Back on Track!

The rainbow Maddox drew for Grammy autographed all by herself.  Each grand kid placed a photograph and little keepsake in the casket with Grammy to keep her company.  Maddox drew  this rainbow for Grammy and Kennon gave her a book about Trucks. Perfect mementos from the Kies kids. 

Maddox and Kennon digging in the 'dirt' from Aunt Diane.

Maddox and Kennon at Grammy and Papa Dick's.  Kennon's inaugural sleep in his bag. 

Maddox at Dance Camp at the Children's Museum

A little timid....but she had a great time.

Boy, where do I start!! We have been so busy the last several weeks the blog has gotten away from me....but I"m sure you understand.  We were so sad to say goodbye to Grammy but know that she is watching over us each and everyday keeping us safe and giving us strength.  It is almost every other day that Maddox asks  'is Grammy up in the sky?'  Actually yesterday she asked if she was in the 'ground'  Which to be honest that is the last place she visualized her going. It is definitely confusing for her but I KNOW she is getting the concept and we daily talk about her being up with God. She will forever live in our hearts and memories. We love you GRAMMY!! Thank you to all of those reading who drove hundreds of miles ( specifically Jody, Hannah and Charlie) and sent beautiful cards and memorials. It was very meaningful to see all of you at the visitation and funeral.  A special thanks to Grandma Ellen ( Brooke's Mom ) and Grandpa Jim and Grandma Jean for helping with the kiddos during all the services. We couldn't have done it without you~

Maddox and her 4 month old cousin Reid. 

So since I last blogged Maddox went to Dance Camp at the Children's Museum. WE talked about it for weeks/months and she was so excited to go asking everyday. But of course in very Maddox fashion when we actually got there and I went to deliver her to her room she clamored on my leg!! Once she got in she really enjoyed it and had this cute little dancer of a teacher Alyssa who did well to distract her.  We have also been enjoying lost of outdoor and pool time....which equates to little to no pictures....as having an iPhone at hand for pictures at a pool can be quite dangerous.  We actually went to 2 pools yesterday.  To the YMCA indoor pool in the morning and then a neighbor invited us to the Crow Valley Country Club pool in the afternoon. We had a blast with the Millage family. They live down the road from us and have 3 kids 2 of which are close to Maddox and Kennon in age, Breckon   1 1/2  and Maddie who turned 4 yesterday!! We went to the outdoor Bettendorf city pool called Splash Landing last week.  It has a nice toddler area that is fenced off and even has a chute water slide for the toddlers. Both Maddox and Kennon both enjoyed going down the big slide all by themselves~~ !!

We got to spent the 4th of July with Uncle Tyler and Aunt Brooke, Carter and Reid.  We took the kids to the fireworks Wednesday night....Maddox and Kennon's first ever display!  They both loved them and asked nightly for about a week after if we could go to fireworks again.  We all went to the 4th of July parade Thursday morning and scooped up lots of candy and freezer pops!! It was nice to have the Knowles family for the fun holiday.  

Kennon, Maddox and Carter anxiously awaiting the Red White and Boom fireworks

Kennon Carter and Maddox at the Bettendorf 4th of July Parade

Aunt Brooke assisting with a freezer pop! Most of the entries handed out hoards of candy as well as FREEZER pops. Great for a warm day with little breeze. 

Kennon gettin' in on a little freezer pop action. 

Dancin' to the Pleasant Valley marching band.  Maybe Kennon and Maddox will march in that someday!!

Kennon helping Dad dig the pea gravel pit for the discharge from the sump/pump gutter combination.

Maddox and Kennon resting in the shade 4th of July weekend. 

No description needed for that one....everyone loves Uncle Tyler 

A little more digging


Both kids have really been enjoying the outdoors.  Kennon is a magnet for dirt  and danger, loves to dig in anything and walk right over my flower beds...completely unaware. Maddox is quick to be the big sis and tell...or rather yell....at him to get off of mom's flowers!!  She is very big sis....and does look out for him especially when he is upset. Very cute!! However she has also figured out how to push his buttons! He has a mind of his own, is very daring and talks up a storm....or rather demands up a storm.  He is definitely in the terrible two's and thinks it's his way or no way. I rarely see the kid be timid.  He has moved up to the 2 year old room at Kindercare and is enjoying all the fun BIG KID activities they get to do like water day on Tuesdays and drinking from a REAL open cup!!  We are talking of moving him to a big bed soon as he has been trying to crawl out of the crib and we'd like him to be in his toddler bed before we attempt to potty train him ( slated for the weekend of August 17-18 by our book...but we'll see what Kennon thinks of that....may be too early ) Maddox's coloring skills are really developing as well as her sense of humor.  Sometimes she says the funniest things very intuitive and questioning in ways to ensure she gets just the answer she is hoping for!!  She continues to be sensitive and not extremely outgoing although LOVES to play with the big girls in the neighborhood!! She too is enjoying all the cool summer activities at Kindercare. This week she is walking over to the library and next week over to the Children's Museum. This week too, she is going to Church school for one of their summer programs. It is Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday morning and and the lesson this week is Community Helpers. So we have such a busy summer! I can't believe July is 1/2 over. Hope all is well!!  I"ll try to get back to posting weekly.