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!