the reynolds party

she is almost 2...

2012-01-27T15:21:00.004-05:00

and i love/dislike it.

I know I have been so bad about posting frequently lately, i hope to be better about regular posts, maybe once a week...yea I think I can do that.

In less than one month our crazy, silly, cuddly, and oh-so-sweet Makenzie turns the big T-W-O! I am so excited because 1) I HEART BIRTHDAAAAAAYS 2) she is more and more fun everyday.

I am sad because, well, time is going way too fast.

She is changing so much right now and i'm not good about writing things down when they happen so this post is a few fun facts and "makenzie-isms" before I forget them and they go un-journaled.

Its amazing how much her vocabulary has grown just in the past 2 weeks. She knows and says so much, i am continually surprised at what comes out of her mouth. (in a good way!)

She loves looking at pictures and naming all her cousins and aunts and uncles. This puts the biggest smiles on our faces since she doesn't see them all the time, yet she still recognizes and "knows" them. And loves them, of course :)

She is CONSTANTLY singing! Her favorite songs to sing are "E-I-E-I-O" (aka Old Macdonald had a farm), Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, ABC's, and her latest, "Head, Neen and Toes" (Head, shoulders, knees and toes).

She loves to say "pease" thank you" "i silly" or "i funny", "i hold it?" "oh my goodness" "daddys coke" "i cuddle" "and "i two". Everything is mommy/daddy, baby, like when we're talking about her letters- big A=" daddy A", little A= "baby A"

She can count to 10. Although wen she's playing by herself and counting it's "1,2,3,5, Ella, Bell" (Ella= Cinderella, Bell= Bell from Beauty and the Beast). She's never seen any of the Disney princess movies, but she loves her "Ella, Bell and White" books.

She loves her "amals" and sleeps with 4 every night- sheep, kitty, puppy, and bear (one from Jake that she says is from "nice daddy") She also loves playing with her babydolls. She got a baby stroller for Christmas and is really racking up the miles on it.

This was our first real snow here in DC and Makenzie couldn't get enough of it!

She walked with her tongue out and head tilted up

She is obviously enjoying her first hot chocolate as well :)

Her hair is getting so long so it's "piggies" or "ponies" everyday and I love it!

She is seriously obsessed with hats, purses, and sunglasses so this little ensemble was all her choice :)

She is her father's daughter...

She loves being outside and doesn't seem to even notice the cold.

We've been lucky with a very mild winter so far here so we are still able to go to the park a few times a week.

Making marshmallow rainbows with our Preschool co-op group.

Representing the Wizards at her first game of the season!

A New Canaan New Year!

2012-01-08T13:17:00.001-05:00

After returning home from Indy we turned right around and headed to New Canaan, Connecticut to spend some QT with Mom and Dad Reynolds and Lisa and Scott and the girls at their house!

There was lots of time spent in the driveway riding plasma cars and their new Razor scooters!

The girls didn't care how cold it was, they were having so much fun!

Everybody got a little riding time :)

The O's and their beautiful new home!

All bundled up

We were lucky enough to be there for Lisa's bday too, we had a 50's party!

Mom doing her traditional Christmas Eve story with the girls...is that not picture perfect...

The 3 girls had prepared an awesome singing show! and Makenzie just jumped right in to join them :)

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Makenzie asks to go to "Yizey's house" just about every day! She absolutely loves those girls! We had so much fun playing outside, watching movies, catching up and even got an adults night out! We really missed being in Utah this year around Christmas, but are so glad we got to see some of the Reynolds and enjoy the Christmas Eve story!

Can't wait for February when we all be together!!!!!

a Hoosier Christmas

2012-01-05T14:31:00.001-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas in Indy this year! Makenzie just loves her "Mamaw and Papaw" and playing with her cousins.

Makenzie and Bailey waiting to meet Santa

Playing with cousins

Helping Grandma decorate the tree

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It wouldn't be Christmas without Ingram family Ice Skating!!

Kenz had so much fun zooming around the rink with Daddy!

Mia and Grandma cheering from the bleachers

The whole crew :)

The 3 Musketeers...I'm positive lots of trouble is in their future together!

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Christmas Eve morning, the 3 of us went to the Indiana State Museum downtown and had breakfast with Santa

She wasn't too sure about this Santa, but she was obsessed with riding the train...again and again!

Christmas Eve we went out to eat downtown and walked around the circle

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CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!!!

this was Kenz reaction to all her toys! she was so excited about it all!!

and yes, she wore the sunglasses that were in her stocking the entire time!

Best gift ever: Jake made me a video of "Our Adventures" with pictures and music of our 8 years together!

Makenzie with her loot :)

It was a great couple of weeks to visit with family and catch up with friends!

Lots of catching up to do...

2012-01-04T20:44:00.001-05:00

Well alot has happened since my last post on... NOVEMBER 12?!?!

It's overwhelming to think about blogging about all that has happened since then and all the fun things that we've done, but i'm determined! So, lets start from the beginning...November started off a little rough with Makenzie's health issue, but she was 100% back to herself within 2 weeks of being in the hospital and the rest of the month was so great! The weather was beautiful and we took advantage of it. We also stayed put for Thanksgiving- a first for us! It was such a wonderful weekend of relaxing and having fun!

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Thanksgiving Day

Spent the morning at the Museum of Natural History

So thankful for my little family!

Finished the day off with the Happy Feet 2 movie with friends!

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Rangers/Capitals hockey game with the O'Neils!

Lizey and Kenz couldn't care less about the game...

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Also on Thanksgiving weekend- Madagascar ICE at National Harbor

Kenz was just in Heaven!!!

Favorite picture ever!!

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Enjoying a beautiful DC day at Roosevelt Island

overwhelmed with gratitude

2011-11-11T22:19:00.001-05:00

the past few days have been quite a whirl wind here in the reynolds house.

it all began on wednesday morning- makenzie woke up her usual happy and excited self. jake got her out of her crib and put her down. she tried to stand up and walk, but stumbled and fell down. we immediately thought maybe her leg was asleep. why else would she be stumbling and unable to walk normal? she was literally bumping into the walls. a few hours go by and it's not getting better so i took her to the dr. everything seemed normal except for her balance and stability was completely off. it was so strange and unsettling. she would try and walk, but would just stumble and sway and bump into things. dr said watch her for 24 hrs and call us tomorrow.

fast forward: thursday.

woke up thursday with the same issues. dr said take her to emergency room. 3 hours of answering questions, having her walk for the dr, vitals checked, etc.

finally, dr comes in, says, "we want to do an MRI and need to admit her right now and have her stay over night here because she will be put under for the MRI".

what i heard, "your baby will have to sleep in this strange place and will be poked and stuck and scared and will cry and we can't tell you what's wrong with her."

cue tears.

now let me add this little tidbit: my girlfriend, carly, was currently arriving at the dc airport waiting for our fun girls weekend to begin.

enter strong, unwavering husband/daddy of the year.

plan was put into place and we went through the motions. jake ~~slept~~ sat in makenzie's hospital room on a tiny little chair and i went home with carly. friday, 6:45am, kenz is woken up to begin the anesthesia.

i held her in my arms while they put it into her iv. she immediately went limp and we laid her down and had to leave the room. cue more tears.

fast forward 3 hours later. we are given the best possible news- the MRI is normal. she has Acute cerebellar ataxia. too much to type, you can look it up. but basically, it should work itself out within a week to a couple months. and unless it gets worse or she has more symptoms appear, just keep her from hurting herself with all the clumsy, wobbly walking.

the gratitude we felt in that moment cannot be put into words. i have never prayed so frequently and so hard.

we are so blessed and i'm so thankful.

toddler hospital gowns are the cutest/saddest things ever!

night before the MRI- still smiling. the cage she is in is the hospital crib :( saddest thing ever!

post MRI and anesthesia wearing off- relaxing with "melmo" in her ~~cage~~ crib

after returning home from the hospital and a 4 hour nap, she is loving life!!

peeees & tank too

2011-11-01T14:44:00.004-04:00

We couldn't quite get the "trick or treat" down so "please and thank you" had to do!

