Kady's First Dance Recital!

Ok, so I am gonna stay true to my word and post about Kady's recital tonight!

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it was to go through this with her. Yes, I know she is only 3, and how big could it be....but oh, what a moment we had! Yesterday it started with dropping her off for the dress rehearsal at 9am. I didn't get to go in and watch as they wanted to keep it a surprise for the parents. So, 2 1/2 hours later I picked her up and she told me how much fun it was. She had her "make-up" on and even though we needed to run errands, she kept those "rosy cheeks" on until the last possible moment last night. Since Dad and Kole were up in the desert at Nanas house and then to Brent's house to watch the fight, Kady and I layed on the couch together after Maxx went to bed and watched TV. She looked up at me and said "Mom, is tomorrow my special Day? You know, like on Dora when it is Boot's special Day?" I assured her it was her special day. So, this morning when she woke up, Kole started to sing to her.."It's Kady's special Day, It's Kady's special Day!" She had the biggest half awake smile! So we ate our breakfast and slowly got ready, put her "million dollar" outfit on and headed out the door to get her checked in for her "Special Day"! Well we got her checked in, and then got in line for seats. Ohhh, big thank you to everyone who came....Papa Tim, Nannie, Grandma, Uncle Master, Chelle, Aunt Erin, Marissa and of course....to Ah-ma (Maddie) for watching Maxx so we could actually enjoy the show! As the show started, I got kinda nervous and started thinking, "will she do it? will she smile? will she enjoy herself?" Then, act 6 came and her class came out on the stage, the lights went up and she was all smiles! She did the whole dance and made us so proud!" I have to say, it was truly a "mommy moment" I got a little misty eyed as for those two and a half minutes my "little girl" was up on a huge stage, with lights all over her, in front of several hundred people (if not more) and she did it like she was sitting at home in front of "Dad and Mom"! Kady, if you ever get to read this some day....We are super proud of you and you are an amazing girl! Tonight when I got home, I posted a note on facebook, and my friend Kortney (whose daughter Belle is in the same class and also happens to be Kady's best friend) also posted something and it truly brought a smile to my face. (So Kort, I am stealing this from you to share with my friends and family...I hope you don't mind!) "Many firsts in their lives, Dance recital took up a special spot!" So without keeping you in suspense too much longer.....May I share with you.....

Kadence Ann Shuey and Her First Stage Debut!

Getting her "cheeks on" by Miss Natalie her teacher"Teddy Bear Teddy Bear go to bed"

"Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear wake up now!"

"I like to move it, move it!"

Final Pose

Coming back on the stage for the finaleTypical Kady....not quite sure what she was doing!

Santa just came on stage

Her first flowers! (ones on left from Daddy, ones on right from Nannie!)

Super proud Daddy and Mommy!

Halloween 2009!

So this year, Halloween was on a Saturday, and as you know this day is already busy, but we were also invited to a Halloween party thrown by Wade's best friend Brent and we REALLY wanted to attend that as well. We have come to the realization however, that even though it is "Daddy's Day" it is all about the kids. (Well at least for the next 10 years or so!) We started off the day with breakfast for Dad, and relieving Dad of all his "adult duties" and he played in the garage with his remote control car and had a great time. Kole decided he loved this hobby of Dad's too! We had dinner, did presents, ate birthday cake and then dressed up and headed to our really good friends The Greene's to start off the trick or treating. They live about 5-10 minutes from us, and they have THE BEST neighborhood for Halloween! I tell ya, the houses are decked out, everyone is in their driveways awaiting the kids, some had homemade haunted houses built so the kids could go through them it was just the neatest thing!

Well as you can imagine, having 3 year olds, all they talk about is how they are going to dress up like......

Ok, Kole started in August. Here is how the discussion went-

Mommy- "Kole what do you want to be for Halloween"

Kole- "I want to be a firefighter"

Mommy- "Kole you were a firefighter last year, how about something different this year?"

Kole-"No Mommy, I want to be a firefighter AGAIN!"

Mommy-"Do you want to get a new costume?"

Kole-"Mommy I want to be the SAME firefighter again!"

Mommy-"Are you sure?"

Kole-"Nannie is getting me new firefighter boots and i want to be a firefighter again with MY costume."

Mommy-"Ok, firefighter it is!"

Now, my dearest daughter. Our conversation went something like this...

Mommy-"Kady, what do you want to be for Halloween?" (might I add hers started in like May!)

