Ok, so I have to apologize that it's been MONTHS since my last post. I can not believe I have neglected our blog for this long...shame on me! Especially with so much to share. Honestly we have been super busy and by the time I get home, if I don't have work to do, my brain is completely shut off. I have spent the 1st part of the school year teaching 4th grade, filling in for a maternity leave. I was SO fortunate to have the opportunity to start the year off as their teacher and I have loved every minute of it. The bad news is that my time in 4th grade ends 2-weeks from tomorrow (on 11/4). The good news is that I begin a maternity leave in Kindergarten the very next day. Even better is that I will be at the same school, one which I have begun to think of as home. Mike is also very happy at work. He continues to take on more and more responsibility (of course) and he has been able to take as much initiative as he would like which he enjoys. Kaelan and I enjoy that although he has a million duties at work, his schedule is still incredibly flexible. We are very grateful for what he where we are right now.
Kaelan is doing absolutely GREAT! I can't even begin to tell you how different he is, and in a good way. He is SUCH big boy and is truly no longer a baby, not even a toddler so much anymore. The preschool stage has begun and he is able to have conversations, recall what he does at school, and remember and follow multi-step directions. He also LOVES school and on top of what he already learned last year (counting to 20, knowing his shapes, and saying his abc's), he is now learning letter recognition (knows A and B so far) and bible stories. If you ask him what happened to Jonah he says, "Jonah was in a BIG fish." We continue to be thrilled with his school and the education it is providing. Of course the social skills he is developing are equally important. He continues to love, love, love books with his favorites being Arthur, Brown Bear (which he can recite), and of course I SPY!!!! Although his growth (in every way) is so positive, it is also a little sad because I can't believe how quickly it's happening.
Well, here's a TON of pictures (and I do mean A TON so get yourself a beverage). The first batch are from Scott's wedding. Kaelan was the ring bearer and the best dang ring bearer there ever was if you ask me (and his Uncle!). The 2nd batch is from a family vacation we took to the mountains with my friends Kelly, Katrina, and Melissa and their families. The last is a little bonus pic (which some of you have already seen). Get ready, here goes:
Clearly he is not scared of being the center of attention. Our friends got a similar picture of him from the actual ceremony. He walked down the aisle with Alli (the flower girl) hand-in-hand and smiling. When he got to the front and everyone got quiet to await the bride's entrance, he walks to the center of the aisle, raises his hands, and says, "Hi!" Uncle Scott was incredibly proud, Mom was a little embarrassed but everyone thought it was adorable. Afterall, we were all there for him right?
K and Alli waiting for their role in the rehearsal. The rehearsal had a bit of a Disney theme (remember Scott and Melonna live in Orlando). K was all to happy to oblige.
Playing in the sand at the rehearsal dinner which was at a nearby park. Perfect setting for all the kids involved!
Breakin' it down on the drums while we waited to go into the reception.
"Any requests?"
Hangin' with the boys (please ignore my pink cup?)
I mean really, does anyone wear a tux better than this guy right here? P.S. he WOULD NOT take any part of his tux off the entire night. He was rockin' it and proud!
Breakin' it down on the dance floor. "Come on everybody, I'll show you what to do."
A family dance
My mommy and daddy...cheese!
"Pardon me Uncle Scott, may I cut in? She likes me better anyways." :)
Probably our best family photo ever!
My little Mama's Boy!
I love my Grandpa! Don't we look handsome?
"May I have this dance, Princess Alli?" He called all the girls princess the entire night.
This kid LOVES to dance. He spent the whole night on that dancefloor and was still going long after Mike and I were worn out.
Again, the center of attention and loving it. Check out that smile! YMCA was on, Melonna and Scott were in the center of everyone and he hoists K onto his shoulders where he spent the entire song. Of course he loved every minute of it and eventually started following along with the motions...just a little delayed at times.
A better shot of him enjoying the spotlight.
One last chance to boogie before bedtime.
Most of the wedding party (plus Ben)
The day after we hosted a brunch for family and friends at our house.
The MANY kids staying out of the heat.
TENNESSEE
This is where we stayed. A beautiful 2-story, 4 king bedroom chalet just minutes from the Gatlinburg strip.
Our view...which was even better from our balconies and covered deck (with hot tub and grill of course).
We played LOTS of Wii while we were there. Eventually the girls chose dominoes as an alternative. We are now ADDICTED!!!!!! Here's Mike and Trent boxing each other. Bob and weave babe!
Kaelan and his future wife Paige sharing a meal.
The 3 stooges ready for an ol' fashioned Gatlinburg outing. Doesn't Kaelan look HUGE!
We had to do a lift to check out the views of course. Admittedly it was my idea because I figured K would love the thrill (he's such a daredevil). I think it was more scary for the parents who were busy holding on to their kids for dear life instead of enjoying the ride. Kelly was busy scaring the crap out of me, enlightening me as to all the ways we could fall. :)
Check out how steep this thing was. CRAZY!!!!!
Daddy and K at the top!
The payoff. A family photo at the top with a beautiful view. SMILE K, geez!
The Senasecs - Katrina, Trent, Paige, and baby on board. Hooray!
The McCormicks - Melissa, Colin, and Jack
Just the girls - Me, Kelly, Melissa, and Katrina
Kaelan and Jack laughing at each other during lunch.
Uncle Trent has his hands full!
Daddy and K relaxing on the couch.
Paige and Aunt Kelly
While on our trip, Mike and I found out we were going to have another baby. Earlier I mentioned that Katrina was pregnant as well. The day after we got home from Tennessee, Katrina and I get a call from Melissa (conferenced so we were all on the line) to tell us she had just taken a test and she too was "prego". WHAT???!!!! Oh and it gets better...I found out yesterday that Kelly is also expecting which puts us all pregnant while on vacation and all due within 2 months of each other. Can you imagine what our family vacation will look like next summer? Please start your prayers now. :)
Our new little one's first pic - about 14 weeks along.
Although it's not as clear as Kaelan's "boy" picture, the u.s. technician assures us there is no doubt.
His little face (I can't promise it's not an alien). :)
For those of you who know Kaelan really well, you've probably noticed how he ALWAYS has his feet cross (sleeping, riding in the car, eating, watching TV, etc.). Well, this little guy is clearly K's brother because as you can see from the pic, he's already trying to be like his big brother. I know the grandparents will love this one!
This one is my favorite! There's nothing better than the profile shot. (Mostly because it actually looks like a human being.)
