Just Busy

I know it has been forever since we posted and sorry to say there are no pictures to add this time, but here is how we have been.

Camden
He keeps growing way too fast. Last week he got new tennis shoes - size 9.5!! He continues to do Parent's Morning Out at a local church two mornings a week and had a rough start to this session, but is now doing better. He (just like Amy did at his age) HATES loud noises and a train comes by the church every morning during their recess time. The train is just beyond the playground and this caused great stress to Camden. The teachers seemed to realize this and now they keep the kids in until after the train passes. Since that change he has been better. He is even using the bathroom at school (a milestone we have longed for). He is learning to tell time ("So, when the first number is a seven I am allowed to wake up and come out of my room?"). And he still keeps us laughing most of the time. He is really into tracing numbers and letters these days and he always asks questions like ("What's the word that starts with an A?" when we pass labels in the grocery store aisle).

MacKenna
She is such a pretty girl, and full of chub and rolls. I keep saying this is the only time in her life when it is socially acceptable for her to be fat - so enjoy!! She occassionally sleeps an 8 hour stretch at night, but still wakes up starving. She still HATES to ride in the car seat and usually wails the entire drive. I have tried sitting in the back with the kids to "train her" to use a paci and help this horrible crying, but unless she is sucking a bottle she wants nothing in her mouth (except her fist sometimes), so that isn't helping much. Needless to say this limits the outings we try to make with her. She can be very smiley when she wants to, but definitely makes it known (loud squealing) when she is unhappy with anything. She will be four months old this Thursday -oh how time flies!!

Amy
Wishing for more sleep or a magic fairy to clean house!! I am keeping busy with both kids, work, trying to keep house, and trying to stay involved with the activities in our Sunday school class. I (with MacKenna) made a quick trip down to Florida at the beginning of October to be with my mom and sister after my grandma died. It was nice to see them and be able to help my mom, but so hard to mourn my grandma so suddenly. I learned so much more about who she really was (things she never told us or even hinted at) and the legacy she has left for her family. It makes me want to keep better journals and instill lessons in my kids to pass on to future generations.

Kevin
This weekend he carved his first official pumpkin - what fun! Today he took Camden with him to vote - so he can learn about making choices, standing up for what we believe to be right and being an involved citizen. He cares so much about instilling values in the kids and being there for them all the time. He keeps busy with work, but he's still a very involved dad. He is still loving teaching our Sunday School class and trying to keep the class involved in outreach activities and fellowship. He's also busy trying to sell his truck (a bittersweet time!).

All of us
We enjoyed a short trip to the mountains in NC two weekends ago. We went to Burnsville and saw the changing leaves. The town was great, the cabin was beautiful (and a free gift for the weekend) and the weather was cold and wonderful!! Camden enjoyed hiking and sitting on the porch. Scott (Kevin's brother), Angie and Nathan came up for the last day and we loved introducing them to Mac and watching the boys hang out. This weekend we are gearing up for a visit from my mom and some Halloween fun! Hopefully soon I can post pictures of the kids.