Kansas City June 2012

Royce had training in KC this last week so the kids and I loaded up and joined him for a long weekend.  I love being back in KC.  It just feels good to be there.  I'm glad we live in Hays, I don't miss the traffic in Hays at all, but it just feels good to know our way around and to be there. 

We stayed with Brian and Courtney in Prairie Village so the kids and I walked to the Village shopping center and made a trip to our old park as well.  It's nice they get to re-visit these places that we used to spend so much time. 

Rub-a-dub-dub four kids in a tub! 

Friday afternoon we had lunch with Jessica.  It was nice to have some time with her even if it meant hauling my four munchkins to lunch with us.   I also got to see Jessica at dinner Saturday night but the pictures of us were blurry so I won't post them. 

Friday night Brian & Courtney hosted a baby shower for one of the KPMG start-group couples.  The group that started together in fall of 2004 is such a fun group.  Nobody works at KPMG anymore but the group remains close and it's nice we celebrate babies and Christmas together each year.  The dynamic of the parties has changed as there are so many more kiddos now!  There were 10 kids present, three more in the oven, and two engagements.  Such a fun group.



Caroline practicing her hoops!

And finally we got to meet Miss Charlotte Marie McGown.  Chloe says she was the best at taking care of her.  She did very well!  Charlotte is just a little peanut and we loved snuggling her and hearing all about her arrival.  She was a good girl and listened to me and was born on my birthday, May 20, 2012.  

What a beautiful baby!

 

Just love watching a baby sleep.

We also went back to the McGown's on Sunday to celebrate Charlotte's baptism.

Again, Chloe took over in the care of Charlotte.

Look at those little feet tucked in there!!!

 Isaac got in on the holding today as well.

 Beautiful eyes!

It was a pleasure meeting you!

Welcome to the May 20th cool club!

My Handy CPA

Our back patio faces west, therefore our dining room gets incredibly hot in the summer.  We have had to close curtains and keep doors tightly sealed so that we do not make it any hotter than it already was in past summers.  But this is no longer!  Royce had two weeks off of work in May and this is what he built. 

Before

AFTER!

Our new covered patio!

We absolutely love this space now.  We eat out here, we entertain, and Royce and the kids even slept out here!  Not to mention the fact that it keeps our dining room about 10 degrees cooler than it has ever been in the summer.  It is a wonderful space we will enjoy for years to come. 

Another before picture.

This patio makeover was a family affair. 

Chloe and Isaac really helped when we asked them to.

A rain guage won't do much good on the deck anymore.

Thanks for taking it down, Isaac!

Royce spent some hot days roofing the addition.

He worked so hard!

This was completely staged, but it still looks so sweet!

They did sleep out here all night.

Before our first evening of entertaining.

Yes, Royce, you deserve that beer!

Royce built a matching gate to keep the twins up and the dogs down.

We love this backyard!

Year one--complete! Amelia and Caroline's Birthday

Today is Amelia and Caroline's birthday.  One year of joy, one year of smiles, and one year of hard work.  Several people have asked me if it seems like a year and I can honestly say Y E S.  It has seemed like a year.  In the early months there were times that Royce and I said at the end of every day "*sigh* We made it through the day."  One day at a time.  And today we said it again but we got to say "We made it through a year."  It has been a year of hard work but it has been work that God set out for us and we have faced it head on and worked together to succeed.  It was not always easy but it has been very satisfying.  We have beautiful children who are good, well-intentioned people and they are ours. 

With each day that was hard, that very same day was also amazing.  These girls have brought so much joy into our home.  They are happy often and are fun to watch.  They play with each other, adore their older siblings, and like being funny.  They are happy for each other.  If one is getting tickled the other is giggling knowing the other is so happy.  That is fun to watch.  Each smile makes the hard work fade away. 

Amelia-

You walk, you babble, you are funny and ornery.  You have six teeth and know how to use them on my shoulders.  You shove as much food as you can into your mouth before you chew and you always beat your sister done eating.  When you want something you SQUEAL at the highest pitch you can possibly release from your little body.  You already had your first ER visit to get your forehead glued and as much as you like to climb, I have a feeling we will be back.  Frequently.  You walk straight off of furniture and stairs.  You LOVE to be outside.  You are content.  And you already know how to hug really tightly.  You giggle when I tuck you into bed, and you are very good at going to bed. You have started throwing classic temper-tantrums.  You know "more" in sign language and clap when you are all done.  You talk very sweetly.  You wave your whole forearm when saying "bye-bye". 

Caroline-

You walk, you babble, and you move around with purpose.  You have eight teeth and choose to cut them several at a time.  You are a slower eater than your sister but you eat very nicely.  You are stubborn and will say "uuuhhh!" until you get what you want.  You talk very, very loudly but it is not a yell.  You attempt to go down stairs and off of furniture correctly (feet first, backwards) and although you are not always successful I appreciate your attempts.  You are happy and content outside.  You stand in your bed until you are ready to go to sleep, but like your sister, you are a good sleeper and you both go to sleep on your own very quickly.  Your temper-tantrums consist of a lot of the "uuuhhh!" noise previously mentioned.  You know "more" in sign language and shake your head back and forth very purposefully when you do not want something.   You open and close your hand to say "bye-bye". 

Here are pictures of the girls eating cake and opening a few presents!

 

I'd say it's time for a quick bath!

This picture was actually taken a different day but it shows the new bath seats that Granddad Doug gave them for early birthday presents.  Bath time is extra fun now that they can both be in there together. 

Done with baths and ready for presents!!

Happy Birthday, girls.

I can't wait to see what is in store for the next year!

I wouldn't miss all the work for anything.

 

*One year pictures by Leann's*