Vacation Pics

Here are some shots of the beach.  These pictures don’t do it justice.  It really is lovely with the white sand beaches.

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These are pictures of our resort.  It was gorgeous.  If you ever go to the Dominican Republic, I would definitely recommend the Iberostar Bavaro Grand Hotel.  Total luxury!

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We did three excursions during our stay.  They were the Outback Safari, Marinarium and Zip Line Adventure.  The Outback Safari allowed us to see a lot of the Dominican countryside and villages.  We were able to tour a Dominican home, see how cocoa and coffee are produced, eat a typical Dominican meal and went boogie boarding on a public beach.  Here are some photos we captured.

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The Marinarium excursion included snorkeling and lounging on the boat.  I found out that I cannot snorkel.  To me, it kind of felt like drowning and then suddenly remembering that I could breathe out of my mouth.  I’m glad I tried it, but I probably won’t go again.  Cory did really well and caught on fast.  I guess you could say I was a really slow learner! 

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Finally, we went up into the mountains and rode on the zip lines.  We had a lot of fun on this excursion.  The scenery was beautiful on the way up to the mountains (even though the roads were a bit rough at times).

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It was a fabulous trip.  I guess turning 30 isn’t so bad after all!

A Little Bit of Paradise

Cory and I recently traveled to the Dominican Republic for a week of rest and relaxation.  Our resort was beautiful, the excursions were fun and our flights were safe.  All in all, a great vacation!

Once I get the photos organized I’ll post more. 

It was more windy the week were there than it usually is, but it was still very nice.  I think the wind bothered the staff at the hotel more then the guests.  The gal at the frond desk, Loly, said she thought it was cold.  I think it was 85 degrees that day.  I guess it is all a matter of perspective!

Christmas 2009

Kaylee has been having a very good Christmas this year.  Lots of fun, family and gifts.

She really wanted her picture taken after each gift.  Most of the time they turned out like the one above.  Her face seemed to always get covered by the gift.  Here are her iCarly underpants.  She loves them.  Who wouldn’t?

Cory had a lap full of dogs while we opened presents.  Shadow and Joe were loving the attention.

 

Here she is at our Christmas with the Morris family.  You’ll notice the VERY glittery shirt.  This was a gift from Shannon.  When Kaylee opened it she said, “ohhhhh, glitter is good!” 

It leaves glitter everywhere she goes.  Thanks Shannon!  :)

On Christmas Eve we had Christmas with the Edsall’s.  Kaylee wore her new Christmas dress and was the center of attention…just the way she likes it!

We ate great food, enjoyed our family, and opened presents.

On Christmas Day we to Argos for Christmas with Daddy.  He had to work, so we brought Christmas to him.  Santa even delivered Kaylee’s presents to Argos. 

Here are Kaylee and Daddy checking out her new computer.  Lovingly referred to as Pink Puter at our house.  Kaylee has already drained the battery twice.  It is getting lots of attention the last two days.

After spending Christmas morning with Daddy in Argos, we went to Aunt Peggy’s house for the McLallin Christmas.  It was fun spending time with everyone and Kaylee had tons of fun playing the Wii.

Leah mailed Kaylee the above Christmas present.  Her very own playhouse that fits over a card table.  Kaylee is really enjoying it.  I’m pretty sure she thinks it is a dog house because she barks while she plays in it!

One more Christmas to go with Grandpa Steve, Grandma Kay and Uncle Mike on Sunday afternoon.

What a reminder of how truly blessed we are.  So much family who loves us.  Praise the Lord!

We’re Back!

Well, after a month without any blog posts it is time to get back in the saddle. 

I have really missed posting about our lives.  Here is a quick update on everyone:

Kaylee: She is doing great!  School has been going really well, and she continues to love it.  She was fitted for new hearing aids on Wednesday and should be back to wearing her hearing aids in a few weeks.  Please be praying for her as she transitions back into wearing them.  It did not go well last time.

Cory: He is doing good.  Continues to work for the Argos Police Department.  I can’t believe he has been there almost five years.  I guess time flies when you are having fun!  He was off for most of the month of December.  It was great having him home.  He got to spend tons of time hanging out with Kaylee.  They are best buds…along with Joe of course.

Angie: Also doing good.  Just returned home from vacation with Cory to the Dominican Republic.  It was a wonderful vacation filled with sunshine and relaxation.  Definitely not fun coming home to snow and cold weather, but worth it to see Kaylee’s beautiful face.

Stay tuned.  There will be vacation, Christmas and various other posts forthcoming.  Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas.  We love you!

Hot Nails!

Aunt Heather was so kind to paint Kaylee's nails on Sunday. Kaylee was very excited. Not only did Kaylee select five different colors, but she also had flowers put on each nail. Very cute!

Thanks Aunt Heather!!!

For God So Loved The World

Scary Witch

Here she is in all her glory. Sparkly broom and purple fingernails. Very cute! (She said she wanted to be a scary witch - I don't think she quite pulled off the scary part.)

