Coloring Eggs

So in an effort to have some normalcy with our family amid all of our trials we colored eggs tonight. We will wait for Carter to hide them and have Kenzi find them. Kenzi had a great time decorating them. She was concerned at first with the dye on her hands, but quickly got over it to keep working.

After dumping three in colors and seeing mom hold it to get part of it, Kenzi wanted to try. And we changed her clothes so her Sunday dress would not get stained. It wouldn't matter with this shirt right?!?!?!?!?! :0)

Gramma B. working on a multiple colored egg as well.

The eggs with the color. The one white one she dropped on the floor so it had to stay plain. This is before the qtip colors and stickers.

Here she is concentrating so hard!

Enjoy! Kari

Cabelas Grand Opening

So Cabela's opened up in Allen, this weekend and we went. Kenzi wanted to try everything. So first she got a picture in a National Guard uniform. Then she tried to pick up a shot gun to which we told her she was not old enough and she was not happy! Then she tried Archery. To which the last two arrows she shot she hit the deer and she exclaimed "Oh it is dead and now we get to eat dinner!" Apparently she listened to the #1 rule of hunting!

Next on the list was fishing. I think as long as it is on the shore she would love fishing! She really does not want to go fishing on a boat again!

Mr. Emery was at Cabelas signing autographs. We know him as "Wild Cat" on Batman Brave and the Bold.

It was really fun watching Kenzi try new things. I am thankful for the daughter I have. She truly amazes me often and I am so blessed for having her in my life! I love you Fluffy!

Eggcellent Family Adventure

So every year our city has an Easter celebration. It is a great FREE event. Kenzi got a lot of eggs and did lots of fun activities!

We saw quite a few friends there. Here is Tamara and baby Peach.

Here is Keri and her son Rhys. He was giving me so much love that I started to cry! I really do wonder how he knows when I need snuggles!?!?!?!?!?

Here is Kenzi trying to catch bubbles while we were waiting to get a balloon animal.

The obligatory family picture. And out of all the things that she could have gotten from the clown making balloon animals she wanted a sword! I am not surprised in the least... really it is typical Kenzi! Gotta love that girl!

Kenzi and Gramma B. We are so beyond happy and thankful that Gramma B. was able to come and visit us! We would be in big trouble if it weren't for her!

Here is the picture with the Easter Bunny. Kenzi said she didn't want to get the picture until I said then no balloon and we can go home. Then she was more than willing.

Enjoy! Kari

Plan B...

So after we found out that we were not getting Steeler, Carter being the smart man he is, had a Plan B. First we had to take the rental car back to the Phoenix airport and while doing so was able to see my dear friend Tina and her husband, Mike. I used to work with Tina at WebMD. We also got to see our friend Tamara and meet her family. We had a great time getting to know them and experienced what it would have been like to live in Arizona. While we were at Tamara's sister's house one of the kids got stung by a scorpion... in the HOUSE! Kenzi was actually playing right next to Cole. We were so thankful Kenzi was not stung but highly concerned about Cole. He was OK, after some normal side affects, but definitely a very memorable experience!

After we left Arizona on Sunday morning, (as fast as we could!) we made it to Fort Stockton, Texas that evening. The next morning we stopped so see a few random sights, on our way to San Antonio. First up was the second largest Roadrunner in the world. We did drive by the first largest roadrunner in the world but did not know it was the largest in the WORLD or we probably would have stopped.

Kenzi being the coyote! Funny girl!

The next stop was a Deer Antler tree in Junction Texas. Yep it was a tree made up of deer antlers.

After seeing the tree Kenzi started asking questions of how the antlers got on there and it led into hunting. She asked if she could go hunting and I told her she should talk to her Uncle Mike, as he hunts a lot.

"Would you be OK if I went hunting with Uncle Mike?"

Me: "Absolutely honey, your Uncle Mike is a VERY responsible hunter. Though the number 1 rule of hunting is you eat everything you shoot!"

"Do you shoot deer?"

"Yes"

"Can you shoot fish?"

Me: "Well, honey a hook works better."

Carter: "Really Kenzi, dynamite works the best!"

