Last Day of School

This isn't from the last day of school, this picture just makes me happy. :) We like to have lots of picnics in the sunshine!
The Bear that Kaden gave to his class as a goodbye gift. Each day someone in the class gets to pick a bear to carry with them through the day...now they have a Kaden bear.
Kaden's Kindergarten Room 2
Special Buddies
Kaden giving his gift to Mrs. Lecce
Mrs. Lecce hugging him close. Kaden stood there and they all hugged him as they walked out the door. So sweet and so sad.
Standing in front of his school with an amazing pillow that they made for him. It has a class picture and everyone's handprints on it. Kaden calls it his hug. :)
One more picture in front of the school
This is the inside of Kaden's chapel sweater. Some of you may remember this story... but when we joined the school two days before school began we had no time to find uniforms or anything. Mrs. Lecce took us down to the gently used uniform closet and the first thing she pulled out was this sweater. When Kaden tried it on, I noticed that there was writing on the inside and when I asked what it was, we pulled it off and looked. Kaden's last name we're already labeled on the inside! Such an amazing conformation that we had Kaden in the school that God wanted him in!

Just wanted to post a few pictures from Kaden's last day of school before the craziness that will be the move starts! :) Such a sweet, sad day. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection, and our hearts broke to say goodbye to classmates and teachers that had become dear friends. We pray God's blessing and protection over each and every person and thank the Lord for the blessing of having them in our lives. Kaden as he said goodbye to each of his friends said, "Be There!" Which was Mrs. Lecce's encouragement to him. "Be There (Heaven) so that we can all be together again someday!"

Dream Come True

Happy Beach Girls...yes I know Kensie doesn't look like me :)
But we are wearing matching outfits. :)
Our surrey for the afternoon...otherwise known as a cart full of kids!
Kensington looking so happy and so cute in her little helmet. :)
Matt stayed with Kensie while the boys and I (I am in the blue shirt) climbed the rocks at Lovers point.
I finally got to take the ride

We were a little bummed when the ride was over.

Last Sunday was a GORGEOUS day...well this whole week has been beautiful, but after church last Sunday, Matt helped me make one of my dreams come true! Ever since living here in 1992 I wanted to rent one of these surrey's and ride down the bike trails from Fisherman's Wharf to Lover's Point. And I've been wanting to do it since we got here in September 18 months ago...and know that we only have two weeks left, we finally made it happen! And it was just as fun as I imagined all these years! and A LOT harder too! You think you're in shape until you try something out of routine! But is was worth the pain to see the joy on the kids faces and to watch Caleb shine as the official bell ringer to warn people to get out of the way. Boy, he loved that job. :) Kensington, I'm pretty sure, thought this was the best family outing of her life, and Kaden had fun fake peddling between Matt and I. Lots of fun family memories made. Thank you, Lord.

It was also a dream come true to get to wear matching outfits with my daughter! Ok, maybe I didn't always dream about wearing matching outfits, but it is still a dream come true to have her in our lives! :)

11 months and 1 day

Just LOVE this little tushie with the pink tutu crawling all over the house. :)
Play time with good friends...the flower headband beside her was supposed to be on her...but we had to finally give that up.
Practicing for her future roll as Snow White, Kensington helped herself to her brothers lunch box, pulled out the apple and started chewing away. She does really well for only having 5 teeth!
Yum, I really like this apple!

Well, Folks, it is so hard to believe that Kensington is 11 months old! Seems like this precious gift has always been apart of our lives and then at the same time it seems like yesterday she was that little cuddly peanut that was just content to snuggle in your arms. Yes, I know EVERYONE says that but man, it's so true. So here's the run down for her 11 month.

Likes:

More then anything, to get into mommy's wallet and pull out ALL the cards, at home, at the store, at church, wherever we are that she can somehow get to my wallet.

Pink fuzzy blankets

Bath and bed time

Eating "real" food: favorites being grilled cheese, chicken, strawberries, bread, oatmeal, black beans, broccoli, and pizza!

