Lucky Girl

Yesterday morning we had planned to go on a walk around the city park, let Kinley play on the new play place, eat our picnic lunch at the track, watch Tom high jump and throw javelin, and then all go to the pool.

We started off great, got 2 laps around the park (lots of sweating included) and then headed to the the bathrooms. When we walked out, we noticed lots of kids and parents around the new sprinkler park with swimsuits on. Luckily Kinley's suit was in the car, so after a quick change and a big smile from both of us (mine for finding I had the camera and Kinley because of any reason to wear a swim suit) we headed back to the new park. We sat down in the shade, applied sunscreen and learned the water was turning on in 5 minutes - so lucky!

Here is the beginning of the adventure...not quite sure what to think of everything yet (much like her daddy).


Oh, maybe this could be fun!


Getting more and more brave every minute


Lovin' the water!

Finally got the water cannon figured out and immediately tried to shoot people. I have to say, she got nailed in the face a few time earlier, so I was glad to see her get some revenge.

Kinley had a blast and of course didn't want to leave for the track, but like I said...we had things to do yesterday. Randomly one of the designers for the park sat by me and stared telling me about the whole thing. Pretty interesting - sometimes more than I needed to know, but great plans and still planning more improvements to all the parks in town.

We made it to the track, had lunch, watched high jump and then Kinley watched javelin from her new personal pool - the ice tubs outside in the hot, hot sun:)

Too Hot!

Kinley has been asking us for a few days to go swimming. We have had every intention to take her, but it just hasn't worked out. A few days its been because of the weather, and today Tom has a couple recruits he has to meet with, but such is life.

Our compromise on the situation was to play in the hose. Kinley LOVES to go "hose the water" with Tom, so this was great!

Just the beginning...


Honestly, I think this shot is funny because the lens on the camera fogged up from the humidity.


She wanted to do it "my own self"


You can just barely see the shadow of a car coming from behind the tree that she was aiming at


Its so much fun to see her play and truly enjoy playing with us. Can't wait until she can play with her little sister:)

West Texas Trip

Just a warning...this is a really long post!



Kinley and I went down to Texas for my cousin's graduation. We had such a great time seeing all my family and exploring Big Bend. Of course, my nieces needed some clarification between Big Bend (a national park in Texas) and Big Ben (The clock tower in London). One little letter can make a world of difference. Kinley kept asking where was Big Bend, even when we were driving through the park. I kinda think she was lookign for a great big play place.


PART 1 - GRADUATION

Almost the whole family - just missing 3 adults and 2 kidos

Opa & GrandLis with thier granddaughters

Lots of fun things to do around the house before we went to the graduation. I can't remember if they were in a boat or a car, but it sure did fall over a lot.

Jessica Nicole Rush...we are all so proud of you!!

All that playtime at the house made the 3 little ones a bit tired.

PART 2 - BIG BEND AND FT. DAVIS

This is Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande divided this rock. Its 1500 feet to the top and 2.5 miles long. On the left of the picture is Mexico and the right is Texas.

Big Bend was amazing! I have certainly never seen anything like it in the rest of Texas. The mountains at plants were all so different from anywhere I've traveled before. Its hard to believe that this far west is a desert, and if you go to the other side of the state its so lush and humid. We didn't get to get out and hike or anything because the one trail we had picked out was flooded at the entrance, but we did get to take a back unpaved road. The girls thought it was fun bouncing in the back of the car.

Ft. Davis considered a frontier military post. It was in use from 1854-1891. Many of the buildings are still there as well as the foundation from almost every building ever to be on the post. The troop spent much of thier time fighting different Indian tribes that attacked travelers and mail stations. I guess the lucky thing is the fort itself was never attacked.

Kinley looking at one of the cannons in the armory. We actually got to go into the elisted men's barracks. Usually you just look through a doorway, but there was a class or something that was being led through and they said we could go with them - nothing like the way I would like to live.

PART 3 - MEMORIAL DAY POOL PARTY

I'll share these pictures later.

We met at the apartments my little sister manages to play and have some lunch. The kiddos had a great time! The adults loved the sun and seeing the kids enjoying themselves.

PART 4 - CHICKY STORE

My mom has always taken the kids to the feed store in Georgetown to look at all the baby animals. Sometimes they have lots, and this day we were lucky! Chicks (lots of different kinds), ducks, rabbits, turkeys, and even a guiney pig (don't know if I spelled that right).

Also, a little extra info...

Kinley will be getting a baby sister in November!

