  She had tons of fun and we are so proud of her!  Parker and Paityn kept asking where Kennedy was but I am sure they will get along fine. =)  How time flies! =)

My little munchkins...our recent family pictures by Andi Laine

These pictures were recently taken by Andi Laine...the most wonderful photographer recommended by my sister, Heidi.  She did an amazing job!  Unfortunately I screwed up my neck by sleeping on it wrong the night before (probably didn't help that I have fallen with the kids a couple times on our stairs)...I couldn't move which made "candid" pictures really difficult for me! =)  Regardless these are just a few of the pictures she captured.  I haven't seen the others yet but I can't wait! =)

Kennedy was such a poser!  She did great!

Paityn on the other hand was not as cooperative...but she still managed to get a few good ones. =)

Parker's big blue eyes...he started off slow but loved the camera eventually! =)

Labor Day 2009

We just returned from our annual Labor Day trip to Michigan!  Every year we meet some of Nate's high school friends and their families somewhere in the U.S.  At first we hopped around a bit but the last couple years we have rented a house in New Buffalo, MI near Lake Michigan.  It was a blast!  The kids all play so well together and the adults have a lot of fun too!  The house we rent has a pool in the backyard, a clearing in the woods for a campfire and enough bedrooms for each family to have their own!  Yes, that means that Nate and I and all 3 of our kids squeeze into one bedroom...picture a bed with just enough space around it for 3 sleeping bags. =)  It works!  One morning the guys went golfing (As they do every year) and the same afternoon the girls go shopping at the nearby outlet mall.  I was pretty successful with the shopping as usual! Every night we play a "Newlywed Game" that Russ and Shanan bring.  This year Shanan had the best idea...she had a trophy made for the winner to bring home with them.  Nate and I are bound and determined to eventually bring that trophy home...but this year it went to the Douma's! =)  We are glad to be home but also look forward to next year!