Kady-"I want to be Cinderella with the biggest dress ever!"

(mommy then purchases the dress at an AMAMZING DEAL in June for her wish to be fulfilled)

Kady- (somewhere around September) "Mommy, I want to be a rockstar for Halloween"

Mommy-"Um, Kady, we already bought your Cinderella dress. We are going to be Cinderella this year"

Kady- "Um, Mommy, maybe I want to be a kitty cat this year"

Mommy-"Kady, you are going to be Cinderella remember?"

Kady-"Mom, can I be Strawberry Shortcake for Halloween?"

Mommy-"Kady......"

Kady-"Mom, I am going to be Cinderella THIS time, but next Halloween I want to be a Kitty Cat, and a Rockstar, and a Strawberry shortcake Ok!"

Mommy-"ok Kady! Whatever floats your boat!"

Kady-"Mom, you are silly, i don't want to be a BOAT!"

So, this year, Kole was a firefighter, Kady was Cinderella and Maxx was a Moose!

So for those of you who TRULY know my family, know that my brother likes to "create" things that you may not see elsewhere. Well let me tell you, he did it right this year! We have decided that we like to take the golf carts with us, as sometimes little legs (or older legs) get tired on our Halloween Hike! So we use my Father In Law, Tim's golf cart and my brother brings his along as well. Well I guess Steven figured that since his golf cart is only a 2 seater, he should do something, to increase seating availability. So....this is what he came up with!







Yes, you are seeing what you think you are seeing. Steven's ultimate display of White Trash! Now to make it even better, Steven and my Dad, get their halloween costumes on so they are part of the festivities as well! This is what was rolling around Rancho Cucamonga on Halloween this year!

My Dad, dressed as a Fat Ballerina......

and my brother...An Overweight Personal Trainer!

Now to give you the complete image....

I Seriously...love my family! So from us to you....Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patch

We changed our venue this year for the pumpkin patch. In late September, a friend told me about a pumpkin patch that was opening early (since I was in search for a BIG pumpkin to hollow out and take pictures of Maxx in for his birthday invite!) so I went on my own, and when I got there my jaw dropped. I called Wade and I wanted to turn around, drive home, pick up kids and return ASAP! This place was fabulous. It is about 25 minutes from the house in Redlands and is called Live Oak Canyon Pumpkin Patch and Tree Farm. Holy Cow, where to start. They had Jumpers, Slides, Tractor rides, live music, petting zoo, pony rides, corn maze, picture spots, food, rock climbing wall, pumpkins galore, pumpkin still on the vine in the field to pick, stores, crafts you name it, it was there. I think this could actually qualify as a Fair there is so much to do! Needless to say the kids had a fabulous time and it was really neat to see them enjoy it! I just love the holidays with the kids and watching them enjoy it. I have to say, it is one of the neatest parts about being a mommy!!! Here are a few pics that we captured of our day!

The Kids super excited to try the HUGE slide!

Kole Loved the slide! he went sooo many times!

Kady and the pony ride! Her smile was priceless.

Ha! Trying to get all 3 to look in the same direction! I have given up and just capture the moment!

Our family Pic. believe it or not this is Maxx's first trip to the Pumpkin Patch. When we went last year he was still in the NICU. So Yeah for his first trip!

1st Birthday Party

So on Maxx's actual birthday we had immediate family over for pizza and cake. It was a really great day and it was fun to sit back and watch him enjoy eating his birthday pizza (even if he doesn't have any teeth) and enjoy his cake! Oh boy, he sure enjoyed that!

Now, his party! Boy is that one lucky kid! We were so fortunate to share this day with so many family and friends. We had the "Taco Man" cater the event and jumpers, a pinata, candy and the most wonderful birthday cake! (Thank you Papa Bill and Grandma Nes!) Maxx was also super spoiled with so many wonderful gifts, kind wishes and just love and support from family and friends! We love you all, and thank you for sharing in Maxx's special day!

My baby boy is one!

