Today...

So Kenzi is attached to Carter right now and where ever he goes so does she if at all possible. Carter was grilling Dinner tonight and I found this...

Really, I didn't think it was that hard to ride her bike in our backyard! Oh, I love my bunkin! Kari

Batgirl and Cow Batgirl...

Cowgirl Bat? Cow Batgirl? What would you call it? Well other than adorable! OK, So we see Sophie a lot, really at this point she is a surrogate daughter/cousin. Kenzi and Sophie play so well together that I do wonder if they knew each other in the pre-existence. Anyhow, here are some fun pictures of the two. Not sure what the swords are about but they were loving it! Enjoy! Kari

Easter

OK, so I am now posting pictures of Easter. I apologize for my punctilious nature in which I have to represent the past before I can move on to the present. So now I have gotten to Easter pictures. The outfit is compliments of Gram Mac and Kenzi grew about 5 years! We had a very quiet day at home and church. Kenzi actually said the scripture and prayer in Primary. She did such a great job! I am so happy with the development that Kenzi is making. She loves the songs in Primary and was so excited when they sang a song that her and I have been practicing. Thank you Gram Mac for the adorable outfit. And we hope that you had a wonderful Easter. Also below is a video of Monday morning when the Easter Bunny came. (Gotta love the Dog with the bunny ear pajamas. Thanks Gramma B!) Enjoy! Kari

Dallas Arboretum

Another fun thing we did with Gram Mac was take her to the Dallas Arboretum. We figured that she would like it given that she is a Florist. We had a great day Wednesday with beautiful weather. It was so peaceful and fun. Kenzi did a lot of running around. They also have a Storybook series going right now where there are house depicting Storybooks. So the picture with Kenzi steering the ship is Captain Hooks boat. We got some really great pictures of Kenzi and Gram Mac together. Really if you have a chance to go (especially if you are a female), you should go. Later! Kari

Gram Mac brings life to us...

While Gram Mac was visiting we went to a Nursery and picked out some flowers. It took me about ten years to realize that Gram Mac always bring life into our lives. And for that I am EXTREMELY grateful. Whenever we have stayed at her home she has always had a vase of flowers in our room. And whenever she comes to visit she buys flowers for my table and my home. It was such a great experience for Kenzi to help Gram Mac plant what we bought. Kenzi is so proud of her flowers and tells anyone who listens that she has pink and purple flowers. Thank you Gram Mac for loving us so much and helping to make memories with Kenzi. She knows and loves you so very much! Kari

Gram Mac visits...

We were fortunate to have Gram Mac come out for a visit. It was just a couple of days but we had a great time! Included with this slide show is a trip to the Park, pictures with Gram Mac, and showing Gram Mac that we can skate. Kenzi had such a great time and did really great showing Gram Mac that she can skate! We went all the way around the ice rink in 20 minutes. Last time it took 30 minutes. We had a such a great time and very much look forward to the next visit with Gram Mac! Thank you for such a great visit! Kari

San Jose Children's Discovery Museum

Another fun thing we did while in California was meet my Cousin Sheri and Kenzi's 2nd cousin Paris in San Jose at the Children's Discovery Museum. The girls had such a great time. It was a long day and we spent most of the day there and then went and saw a movie and had Dinner. But they got to do lots of fun things. They got to paint their own faces, which was very interesting. Kenzi almost got her eye. But then as soon as they were done Kenzi wanted it off her face. They played with bubbles, fire trucks, Pizzerias, and Paris even made a Corn husk doll. I was extremely impressed by her doll! Thankfully Kenzi fell asleep on the way home and even stayed asleep when I got her to bed. I think we sufficiently wore her out! Thanks for the great time Sheri and Paris. We will have to do it again when I come back to town! Kari

San Francisco...

So while we were visiting California, Gramma B, Kenzi, and I went to San Francisco by way of Ferry. We had such a great time and really the Ferry is what made it. Kenzi took a nap on the way home and Mom and I played Scrabble on my Palm. How the times have changed! It was fun to play on Pier 39, see the Seals, and Kenzi loved going on the Merry-Go-round with Gramma B. So we decided that we would do this every time we go back to visit! Though one of these visits when Carter comes we need to go to Alcatraz! Thanks Mom for such a GREAT time! Love ya, Kari

Uncle Ken's Birthday/Housewarming...

Well we started our trip to Gramma B's by surprising Uncle Ken for his Birthday/Housewarming party. He did seem genuinely happy that we came. I actually had Kenzi go to the door without me. Uncle Ken "Hey, how are you? Where is your mom?" ME: "We are not joined at the hip!?!?" Uncle Ken: "Yes you are!" And that is true. I love the group picture we got. I think that they will like it too. We had a good visit with family. Kenzi had two sets of cousins to play with. She had a great time! There was a funny story that actually involves my cousin's kid. Ken welcomed everyone out and asked if we could have a word of prayer for the food. So both Sheri and I got our perspective children. I told Kenzi it was time for prayer and she folded her arms. Sheri tells Paris that it is time for prayer and Paris proceeds to scream NO!NO!NO! I started cracking up. I almost thought her head was going to spin around. They finally get her calmed down and Ken says the prayer. My cousin Sheri later was telling me that she did not understand it because Paris goes to a Methodist Preschool and they have prayer everyday there! It is so funny what kids do and when they do them! We had a great visit and more posts will follow in regards to our trip. Later! Kari

Why you should never piss off Tamara...

