Kendal's Visit home

Well, that dreadful day has come yet again. This morning around 3:30am we loaded up the car and Dad & I took Kendal to the airport to see him off. I have to say it was much easier letting him go this time around because we now know what to expect. Certainly no shortage of tears, its still really tough knowing we will be living 7 more months with out one another. Being able to spend the past 12 days together was such a blessing. I feel so fortunate that we have the opportunity to have 2 visits during these 12 months...while many families don't see each other at all! We made some great memories while Kendal was home...I'd like to share a few....
The day Kendal arrived~ emotions were running high, I had a nervous feeling all day in the pit of my stomach, I couldn't believe the day had finally come!! My whole family headed to the airport to welcome Kendal home! My brother was in charge of the camera and my dad in charge of the video camera. Kendal's plane was delayed about an hour so we had a good 30 minutes to spare. Of course,Kennedy had no idea what was going on so we spent the time chasing her from one end of the terminal to the other. With about 15 more minutes until his plane was due to land, Kennedy and I were at one end of the terminal while my family was at the other. I heard my mom yell "Carrie, he's here!!!" and I looked up and said "Where?" ( now it was pretty far away) she yelled "right there" and I said "thats not him" OH MY GOSH I didn't even recognize my own husband! LOL! After about 2 minutes of arguing back and forth with my Mom (what else is new lol) I realized it was him! I swooped up Kennedy and went running for him! His plane landed earlier than expected and they hadn't updated it on the monitors so needless to say none of us were prepared. My video camera man caught nothing and my brother only managed to snap a few pictures. So much for planning this grand homecoming~ haha! The minute Kennedy realized who it was she yelled "DADA" and was laughing and giggling! It was the BEST!!


The next few days we just hung out at home~ it gave Kendal the opportunity to adjust to the 14 hour time change. We baked Christmas cookies, wrapped gifts, and we even had Thanksgiving dinner since Kendal missed out on the real "turkey day"

Bed time stories with Daddy

This just cracks me up!

Baking cookies

Tea party with Daddy

Ready for some turkey

"Thanksgiving" Family picture! lol

The first weekend Kendal was home we headed to Kalahari Resort which is about an hour from where my parents live. Kalahari is America's largest indoor waterpark. It is A BLAST! They have arcades, minigolf, shopping, spa, resturaunts, and all sorts of other stuff! My whole family came out, we spent the day splashing in the water park which Kennedy LOVED! Around dinner time my parents and sister took Kennedy back home for the night and Cody, Elizabeth, Kendal & I grabbed some dinner at one of the Resorts resturants. After dinner Cody & Elizabeth went home and Kendal & I enjoyed a quiet and relaxing evening to ourselves. We even went to the spa and had a couples hot stone massage, which was just what the Dr order for both of us!
I have to admit that I completely neglected taking any pictures on our trip. I was afraid the camera would get wet so unfortunately Kalahari will just be memory in our minds

Our suite~ complete with a hot tub and fire place!

I stole this off of Kalahrai's website lol! But I wanted to show the slide that Kennedy spent over 2 hours going up and down! Poor little girl was covered in bruises in the morning and her muscles were very sore the next day!

View from our room!

Family picture day was next~ I, of course, drug the Whole family out once again! lol I think they turned out pretty well~

This is my absolute Favorite!

Then we went to see Santa. Which I knew would be a total bust because she freaks out when the mail man walks up the drive way! Now Kennedy and I have matching 18 month old Santa pictures!
Christmas could not have been better! Having Kendal home was the greatest gift of all! But we sure had a lot of fun on Christmas day! With Kendal away for the past 4 months I had plenty of time on my hands to shop! Kennedy had 32 presents under the tree so we opened gifts in shifts. We would open 5 then have breakfast, 5 more then take a nap, 5 more then dinner ETC! We were opening gifts until almost 7pm! SO MUCH FUN!!! UNTIL...the adults passed out their secret santa gifts and my husband decided to use that time to admit to me that he had gotten himself in the gift exchange. He thought it was so funny and laughed it off but I was devestated~ thank god I bought him 5 gifts even though we said we weren't doing presents for each other this year and Christmas was saved! lol!

Leaving out our cookies and milk for Santa

Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas"

My Dad will probably kill me for posting this but it cracks me up! He is such a jokester!

Santa, his Elf, and Reindeer...setting out presents!

Opening gifts in the morning

Santa brought Kennedy a water baby for Christmas which is all she cares about now. First thing she wants when she wakes up in the morning and it is attached to her side the entire day! She is such a good little mommy!

Trying out her new bowling set!
*STRIKE*

I surprised Kendal with tickets to a Browns game! It was his first NFL game ever and he loved it! Our Brownies even beat the Raiders which made it all the more fun!

We sat right behind Mom & Dad and froze our buns off!

Yesterday was our last day together and we had gotten about 8 inches of snow so we bundled Kennedy up and took her out to play in the white stuff for her first time! She loved riding on mommy's old sled up and down the drive way! Then we came in, helped daddy pack up and had a family pizza party!

Mommy bundled her up so well she couldn't put her arms down!

We love you so much Daddy! See you in 5 months!

