So Many Celebrations!

 We have been celebrating non-stop her since we got back from our vacation!  Thanksgiving weekend, we celebrated the holiday, and my Grandma's 80th birthday!  The whole family went out to visit my grandparents, and we had a nice little party for her.  My grandparents were surprised that we were able to come and bring all of the great-grandkids.  It was great to have everyone together for the first time in over a year.

Then, on that Monday, we went to my dad's work retirement party. He is on "vacation" now, and he only has to go back for one more day until he is officially retired!  He has worked 41.5 long years at Amtrak, and we are very proud of him.  My sister and I dressed the kids up in these little railroad outfits, and we made signs, so they were the hit of the party!  They had a nice luncheon for him with all of his co-workers.  He was very proud to show off all of his grandkids!

Last week, we celebrated Kenley's 5th birthday, which was a luau theme.  It was a fun party, and many of our family and friends came dressed for the theme.  We had a full house, and I know Kenley had a blast with her friends and family.  She had a busy week, and Monday was parent-viewing day for her dance class, so we got to watch her.  She did a great job, and she seems to really like doing tap as well. Then, Tuesday for her actual birthday, she had her holiday musical at school.  All the kids were dressed so cute for the holidays, and they did a great job singing their hearts out.


She's really 5 now.  Seriously hard to believe.  She will be going to kindergarten in the Fall, and she talks about it weekly.  The other day she told Charlie, "Charlie I'm not going to see you that much next year when I start kindergarten.  But, it's ok, I'll still be home at night." We talk about it a lot, and I know it will be a blink of an eye until she's getting on that bus. She's really turned into such a big girl.  The other night I took her to the grocery store to pick out a treat to bring to school for her birthday.  It was actually kind of fun going to the store, just the two of us, something that doesn't happen very often.  I was reminded of how old she is getting. Too old to sit in the cart, wants to push the cart herself, and pick everything out by herself.  Little Miss Independent, and I remembered back to her being just under 2 and always saying, "I do it!" I love this girl with all my heart!

AND....Last, but not Least....(maybe this is why I'm getting emotional writing this) I'm expecting baby #3!!!  Craaazzyyy!!  We are very excited, but I think it also hasn't really sunk in yet.  Partially, because we have been so busy with other things to keep us occupied!  I think I am still surprised myself because I always thought I would have 2 kids, and I was ok with that....until I was pregnant with Charlie and I started getting these feelings that maybe I wasn't ready to be done at 2.  It was something Ray and I spent a long time thinking and talking about.  Around summer, once were really settled in the house we decided it "good timing." And, Ray finally came around :)  I know 3 is going to be a game-changer since we will be outnumbered! The kids, especially Kenley, is every excited.  She has her heart set on a sister, so we will see.  We will be able to find out in January!

So, these are the things we have been celebrating in the last month, and Christmas isn't even here yet!  Looking forward to the next few weeks with many more parties to come.  I have my annual girl's night party with my high school girlfriends this weekend, a party with my former co-workers next weekend, celebrating Christmas at our house with Ray's family, and Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day!  Whew!  So, I guess this has just been the beginning of all the festivities!