She finally did it!

Well, years ago, before any grandkids were around, grandma and grandpa had this brilliant idea of building a cool, little, shallow area in their pool. "It will be great for the grandkids some day," they always said. Well, yes, it has been great, but it has also caused Makayla to not be brave and swim! She has felt a little too confident hanging out in the "little pool." Makayla has taken swimming lessons since the time she was born, but it wasn't until last Saturday, yes, just one week ago, that she finally swam across the pool all by herself! She was in the pool for about an hour and a half before she finally decided to go for it. Figures, she does it, loves it, wants to do it more, and it is time to get out for the day! That's my girl! It was so great to see how proud she was. Yeah, we are all so happy for you! Awesome swimming Makayla!

Yes, Conner....we hear you!

Little Conner man loves to be heard and don't you dare ignore him! He is so animated lately and loves to keep saying "mom, mom, mom, mom" or "dad, dad, dad, dad," over and over again. Even if we answer him the first time he says it, he continues on and on for at least a few more times. He's just not satisfied until he's said things over and over. It was kind of funny when he first started it, but I think we've had enough now. Yes, Conner, we hear you!

Has it really been 6 years?!?!

Since we didn't have a digital camera when Makayla was born, this is as close as I can get to a baby picture of her...this was in June of 2003!

Hard to believe, but it's true...Makayla turned 6 years old on July 28th! It's amazing that our little peanut weighed in at 4 lbs., 4 oz. and now six years later, she weighs in at 38 lbs., 4 oz. It doesn't seem that long ago that we were camping out at Desert Samaritan Hospital patiently waiting for Makayla to learn how to suck so that she could eat and gain some weight to be able to come home with us! She has been such a blessing in our lives ever since!

Of course Makayla's birthday celebration lasted throughout an entire week! She had her "kid party" at Peter Piper Pizza (that is where she picked) on Saturday morning (the 26th). The kids all had a great time! Then we came home and Makayla and Conner had a much needed nap. Around 4:00, family came over for her "family party." Boy oh boy, was Makayla wound up! Since Grandma and Grandpa "with the pool" Knopf and Uncle Brady weren't able to come over on Saturday, they joined us for dinner on Monday, the 28th! It was no surprise when Makayla picked Elephant Bar for dinner! So after a long, first day of school, we went to Elephant Bar and did some more celebrating. Of course, Makayla also brought cupcakes to school later in the week and got spoiled some more.

Happy 6th Birthday Makayla Bear, we love you!

Back to school....

Wow! Did this summer ever fly by....We are back in school again. Makayla just finished her first week of first grade, and she did wonderful! She says she really likes first grade, but it is a lot different than kindergarten. Her favorite thing is that she has her own desk (instead of sitting at a table with other kids). She's really excited about reading and says she's excited about studying this year...hopefully that lasts! She will have her first spelling list next week and a test on Friday. Wow...don't know if mom and dad are ready for that! These pictures are from her first day of school, which happened to be on her birthday, Monday, July 28th! Not only was Makayla lucky enough to have her first day of school be on her birthday, but Aunt Tara wasn't back to work yet, so she brought her McDonald's for lunch....what a spoiled little girl!