Ok, so get ready, I am normally sarcastic, funny and whatever else but serious and "mushy" but that is the only place my mind and heart is seeming to go right now. It is 11:40 at night on October 8, 2009 and I find myself with tears of happiness, sadness and a feeling of overwhelmingness come over me. My baby boy will be ONE tomorrow! Although we had a rough start with the little guy, and October 9th wasn't his "planned" arrival date, he came to join our family on his own time. With a slow start he has made amazing strides. My 6lb 5oz little boy is now a whopping 23 pounds! He loves kisses, and hugs, he loves music and trying to dance. He is always curious about what Kole and Kady are doing. He is a total Mama's boy and gets a little fussy and keeps a close eye out for me. He has the most amazing twinkle in his eye when he smiles, and his chubby cheeks melt your heart at first sight! He is still a toothless little monkey, but they will come in on their own time. I can't wait to see what life has instore for my little man. I hope it goes a little slower than this last year, but I am definately along for the ride. To my baby boy, Happy 1st Birthday Maxx Rene! You are a very special little boy and you can do anything your heart desires! Your Dad and I are always here for you when you need us!

Day 2 of Life

1 month old

Valentines 2009

Maui 2009

Hi! 10 months old

His favorite place to play

Happy 1st Birthday Maxx!

Mommy Art

Ok, so I know I have a ton of stuff to catch everyone up on but I have to share one of my most treasured Mommy Moments to date! So friday night we were sitting around as a family, Wade was working on the computer, I was rocking Maxx and the twins were drawing on their magna doodles. Much to our surprise they got up from their little table and were super eager to show us what they had designed. They then revealed two of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen. So without any more delay I will now share with you my forever treasured Mommy Moment!

Kole drew a picture of Daddy and Kady drew a picture of Mommy

Super proud boy!

(I don' think she will ever look at the camera) but she was just as excited of her picture

The Sugar Cane Train

Ok, so even from the last time that we were here, we had wanted to take the kids on the "Sugar Cane Train" but somehow couldn't fit it in our schedule the last time. So this time with the kids able to enjoy excursions a little more and the obsession with trains we thought this would be the thing to do with them! This is a picture the minute Kole saw the train coming around the corner....

As you can tell he was VERY excited! So this train is a steam run train that takes you from Ka'anapali (where we are staying, to Lahaina which if we were driving would be about 20 minutes.) So we borded the train, the kids got to sit where they wanted and the conductor came through and then...off we went. First we stopped at another station and this is where the train "filled up" with water so we could continue on our way. We passed some sugar cane fields, saw fantastic views of the ocean, saw incredible palm trees and what could make a perfect train ride for Kole......well we passed the Lahaina Fire Station where the fire truck was outside, along with a Truck and Fire boat. I seriously thought he was going to pee his pants! Once we got to the Lahaina station (this is where we turn around and come back) they disconnected the engine and put it on the turntable so they could hook it to the "back" and we could then leave. Here are a few pics of the journey!

The conductor said we were ready to go!

All of the seats and they still chose to sit together!

This is when they blew out the steam on the bridge! Kids Loved it!

The train on the turntable so we could head in the other direction

Passing the fire station, You can see the boat in the garage in the background!

ALOHA!

So alot has happened in the last week. We are finally here in Maui and I have a few moments to catch up our dedicated fans. My mom has made note that she has checked our blog everyday and still hasn't seen any updates so mom....here ya go. We got to the airport last Tuesday and awaited our flight from LAX to San Fran. We were supposed to do a touch and go but the other flight ended up getting delayed so we were there for about an hour and a half. Kids were great. Then the LONG flight to Maui. Kole slept the first 3 hours of the 5 hour flight, Maxx slept the first 2 hours of the flight and my wonderful daughter slept the LAST 20 minutes of the flight! Just like her mama....she might miss something! She was so confused when we landed that she wanted to get back on the plane because she thought we were in CHINA instead of "The Maui" as she has named it. Everything went smoothly until we realized that they lost my bag and I didn't get it until 6:00 the next evening.

Any who, we have had the most amazing trip. The kids adjusted super well and the first thing that we did was take them down to the pool. The kids pool has a water slide and within an hour Kady was climbing the stairs to the top all by herself and we caught her at the bottom. Kole tried it but it went entirely "too fast" for him. He was just fine in his inflatable tube and cruising the pool.

We have had some of the most amazing food here (I mean.....gotta post about food right!) Lets talk about the sushi!!! FREAKIN AMAZING!!!! Wade has it all planned for us to move here....he is even trying to stop in to the local architects office to see what kind of stuff they are doing! Ok, so I am going to throw in some pictures real quick for your viewing pleasure!

*DISCLOSURE**** Please prepare yourself...the following pictures are so wonderful it may send an uncontrollable urge in your direction to steal my children!

Maxx enjoying his first Pineapple!

Kole and Kady by one of the many Ponds in our hotel

I believe his shirt says it all!

So this is Maxx watching his siblings "smiling" for the camera!