Our little lady bug was in Heaven trick-or-treating last night! Jake and I were laughing watching her surprise every time someone dropped a little treat in her bag! She couldn't believe it! After only 2 doors, she sat down on the sidewalk, looked down into her bag and said over and over, "WOW!" It was so fun watching her discover the goodness of Halloween!

time, please slow down. thank you.

2011-10-17T13:49:00.002-04:00

We have had so many fun outings the last few weeks that I am having a hard time keeping up with my posts! So, please excuse my picture posts. I wish I had more time to tell you all about the details!

but I hope you enjoy catching up with us anyway!

a memorable last-minute date

2011-10-17T13:38:00.001-04:00

Last week while Jake's mom was here visiting us, we had a wonderful surprise date night! we had just put makenzie to bed and she told us to leave! haha! no really, she did! and we didn't argue with her! It was about 8:30 and we had already had dinner and a movie we were wanting to see didn't start until 10, so we picked up our favorite frozen yogurt and headed to the Jefferson Memorial. It had been raining all day for the past few days, but we didn't get a drop for the couple hours we were out! It was a gorgeous night and we had so much fun! there is seriously nothing like the dc monuments at night!

a fun little visitor!

2011-10-17T13:24:00.004-04:00

jake's mom and nephew, dallas, came to visit for a few days last week. although the weather did not cooperate (rain all 3 days they were here), we had so much fun with them!

meeting uncle jake at work for lunch!

i am bummed i didn't get more pictures but it was almost impossible to get them both holding still for longer that 2 seconds! they had so much fun together and dallas is the best cousin! he called Makenzie "Kenzie darling" the whole time he was here and was always wanting to love on her!

we miss you mom and Dallas! thanks for coming to visit!!

apple orchard and apple pie :)

2011-10-17T13:18:00.004-04:00

Makenzie and I went with a friend to an apple orchard in Maryland last week. I had never been apple picking before so I was excited about the experience. makenzie was enjoying snacking on the apples and with every apple picked i become more and more excited for my first homemade apple pie!

and it did not disappoint!!!! wow it was delicious!!!

pumpkin patch with friends!

2011-10-17T13:11:00.001-04:00

beautiful day in dc

2011-10-17T13:07:00.000-04:00

we spent the day in dc paddle boating on the tidal basin and checking out a fun event called "The Taste of DC" where you get to try out food from restaurants all over the city! it was great weather and tons of fun!

Fall is in the house!

2011-10-17T12:54:00.001-04:00

my fall/halloween decorations are out and I love it!

we had some friends over for some pumpkin carving and yummy fall food!

my first (and possibly last) pumpkin roll. it was delicious but alot of work to make.

vampire teeth for our guests

kenz would not touch the inside of the pumpkin.

i was quite impressed with Jake's creativity and craftsmanship!

All the pumpkins were unbelievable!

Arlington National Cemetary

2011-10-17T12:42:00.004-04:00

she's practically driving

2011-09-27T15:53:00.000-04:00

i don't have a 19 month old...no i don't...what? i do? really?

oh dear...i do!

her 19 month stats:

height: 33in 90%

weight: 24lbs 52%

head: 19in 90%

These are some recent pictures and videos of our crazy, chatty, loving, excited, dramatic girly!

She is quite the big girl eating with her spoon and fork

anything she can carry as a purse she will!

she is completely obsessed with her puppy! he goes everywhere with us :)

we are laughing everyday at this funny chic! she is quite the ham and is always doing things to make us laugh!
she loves giving kisses and hugs. (we are working with her on not offering hugs and kisses to everyone she sees, she tried kissing a stranger that let her pet their dog...)
she is obsessed with all animals and loving doing all her animals sounds.
she loves loves loves books still!
she has started saying her abc's.
she loves to sing songs and do all the motions.

she's obsessed with talking on the phone or anything she can pretend is a phone.

And she is the chattiest girl I've ever met! Jake and I can barely get a word in!

Our typical conversation:

kenz: "mommy, mommy, mommy"

me: yes buddy?

kenz: grltl ajskdl aksdf puppy askldf rowrow (oreo) grllrlslsl

me: really?

kenz: "yea, ha ha ha"

then we both laugh!

oooooooh we love her!!!!

New Jersey weekends

2011-09-19T14:24:00.001-04:00

We were so lucky to spend 2 weekends in a row in New Jersey!

The first weekend was to celebrate an adorable, sweet little 8 year old! It was Kira's baptism and she had asked Jake to baptize her! We were so grateful to be a part of her special day!

The next weekend was Labor Day and it was so fun to spend a long weekend there! We drove up Friday and had an adults night out, on Saturday was drove to Great Wolf Lodge about an hour away. Makenzie is so obsessed with her cousins and Eliza loves that she can be a little mommy to Kenz!

Makenzie had so much fun at the water park! They had a little toddler area with small waterslides and the water was just the right depth for Kenz to walk around and play without having to be held! And Sunday and Monday were spent hanging out and cruisin in the Barbie Jeep :)

next stop: utah

2011-09-10T20:32:00.000-04:00

after indiana, kenz and i headed west! it was an awesome week spending time with my other family! we had relaxing dinners at the park, "The Help" movie night, and so much fun just hanging out!

every year i also have the chance to recharge my batteries at byu's education week, in utah.

its an amazing week of classes and seminars on anything from marriage to parenting to finances. it's all about becoming a better wife, mother, friend, daughter of God.

the best part is i get to go with my mother-in-law, and 3 sisters-in-law!

makenzie was having so much fun on this ride at Jungle Jyms and Eliza took her job very serious as the "driver"!

the kids had so much fun playing in the backyard at grandmas!

every kid's dream- a life size play house in their grandparents backyard!!

Eliza, Makenzie, & Dallas

these three cuties are the best of friends!!

did August really happen???

2011-09-08T21:11:00.000-04:00

you won't believe my august...you really wont.

it was crazy/busy/fun/awesome/exciting/exhausting/special!

i can't just do one post for the month- not possible!

here's a run down of our itinerary:

Aug 4-15 Indiana

Aug 15-20 Utah

Aug 20-26 Home

Aug 26-28 New Jersey

Aug 29-Sept 1 Indiana

Sept 2-5 New Jersey

and finally back home again....

see i told you.

our first trip to indy included:

- the 29th annual Hill Family Reunion- my dad's extended family, 109 in attendance. It was so wonderful to be there and feel the love that our family has! we had an entire camp rented out. it had everything you could want for fun! I'm so grateful for this tradition!

-meeting baby Mia! The newest member of the Ingram clan!

-trip to the state fair!

-Makenzie's first boating trip!

helping papaw at the grill

just a few of the grandkids and great-grandkids!

beautiful baby Mia on her blessing day

meeting "mee-mee"

the Ingram grandkids!

a trip home isn't complete without a cousins bath (or 2 or 3)

we love "Aunt" Carly and "Uncle" Brad

well that's about 1/15th of the pictures that i took. there are too many, can't do it! i'm hoping to be completely caught up this weekend.

i've missed this blog. i'm excited to be back! home sweet home!

2011-08-14T21:06:00.003-04:00

I will be back soon I promise!

We have been having a great time in Indiana visiting with my family and tomorrow Makenzie and I are off to Utah for some Reynolds lovin!

Jake was able to come to Indy for the first weekend and we had a great time at my dad's side's family reunion! I was also able to be here for the baptism of my adorable neice, Taylor and the baby blessing of my newest lovie, Mia Rose, born July 29. We have had the best time and there are lots of pictures to share when I get home!

But, first we must jet off to the Beehive State! Can't wait to spend some quality time with the Reynolds!!

just some random goodies

2011-07-27T12:29:00.008-04:00

i didn't believe it either...but CAFE RIO has indeed made it's way east of Arizona!

Two have now opened up near us!

the bummer is they are both 45 minutes away (not that it stopped us from going 2 weekends in a row)! the plus side to that is we wont eat there every other day...at least most weeks we wont. jake and i were so obsessed with Rio when we lived in utah and we eat there at least twice every time we visit the west. i'm kind of drooling just talking about it...

(sorry about the crooked picture, i had makenzie in my arms and was hurrying to get in line, it was already out the door!)

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lil miss has been sleeping like this for her naps this week...comfortable?

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we recently took a trip to the Oxon Hill Farm in Maryland with some friends and met up with our other friends- cow, goat, pig, horse, and chicken.

