Kenz - you're being a little zooy!

Growing up, when we were out of control hyper, my mom would say we were being zooy. This mostly applied to my brother (not naming which one for confidentiality reasons!!!) Makenzie has found an old friend with a new purpose. I like to think she is exploring her surroundings, but most would say she is being zooy or crazy - whichever you prefer!

Oxnard, CA

BEWARE - REALLY REALLY long post with LOTS of fun pictures.

Our trip started like this: powdered doughnuts and a happy little peanut.

We spent a week in Oxnard, Ca and had a BLAST. Thank you grandpa and grandma Porter. All 17 I believe grandkids were there (one still baking in the oven), along with all six kids minus one missed spouse! We played on the beach, ate lots of great food, went to Underwood Farm where we picked our own strawberries, visited a Children's Museum and hung out. I look forward to this week everyother year when all the kids get together. This is my second trip with the Porter's, which means I am finally starting to get some history in this family! Enjoy the pictures (more pictures than words cuz I know that's what everyone wants to see anyways.

We burried Ms. Peyton Sue in the sand.

I love her little profile pictures! Yes, she did eat lots of sand.

Mr. Daxton does not get much cuter!

The grandkids had so much fun bunking up together.

The crew minus a few kiddos at Underwood Family Farms.

Gotta love wagon rides, thanks Uncle Morgan.

They had the coolest little catwalk for the goats to walk from pin to pin on.

Awww...( and yes, my hair WAS this frizzy the ENTIRE trip.)

Cousins.

Picking her own strawberries.

Awww...

You mean you are not supposed to eat the green stuff too.

Too cute.

Hot!

Yum.

Corrine and Daisy with their load!

Makenzie had to run (she doesn't really like to walk!) the entire way back...

And run...

And run!

You try walking in the sand.

The Children's Museum.

Yeah baby!

They took a bunch of different sea creatures out and Kenzie with thrilled with all of them.

And our trip ended with this - all 16 grandkids happy as clams! Thanks again grandpa and grandma for the wonderful memories!



xxoo

and we are off...

We leave bright and early in the am for Oxnard, Californ-I-A! The Porter family takes a family vacation together every other year, thanks to grandma Porter! We will be there Friday to Friday, should be very fun.

I plan on doing a lot of bike riding with the peanut! Wish us luck on the 8 hour journey with a 14 mo. old.

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." -John F. Kennedy

"I AM proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I WON'T forget the men who died, who GAVE that right to me." I have had, still do have friends, family and loved ones who have fought or continue to fight for our nation's freedom. THANK YOU and thank you to all those who took a moment to remember.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

We love cousins b/c they -

let you help them build really tall towers with blocks and don't get mad when you knock them down!

They built it acutally pretty tall and Kenzie actually was helping out the blocks on. I love to see her little mind growing and figuring things out.

Thanks Brandon and Collin for hanging out with us and sorry Collin that you are MIA in the pictures, he was off playing with other toys.

To say goodbye...

Here is what I wrote:

Please accept this letter as a grattitude for the opportunity I have had to teach at Mesquite High School as a Special Education teacher. My last day of employment will be May 28, 2010. Thank you so much for my five excellent years I have spent here. I have worked with some wonderful, talented, and inspiring educators and staff personnel. I have been given many opportunities to grow, share my talents and participate in a variety of school activities and functions. I have watched students walk down the graduation aisle with satisfaction knowing they will be contributing members of society. As my family continues to grow, I find it in their best interest to focus my energy there; with hopes to return to the education arena in the future. The memories I have made here will stay with me. I am hopeful that I can stay connected to Mesquite through part time opportunities or tutoring as we work together to figure out what is available and what will fit within my expanding responsibilities to my family. Additionally, I intend to work towards a Master’s degree so that when I am ready to come back full time, my skills are enhanced and students will benefit from my expanded expertise. I am grateful for the flexibility in scheduling that you have provided to me and am very appreciative of all the support I have received from administrators, staff, and my fellow teachers at Mesquite. I thank you sincerely for five wonderful years.

THAT's it folks - as of tomorrow, I am NO longer a GPS employee. I am going to be a full-time mom (like I wasn't already) from HOME!!!! It is going to be a new adventure and a new chapter in our lives, but I am ready. As I drove away today and said my goodbyes and graduation last night, I couldn't help but have mixed emotions. Teaching has been wonderful for me and to me. I love being able to help mold our future generations, but on the contrary, I feel so blessed that I get to stay home with my little girl. I feel so grateful for the wonderful family who have helped Matt and I with Makenzie, so we could put ourselves in a position financially (and let's be honest - emotionally) where I could stay home. She went to Grandma Porter's on Monday; Tuesday, Wednesday AND Friday she went to Aunt Lauren's (YaYa's) and Thursday she went to Aunt Eda's. Words really can't express the peace I felt everyday when Matt or I dropped her off knowing she was going somewhere where she would be loved and really taken care of. I don't know how I will ever repay my in-laws, but we will figure it out! I just have to count my many blessings to be surrounded my such great people who were willing to help us out, and without complaining (at least not to my face!!!) :) I know that I complained way more having to go to work then they ever did having to watch a little peanut who I am sure tore their house apart on multiple occasions.

THANK YOU PORTERS, PEWS, and CLARKSONS!

Bridger Beau Lewis...

Yay for the Lewis family. My sister in law, Annie, had her baby boy this morning at 6:16 am. Bridger Beau Lewis weighed in at 6 lbs. 4 oz. - little guy.

Congrats to the Lewis family. We love you.

Disclaimer, this picture was sent via email, so the quality is not the best.