The first day of Kindergarten

What a momentous past 24 hours it has been at our house! I think we are all a little emotionally and mentally drained.

Her last night as a Pre-Kindergartener

 It all started the night before the first day. As I was getting her bathed and blowing her hair dry everything hit me all at once and I could barely keep the tears at bay! I didn't want to upset her or make her nervous so I fought them back. I couldn't help but hug her and snuggle her after she was all ready for bed; because in the morning I would be sending her out the door to face the world. SCARY. But, I had to let go because of this, "Mom, why are you holding me so long?" she was/is ready.

The next morning went great! She was so excited! She couldn't do her jobs fast enough.

 Getting all ready

Loading up. We dropped Coop off at Gma Dunkley's so I could focus on Sis. He had to bring a backpack too.

 Showcasing her skills.

 Oh boy! This is it!

 Anna and McKenzie...

  and Sariah! 3 lucky girls to have the same teacher, Mrs. Moore

 Finding her seat. Starting to look a little nervous...

 I reassured her that it was the first day and everyone was nervous. Her response, "My tummy is sick but my body is excited!" As I left the room she smiled and waved and I gave her a big thumbs up! I couldn't help but notice that most of the kids were chewing their nails, sucking their fingers or doing something with their hands next to their faces! Those darned nerves.

Fourth of July 2012

We started the day off right with a delicious breakfast at G&G Dunkley's. We had swedish pancakes aka crepes, breakfast casserole and fruit among other things. We finished our party off with a little game of volleyball.

After our afternoon siestas we went back to G&G Dunkleys's for a BBQ of sorts and fireworks. The weather was just perfect this year! In the 70's! It made the day even more enjoyable.

 When it started getting dark we headed into town to find a spot for the firework display. This year they synchronized it to music on the radio station it was so awesome! especially the finale, the national anthem Whitney Houston style. A.m.a.z.i.n.g

Summer Sleepover

I can't believe it has already been a year since these two crazies had their last sleepover! They were so excited to say the least.
McKenzie had it all planned. First was dinner at the Olive Garden with both families, then Ellie would come home with us and we could watch a movie and pop popcorn then go to sleep after that. Everything went according to plan, except for the going to sleep part. That took awhile :)
Cooper got to join the blow up mattress for a little bit but then we hauled him off to bed and the girls slept out in the living room for the night.

Alive and FIVE!

 Her last few hours as a four year old

She was baffled and so giggley over the fact that somehow, overnight she was turning into a 5 year old! When she woke up she showed me all the new things she could reach now that she's five! You guys, seriously, now that she's five her feet touch the carpet when she sits on the couch, she's so much taller and she can reach so much more! 

 She helped with the salad. "The birthday girl isn't going to have salad for dinner".

 Getting all ready!

 Opening presents from Mom and Dad. Barbie and the Mermaid Tail, just what she's been wanting!

 She didn't want the usual white cake-colorful frosting-birthday cake. Fine by me! She wanted chocolate everything and I knew I could head over to ourbestbites.com to find just the cake. Boy, was I right. This cake was AMAZING. So yummy.

 June-Bug

 Annie and Addi

 Sariah and Cooper

 Just waiting for the Fire Department to come and turn on the water. Did I mention why we needed the FD? Oh, well Todd won an amazing party package by answering a correct question on the radio! He won a water-walking party from Carnival Enterprises complete with a bouncy house! I'm not sure how long it's going to take the kids to understand that this is not going to become the norm for birthdays, and that they are SO lucky!

 Baby Bennett aka "Bentin"

 Kenz, Ellie, Caroline and Addi

 Still waiting! Todd was a good sport and pretty much hung around behind the scenes filling in where ever help was needed.

 Oh-uh! Mason found the cake!

 Yummy, yummy!

 It was too windy to light the candles boy was I glad I snagged a number "5" sparkler!

 The crew! That's one of my besties, Tina. Only she can call me anal and dependable in the same sentence and not offend me! We even share our Birthday! In front we have the backs of Jake, Noah, Mason and panty-clad Maylee.

 Opening the many presents

 In the back we have Kim, Grandma Campbell, the back of Ben and Gino. In the very front is Annaka.

 In the back again, we have Lorene and Kate

 Wahoo! The water is on and they are READY to PARTY!

 Ellie

 Noah

 Annie

 How awesome is this!? The kids could climb in and out as they pleased in the colored balls.

 Coop never did get in the clear balls but he did like the colored ones as long as Mom or Dad was in too, or near by.

 I LOVE this! May was so brave to sit there while it was being blown up, which is so loud and claustrophobic, but when it came time to roll into the pool she was DONE. Look how HUGE her eyes are. So much concern.

 Jared and June. June got brave by the end and went all by herself!

My handsome boys!

Again, a huge THANK YOU to everyone that came! It means so much to us to have you come celebrate McKenzie's special day! I'll see if I can't figure out how to upload some video on here as well.