Not Much to Report

A whole lot of nothing has been going on these past few weeks. We are just anxiously awaiting Kendal's arrival. The last few months flew by, but ever since December 1st if feels as if the clock has stopped ticking...the anticipation is almost killing me! Only 1 more day and 18 hours to go!!!!
Kennedy turned 18 months old last week! I don't know if it was something they put in her shot or what, but ever since that day my little baby seems all grown up with an attitude to match! She gets into EVERYTHING!!! I know, she's a toddler, that's what they are supposed to do, but geez! She's up and down the steps 50times a day, obsessed with anything that has buttons, cords, or lights. She MUST inspect everything and anything including a bug she dissected this afternoon before I could get a tissue to kill it. She's so busy & has such a love for life~ she's a little sponge for sure! We went to the doctor and she did great with her shot (only had to have 1 this visit) Her stats at 18 months are: she weighed in at 24lbs and 33inches tall and still only 5 teeth! We have determined that she is left handed so far, she knows 23 animal sounds, almost every body part, completes 3 board puzzles with out getting any wrong, can identify 2 colors, says countless words and can name everyone in the family! The Doctor was so impressed that she could identify and say the word hippo that she gave Kennedy one to take home...which she now has to have with her at all times (including those dang cats of hers, lol) Kendal is not going to believe his eyes when he see's how grown up she has become in the past 5 months! Because I can't even believe it and I'm with her 24 hours a day!!! I'll be sure to post pics of Kendal's homecoming as soon as I have time...Until then, hope you are all staying warm! Love you all!

Where she spends A LOT of time!

Chatting with Daddy

Last Thurdsday night was the biggest game of the season for our boys! They have only won one other game all season long and a lot of fans have been losing faith! Dad and I bundled up in freezing rain and 40mph winds and headed down to the stadium to watch what Browns fans call "our super bowl" The Browns vs The Steeelers and guess what!!! For the first time in 5 years we beat those stinkin squeelers! BEST NIGHT EVER!!!! So much fun and so worth freezing for!!All has been forgiven and all of our faith has been restored! GO BROWNS!

Every year, for as long as I can remember my parents would give each of us a new ornament to hang on the tree. Of course Kennedy is included in their little traditon! She gets a different snowman every year. This year he looked like "candy" She loves marshmallows and calls them Candy!!!!

Hanging her ornament on the tree!

Kennedy is making Daddy something very special for Christmas...you'll have to wait to see what it is!

ITS FINALLY DECEMBER!!

Can you believe December is here already?? I know most people are asking themselves "where did this year go?" "Christmas already?" But I'm not most people this year. I am JUMPING FOR JOY! I can't believe how quickly the last few months have flown by but I am certainly not complaining! Kendal will be home in 17 days and I am thanking God for every minute we will be able to spend together this holiday season! Kendal is the best present Santa could ever deliver!

Back it up to November though...because I'm a little behind on posts!

Last Monday my best friend Lindsay and I were invited to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Ladies only behind the scenes tour of the stadium! Of course, being the die hard fan that I am was THRILLED to go! Hey, I've sat through every loosing game this season at that stadium so it was about time I had something to smile about while being there! The evening was filled with food, drinks, guest speakers, meeting players & visiting the locker room (where I touched everyone's belongings and even snagged a little something for personal collection too...LOL!) Lindsay & I never fail to have a good time and that is exactly what we did!

On our beloved field!

Massaquoi and Pontbraind

Trying on Mike Adams Gear


In my Favorite players locker holding HIS PANTS!! AHHH!

"Throw to Vickers"

"I'll be sure to put your ashes right here, dad"

This picture is priceless! Somethings never change!

First thing Wednesday morning (4am) Kennedy, my sister, Carli, and Myself all headed off for our Thanksgiving trip to Iowa! After a tough 1st flight with a very tired/cranky toddler and being put in 1st class for our 2nd flight with that same cranky toddler~ Carli and I were thrilled to see Dad pull up in his truck! Kennedy was so excited to see her big cousin Gaige and got to spend all day, everyday playing with him! She follows his every move and I love watching them play together! Thursday was Turkey day and the most of the family came over for lunch/dinner! It was so nice to see everyone...we just wish Kendal could have been home to celebrate with us! Friday we visited Grandma & Grandpa Tripp and then bright and early Saturday morning we were back on a plane home:( It was too short of a trip but I'm glad we were able to make it out there for the holiday! I want to thank my sister for tagging along with us and being such a huge help! I would have been miserable on those airplanes with out you! I think Carli enjoyed her time away from school & work. She learned all sorts of new things on our trip. She ate pheasant for the first time, she also ate scalloped corn w/ oysters (aka "Barf Corn") she drove Grandpa's tractor and she even crocheted a pot holder with mom! I keep teasing her and saying it was just like being at summer camp for her! lol! Anyways, we are now home, anxiously awaiting Kendal's arrival and trying our best to stay busy for the next 2 weeks! Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving weekend! Love you all!

Riding around the kitchen with her big cousin

So much fun!

Uncle Jared

Reading stories with Grandma

Mom teaching Carli how to Crochet

Hurry Grandpa! The suns in my eyes!

Going to Check out Grandma's garden!

Carli driving the tractor!

Smoochie trying out the drivers seat!

Great Grandma Tripp & Grandpa!

Going for a ride in Great Grandpas Chair

Cousin Ashley (Kennedy is going to be her flower girl in her wedding next year!)

My mother in law made Kennedy the most adorable Turkey dress and dummy me,forgot to take a picture of her in it before she made a mess of it...sorry mom! We plan on having Thanksgiving dinner again when Kendal comes home so I'll be sure to snap one of her in it then!
In the mean time....

We Miss you already buddy!

Grammy & Papa were sure glad to have their girls home...back to normal life...and most importantly NORMAL SLEEP!!

Doing her morning chores

Reading w/ Papa