Playing with Kaden and Caleb and getting into the middle of whatever they are doing

Being on the move

Mommy :)

Giving kisses

Daddy

Saying Ba-Ba

Blowing zurberts

Playing music with her brothers

Dancing...she just sits and swings her arms back and forth, so cute!

Doesn't Like:

Being forced to lie still while changing diapers or getting clothes on

Not being the center of attention

Having something taken away from her

Not getting her food fast enough

Firsts:

Crawling!!!!! All over! This has been to date the craziest week with having 3 kids.

5 teeth! All new!

Having 5th disease, bronchitis, an ear infection, and teething all at the same time.

Pulling up to stand

Saying Mamamamamamama

As always, I'm sure I'm missing some highlights, but at this hour, this is all I can think of! Kensington is truly a precious spirit. She is inquisitive, bright, and on the move. She loves to be in the middle of things, she knows exactly what she wants, and will work to get it. I love her curious spark and energy, may the Lord take and shape all of these things in her for His glory!

PS. Kensington's Baby dedication is planned for Sunday, March 28th.

Around the Bay

Sea Otter just hanging out. Love how the just float around on their backs. :) So comfortable, you'd never know the water is FREEZING!
We were SO close to these guys. I kept calling them Nigel from Nemo...they didn't seem to impressed.
Why do they all have their flippers in the air?...pretending to be sharks? That was my first assumption, but actually they use them like solar panels :) to stay warm in the water they keep one fin up so that as the sun warms their flipper they can stay warm. :)
Nigel :)
I am thrilled with how close we've been able to get to God's creation. So amazing...but we do keep our distance!

No, those are not giant slugs on the beach :) They are spotted seals. I LOVE watching them wiggle up the sand, makes me giggle just thinking about it.
Playing in the waves
Sweet face
View off of Lover's Point
Hummingbird caught in flight
And we mustn't forget the Turkeys...yes we have 30+ wild Turkeys that run around the neighborhood! At any given time they are stopping traffic as they meander across the street. :) And did you know Turkeys can FLY! It's a scary thing to see a Ginormous Turkey flying through the air over your head!

Just wanted to share a few "nature" pictures that Matt's been taking. And now you know why it's so hard to leave Monterey! Such an amazing piece of God's creation. Breathtaking....well maybe not the Turkeys, but most everything else is awe inspiring~ :) In fact, we may just take a little beach trip after school today, trying to soak up as much as I can. We'll see how long we last in the wind. So thankful for this time, and looking forward to the next adventure with the Lord!

Precious precious time

J and Tracy on the Big Sur Coast...I think they are such a cute couple!
Even J looks small next to the Red Wood trees :0)
At our favorite breakfast place right on the Warf
Love this picture of Matt and Kensington on Lover's Point...hmmmm...now who does she look like?
At Lover's Point just after the PG Police told us we had to leave cause of the Tsunami waves coming caused by the Chili earthquake
Dinner at Bubba Gumps without the kids!
Beach Day...and yes she has on a sun hat and her winter snow suit! :)

Baby dressed for winter and J and Tracy playing in the water!
So much fun...love love love the wave in this picture
And I LOVE my baby brother!

My heart is still full after an amazing 5 day visit from Jeremy and Tracy. Every single moment was precious and treasured. I never never wanted it to end. I am so so thankful for the time that the Lord gave us and for my mom and dad watching J and Tracy's girls so that they could come celebrate their first anniversary with us! We had a blast. Oh, I just love them so much!

Priceless

Kensington in her bloomers :)
Precious Dress
Aren't I pretty :)

Thanks for helping me stand Big Brother

I am so blessed that my Grandma, Kensie's Great-Grandma (and her name sake Kensington ELEANOR Rose), agreed to make her a dress! This is such a priceless gift. I have so many fond memories of wearing dresses that my Grandma made for me and I am so thankful to have this treasure for Kensington. Thank you Lord for the blessing of Family and the love that they have for us. I just LOVE the dainty flowers, the pink ribbon, and the panties to match! :) Just like getting to dress up a doll.