Outdoor Stuff

Sometime last week Jim came home from work and found Kinley and I in the backyard. He said he found a frog in the garage and brought it out to us. Kinley was all good with frogs until this experience. She would look at him and talk about him, but no touching. Finally we coaxed her into petting him just a little. Of course, the frog chose this time to take his first big jump. Kinley let out the girliest, high-pitched squeal. So funny - for me! She came running and didn't want much to do with him after that. Luckily, she's gotten over most of the "fear". She will go in the backyard and come back and tell me the frog must be hiding because she doesn't see him.

So...here is the little guy.


After Kinley and I took our recycling in one day, we came home and washed out the tubs. This was the highlight for Kinley. She loves the water!






Yes, that is her bathing suit top with her panties. I know, great outfit, but just be happy you're not seeing more flesh. We're working of modesty.


So, my mom came up to visit back in March, and we worked in the yard. She brought up some iris and day lilies, and we found a ridiculous amount of gladiolas in the back. We got some beds fixed and we've been waiting for the blooms. We have had 2 dark plum iris blooms so far, and some more surprises. We had great tulips by our mailbox, and these beautiful peonies (we think) we didn't even know were there! We have a total of 5 plant and so far have 3 different shades of pink.

On the side of our house there was this little bed with a couple rose bushes and a small windmill-looking thing. Well, a couple weeks ago it disappeared under this vine, and today we found 4 of these purple flowers! Its great to get beautiful surprises, especially when I didn't even know there was anything alive.

New Friends

I know my whole life I have heard of people having imaginary friends, but never thought much about it. Probably if I had one my sister would have made it go away or made fun of me so much I wouldn't mention it again. Anyway, Kinley has started playing with a couple. There is Elizabeth, Swiper and sometimes Sheena. I can understand where the first 2 come from...Elizabeth is her middle name and it took her a long time to not say "little bit" and of course Swiper from Dora. Who knows where she found Sheena.

Just yesterday we were at the indoor track and Kinley wanted me to time her. This is new fun for her. She ran a whole lap (200m)! I was super impressed she didn't stop or take a short-cut. Of course just like Tom and me, as soon as she finishes, she asks what her time was. Anyway, after her turn, I was talking with Tom and I here Kinley yelling, "Come on Swiper!" I asked what she was doing and she told me Swiper was running and she was timing him. Its like this a lot. She will have picnics with them, or let them have turns drawing, but she only dances with Swiper while she's watching Dancing With the Stars. She really cracks me up!


This was only moments ago. She likes to dress up will ALL her stuff, then slowly sheds until she just has on a skirt and shoes. She's also been into her swimsuits, so her "bathing suit bra" gets worn a lot now, too. (the bathing suit is around her neck and on both arms)


Just a shot from Easter of our little family.

Church Egg Hunt

Our church had an Easter egg hunt, lessons and crafts today, so we thought we'd go join the fun. We showed up at the elementary school down the road from the church for the hunt. We got there a little early, so Kinley had to restrain herself for a while. When we walked up, there were eggs all over the ground. It was pretty hilarious watching all the kids just staring at the eggs and continually asking if it was time yet.

Here Kinley is waiting and waiting and waiting.


Once they said go, I pointed Kinley to an empty end of the play ground, and off she went!

Daddy showed her where some eggs were by the play stuff. She thought it was all so cool and loved to see the other kids pick up eggs too.

Here is the goofy smile showing us all her eggs.

After the egg hunt, we went back up to the church for a little lesson, games and crafts. Kinley made this cross. The only thing I did was hold the glue dots and put her initials on.

Right before it was time to go, the kids got to go pet some baby chicks. Kinley was so gentle petting the little black one. She asked me if she could hold a little yellow one, but more kids started coming, so I told her that wasn't the best idea. And yes, we used lots of sanitizer right after this picture!

What did you do!?

So its been a bit crazy here. A couple weeks ago it was mid 70s and great. We played a little sand volleyball and loved it, but it didn't last since then, we've had a storm with 80mph winds and its snowed twice! Its crazy, I tell you! For instance...today its 70 and its supposed to snow and only be in the 30s tomorrow.

Anyway....

Last weekend Kinley was in her room putting on makeup with Swiper (this is what she tells me). She comes out and I don't even know what to say. I'm stunned! All I could say was "What did you do?! At this time, Kinley just started howling and the tears started flowing. Being the mom that I am, I let her cry while I got a picture before I held her and addressed the issue.

Make sure you check out the chunk of hair hanging down from her shoulder.

Now you know why I didn't know what to say. What can you say to that face? She "luckily" only got a couple chunks in the front, but I told her if she cut her hair again we were going to shave it like Daddy's. Also, the pictures are a little fuzzy because I'm laughing and crying at the same time.