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we "planted" some veggie seeds...they're call GrowUms. They are for kids (or black thumb adults like myself) and are supposedly 'fool proof'....we will see about that.

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makenzie being cute...but what's new :)

my little helper!

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these are not chocolate chocolate chip cookies!

put cookies in oven, makenzie wakes up, playtime begins, "what's that smell?"....

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Jake surprised me Monday night with two tickets to see taylor swift next wednesday!

makenzie & daddy get a date and mommy, girlfriend, and taylor have a date!!!

summer fun!

2011-07-19T12:19:00.006-04:00

the reynolds are having a great summer so far and although the temperature and humidity in dc just keeps going up, up, up, we are finding there is so much to do to keep cool! one of the things I love about this area is there is TONS to do!!!! there are free outdoor concerts and farmers markets, a million different playgrounds, and alexandria has 5 libraries each with summer programs filled with puppet shows, story time, musical performances, etc.

so we have been keeping busy at the pool, playgrounds, libraries, splash parks!

hope you're enjoying your summer too!

summer reads

2011-07-14T20:21:00.005-04:00

read:

The Help (Kathryn Stockett)- loved loved loved! can't wait to see the movie in august!

Heaven is for real (Todd Burpo)- cutest book ever!

Sarah's Key (Tatiana de Rosnay)- intense, intriguing, heart breaking, so good!

reading:

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Alan Bradley)- interesting and getting better!

in queue:

Heart of the Matter (Emily Giffin)

The Art of Racing in the Rain (Garth Stein)

what are some of your favorite summer reads???

do share! :)

newport news

2011-07-12T16:31:00.010-04:00

as i previously posted, we just returned from our annual reynolds newport beach vacation! there were a few new changes- 2 beach houses instead of 1, and a new location much closer to the beach- and there were many of the same awesome traditions!

we were very pleasantly surprised at how well miss makenzie did this trip! 5+ hours of flying and a 3 hr time difference is never easy to start. but she had a crib and her own room, so she slept like a champ. she also warmed up (its a big loud crowd!) right off the bat and was loving on everyone!

we spent our days at the beach, enjoying the perfectly sunny and warm weather, playing in the waves and building sand sharks! our evenings were filled with delicious food, s'mores, sunsets at the beach, and lots of laughing and reminiscing!

makenzie loved her boys, jer and josh

our little beach babe actually hated the sand. but one day she loved playing in the waves and was content chillin at the beach...and that day i took lots of pictures! :)

2nd annual talent show

not pictured (will never be pictured) is me and jake's lip synch performance to barbie girl :)

fun by the fire!

4th annual 'Dot' cup!

this really deserves an entire post, but the basics are: late night, 4th meal, stupid funny dare, nephew stuck in the freezer for 45 minutes, 2 seconds away from calling fire department, freezer and nephew survived, a few side aches from laughing so hard....

after makenzie's sunscreen spray down :)

adults night out to dinner at crab cooker (a newport staple) and a movie!

the most beautiful sunsets

our little jet-setter :)

4th of July fun!

2011-07-11T10:15:00.010-04:00

this year the annual reynolds retreat in newport beach, california was the week of july 4th!

we started the day with newport's 1st annual bike and dog parade! i was pleasantly surprised at how into it the people of newport were! there were so many decorated bikes and dogs dressed in red, white, and blue! it was really cute and festive! scott and the girls even got in on the action and decorated lizey's stroller!

the parade ended at a park with bounce houses, carnival games, music, face painting, etc. it was a fun way to start the holiday!

we spent the afternoon at the beach and then had an awesome bbq put on by the o'neils. we had so much fun hanging out and then watching fireworks on the beach!

(more to come about our fun trip- too much for one post! )

house of photos

2011-07-10T17:53:00.005-04:00

how on earth will we ever pick??? our house might look like a shrine to ourselves after this...just putting it out there...

a few weekends ago we had family pictures taken at the Jefferson Memorial in DC. i was so very very excited! the morning went pretty well, we had fun, and kenz wasn't too crazy. two week go by...and we saw them....i was like a giddy little girl on christmas morning! i could not stop smiling and looking at them. danelle empey @ MP Photography is so talented and you would never guess that makenzie wasn't really feelin' all the sit and smile stuff. :)

here, take a little peak...

just don't blink!

2011-07-01T11:13:00.004-04:00

its crazy the difference one year makes!

August 2010

June 2011

2011-06-30T11:11:00.005-04:00

i just love a quote that makes you literally stop...and think about what you just read.

this morning i read this little excerpt from a talk by one of the leaders of my church and i loved it! it gave me a much needed reminder me that i can do/accomplish/create/achieve/become anything i want....

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create. You don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty...

...Remember that you are spirit daughters of the most creative Being in the universe. Isn't it remarkable to think that your very spirits are fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God? Think about it-- your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

(Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

2011-06-29T21:00:00.003-04:00

the wonderful signs of summer

i mean seriously...does it get any cuter?!

i'm a tad late, but he knows he's the best

2011-06-28T12:34:00.004-04:00

obviously i missed the father's day post....but, we had a really wonderful day being together and spoiling our favorite person.

i always knew jake would be a great dad, but i never could've imagined the joy and love i get from seeing him and makenzie's relationship.

these two are the best of buddies. and she adores him (as do i). when he walks in the door everyday the lit up faces aren't just on the ones greeting him, it's like he hasn't seen her in days and i can't get enough of it.

we are so grateful for him and how hard he works for our little family.

he really is the best and we love him.

"mamma's taking us to the zoo tomorrow"

2011-06-28T12:09:00.008-04:00

....Raffi, anyone?? :)

we have been to the national zoo in dc twice in the last 2 weeks. first with friends and then with daddy! both times were so much fun and makenzie was in heaven. she has a serious love for animals. and i love that the zoo is free! there is no pressure to stay all day and see everything because you paid so much to be there! it's quite lovely.

come heeeere donkey...

yikes????

the 'cheeeeese' face is back!

thanks for holding...

2011-06-20T16:02:00.008-04:00

wow! sorry about that! may 15th? really? i can't believe how long it has been since my last post...well, yes i can. we have been busy, busy, crazy busy! it's a little overwhelming to look at everything we've done and know where to start so please excuse this hodge-podge of pictures documenting our weekend to new jersey, anniversary trip to florida, and a long indy visit!

in jersey we...

...cheered on our little gymnast Kira...

...relaxed and had fun with the girls!

in indy we...

...visited with friends...

...got lots of hugs...

...had so much fun with cousins!

in florida we...

...woke up (after sleeping in of course) to this every morning...

...climb those...

...to enjoy this...

...and lots of sunshine, pool, beach, amazing dinners, and good movies...

a little makenzie goes a long way

2011-05-15T11:56:00.002-04:00

she is OBSESSED with "talking" on our phones! call her anytime!

our little performer!

(sorry I can't flip it)

one of those weekends

2011-05-09T16:24:00.006-04:00

that you never ever ever want to end. . . that's what the reynolds had!

it's awesome how much time we have together now that the nba season is over and we are loving every minute of it! from november to april. . . 6 long months. . . half the year. . . you get the point. . . jake has games on either friday or saturday almost every weekend. we became very used to either not seeing him friday night until midnight or our saturday fun ending around 2 because daddy had to leave. and because of that our weekends are very special!

we had a cookout with great friends and stuffed our faces on steak, asparagus wrapped in proscuttio, spinach artichoke dip, and thin mint brownies (i'm drooling just thinking about that meal)

we had a nice relaxing day at the farmers market at the national cathedral in dc

we discovered a new favorite place, gravelly point, to enjoy the weather, take a picnic, and watch planes take off a couple hundred feet above your head

i enjoyed a beautiful mothers day filled with lots of love from my two favorite people.

mothers day

gravelly point

national cathedral

lately lately...

2011-04-28T21:09:00.007-04:00

spring has sprung here in DC and we are LOVING it!! we have been going to a different park every day and makenzie and i go on 57 walks a day around our complex! i'm loving the nice weather and counting down the days until our pool is open cuz it is HOT here!!!!

kenz and i met our animal friends at oxon hill farms last week! it was so fun seeing her see all these animals for the first time! she loved it!

daddy and kenz reading in her tent :)

unfortunately i was awful with pictures over Easter weekend, but we had a great time in Jersey visiting with friends and spending Easter Sunday with the O'Neils! Makenzie loves loves loves her cousins and we always have the best time with them!

makenzie's first Easter basket! :) (can't take credit for the adorable basket...thanks Aunt Lisa!)

enjoying a beautiful stroll around Old Town!