When we made it to San Antonio we went to the Alamo. There Carter got to play tour guide as he is well versed in history. Fortunately Kenzi was a good listener!

After the Alamo, we had lunch at Buckhorn's Museum. It really could have been called the Mike B Museum as I am sure he would have wanted to move in if he had seen this place. This first picture is a picture of a 78 point buck. I could hear my brother drooling as I took the picture!

Kenzi loved this shooting game! We all did pretty good.

So the deal with this museum is it started out as a bar. The owner of the bar would offer a drink to the hunter for animals horns, antlers, skins or anything the hunter was willing to give up. And then him and his wife would make things out of those items. Or stuff them.

We also went to a short part of the River Walk. We saw a boat almost run over a duck. Though not sure why the duck didn't move out of the way before like the rest of her friends. Here is a mama duck and her ducklings. Kenzi thought they were so cute. I think she wanted to take one home!

So on our way out of San Antonio we found this restaurant called The Cove. It was featured on Diners, Drive in and Dives. It was really good food and a lot of options for those that are vegan and have gluten allergies.

Well, while we wanted plan A to work out, Plan B was fun. We got back home safely and we are getting back into the swing of things. Thank you for the love and support, I can not tell you enough how much our family appreciated it!

Adoption failed...

As you may notice or even know, we were trying to adopt and unfortunately it fell thru. I am only posting about this to relieve some sorrow that I feel and it seems if I write about it, it helps. First and foremost, we are not angry or have malace in our hearts. Both Carter and I could not imagine making a choice to give up a child! We could in no way understand how that decision could be easy. We knew full and well that there was a possibility the adoption could not happen. With that we prepared as much as we could for that circumstance all the while believing and hoping that we would be able to bring Steeler home. It was a very rough experience. And to be quite honest with you I do not want to explain the details other then, I did hold him, feed him. and change him. I held him for hours and he grabbed my thumb. And while some of you may think that would be the hardest thing in the world... I know Heavenly Father was with me. I enjoyed holding him and marveled at how beautiful he was and how tiny he was! When I found out we were not getting him, it was not anymore painful than if I had not held him at all. Now it was painful! It is really too bad that I cannot get my emotional side to understand the same way my logical side does! Once I had my good cry, I knew that I would be just fine. And I know that because of all of you! You have prayed for us, fasted for us, and have put our names on prayer roles. You have reached out any way possible to show my family love and support. You even came to my home cleaned it, made it smell great, and left us meals. (Thank you soooo much for the crack!!! Omgdnss!) I know with such charity like this that Heavenly Father knows us. He answers our prayers through miracles, like being able to feel charity to the one you felt hurt you. And miracles such as being lifted by those who love and care for us. I asked for a miracle and definitely received one! I love you!

Steeler, you are so loved! You so have the potential to be a great man. We sincerely pray that you are able to reach that potential! Love, Kari, Carter, and Mackenzie!

The rest of March...

So to finish up March, Kenzi had Spring Break, two birthday parties and St. Patrick's Day. First up is Isabella's birthday party. Kenzi loved it! Apparently there were bumper cars. I was not able to take her so that is what I heard all about when she got home.

The next party was actually on St. Patrick's Day and it was at McDonald's. Which if anybody knows Kenzi, you know she LOVES McDonald's! The girl right next to Kenzi is Autum the birthday girl.

And then there was St. Patrick's Day which in our house has come to mean a mess! We set up a trap and the leprechaun always thinks we have something to hide. He even somehow climbs up our walls! Since this is the second year we have done and last year made such an impression Kenzi tried so hard to stay up to catch him. Unfortunately he escaped without being seen! Maybe next year, Fluffy!

Finding one real coin in a pile of chocolate coins.

Kenzi loving the couch like it is a Bat cave!

Kenzi posing for a picture with the tipped over trap. Notice her shirt. I actually made it. I got the idea from another blog and if you want it just comment and I will find it and send you the link. And from a distance it looks great! We hope that y'all had a fun St. Patrick's day and hopefully one of you caught him. Because we heard that if you catch him you get all of his gold!

The birdhouse had to be apart of the fun!

Enjoy! Kari