sleeping peacefully through her first baby shower at Virginia's

modeling one of her new outfits

practicing her karate moves - she's going to need them with her big bro!

bright eyed and beautiful!!

Welcoming Brynleigh home

being rocked to sleep by her swing

Brynleigh's "coming home" outfit

Keegan welcomes his new sister home with a kiss - so sweet!!

Keegan was very excited to show Brynleigh around the house and how to play with some of her toys

Brynleigh joins us for our bedtime routine of prayers and songs on her first night at home

Welcome Sweet Brynleigh!!!

Ok, so it's been forever since I've updated the blog. Aunt Jody, in particular, is very upset with me for not sending new pictures of Brynleigh, so I figured it was time to send some out. We couldn't be happier with our newest addition. Brynleigh Ella was born on October 3. She is a wonderful baby and Keegan is a terrific big brother!! I know these pictures are out of order, but I can never seem to figure out how to move them around - oh well, hope you enjoy them anyway Aunt Jody!!

All ready for her first car ride

Getting dressed for her big journey home - Dean found this little sister onesie and I couldn't resist - the pants are huge, but she'll grow into them before I know it

Such a sweet baby girl

Meeting Mommy for the first time - sniff, sniff!

A Day at the Museum & Keegan's School Party

So, check out my 2nd new post for the week - is that amazing or what?!  More to come....

We have had lots of fun activities the last few weeks with all of the Christmas excitement.  One of the fun things was Keegan's first school Christmas party.  I was able to go to part of it over my planning period so here are a few pics from that.

the kids got to have a "snowball" fight with rolled up white paper - I got in on the fun too - good times!

Keegan being ever-so-cooperative for a picture with the class aide, Miss Trish

Keegan with his teacher, Miss Brittney

present time!

Keegan got a Batman shake up car in the class gift exchange - it was a hit!

waiting patiently while gifts were passed out

Grandma and I took Keegan to the Children's Discovery Museum in Bloomington for an activity class.  The book "Dream Snow" was read to the kids and then they got to make lots of fun Christmas crafts and ornaments.  We had some time to play before and after the class in the museum - Keegan had a blast!

Keegan thought these push out pin boards were great - we were there forever playing with them.  I think he looks like a little frozen Hans Solo.

Keegan stamped 2 Christmas gift bags all by himself - the lucky recipients of the bags were very impressed too. :)

Painting his first ornament with Grandma - it was messy but turned out really cute

The kids listened to "Dream Snow" being read - Keegan sat quietly and even shushed another kid for talking - you just never know.....

Grandma giving Keegan some music lessons in the museum - I'm not sure but it might be easier to play without flip-flops

Keegan loved playing in the water center

Our first snowman of the year turned out great - Keegan absolutely loves playing in the snow and doesn't seem to care how frozen Mommy is getting standing out there with him.  Maybe I need to get myself a snowsuit and I won't mind as much either.  

Family Vacation to Chicago

Ok, so it's been months and months and months since I've updated my blog and I've been told repeatedly by my friends they are no longer checking my blog because it never changes.  So, these are for you Robin and Hollie - I hope you enjoy! :)

This summer we took a little family vacation to Chicago for the weekend.  We stayed 2 nights at a hotel, went to the zoo, and Shedd Aquarium - Keegan had a blast and it was great to be able to get away just the 3 of us a for a few days.  

Keegan was tuckered out after a long day at the zoo with no nap.  He even fell asleep on the way back to the hotel - he NEVER sleeps in the car - crazy!

We took Keegan to his first 4-D theater experience at Shedd Aquarium - they tried to talk us out of taking him - I think they were worried he'd freak out and start crying or something, but he did great - he was too short to feel some of the effects on his head and legs, but he thought it was great when water sprayed and the seats shook

enjoying the butterfly garden at the Brookfield Zoo

the Kimodo King was enormous!!