Jake and I went to game 2 of the Capitals/Rangers playoff! It was so much fun and much needed date night!!

too cool for school

2011-04-19T16:17:00.002-04:00

i'll just let the pictures do the talking :)

check 'em off the list!

2011-04-17T15:42:00.004-04:00

remember this post back in January when I said I was a crafty wannabe?? well I did it!! I actually completed them...well I did 2 of the 3, but I also did one that I didn't post about! I'm so excited about how they all turned out!

my felt flower pillow

makenzie's "you are my sunshine" sign in her room! LOVE IT!

and this fun thing is an idea I got from here You just erase and write!

I thought it was the cutest idea and wanted to give it to Jake for Valentines Day but didn't want to pay $40 for it, so i made my own inexpensive version!

It's amazing what you can get done when you ground yourself from the computer for a few days!

makenzie's first heart break

2011-04-13T20:25:00.009-04:00

makenzie's boyfriend left her. . . .for germany. . . .boo you germany.

this is logan bowerbank. he is so so cute and makenzie just LOVES him! they played together just about every day for the last 6 months. he is the one person, besides family, that makenzie instantly recognized and she would get so excited when she saw him! a few times during church when makenzie spotted Lo across the room she would stand up and seriously yell and flail her arms at logan! it was disruptive, funny, and so very cute!

and his parents are pretty cool too! :)

we miss you Bowerbanks!!!!

but this is not good-bye, just see ya later!!!!!

bff's forever!

table for 2 please!

my dc sisters- girls night out before janie left us!

i'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!

2011-04-12T19:06:00.003-04:00

and i just can't hide it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mr. reynolds surprised me and is taking me to the sandy beaches of florida in may for our anniversary. . . .like just the two of us. . . .as in, uninterrupted dinners out, movie theatre every night, laying at the beach allll day. . . . .and sleeping in. . . .yes, just the two of us!

our anniversary is may 20th, we are going the 25th-30th! makenzie will be watched over with loving care by her grandma ingram and we will be so sad to not see her for a few days. . . .but momma needs a vacay!!!!!

jake and i had talked all season (nba season that is) about taking a trip when the season is over (last game was last night! Holler!). so the past week i have been researching and researching where to go. but jake did not seem excited and when i would ask his opinion on a place he was just ho-hum (real word?) about everything. i didn't understand why he was dragging his feet and not excited! then when I brought it up for the 256th time he finally had to say, "OK! so i have a surprise". so basically since i wouldn't shut up about all these plans and he already had something in the works, he had to fill me in so i didn't go and plan a whole vacation without him!!

we are so so so very excited! so in 43 days i will kiss my little girl goodbye for a few days, with a tear in my eye and big fat smile on my face! :)

makenzie monday!

2011-04-04T13:44:00.002-04:00

this was even an improvement...she used to forget to uncover her eyes! it made for a really long game of peek-a-boo!

true love :)

she works hard for her money!

2011-04-01T21:04:00.001-04:00

party people!

2011-04-01T21:03:00.000-04:00

we had lots of our family come to visit for makenzie's birthday party! it was so fun visiting with everyone and showing them around DC and it definitely made the party extra extra awesome! :)

we had dinner and our favorite frozen yogurt with everyone friday night, birthday party and wizards game saturday, and then saw the sights of DC on sunday!

grandma reynolds and kenzie

eliza, makenzie, kira, and alexa

kenz liking her view!

bailey and molly

the whole gang taking the metro...quite the scene!

dinner at Gaupos

the ingrams take old town :)

back home again in indiana!

2011-04-01T21:02:00.001-04:00

after the party weekend, makenzie and i drove back to indiana with my family for a visit!

we had the best time! it was definitely makenzie's best trip to indy! she had so much fun with grandma and grandpa, was obsessed with shelby, the dog, and loved playing on their swing set! she also started walking more while we were there and is now a 100% walker!

we visited with friends, had fun with cousins, and loved every minute!

bff's lydia and makenzie

enjoying the beautiful weather that we were spoiled with!

grant giving makenzie kisses :)

they had lots of bonding time and he really loved her by the end!

IN- DC- NJ all within 24 hrs

2011-04-01T21:01:00.000-04:00

makenzie and i flew back to dc from indy on thursday night and friday afternoon we drove up to nj for a visit with the o'neil and francis family! jake's sister, kim, and her fam, steve, isaak, and ben, were visiting from utah and we couldn't pass up the chance to see them!

we went to the knicks game friday night where isaak and ben got to be ball boys!

the rest of the weekend was spent catching up and lots of laughs!

and makenzie loved being with more cousins!

kira and caroline helping kenz!

me, makenzie and alexa walking around summit

makenzie thought it was so funny to look through the windows!

eliza, isaak, kira, ben, and makenzie having a ball in the bounce house!

ball boy bean!

ball boy i-man!

steve and jake

lisa, kim, and i at the knicks game

play that funky music

2011-03-31T09:15:00.004-04:00

i have the spring cleaning itch, but it's cold and rainy. who wants to open their windows, organize closets, scrub floors, deep clean their kitchen, and love it while it's cold and rainy?!?! exactly. i'm in a funk.

so what do i do? i make a list. i am OBSESSED with list making. i make lists for everything. so i made a spring cleaning list. room by room. it's pretty awesome. i almost feel as if i did everything just by writing it down...too bad it doesn't work that way. but it did make me excited to do the things i wrote down. i also have the itch because we just found out that we can extend our lease for another year! this is big! the reynolds have moved EVERY SUMMER we've been married...yep....five. this will officially be our first summer to be normal people swimming, going to the park, and enjoying the beautiful weather; not searching for boxes, wrapping, boxing, packing, moving, unpacking people. i'm beyond excited! so until July 2012 we're staying put. so, as i look around our home sweet home i see lots of stuff...stuff that needs to go...stuff that we've been holding onto "just in case we moved and need it in our new place", well we aren't, and we don't need it!

the other reason for my funk...my productive juices aren't flowing...except for the list making, of course. we all get stuck in our little routines, right? well, i'm stuck in mine and need a new one. i decided yesterday that i can only check facebook monday, wednesday, friday. that makes me sound obsessed...well i'm not. but i do check it everyday, sometimes twice. i'm not on it more than a few minutes, checking the updates and pictures and then i'm done...but facebook is the gateway drug. because now i'm on the computer and i'm blog stalking, again only about 10 mintues and i'm done with that, but i'm sitting down...on the comfy couch...and makenzie is napping...it never ends well. it will be good for me, i will browse less and DO more! i'm excited.!

a sunny little party

2011-03-28T21:23:00.006-04:00

we had a sunny little party here in reynolds land!

the invitation

i made the cake and cupcakes with homemade icing!

the room turned out so cute!

the tissue balls were made by my mother-in-law and the center pieces were cool glass bottles filled with pink and yellow candies

the birthday girl!

birthday girl with her presents and the party favors, bubble wands!

foooooooooood!

SUN chips, chicken salad SUNwiches, fruity rays of SUNSHINE, SUNkist, capriSUNS, and a SUNdae bar!

makenzie's timeline of pictures!

the host and hostess :)

is that for meeeeeee?!?!?!

finger-lickin good!

and this.....

led to this.

we're working on sharing...

having fun opening her presents!

makenzie's party has come and gone and we loved every minute of it! i had so much fun planning it and everything turned out so cute! it was such a special day for our family to celebrate our cutie and felt so loved having our friends there and lots of family come to town to join us!

places to go, people to see!

2011-03-05T10:05:00.002-05:00

just going on our morning stroll!

it's almost heeeeeeere!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-03T10:32:00.003-05:00

i haven't posted much about makenzie's big partay because....well...i've been busy planning it! here are the invitations that turned out so CA-UTE! we have lots of family coming in town just for her and we are so excited! wish you all could come too!

(no that is not the right time...stupid misprints!)

a good reminder

2011-03-01T09:37:00.003-05:00

Heard this quote at church on Sunday.

