Road Trip to Atlanta

Keegan and I took a road trip to Atlanta to visit Jeremy, Jody, and the girls last week. We had been down there before, but we've always flown so this was a new experience for both of us. But, I really wanted to go down there so I decided to brave the open roads and go for it. I packed lots of snacks, drinks, food, books, DVDs, and even the portable potty and we were off!! It took about 11 1/2 hrs on the way down and about 11 hrs on the way back - not too bad considering that included stops and delays. Keegan was a trooper and did a super job being confined for such a long time. As long as we made frequent potty stops and the DVD player was on, he was good to go! It was a short visit, but well worth the trip - I'm really glad we were able to make it work out.

Scarlett is such a little peanut. She is so petite and absolutely precious!! I couldn't believe how much she has "grown" since the last time I saw her. I say "grown" because she is so tiny I'm only talking about how much she has developed and matured - she is talking so much and running all over the place. Keegan had a blast with her!

Fiona, Scarlett, and Keegan posing for a picture in the train station - Atlanta's version of the subway

Keegan loved riding the train - he wasn't quite sure what to think at first

We took the train into the city to the children's discovery museum - a really cool place if you ever have the chance to go - there is sooo much to see and do - the kids had a blast!

Keegan got brave and slid down the tunnel head first

Fiona posing at the end of the slide

Keegan building with the foam blocks

The museum's theme was all about the circus, so we got to watch a "circus" performance while we were there

Fiona got picked to go up on stage as a clown

Keegan was picked to be a lion - he roared practically the whole time he was on stage - what a great job staying in character!! :)

After the show was over, the kids were allowed to play on the equipment. Keegan climbed up on the center star and started saying, "Ladies and gentlemen....." complete with an announcer voice and arm movements. It was hysterical!! I had no idea he was paying that much attention to everything that was going on during the circus; it's nice to know he listens to someone!! :)

The kids playing on the "circus" equipment.

The kids enjoyed playing in the water area.

Balloon Festival

We decided to go to our first balloon festival last weekend. The fest was in Peoria and was a fundraising event for the Children's Hospital, so we knew it was a great cause to support. Keegan had a great time, despite the fact that we were only able to see 1 balloon actually up. The weather didn't cooperate that day so they were extremely delayed on bringing the balloons in and getting them off the trucks. By the time we finally left at 7:45 p.m. they were getting 1 ready for a tethered ride and had 1 more off the truck, but that was it that we could see. Hopefully, the rest showed up quickly or I'm sure there were a lot of very disappointed spectators that night!

Fun on the Run brought some of their inflatables - for $5 Keegan had unlimited access to all of them - he loved it!!

The "rainbow slide" as he called it, was his absolute favorite!! As soon as he'd get off of it, he'd ask to go again. He had countless turns on it and started getting "fancy" with his landings.

We finally convinced Keegan to check out some of the other inflatables - he liked it, but it couldn't compare to the rainbow slide!

The one and only balloon we got to see on our way to the car. It was neat to watch them work to get it blown up and steady. I would've loved to have taken a ride in one - maybe someday!!

There was a slight wind which made it more difficult to work with the balloons (at least this is what we were told - I know nothing about them! :)

Daddy took Keegan on his first Monster Truck Ride - Keegan was sooo excited!!

He was obviously delirious with joy since he actually cooperated for a picture! :)

The truck drove around a big field in circles and did some turns and other stuff that I don't know the names of - sorry Dean! :)

The truck was definitely called a Monster Truck for a reason!

Some more of the inflatables Keegan enjoyed

Happy 4th of July!!!!

First of all, I will apologize up front for these pictures being out of order - I have no idea why they get all mixed up after I download them - ugh!! Anyway, I hope everyone had a fabulous Independence Day! We had a super busy weekend, but had lots of fun, too! After attending a wedding rehearsal/picnic lunch on the 4th, we had a cook-out and watched fireworks with our good friends, the Millers.

Keegan really enjoyed the fireworks, and since it was waaaay past his bedtime, he started to get pretty mellow, too.

Keegan and Carson enjoying the fireworks

Dean was pretty proud of himself for catching this one just right. :)

Mommy and Keegan enjoying the show

The next day we all went to a birthday party for 2 of the kids in our neighborhood at the pool - Keegan had a blast!!

Keegan got to hold a sparkler for the first time - he did a great job and was only a little bit afraid at first

This isn't the best picture of Keegan, but the night time effect on the sparkler turned out pretty cool

It's a miracle we were able to get Keegan to hold still and actually cooperate for a family picture - it doesn't happen very often!!

Tim and Keegan rough-housing

We tried to get all 3 kids in their Cubs hoodies, but of course Keegan wouldn't cooperate. Look how nicely Clare and Carson are posing for the picture! Go Cubbies!!! :)

Our church was recently blessed to receive a generous donation for a brand new Rainbow Play Systems swingset - "opening day" for the new swingset was July 3rd - it's beautiful and all of the kids love it

Taking a ride on the tire swing

I was able to snap this pic at the perfect moment - he was just coming off the slide and catching himself to stand up - he looks like he's getting ready to say, "Ta Da!!"

And we're back to the jumbled mess of pictures - we played at the daycare Jenny Miller runs before watching the fireworks on the 4th - it was the perfect place to let the kids run around and let off some energy before they had to sit still

Jenny's nephew, Brady, helped the kids with the sparklers - this was Keegan's very first experience with it and he wasn't quite sure what to think at first

Tumbling Fun

I signed Keegan up for a Tumbling class this year - his Daddy wasn't so sure about it at first, but Keegan loves it and is learning a lot!! His teacher, Mr. Jon is incredible with these little ones!

Mr. Jon helping Keegan do a back flip off the inflatable bouncer

Keegan likes to use this trampoline as a slide - this tumbling class has been money well spent!! :)

Another trampoline

Keegan was helping Mr. Jon demonstrate some new moves to his fellow classmates

"Look at me!"

Keegan learning to do a sommersault

and trying it out by himself

The kids are supposed to jump across this inflatable, but Keegan just wants to run back and forth - go figure!!

Christmas '07

I know these are old pictures, but since I just got the blog going and not much else goes on around here, I thought I'd go back a little bit and hit some of the highlights from the last few months.

I love these pictures of Keegan trying to eat a pb&j without getting his hands messy - how do kids come up with this stuff?!?!

When he realized it was too hard to eat it straight off the table, he thought he'd give this a try - hilarious!!

Keegan and his cousin, "Nona", playing with some Moon Sand

being silly at Grandma & Grandpa's

Keegan's other cousin, Scarlett, wasn't even 1 yet and already walking all over the place - isn't she the cutest little thing?!

We took Keegan to see Sesame Street Live - he loved it!!

Pointing out something important to Daddy in case he missed it!

We took Keegan to the FOLEPI building - it was pretty neat (and nice and warm) - they have food, rides, & Santa dropped by for a visit, too - Keegan wasn't sure what he thought about him - he wanted me to hold him and take him up there, but he wouldn't touch him or sit on his lap

This is one of my favorite traditions - running outside to catch snowflakes on my tongue - Keegan had almost as much fun as Mommy! :)