So we had some friends over last night to have dinner and play wii. It started out with a nice game of World Tour and then Tamara got some upsetting news, which I will let her explain if she wants you to know. Needless to say she needed to get some aggression out and we suggested Boxing. So Carter was willing to challenge her or at least he was the one holding the other controllers when the game came on. She started boxing before the game even started and I realized it had to be a Kodak moment. I leaned over to her husband Adam and asked "Will she let me take video of her?" Adam:"I don't think she will let you take video of her." So I took that to mean I need to do it on the sly! So the result is above. Now I did let her know when she was done that I took video and I will be posting it on the blog. All I can say is... Really, don't piss Tamara off! Later, Kari P.S. When I watched the video to proof before I posted, I cannot honestly post this without mentioning that Kenzi was very into the Boxing game too. If you are grandparents you probably only watched Kenzi, so if you did go back and watch Tamara, because it really is funny!

Why Goalies use water bottles...

Enjoy! We did! Kari

Kenzi starts Skating lessons...

OK, so if you have been reading this blog you know how into Hockey our family is. And some people may ask does Kenzi like hockey because of her parents or does she like it. Well, let me tell you. She has been exposed to hockey because of Carter and I, no doubt. However she was glued to the 1st game she saw. Hands on the glass, face hanging over, could not pull her away even after the game was over. We have also taken her to a Mavericks basketball game. IT was the same situation where we were in a box and there was free food, and "copcorn". (yes she still calls it that) She was more occupied with eating popcorn and the star up in the ceiling then the game. (The star is what the Stars players skate through when they first come on the ice.) We have not taken her to baseball or a football game live yet, but I am sure that they will turn out the same. So given that information Kenzi keeps talking about playing hockey. I got talking with a mom that both of her children play. She let me know what to do and so we checked it out. The first two pictures are Kenzi desperately watching when I am trying to sign her up. The following pictures are her actually trying. At this point she has had 3 lessons and is improving. They have passed her off on standing on ice. She is getting way better at marching and she doesn't need the "walker" anymore. Though falling she has down but the getting up is still a challenge. Which is totally understandable given that most people I know can't do that on regular ground! The last two classes she has gotten off the ice 20 minutes into her 30 minute class and says she done. We have been able to convince her to finish the class and then she says she wants to be "mommy's boy". (Marty Turco from the Dallas Stars.) And if you get her talking about it she will talk for days, so we will see if she can make it long enough to actually play hockey. And yes she insists on wearing her Pluto jersey. And the last class she was so distracted by the hockey players that she was half listening to the directions! Later, Kari

One Month in the life of "Mackenzie and Co"...

So as to not have to do multiple posts to feel like I am not a complete slacker, (I have been so out of touch it is ridiculous!) I decided to do One month in the life of Mackenzie and Co. So here it goes...

We had storm threat in our area. It was threatening to have golf ball sized hail. So I got home after hearing the city alarm for the first time since we have moved to Texas and Carter tells me that we should try and get both cars in the garage. I am totally up for the challenge and we start frantically moving things out of the way to hopefully get the cars in. Well the picture is proof that we got them both in, however we did have to do a "Duke's of Hazard" exit from the cars. And of course we did not get hail, but it was a fun adventure any way. And now we know that we can totally get our cars in our garage!

For preschool I got to do Valentine's Day with the kids. They made cards and sent them at the post office. Then we had lunch at the park. They seemed to really like the whole thing. They were really cute too. But how can these kids not be right?

On the Friday before Valentine's Day Kenzi and I went to Carter's work for lunch and brought what Carter called "Sixburgh" cookies. He was happy to pass them around the office since the Steelers just won the Superbowl! They also are now the leaders for the most Superbowl wins, I think. My football friends will correct me. But I know for sure that the Steelers and the Cowboys were tied at 5 and the Steeleres are now ahead of the Cowboys. Which just made it extra special for Carter since he works with a LOT of Cowboy fans! Of course Kenzi got a lot of attention from Carter's team and co-workers.

We had a "We Love Shanette" party. Shanette is our babysitter and we love her as though she is our own. So we had a party with her and a few of her friends where we had pizza, played wii and watched a movie. Kenzi loved having all of the teenagers over and they were all great with her. She also loved being up until 11 pm which of course trying to get her up the next morning was a challenge. Good thing the party was on a Friday!