Loved it, needed it, had to share it!

"Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism."

-Bishop Richard C. Edgley

LDS General Conferance, Oct 2010

101st post! Woot woot!

2011-02-22T19:49:00.003-05:00

this is my 101st post! how cool is that?! i'm pretty excited about it!

kenz had her 12 month check up today and she is still a tall, thin, big headed chicky :)

head: 18.25 84%

height: 29.75 73%

weight: 20.4 36%

things we LOVE about makenzie:

*she still is obsessed with books! her favorite thing is to empty her whole bookshelf and look through every single book! she flips through each page. she also loves when we read to her. we read 3-4 books every night and before naps. her fav book right now:

"Llama Llama Red Pajama"

super cute book and she thinks its just hilarious!

*she is the chattiest little girl you've ever met! she seriously does.not.stop. gabbing!

especially if she has one of our cell phones in her hand.

*first "word/s"- Uh Oh!

it's so cute to hear her say! although it's a little un-fun at times because she drops things just so she can say it. so, i feel like i am constantly picking something up that she "dropped"! haha!

*she is so so close to walking all by herself! she is always standing alone and takes a couple steps here and there on her own. and her farthest is 6 steps! jake and i were really excited about that one!

*she is the dreamiest sleeper! every night we do our bedtime routine with her books, lay her in bed, say goodnight, and walk out the door and never hear a peep until about 7am.

*she eats anything and everything. she had her first french fry this weekend and wasn't really a fan?!?!?! but, that's about all she won't eat.

her favorites: all fruit, steamed carrots, grilled cheese, quesadilla, yogurt, pasta.

*she has quite the sense of humor! she will pretend to fall down and just laughs and laughs and she'll laugh if jake and i are laughing at something.

but, our absolutely, positively, 100%, mostest favoritest thing about kenzie is that she is the happiest girl i have ever met! she is always smiling, laughing, giving us hugs and kisses!!!

we love her so so so very much!

eating her cupcake on her birthday!

first of january- cruising around with her walker.

end of january- so proud of herself standing!

say it isnt so!!!!

2011-02-17T16:16:00.008-05:00

our little girl is ONE!!!!!!!!!

I know, we can't believe it either! just look up there...at the counter...ONE!

it seems like a million years ago/yesterday that we were bringing her home to begin our new life as a family of 3! we love our little makenzie mouse more than thought possible! she gets more personality every day and keeps up laughing and smiling! We are so grateful for her everyday and can't wait to watch her continue to grow and learn!

we had a great day! Daddy took off early from work and because it was almost 70 degrees out so we went to the park! Then we had Makenzie's favorite meal of grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup! :)

and then.....she got her cupcake!

she would not use her hands... face first! we were proud.

her birthday gift to us: TAKING 5 STEPS!!! WOOT! WOOT!

february 17, 2010

february 17, 2011

the birthday girl enjoying one of her last bottles....like her shirt??

i made it yesterday morning! ha! turned our pretty cute!!

(these pictures are not in order because that just takes SO MUCH TIME....

but please enjoy this picture overload!! )

mommy and daddy's cupcakes for surviving for the first year :)

look at that expression! haha! not really sure about the candle...

self-timer family photo (she's still not sure about the candle)

no hands...just... need... icing... in... mouth...

one happy girl!!

(notice almost the whole cupcake? didn't care about...

just wanted more icing! her uncle blue would be so proud!)

eating her fav grilled cheese! (like I said, not in order)

our beautiful girl! i can't get enough of those baby blue eyes!

loving the park!

Daddy's girl!

like i said....

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY MAKENZIE!

WE LOVE YOU!

i love surprises! (even if they aren't for me)

2011-02-16T10:03:00.006-05:00

3 for 3!! you'd think he would catch on?!

well, I can now post fun details about Jake's birthday because....wait for it....we finally bought a new computer!!!!! the crowd goes wild!!!! that's right people, and we even made the switch and got a mac! i'm pretty excited about it, although i feel very old as i have no idea how to do some very basic functions. oh well, it's fun to play with!

so, as i mentioned, i love surprises!!!! i have surprised Jake with something big for his last 3 birthdays! and this year was another success!

what he knew: i was getting a babysitter and we were going to dinner and a movie to celebrate his birthday.

we were celebrating a week early because he had games the friday night and saturday night of his bday weekend.

what he didn't know: his parents and i had secret plans since THANKSGIVING!

Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds were flying in to babysit Makenzie.

i had hotel reservations.

how it all went down: friday, jake went in to work as usual. about 4pm i picked his mom and dad up from the airport and then headed in to DC. I met him at work and told him our babysitter canceled and that i had to find a last minute replacement. then i showed him a picture on my phone of his parents at our house with makenzie! he couldn't believe it!

we ate way too much amazing food at Mortons Steakhouse, got our favorite DC cupcakes at Red Velvet, saw a movie and slept in at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in DC. Saturday was just as fun sleeping in, shopping, and having a nice lunch.

and then of course we couldn't wait to see Makenzie again!!

Thank you! Thank you! to mom and dad for making this fun surprise possible!!

the next weekend was his actual birthday and Makenzie and I made him his fav breakfast of chocolate pancackes, he opened lots of presents and then we had lunch at our favorite pizza spot, We The Pizza in DC! even though he had to work that night, it was a fun day!

Happy Birthday babe! Here's to many more surprises!!

One year older and wiser too....

2011-02-05T16:48:00.002-05:00

Haaaaaaaaaappy Birthday to you!!!!!!

I don't have a computer right now so this little post will have to do for now, until I can do a proper birthday post that justifies the goodness of 1.) my husband 2.) birthdays!

So, until then....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my hottie of a spouse! You are the blue cheese to my buffalo chicken pizza! ;)

and iiiiiiiiiii love ya!

over it

2011-02-03T16:08:00.005-05:00

makenzie has had a cold since last tuesday...10 days!!! and I was lucky enough to catch her cold on saturday. so, it's been almost a week of the both of us not feeling hot. i am very grateful that is is just a cold and not strep or the flu. however, i am DYING to get out and play!!! i don't want to be 'that' mom who brings the snotty, coughing cutie to play group. so, we have missed out on our play groups, story time at the library, and playing with our bff's! luckily, makenzie is definitely on the upside and by monday i think we'll be good to join our friends!

positives: since we have been home more i have tackled getting kenz consistent with her afternoon nap. about a month ago she decided that she didn't need it and would just chat and play in her crib. yes, it's still downtime, but by 5:30 she would be so tired, so she needed it back and i needed it back!! it wasn't easy and there were tears, but we are currently on day 3 of afternoon napping and we have a happier baby and momma :)

and remember all those craft projects? well, i realized that i had more than just those 3 on my list and i've been busy! pics soon of all the finished products!

my name is emily and i'm a....

2011-01-30T16:50:00.008-05:00

craftaholic....

wannabe.

hiiiiiiii emily.

it's true. i WANT to be so crafty. sure, i do my fare share of homemade goodies, but i love love love making things, craft blogs, homemade decor for my house, etc. so, of course, i WANT to DO more.

i have tons of fun ideas and things i have found online that i am dying to make but i just don't follow through :(

sooooooooooooooooooooo.....i'm putting them here. then i have to follow through so i don't look like a total slacker to you!

first: felt flower pillow from The Crafting Chicks (site on the side of my blog)- i mean is that not the cutest pillow?! I like our couch, but have despised our pillows for 3 years now! Pillows?! that's an easy fix, right? well, not when you are so very very picky....like me. and then i found these beauties!

second: "You are my sunshine" sign for Makenzie's room (not the one pictured...i have my own idea that spun from this one)- this one should be easy for me to check off. i already bought the supplies and i'm using my vinyl lettering to do it. no excuses.

third: make more flower headbands for Makenzie which includes learning to make these cuties.

so here goes nothin! stay tuned....

ps....notice my new background?? February is BIRTHDAY time in the Reynolds house!!! Jake's is this next saturday, the 5th. post coming about my fun birthday surprise for him! and Makenzie's is the 17th....do I even need to voice my excitement for this one?!?! Hello....FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the celebrations begin!!!!!

the days will be long, but the months and years will fly by

2011-01-07T20:53:00.006-05:00

i was reading through a little book of advice from one of my baby showers and someone wrote "the days will be long, but the months and years will fly by". how true it is! next week makenzie will be 11 months old....11! that's only one month away from the big one! crazy!

although the days are so long sometimes, i try and remind myself often to live in the moment and enjoy the little things because when you blink this little bundle.....

becomes this little munchkin .....

