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.  

Happy 2nd Birthday Kennon

Kennon riding the Bob the Builder machine at the mall after his 2 year old pictures.  A fabulous reward for a great photo shoot.  Love that toothy smile.

So we celebrated Kennon's 2nd birthday on Saturday here at the house. We had a fabulous time and thanks to all our family for making the trip over to join in Kennon's special day.  He got lots of great presents but most of all was showered with lots of LOVE. He seemed to know he was in the limelight that entire weekend grinning from ear to ear, basking in all the attention, even just singing out at times his own rendition of Old MacDonald had a Farm.  So cute. He is a little talkin' fool and very quick on his feet.  He seems to have mastered way more physical skills at this age than Maddox had. He loves construction trucks and tractors as well as digging in the dirt, rocks and mulch. He loves to get his hands dirty but is getting extremely proficient at washing up in the bathroom before dinner ( thank you big sis Maddox and Kindercare!!)  His favorite foods are mostly fruits and veggies and if you give him a little Ranch dressing he'll dip till it's all gone.  He is a really good sleeper/napper and seems to be a good healthy kick lately.  We sure do love you BUDDY. You brighten our day. Happy Birthday 2nd birthday Kennon.

Kennon and Eric mowing the yard. Kennon LLLOOOVVEEESSS the riding mower and actually requested to sit on Eric's lap during the mowing of the ENTIRE yard. He is a tractor lover!! 

Cousin Hannah, Aunt Diane,  Grammy enjoying the sunshine Saturday during the party....finally no rain....it's about time!! Although I am noticing the very green grass and pretty pink flowers in our landscaping as I blog these pictures.  Can't have any of that without a little ( or a lot of ) rain :) 

Kennon with his new basketball  ( and hoop) from Aunt Brooke and Uncle Tyler and his  rock/mulch/corn kernel/dirt scoopin' belt from Aunt Diane 

How many adults does it take to fill the basketball stand with sand??

Are ya done yet Uncle Tyler??  I"m ready to shoot some hoops

Ah yes....!!! Finally!!  Making some points. 

Shootin' hoops as Papa Dick and Grammy look on. 

Tired of the hoopin'  ready for some 'rock climbing'

Despite a little sand in the bottom we still needed an adult to keep the hoop from tipping over.  Thanks for the assistance Aunt Lori.  

Grammy and her loves....Maddox Kennon and Carter....I couldn't stand to delete any of these.....despite really only one kid having a 'saveable' expression in each shot.

This is where I often find Kennon....sitting on the tractor in the garage. Maddox, Eric and I will head inside, have our shoes off and be moving on to the next scheduled event of the evening and I open the garage door and there sits Kennon just enjoying his stationary tractor.  

So thankful you were able to make it for the celebration Grammy!! We love you so much. 

Grandma Jean and Grandma Doris reading one of Kennon's new construction books from Great Grandma Reta.  I love this picture!! 

Aunt Diane getting Kennon's construction vest on.....all ready for cake!! 

Since the party Kennon has been manhandling these little construction toys from Grammy and Papa Dick.  I think he likes them because he can really manipulate them and run them all over the house.....doors, cabinets, floors....TV...yes!! I caught him running one up the flatscreen TV...oops!!

Our construction workers on duty for the evening. Kennon Maddox cousin Carter

mmmmmm CAKE!!! 

Cousin Hannah....where is your hat???  :) 

Aunt Diane and Maddox

Aunt Lori and Grandma Doris

After a good nights sleep....even baby Reid ( whom I did not get a picture of somehow...sorry Reid...!!).... Saturday night we all slept in Sunday morning, lazed around and then got showered up for some more  tractor fun.  We loaded up a picnic lunch and headed to Eric's new office to show off to Aunt Brooke, Uncle Tyler and cousin Carter.   The basement of the office is this HUGE open cement covered room.  Matt, one of Eric's partners, has a 2 year old son and has set up this great roller coaster thing that is just perfect for our age kids.  It is a little car you ride on that goes down this hill and shoots you out onto the cement floor. With the big open space you get going pretty fast and make it almost all the way down the entire floor. It is super fun and the kids had a blast!!! We then at a quick lunch after serveral rides and then headed to the John Deere Pavillion.  The kids were in heaven running from machine to machine!  Kennon and Carter especially. Despite the fatigue factor setting in by this time of the day all the kids really did well and all the activity made for fabulous naps both in bed at the Kies house and in the Knowles car on the way back north to Madison. We are SOOOOOO happy that our family, most specifically the Knowles', are located in the midwest.  It is so nice to see each other regularly. 

The John Deere Pavillion....OH BOY!!! 

Aunt Brooke Maddox and Carter in the blade of the bulldozer

Uncle Tyler, Maddox and Carter in the cab of the bean picker

Cheesy grin from Maddox