The fisherman...

The day Brady was born, Papa Kim came to the hospital with a fishing pole in his hand. This fishing pole has been neatly hanging in Brady's room ever since. Finally, he was able to take it down and start his new found sport of fishing. Brady has been out twice now with Papa Kim. Both times he has caught a fish (we do count the first ittie bittie one). The ones shown in this update were taken on Papa's 60th Birthday. The boys went out and had some good fishin' time!
Thanks Papa!

One Year Ago!

A day we will never forget! A roller coaster of a day it was. The day Kayley Alice-Renee decided it was time to show us who was really boss! Doing things her own way!
I was to be induced that morning, but Kayley decided that she was coming on her own time -water broke about 8 hours before being admitted - after weeks of thinking she would be early!
Many of you may not know how Kayley came into this world - not breathing. For the first 4 1/2 minutes Kayley would not take that first breath of air. I cannot tell you how much of a scary time that was for Tony and I. I tear up every time I think about it, and talk about it. Her first apgar score was a one, meaning pretty much non-responsive. With 7 or 8 nurses working on her, slapping her feet, pulling on all limbs, oxygen over her mouth, all trying to stimulate the little gray, limp body that we loved since we knew we were pregnant. It was a terrifying moment for us - and our mothers who were in the room with us. However, after 4 1/2 minutes, she took that first breath of air - and recovered fully! Apgar score at 5 minutes was a 9! Pretty much meaning fully responsive! What a miracle. We hate to think about what could have been - it's hard not to! Kayley is so full of life, always smiling, such a good spirited baby, that it pains me to think I may not have ever known the Kayley that I know today. It has just really instilled a different kind of faith in God for me - a faith that He is the one in control, He does have plans for us, and that He does perform tiny miracles everyday! Kayley is living proof of that! I know that He has a plan for Kayley - and it will be amazing! Happy Birthday Kayley Bayley - you mean the world to us!

An emotional start, but here she was when I got to hold her for the first time, breathing!

Precious baby!

Right before going in at 1:00 am!

Such a happy mommy!

Happy Birthday Kayley Bayley!

Celebration and Grandma and Papa's house!
Thank you to EVERYONE who joined us to celebrate Kayley Alice- Renee turning one! We had a wonderful time, we will never forget how much you all mean to us!

How fast it goes!

The pretty Birthday Girl! In her Birthday dress! Thanks grandma!

The proud parents!

"Look at Me! I am One!"

Her very own cake.

Strawberry shortcake with Grandma Alice - thanks for the dress Aunt Mary and Uncle Lynn (I am sure you helped pick it Unc!)

"Happy Birthday? To me???" Kayley loving the singing part of the party!

Happy Early 60th to Papa! We sang to him also!

Our Baby is ONE!

Celbration at Mima and Papa's house!

Thanks to Mima and Papa for the purple car, and Auntie Monique for the race horse - Rachel and Kayley will be having many races through the house!

Yummy cake!

So tasty!

Family picture - minus Lil' B! - he was way too busy with the party!

Look out world! I am ONE!

Grandpa Doug

I was just thinking about my grandpa this morning and thought I would share some pictures of him and the kids!

Have a blessed day today!

Happy Anniversary Babe!

Some might say the Seven Year Itch - this is anything but!
One June 1st, we celebrated seven years of wedded bliss! It's been the best 7 years one could ask for! We enjoyed time at the beach house, playing golf, cards, shopping, eating great food, watching the sunset, also enjoying a few wineries along the way - so beautiful!
Thanks babe for making me a better person! I love you!

A little update

Brady's 1'st fishin' trip with ol' Gramps! He caught a "gigantic" fish! His first one ever! Look at that proud look! Many more fishin' trips planned!

Kayley Alice-Renne with Great Gandma Alice!

Papa and Brady playing their guitar duo!

Brady with his cousin Lindsay - watching the horses on our visit to California.

Brady with cousin Magnus!

Teja and Ryah

Our nieces are growing up so fast! Teja is 7 1/2 and Ryah is 18 months! They are so cute!

267 Computer Viruses!

Well - we have been out of commission for a while! And not sure when we will be back up and running! If anyone knows of someone who fixes computers - let us know!
We will get some current pictures up of the kids when we get a chance. Right now we are hoping that we can retrieve pictures from our computer that we don't have backed up somewhere else. What a headache! In the meantime, we are all doing really well! kids are growing so fast!
Hope all is well and we will update as we can!

Happy Easter!