2 weeks of holiday bliss

2011-01-06T19:57:00.012-05:00

we had the best christmas break! for 6 years now we have been lucky enough to spend time with both families!

(remember: one family- indiana, one family- utah, jake & i- all over the map)
this year was no different! we were in utah for 5 days and flew to indy on christmas eve and we're they until new years day. we had so much fun hanging with everyone and it's never enough time together.

there are a bazillion fun pics to post so i won't label them, but heres a look at the fun times and our first christmas as a family of 3!
***

utah:

christmas eve story by mom

grown-ups night out for dad's bday

jason and lisa's 40th bday

boys adventure 2011- dog sledding!

ice skating

bowling

meeting santa

lots of snow

"flat josh"

gifts for "sisters" ethiopian orphanage

fun with cousins

lots of laughs

indy:

makenzie's first christmas

ice skating

tube sledding

guys pacers/wizards game

girls day out

new years eve bash

lots of good food

christmas day sing-along and chime fest

girlfriends lunch date

fun with cousins

staying up late

games, games, and more games

lots of laughs

2010

2011-01-02T12:09:00.005-05:00

.makenzie dawn joined our family.

.celebrated 5 years of marriage.

.fun times in summit & nyc

.from the ny giants to the washington wizards.

.new adventures in washington dc.

.exciting trips to indiana, utah, & california.

.visits from family and friends.

.crawling, giggles, & toothy grins.

********

2010 was a year the reynlolds will never forget!

heres to 2011!

DOUBLE DIGITS!!!

2010-12-17T22:29:00.006-05:00

10 MONTHS OLD

(and taking over the world!)

I think I say this every month, but Makenzie is so so so much fun these days!! I can't believe how much she has changed in just one month! I feel like she went from a baby to a little person in her 9th month of life!

***

Her many talents that make us laugh and smile and turn our hearts to mushy gushiness:

.playing peek-a-boo.

.clapping.

.giving hugs and kisses.

.giving more hugs (seriously, she is obsessed with giving hugs!).

"talking" on the phone (holds it up to her face!)

.dances to music (her moves are hilarious!).

.cruising up the stairs.

.crawls into our laps just to sit for a bit.

.chat chat chats.
.can't get enough of the cute girl smiling back at her in the mirror.

.obsessed with books! (turns one page at a time front to back then back to front).

.favorite book for us to read- Pat the bunny.

.her excitement level when Daddy walks in the door is through the roof.

.she has 6 teeth.

always smiling!

oh my goodness we love this girl!!!!!!!!!!

THANKSGIVING...i'm making progress!

2010-12-17T21:34:00.006-05:00

Thanksgiving...that was only last month...i'm catching up!! YEA!!!!
***

Reynolds family Thanksgiving....brought together by Elder Joshua Reynolds!

Jake's nephew, Josh, is now serving a mission for our church in Dallas Texas! He left Dec 1st, so the east coast Reynolds flew out to Utah for Thanksgiving and to see him off! Everyone stayed in a resort in Park City- it was BEAUTIFUL and so much fun!! It was great being with everyone and being able to spend some time with Josh before he left!

View from our window...winter wonderland!

the kids made turkey hats...and jake too of course!

Kenz and Josh!

Eliza and Makenzie all bundled up! (it was freezing there!!)

Thanksgiving feast! (We missed the Whitings and Josh and Jer at dinner!)

Makenzie loving her Aunt Kim and Aunt Lisa!

This picture makes me laugh every time! The guys were so in to a movie and the kids came in and were being loud and this is how we found them....

Alexa, Kira, Kenz, and Lizey pajama party!

At Jake's parents house before church

The 3 Musketeers (or 3 stooges)

Jer, Jake, and Josh at Josh's farewell

The WHOLE Reynolds gang!!! What a good looking bunch!!!

Halloween...that wasn't that long ago, right?

2010-12-06T21:17:00.007-05:00

catching up is hard to do when you are this far behind...but, hey, i'm trying!!

halloween in summit new jersey is so so cute. first there is a halloween parade at the elementary school, followed by trick-or-treating in town where all the shops hand out candy, topped off with a halloween parade on the block where you live...so very cute. having a wee one made it even more fun!

all the kiddos geared up to trick or treat! Lex was a pirate and Kira was a gypsy!

they looked so awesome!

makenzie going as a sheep was not just an idea...it was a 4 yr olds wish...how could you ever say no to that adorable face?!?! eliza was Little Bo Peep and she requested that kenz be her sheep!

everytime i look at makenziein that outfit i can't help but giggle!

scott and jake with "the little fella"

(josh was visiting for the weekend! so much fun having him here!)

kenz got her first top tooth that weekend so she was a very sad lamb...it looks like jake is carrying around a stuffed animal!

makenzie is actually in there....

kenz and joshy!

eliza and kenz in their matching bootiful shirts!

***

kenz was lucky enough to have 2 halloween costumes! this adorable bee costume was given to us and it was perfect for her halloween party at her gymboree class!!!

love that little bumble bee!

stay tuned: trip to indy, utah for thanksgiving, josh missionary farewell, favorites for winter, "waiting for sisiter"...whew...i'm exhausted already.

Happy Monday everyone! :)

who doesn't love FREE?!?! I love Shutterfly!

2010-12-02T21:23:00.003-05:00

Shutterfly.com is giving out 50 FREE Christmas cards to anyone who posts about this awesome giveaway and why they love Shutterfly!
Shutterfly is my go to spot for photos, cards, and photobooks! I was planning on ordering my Christmas cards from Shutterfly anyway, so this is just icing on the cake!!

I use Shutterfly to make my family photo calendars http://shutterfly.com/calendar, photobooks, and my holiday cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery and for ordering prints! I also love their cute and creative invitations

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationary/christmas-invitiations

I love their designs, user-friendly site, and they are great quality for a great price!

Shutterfly's holiday cards this year are oh so adorable, and I am having the hardest time narrowing my favorites down to THE ONE! I think I have picked out our perfect card for this year and I cannot wait to get it!!! Here are some of my favorites:

Click on this link to get YOUR 50 Christmas cards!!!
http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

Go! Go! Go!

where to even begin....

2010-12-01T21:16:00.004-05:00

To catch you up would be too overwhelming! I haven't blogged since end of OCT!!!! I can't believe it's been so long and everything we have been up to!!

This fall was by far the busiest time we've ever had! We had visitors or were out of town for 6 weeks straight! CRAZY!!!! but it was so much fun!!!

First things first....we have a 9 month old?!?!?! When did that happen??? I can't even believe she will be one year old in less than a few months!!!!!

Makenzie is a little gal! She is in the 15th % in weight and the 60th % in height!

Her favorites right now: any "real" food! She's not a fan of baby food anymore. She eats pretty much anything and everything! (except for the no no's like nuts, hot dogs, etc)

She LOVES bananas, sweet potatoes, chicken, carrots, scrambled eggs.

those baby blue eyes melt us everytime!

She is a speedy crawler and pulls up on EVERYTHING! She also just started cruising up the stairs...yikes!!! We are working on getting back down, but she doesn't seem to get it yet. She waves at EVERYONE and is always smiling! She has 2 teeth on bottom and 3 on top!!!!! She's growing up so fast, but we are loving and cherishing every minute!! Her laugh is so cute and she loves being "chased" while she crawls away! love love love our little girl!

stay tuned: 2 week Indy trip in Nov, Thanksgiving in Park City, Utah, nephew Josh's missionary farewell, yea...there's still so much to blog about!!!

Busy busy bees!

2010-10-26T20:51:00.010-04:00

Here I am again....computer is still broken but Jake is brought his work laptop home for me to post some pictures. :)

Oct 15 Baltimore Half-Marathon weekend!