Mommy and Keegan waiting for the dolphin show to start at Shedd

Keegan had a great time splashing Daddy in the hotel swimming pool while Mommy stayed dry on land

we let Keegan have his first hot tub experience - he loved it and wanted to stay in longer, but we only let him stay a couple of minutes

Keegan loved looking at the fish in our hotel lobby

we also saw the dolphin show at the zoo

I had to take a picture of Keegan's first popcorn eating experience - I was so proud!!!!  And, of course, he loved it!

"Cheese!"

Keegan catching up on some reading before bed

We took Keegan to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner one night - he had such a great time at the on in AZ this summer with AJ that we knew he'd love it again

We decided to use Keegan as our excuse to order the volcano lave cake - he thought it was pretty cool, but was much more interested in the sparkler than in actually eating it, which was fine by me!

Keegan loved all of the fish tanks

More Fun in Atlanta

I finally had a little time so I decided I should finish up our trip to Atlanta before the summer was over. Sorry this post is so long - what can I say - I take a lot of pictures!! :)

Doing a little reading before bed

Getting ready for an outing on the golf cart. For those of you who don't know, Jeremy and Jody live in a town that has special golf cart paths - they can get pretty much anywhere in town on their golf cart - some people even have smaller golf cart garages attached to their houses - it's pretty neat and saves a lot of gas $! Keegan loves riding on it!!

We had some fun at Jump 2 It one day - a large indoor facility with giant inflatables - good times!

Keegan going down the slide

This is the bottom of the staircase or, aka the "naughty step". Keegan and Scarlett both spent some time there this week and they were always intrigued when the other one had to go there. Usually, one of them would try to visit with the other one - it was pretty funny

Keegan was getting way too wet playing in the water at the Children's museum so I finally made him wear this rain jacket. It was too cute! This was the best I pic I could get of him in it.

Operating the crane (I think that's what it is!)

The girls all being silly - nice camerwork, huh?!

Keegan and Scarlett played well together most of the time - they really seemed to have a good time together - it was fun watching them play

Fiona took Keegan cruisin' in her Barbie jeep - he loved it!!

Like any guy, Keegan decided he couldn't be driven around by a girl all day, so he got behind the wheel

What began as innocently washing sidewalk chalk off of hands.........

.....quickly turned into an all out water war!!

No one was safe. The kids were soaked by the time we made them stop spraying each other so we could eat lunch, but they had a blast - literally!! :)

Uncle Jeremy was attacked by Keegan and Fiona - it's a good thing the girls in our family aren't too dainty, yet! :)

Jody got us all tickets to a magic show at the library - he was very funny and entertaining - he even brought a real white rabbit!

The magician kept the kids' attention very well and they seemed to really enjoy it

While Fiona checked out some books with her mom, Scarlett decided to do a little reading on her own - she and her older cousin sure have that in common!

I tried my best to get all 3 kids in the picture reading at the same time, but that, of course, did not work out - when will I learn?

Keegan wanted to take the golf cart for a spin while we waited on Aunt Jody to drop Fiona off at the pool - Mommy thought it might not be the best idea - Scarlett, who is strapped in her carseat in the back was grateful for my decision!

Crew chief Keegan was apparently not happy with his crew

But, they shaped up long enough to fix the car that had crashed

Getting ready for another golf cart adventure

How adorable is she?!

The "Amazing Keegan" was having some difficulty with one of his stunts...

"Fiona the Incredible" gave him some pointers...

and he was able to complete his stunt finally!

I could not resist posting this pic - I have absolutely no idea what was so funny or why in the world Scarlett wanted to be in the bathroom while Keegan was going potty, but they were laughing hysterically about something - it was cracking us up to watch them!

Silly Faces

Reading a bedtime story with Aunty Jody and "Nona" - that's what Keegan calls Fiona - Fiona got a little too much sun swimming that day. We had a super trip and were so grateful we had the chance to spend a few days with some of our very favorite people. Thanks again, Shaw family, for welcoming us into your home!!