We just got back from one of the best Easter's we have had! The kids and I left a few days early to spend some extra time with my Grandma Alice - who is the most amazing woman I know. She is a woman who lives by her faith, she loves her family and can make you feel like the most important person in her life. She is one of kind and I am so thankful and feel so privledged to be one of her many grandchildren!
Brady was able to attend the Florence Easter egg hunt on Saturday and then Sunday we woke up to his Easter basket that the Easer Bunny left. We had a great breakfast and then went to church with my grandma. After church we went back to her house and started putting together dinner. We had such a great time with Uncle Lynn, Aunt Mary and Cousin Laura! There never is a dull moment between the kids, my dad, aunt Mary and the knowledge and wisdom of uncle Lynn! Thank you for making this such a memorable Easter you guys! We love you!


"Tony - act natural!"
Easter Dinner at Grandma's!

I just thought her eyes were so BLUE in this picture.

In her Easter dress.

Brady with Grandma Alice.

Couldn't resist!

Alright. I was feeling guilty that I didn't post a picture with my last update - so here is one of Kayley, Brady wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot!

Kayley's 9 month appointment

Nine Months! WOW! CRAZY! Well, I don't have a picture of her today - but she just is doing so great! The doctor said, although small, she is strong, healthy, flirty, absolutley no personality (input sarcasm here!), and just ready to be ONE! He skipped the nine month talk with me and went right on into what he advises parents of one year olds at this stage. Not walking yet, but she is such a cruizer on her knees and just needs a bit more balance and then she will be off and running! She walks along furniture and can walk on her own when she has a finger to attach herself to. No teeth yet! I keep laughing at myself because every little runny nose she gets - every little bit of fussiness I always blame it on "TEETHING" - but there are yet to be any teeth. So eventually those will come. In the meantime, blame it on the teeth!
We are starting to see her sign to us - well, I guess it's just one word - "more", which can be a very useful sign. Brady is having fun signing to her, "more food please". Such a great brother when it comes down to it all. Still having issues with "MY toys", and "SHE is getting my things", but I suppose that comes along with the territory.
All in all, life is so great with these two. We are absolutley loving the great weather we are having today and we look forward to such a fun summer, filled with new adventures, friends, family, and many good times! AHH, the sunshine brings a whole new refreshment to life!
We will leave you with the 9 month stats!
Kayley is a whopping 13 pounds 13 ounces and measures in at 26 inches "tall".
OKAY, so not a whopper and not tall by any means, but she is healthy and that's what counts!
Happy Easter!

The Girls...

Rachel waiting so patiently for her dinner.

"Do I have anything on my face?"

Entertainment for the girls at the bowling alley.

Birthday Bowling

A rare family photo!

"The Wait"...

"The thrill"

"The BUNZ"

Who knew turning 30 would be a whole week event!

Mom made all of these cakes from scratch! She's the best!


All the birthday boys!

You know you are getting old when you start asking for edgers and ladders for your birthday!

Daddy is 30!

God has blessed my life with so many wonderful things - great health, 2 beautiful kids, loving and supportive family and friends, and most of all - that amazing husband of mine!

So, 10 years have come and gone. When Tony turned 20 we were in college, on a road trip with some friends to Southern Californa going to Santa Barbara to meet up with his brothers. This was the first time I met his brothers - it was an adventure for sure! And it has been an adventure ever since! From being single to married, living in an apartment in Portland to living in a trailer in Princeville, IL., from pumpkin seed farming to starting a career, being married with no kids to married with 2 kids, and everything else in between - it's been a sweet ride! Happy Birthday Babe! They don't get any better than you! We love you!

Where does the time go???

Ready to go swimming...

As I took this picture of Brady this morning, I looked back at this photo and thought - Oh my goodness, he looks like a boy - not a baby, not a toddler, but a youth! WOW! It sort of stopped me in my tracks. You know the saying "the days seem like years, but the years seem like days"...there is so much truth to that. Even now that he is getting his own opinion on EVERYTHING and has become quite territorial with his sister (you know, stepping on her hands so she can't crawl, being a road block for her whenever she starts to explore) this is still such a special time in our lives. We are enjoying every second and know that it can't be taken for granted. So happy to share it all with you!

Thank you Grandma Janese for my new Beaver sweatshirt!

Look at this miniature Tony - his newest saying (because he has heard me say it so much):
"I have my daddies eyes...I should give them back to him. Daddy, I have your eyes, and you have my eyes."

So stinkin' cute in her little 2 piece and pigtails!

Just don't listen to my babbling, but it won't be too much longer until we have another walker on our hands! Watch out Brady...here she comes!!

(Kayley at 8 1/2 months)

Random Pics...

This is the first time since Kayley has been crawling that Brady has asked to hold Kayley. He has become quite territorial since she has become mobile...hope it doesn't last forever!


Yes - out with the piggies, and in with the pony! Can you believe how long her hair is getting???

Off and walking, but not too excited about - it's a lot of work mom!