I ran the Baltimore Half-Marathon and we decided to make a fun weekend out of it and stayed Fri-Sun and toured Baltimore along with our really good friends from NJ who we miss so much!!!! Brittany ran the full marathon (what a champ!) and I had a blast running the half-marathon! Baltimore is an interesting city and there were moments we will never forget, but the Inner Harbor is beautiful and when you're with good friends it doesn't matter where you are!! We walked around the Inner Harbor and had great Maryland crabcakes!

Oct 22 Howells visit DC!

Our besties from Indy came to see us and tour DC! I have known Carly and Brad since 6th grade and Jake and Brad are long lost brothers. We have so much fun with them and the laughter (and singing) does not stop when we're together!! We are sad we don't live closer, but for now we will just cherish our visits from them!! We walked around DC and visited all the monuments, went to the American History Museum, had unbelievable meals, and a fun night out (without Kenz) for the Washington Capitals game!
(Thanking Carly for her adorable shirt and hat. and showing off her baby Uggs!)

Makenzie! Makenzie! Makenzie!

I cannot believe our little munchkin is 8 months old and CRAWLING!!!!!!!!!!!!

she is everywhere and in to everything, but it is adorable!

our life has definitely changed with this new talent of hers but it's fun! She is so chatty and is more and more fun every day!!!! She loves to wave at everyone, swinging and saying "dada" all day. She doesn't associate her "dada" sound with Jake, but don't tell him I said that. :)
Mt. Vernon Enjoying the front row with daddy!

mom and dad ingram- visitors #3

2010-10-07T22:15:00.003-04:00

we have been so lucky to have both parents visit in the last month! we love them seeing where we live and having that time with makenzie! friday we went to arlington national cemetary, saturday spent the day touring DC and then got a babysitter for makenzie and had a nice dinner in the city and then went to the washington capitals hockey game, sunday we went into old town alexandria. it was a great weekend!

****

views from the old post office clock tower- beautiful

(there is a glass wall that she is leaning against...i was there and this picture makes me nervous)
****

mom & dad reynolds- visitors #2

2010-10-07T21:48:00.007-04:00

jake's mom and dad came to see the new digs! we had a great time visiting and of course they couldn't get enough of kenzie

****

makenzie kept doing this weird thing with her tongue all weekend...her two bottom teeth popped up less than a week later so maybe that had something to do with it because she hasn't really done it since. we all thought it was the funniest thing so i had to get pictures to document.

****
on september 11 we went to the washington nationals baseball game. it was a beautiful day, beautiful ball park and perfect day to be at a baseball game.

kenz had a blast :)

long overdue

2010-10-07T21:14:00.007-04:00

well, I warned you that I have a computer until sunday so I am taking advantage and posting any and all pictures and adventures from the last month or so! our fall is already crazy, busy, fun and it's only the first of october, but we love it!
****
a few days before the labor day weekend, Alexa and Kira came and stayed with us for a few days and then we came up to NJ for a fun weekend back in the garden state. we had the best time with the girls! we went into DC and visited the monuments, visited uncle jake's work, played lots of games, night swimming with uncle jake, and lots of laughs!

the potomac river waterfront in old town alexandria

I'm a fan

2010-10-06T09:11:00.002-04:00

FYI- this is awesome...

p.s. i have a computer until Sunday so look out peeps picture overload coming soon!

why do you blog?

2010-09-29T08:10:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm going on week 2 of no computer. I do have a blackberry so I'm not totally out of it, but I can't do everything I need/want to and I can't post any pictures, which truly saddens me!

Makenzie has had the biggest month of change and I'm dying to plaster this blog with pics of her adorable squishy face!! Hopefully soon!

Now, on to the real reason of this post...since I really haven't been able to blog the past 2 weeks, its got me thinking about why I do it. My name is Emily and I love to blog. There are many reasons, but the main reasons are keeping family and friends updated with stories and pictures and its "me" time and its a great way to journal.
Since we don't live by any family (boo hoo!) Its so important that they are able to see Makenzie grow and change! When Makenzie is napping its always a mad dash of what all can I get done! Then- its ME time! And that's when I get to read, blog, or watch Ellen :)

So I want to know...

Why do YOU blog?????

Make a post about why you blog and then pass it on!

Cry It Out is not for the weak

2010-09-14T08:48:00.000-04:00

Now I know you don't care but this is for my own sanity...

Makenzie is definitely an easy peasy lemon squeezy kind of baby. Buuuuut...lately she does not want us to lay her down until she is ASLEEP!! No thank you! Now don't get me wrong, I love rocking her to sleep every once in awhile, but we just can't do this for every nap and bedtime- not good for her or not good for us. So, yesterday when I was putting her down for her late nap, I decided it was time- she needed to learn. So we did our little nap routine of cuddles and "you are my sunshine" and then I just laid her down...I was scared, I'm not gonna lie. But, I'm happy to report she only cried (well more like screamed, wailed, wimpered, begged, etc) for 45 min and then she was out! I went in a couple times and patted her belly and talked to her a bit, but I never picked her up! I was expecting like 2 hrs for the first time! It was so sad and there were lots of tears but everyone survived!
So nap #1= success

Nap #2 (bedtime)- Jake put her down, I went for a quick run and she was already asleep when I got back! Only 30 min this time! So proud!
Nap #2 (bedtime)= success

DAY #2
Nap #1- routine, laid her down, a few fake cries, played with her binks, a few more fake cries and she's out!!!! I never even had to go back in!!! Wow! So happy!!!!!!
Nap #3 of CIO= success!!!!
I am so proud of her!!

Moving on...we have had really fun weekends the last 2 wks! I would love to be posting pics of those but our computer is toast...yes I know...something is always wrong with it! So, those fun stories and pictures will have to wait! :(

heavy

2010-09-09T21:06:00.007-04:00

my heart is heavy. over the past few weeks i've heard/read blogs of so many sad stories of death, cancer, accidents, etc. stories of babies that are longer on this earth with their parents, parents that are no longer here to take care of their babies, young moms fighting cancer....and i can't help but be sad. sad for these people that i don't even know. sad to think that those things could happen to me or my family or my friends. sad to think your life could change in the blink of an eye.

but you cant live your life that way. another reason to cherish the small things. love the little moments that make you smile. count your blessings. give. pray. have faith. say i love you. love your life.

i'm grateful to know that God has a plan for me and that families can be together forever.

wow. that was heavy.

be happy.

a little someone to cheer you up :)

there's a new sheriff in town

2010-09-08T14:57:00.003-04:00

A visit to Daddy's office and she thinks owns the place now....

i'm in love...

2010-09-06T19:35:00.005-04:00

"Here we are in Newport Beach 2010, come take a seat, let's play remember when...

2010-08-30T17:14:00.008-04:00

It's been a great ride with alot of tradition, but it won't be the same with Josh on his mission!"

The Reynolds Newport Beach vaca has come and gone once again :(

I just hate how that happens!
It was another awesome trip filled with sunny days at the beach, the "grown-up" walks on the boardwalk every morning, Ruby's on the pier for burgers & shakes, Crab Cooker & movie night, talent show, Fun Zone, games, lots of laughs, great food, and oh so much fun!
It was Kenzie's first time at the beach and although she looked Ahhhdorable in her swimsuit, she sure didn't last long- I could sit at the beach with a book or good gossip mag allll day, unfortunately, that wasn't her idea of a good time! She also had a rough time adjusting to the 3 hour time change...she woke up @ 4 am the first 3 days, ready to go!!! But, with all her cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents oooing and aaahing over her all week she was a happy chic!

We had the 1st annual Reynolds Talent Show! Everyone participated, with the kids doing cute things like singing, dancing, signing, alphabets, etc, and the grown ups did not disappoint- we all embarrassed ourselves and had a great time doing it! (Sorry, no pics of that allowed) There were raps, skits, songs, dances, head stands, and an accordion... It was so much fun and we all had laugh tears by the end of the night! Definitely a new tradition!

Counting down til next year!!

representin the new squad!
Makenzie's biggest fans- Eliza & Dallas

Dear weekend,

2010-08-26T17:35:00.005-04:00

Could you please come sooner and last longer? Makenzie and I really miss our daddy and hubby when you are not around. I realize I should've written sooner. We love you weekend!

Your biggest fans,

E & M

today...