As soon as Daddy got off work he went Trick-or-Treating with us. Nothing like have your own candy security! We had a great time even though it was very cold.

School Pictures Have Arrived!

Halloween at the Office

Tiger 'Shannon' Girl, Carol 'Sue' Bernett and Laura 'Chris' Ingalls.

I was the only CSR that didn't dress up. The girls look really cute!

Sorry for the Blogging Vacation

So, I've been doing a terrible job keeping up the blog.

Here are pics of Science Central visiting the Syracuse Elementary. Kaylee went to various different stations learning different things about wind energy, nuclear energy, how to make slime, etc. You know, everything a 5 year old would ever want to know about science!

Strike A Pose

Field Trips Are Fun

Kaylee went to an apple orchard for her kindergarten field trip yesterday. Her daddy was kind enough to offer to be a chaperon.

I don't really know what is going on this picture, but Kaylee really seems to be into it.

Here is Kaylee picking her very own apple. I made fried apples for dessert last night to sample her hand-picked apple. Very yummy!

Kaylee's favorite part of the day was the hayride.

Here is Kaylee's class. What a good looking bunch of kids!

Too Cute...

I found this pic on my camera. It is too sweet not to post. I love these two!

Edsall Reunion

Kaylee and I went to the Edsall reunion. We had a great time. Grandpa Rodger took Kaylee on about 14 rides in the Gator.

Kaylee and Grandma Kay had a great day together too.

Kaylee literally took 101 pictures of Tara. She was texting in most of them...ah, the future!

Box Tops for Education

Kaylee's school is collecting Box Tops for Education.

Instead of asking the people we love to buy overpriced candy and cookies to raise money for her school, we are going to ask that you do something that is completely free. If you are so inclined, please cut out your Box Tops for Education and save them for Kaylee. You will find them on many Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Ziploc, Green Giant and Yoplait packages (just to name a few).

The first turn in date at the school is October 16.

The Campout

The campout for Labor Day weekend is officially underway at Carson Hollow. Leah is here visiting from Chicago, so we thought we'd stop by the campout to say hello. Kaylee had fun playing with her cousins, Samuel and Joel. Samuel especially loved throwing hay on Kaylee's head. Here is Kaylee hanging out with Grandpa Lewie
And Samuel was having a little fun the Kaylee's walker. For some reason kids love it!

I just love that smile. I can't believe how long his hair is right now. What a cutie! Leah said that Samuel told her that he is nervous about her cutting his hair. Too funny.

Kindergarten Update

Since we are freaked out, I mean 'concerned' parents, I sent a little e-mail to Kaylee's teacher to check up on her. As you will see, there was no reason to be freaked out/concerned. This is her response:

Kaylee is doing great! She has many friends. The kids want to help her with everything. Sometimes too much, so we've been working on when to help Kaylee. She pretty much does everything on her own though.

I am trying very hard to understand everything she says. Yes, I know it's difficult for her when she has to repeat herself a few times for me to understand and I feel terrible when I can't understand what she needs. But the more I am around her, the more I understand.

She has been very happy at school, especially at recess. Sometimes after recess she is very tired and puts her head down while sitting on the floor, which is fine with me. She goes nonstop at recess. I'm willing to bet she'll get stronger this year! We have worked out a system for recess. She has a group of girls that play with her regularly and they put her walker at the bottom of the slide so she can get up right away then, Kaylee can walk back to the stairs and do it all over again. It works out nicely and they all play very well together. We have a double slide next to each other so she can go down right next to another student which is her favorite.

Junior Trooper

Kaylee got to sit on a real life police bike this weekend at the Harley shop. In addition to sitting on the bike, she also got a junior trooper sticker to wear for the day. She had a great time!

The Fussy Cut

Everyone comes to this blog to get updates on Kaylee and our family. So, some of you probably feel a little tortured with my quilting and sewing posts. I have a new blog to document my quilting journey. Check out my latest quilt at The Fussy Cut.

You'll no longer have to endure updates on hooded baby towels, fabric selections, or quilt patterns...unless you want to!

First Day of School

Daddy followed Kaylee to school so that he could capture some pictures of her first day of kindergarten.

Getting on the bus at daycare.

Getting ready to go inside.

Isn't she just cute!

On the way to the classroom.

In the classroom.

Kaylee reported that she had a good day at school. (Mrs. Eltzroth gave the same report, so I guess we're on track for a great school year.)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Kaylee made this pink cake for Daddy for his birthday. She did all the decorating and candle placement herself. It looks beautiful!

Kaylee needed to help Daddy blow out the candles. 30 candles makes a lot flames!

Kaylee did a taste-test. Strawberry cake eaten with a spork is VERY good.

Happy birthday Daddy. We love you!

Motorcycle Mama

Daddy is test-driving Uncle Mike's motorcycle. Here is Kaylee checking it out.

**Note the extremely short hair on one side of Kaylee's forehead. That is from the haircut she gave herself on Saturday evening.