Kenzi tried to become She-Hulk! She has started getting into things lately and acrylic paint that I had on her dresser (to decorate her wall) was one of them. She pretty much got it everywhere. I am only showing the picture of her hands, but she got in on her bum, the floor, toy box, door to her room, bathroom, vanity, and bedspread. What can I say she is thorough!
So that about sums up a month in the life of Kenzi and her friends! I will be posting a few events by them selves as they are a little more eventful. But hope you enjoyed this and feel free to tell me I am nuts for thinking I have to keep everybody aware of almost every moment. Though I have to say it is fun to share! Later, Kari.

I am ready to go Mamma!

So Monday morning I say we need to run some errands and "Kenzi, you need to get your shoes on." Needless to say this is what I see when she comes back to my room and Says "I am ready to go Mamma!" She of course gets tons of attention with the hat and the all purple always gets at least once "Is purple your favorite color? I love my little girl and wow is She adorable!

Is my girl pure bread Texan or what?!?!?!?!?!?!??!

GO STARS!

Well Last week we had a Stars week. It started out that Kenzi and I took the train down to the American Airlines center and met Carter there for a Stars vs Flames game. Which they totally won. At the game we found out that Marty Turco (Mommy's boy!) is going to be at the JcPenny at Stonebriar mall on Saturday. So after Carter and Kenzi convince me to go and try and meet him we did so. Unfortunately we were about 15 minutes to late as they cut the line off at 4:00 pm and we were about 20 people back. Though we did get some pictures of him signing other peoples stuff and who knows Kenzi might be pictured somewhere. As we went up to see him closer there was a guy that looked rather official with a camera with a huge lens. He could probably get nose hairs if he wanted. He turned around in front of us and said "Oh how cute", flipped up the camera. I said smile honey and he took the picture. Of course, my kid is adorable but she was especially cute given that she was wearing her Turco mask. (As shown above.) One person as we were walking past all the people in line who got there between 11:30 and 3:45, (yes the first person in line got there at 11:30 am) one person said, "Oh, it's a girl!" She made me proud! Though we did not get to meet Marty Turco, we had a great day trying to do so and it was great to spend time together as a family. Thank you Kenzi and Carter for helping me to have a memorable day. Oh and I did get to try on the Stanley cup ring for the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was actually a pretty hefty ring! That will probably be the closest to Marty I will ever get. Well, actually I take that back. I was closer when we went to the St. Louis Blues game last year, but I could not have picked any of the players out of a line up at that point. Though I did tell Robidas "good Game". That is another story! So sorry for the babbling and have a GREAT day! Later! Kari

Sophie goes for a ride!

We spend Monday nights with the Sophie and her family and I was fortunate to get this on video... Enjoy! Kari

Mommy turns 35!!! Yikes

Well unfortunately, I turned thirty five recently! Though I have to say that my birthday was great! I didn't have to do anything and Carter made me dinner and Carter and Kenzi made me a cake. It was such a nice day and Kenzi got me the Mother & Daughter Willow Tree statue. Thank you to everyone who wished me well and helped to make my birthday special. And especially thank my husband and daughter for loving me so much to help make my day extra special! Kari

Mama goes to Calistoga!!!!

So while in California I got to go to Calistoga with my mom and Carla and Cara. Carla is my moms best friends and Cara is her daughter. We had a great time shopping having great food and fun girl time. Carla is the one with the Towel on her face. Her daughter made this oil combination for your face that she says works great! I tried it one night but didn't keep it up so I will take her word for it. The scenery was beautiful and so was the weather. I know my mom is going to hate being in these pictures that is why she is hiding in the group one. However, I think my mom ROCKS, so I am sharing! The reason Carla has her raspberry bag in front of her in the pictures is because she bought it at the Coach outlet store on the way to Calistoga. And by the weekend was done Cara and myself had one too. I was going to get a picture of all 3 of us with our bags but I forgot. Oh well. It was such a fun weekend! Hopefully we can do it again ladies?!?!?!?!?!? Kari P.S. Bet you didn't know that you were going to be on the web when I was taking pictures did you. Well OK maybe my mom did!

Uncle Ken & Aunt Norma Buy a house!!!

We want to congratulate Uncle Ken and Aunt Norma for their new home. When Kenzi and I went to CA the first week of this month we were able to go and see their new house. It is beautiful! It is in a really nice neighborhood and they are loving it. So below I am going to post the video tour. I am totally warning you it is almost five minutes long! That is five minutes of your life that you are not going to get back! So watch at your own risk! Once again, congrats Ken & Norma! Later! Kari

Jesus wants Kenzi for a Sunbeam!

So today Kenzi started Primary at church. Primary is the childrens program that teaches the children all about Jesus. The theme this year is "My Eternal Family". And today's lesson was on "I am a Child of God". They got the yellow crowns in class today. Kenzi absolutely loved it today. And her teachers told me she did REALLY well. She is in the Sunbeams class which really indicates the childrens age. So her classmates are all the same age and she will be moving from class to class with them. Just like school. Anyway, enjoy! I thought she looked so adorable today! But then again she looks adorable everyday! Kari