Saturday, October 30, 2010

Two Short Videos of Kenna's New Doings

Before my parents came, they sent the girls a greeting card that plays part of the Idaho fight song when you open it. Kaila's been playing the song in the card on almost a daily basis since. Kenna's just now starting to get into it as well. There's a part of the song where you chant, "U of I..." Kenna says "Uh!" during that part; you'll catch it at the end of the video.




We finally got a video of Kenna and her small steps. She's officially walking!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

She's movin' on up...

Kaila just graduated from Preschool 1 swimming to Preschool 2. She had her first class of Preschool 2 on Monday. She did very well and Coach Jeremy said she is very good at following his commands. She enjoys floating on her back and wearing the swim goggles (they're so cute on her little face). We are so proud of her and it's neat to see how far she has come with swimming :)

Kaila with her previous coach, Coach Mark

Halloween Party...

Last Friday we had a Halloween Party with the playgroup. Kaila dressed up as a ladybug and unfortunately Kenna wasn't able to attend because her allergies were really bad (watery eyes, runny nose), so it was just Kaila & I that went. Kaila really enjoyed herself and it was nice to have some one-on-one time with her.

Scary face, yet cute ladybug...
Doing some cookie decorating or maybe just eating the sprinkles...
The kids enjoying their juice & cookie...
Scary faces before starting the candy scavenger hunt...
Searching for candy...
I found one...in the tree!
Looking for more...
Eating their candies...
Superman & ladybug...
Candy-chewing face...
She's flying...
The two ladybugs...

Jonamac Orchard

The weather this fall has been absolutely beautiful. We were able to take advantage of Fall's last good weekend of weather by spending the day at the Jonamac Orchard in Malta. The day was geared around Kaila, since Kenna's still too young to do the activities. Kaila really enjoyed herself and the sunny, warm weather always helps. We pigged out on apple donuts, apple cider slushy, and just enjoyed the day.

We went to Jonamac our very first fall here in Illinois two years ago. We'll flashback to that time with a few pictures in this post.

Kaila playing in the silo full of corn.

Kaila and Mommy going through the maze in 2008...........
......and Kaila doing the maze by herself in 2010.
Playing with the shovel and tractors in the sandbox.

We knew Grandma Reyes would LOVE this picture of Kaila lying down in the sandbox.
Kaila doing the rubber ducky water pump race. Kenna cheering her on from the stroller.

Driving the tractor.
Kaila petting the animals two years ago.....
......and Kaila in 2010 doing the same.
Doing a maze with Daddy. We were hesitant at first, but we conquered that thing quicker than we thought.
Probably the best activity they had: the Jumping Pillow. They didn't have this 2 years ago. You can really launch people on it. With so many people jumping, you can't help but get bounced around. Kaila got tossed a few times, and she blamed it on me, even though I was just standing there.
Kaila riding the apple train.
We worked hard to walk, find, and pick these. These were the chosen ones....
Two years ago, riding the ponies was a dream to Kaila.......
.....now, it's a reality.
We really enjoyed ourselves during our visit to Jonamac. Because this was one of the first family events we did after moving here in Fall of 2008, Kaui and I reminisced about our last visit, how back then there was only 3 of us, and how far we've come since then (with Kenna now). Jonamac has a lot to offer, only being a few minutes away from our house.

Photo Session with Lindsay Wogen....

We recently had some professional pictures done with our friend Lindsay Wogen, who is the organizer of one of the playgroups we are a part of. We took all the pictures at the Ellwood House & Museum, which has a lot of beautiful photo back drops, including a doll house. Here is a taste of how the photo session went from our camera.

Lindsay taking a picture of Kaila sitting on the doll house steps...

Kenna...


Kaila carrying her balloons from Lindsay...

Just a random picture I took of Kaila while trying to practice my photography skills...


Goebberts Pumpkin Patch...

We went to Goebberts Pumpkin Patch with the playgroup and all the kids had a blast! There is just so much to do & see there. From wooden play structures to all kinds of animals, Goebberts is definitely the place to go to entertain a toddler.

Kaila driving the school bus with Ben & Javier as her passengers...
Taking a break on the bench...
It's a wooden truck...
And a wooden train...
They even have giraffes!!!
Javier & Kaila looking at the chicks...
It's a baby cow...
Kaila tells me, "He has crazy hair!" I completely agree...
Along with the giraffes, they even have tigers!!!
Posing for a picture with Bert & Cookie Monster...
Holding Belle's hand...
Feeling Cinderella's dress...
Swimming with Ariel...
Tea & Kenna...
Waiting for the dinosaur to wake-up and eat some pumpkins...
Honey, I shrunk the kids!
Taking a little break...
Picking out a pumpkin with Ben...
...with Aubrey...
Kenna checking out her pumpkin...
Trying my hand at being artsy...
Kenna was so happy to be able to get down & move around, amongst the pumpkins...

Taking a turn on the hayride before we head out. Notice Kaila won't smile with me...
...but she was more than willing to smile with Lindsay...