2010-08-24T19:31:00.002-04:00

...was a good day. you know when you just have a good day? Not that everything that day was perfect, but you were happy, like genuinely, im so blessed, what do i have to complain about, happy. today was one of those days and i loved it. makenzie was so happy and everytime I looked at her she smiled from ear to ear and was just so excited to be with me. like i said, it's not like she didn't cry or that she didn't spit up down my shirt or she went down for her naps like that (snap), but she was just a happy baby girl and that makes me happy. i was productive, i was lazy, i read, i ate some chocolate chip cookies that we had made the night before (not telling how many), i ran, i met some new people, i talked with an old friend, jake and i both called each other just say hi and i love you. its days like this that make me stop and think...i have lots of days like this...but if i don't stop and take it all in, with a smile and grateful heart, then they will just float on by....life is a good day.

Happy Half-Birthday to you!

2010-08-23T08:08:00.007-04:00

I love birthdays! Half-Birthday's, real birthdays, doesn't matter, I love 'em! Anyone who knows me well, and now anyone who reads this post, knows my feelings on "the big day". I love having an excuse to celebrate. I love that everyone gets one day where it's all about YOU! Jake always claims that I start counting down to my birthday 6 months in advance...not true...I just always get excited when it's my half-birthday (April 24). Well, unforunately we were out of town and not with Jake on Makenzie's half-birthday, so we didn't have a party, but I think she was excited too!

That's right, she is 6 months old!!! I cannot believe it! I feel like every month I say, "wow, time flies". Well, it does! Luckily, I don't mind her getting older (not the flying by part), because with every day comes new discoveries and new milestones! Her personality is just blossoming and we are in love! She's one happy girl!

loves:

SLEEPING- except on vaca :( naps great, and sleeps from 7pm-7am

FOOD- cereal, prunes, carrots, sweet potatoes

TOYS- her rings, rattles, books, anything she can put in her mouth really

BOOKS- she squeals while you read to her as if she is reading along, her favoite book right now- JAMBERRY! I'm a fan as well.

SITTING UP- not a fan of laying down to play anymore, too much to see.

BATHS- well, just being nakey, in general!

her HANDS & her FEET- she loves sucking on her thumb or hand and has recently started putting her feet in her mouth...yikes!

Lots of pictures of a cutesy, blue-eyed, squeeze-her-cheeks, can't-get-enough 6 month old

6 months of goodness

Last days in Jersey

2010-08-07T12:39:00.006-04:00

I have sat down to update the blog 3 times now and just sat there...where do I even begin?!?! Our life the past month has been a complete whirlwind! There have been sad times and fun times, exciting times and overwhelming times with the BIG MOVE!

This is a hodge podge of pictures from our last bit in New Jersey. The reality that we moved still has not sunk in...we miss the O'Neils and our friends so very very very much! Luckily it wasn't good-bye, just see ya later!

Lisa, Scott, Alexa, Eliza, Jake, Me, Kenz, & Kira

After the girls ballet recital- Makenzie just had to wear her tutu :)

How adorable are these chics?!
4th of July- Makenzie's first encounter with fireworks!

Pool part and BBQ with friends
Lisa and I at Color Me Mine for Kik's bday party
Eliza, Kira (the Birthday Girl), Kenz, & Lex at Kira's bday party the day before we moved

Makenzie just lights up when these girls are around!

Before the movers....After....The room we brought Makenzie home from the hospital to...tear
Our bare bedroom
"Sisters" (and best buddies)
We threw a going away BBQ with our friends for the Nelsons who moved to California. We then found out we were moving so I'm so glad that we had done this!

Although this picture doesn't quite show it...Elizabeth and Makenzie are really BFF's! haha!

Will someone please bring us some Tratoria....we are going through serious withdrawals!!! :)

strike a pose

2010-07-12T23:46:00.004-04:00

I took these awhile back, but Kenz wanted to give one to Jake for Fathers Day so I couldn't post them before. We had a fun photo shoot! And I am in love with how cute they turned out!

Those baby blue eyes just melt my heart!

her father's daughter

2010-07-12T23:33:00.004-04:00

For those who know Jake well, know his love for SHOES.

The first thing Jake wanted to buy when we found out I was pregnant was baby Jordans! The day after finding out we were having a girl he found these adorable kicks! Makenzie really loves them, she thinks they taste great! But, c'mon...how fly does she look in them! :)

Road Trip!

2010-07-12T22:31:00.005-04:00

It's a Christmas miracle...I have internet at the moment! I have SO SO SO much to post! Our internet has been so flakey lately and I just hate not being able to post anything and boy do I have things to share! :)

****

Last weekend, we drove down to DC to find a new home! It was a really quick trip, but so much fun! Checking everything out, Jake and I got really excited about our new place. The drive down was so easy and it's a quick 3.5 hours, and since we will be driving it ALOT, we were excited about that! Makenzie was a champ and slept pretty much the entire drive and was so great on our looooonnng day!

I always love a good road trip with Jake because there is just nothing to do but talk and jam out :) We always have so much fun and we have had our fair share of road trips

(Utah to Indy=24 hour drive, drove it 3 times, NJ to Indy= 11 hour drive, 3 times)!

We found our new home in Alexandria, VA just outside of DC! We fell in love with Alexandria, especially Old Town! It's part of the historic district in Alexandria and it's the cutest place!! And our new place is only about 4 miles away. It had cobblestone sidewalks and streets lined with restaurants and shops! The main street (King Street) leads down to the Potomac River waterfront, it was beautiful! We know we will spend so much of our time there.

Potomac River waterfront

Walking around Old Town Alexandria

We love a good "Life is Good" store!

No need for words here :)

Chillaxin in the king size

The Washington Monument- drive by
Another awesome thing about our new place is how close we are to DC! Jake will be working in DC and we are only 8 miles from his work!! So excited to be so close to an awesome new city! Our official move in date is Fri, July 23. Once we get moved in and settled I will, of course, post pictures of our new home!

4th state...5 years...bring it on...

2010-07-05T20:32:00.004-04:00

From this...

to this...

goodbye...

hello...
Yes, it's true...we are on the move. It was all very bittersweet...moving= bitter, job= sweet.
Jake has been offered a job with the Washington Wizards! It's a huge promotion so I am so proud of him and we are very excited about the opportunity!!! However...WE LOVE IT HERE!!!!!!!! so it will be very sad to leave!

We love being so close to Scott, Lisa, and the girls (Jake's sis) and have so much fun with them!!!We also have met the greatest people and love our friends here. We have had a great time living here and we know we will be up to visit very often! Luckily, DC is only 3.5 hours away and it's a very easy drive!

But, we aren't rookies at this either...we have lived in 4 states in our 5 years of marriage! CRAZY!!! It's not fun to pack up everything you own and relocating, but it has been an exciting ride! I mean, Utah, Indy, NYC, and now DC?!?!?!? We feel so blessed to have had the opportunities and experiences that we've had and our looking forward to our next adventure!!

We went down this past weekend to house hunt and it got us really excited about our new area. We are going to be living in Alexandria, Virginia. It is a great area and Old Town Alexandria is about the cutest place I've ever seen!!! (Pics to come of our trip) We are about 3 miles from Old Town and the Potomac River waterfront (which is really pretty) and 6 miles to DC!!!! Jake is only 8 miles away from his work!! Now, with DC traffic that 6 miles will take him at least 30 min, but a 30 min commute is nothing to complain about!

So, here we go...put your hands in the air!!!!

Time, where did you go?

2010-06-23T14:20:00.009-04:00

Our little bundle of goodness is 4 months old!!!! I cannot believe it! Time is going by too fast! She has changed so much over the past month and we are

loving every minute!!

4 months

weight: 13 lbs, 14 oz (56%)

height: 25 in (77%)

head: 41.3 (58%)

***

Loves:

baths

diaper changes

being naked in general :)

oatmeal

standing

kisses

baby einstein

seeing us in the morning or after a nap

kicking her legs

sleeping in her crib

***

She sleeps from about 7pm-7am and takes 2 2hr, and 1-2 cat naps every day! Yes, she spoils us! She is the happiest girl and loves smiling at us!

She just started eating oatmeal and can't get enough! She grabs my hands and opens her mouth reaaaaaaaallllly big! It is hilarious! She gets so excited when Daddy comes home! We just can't get enough of her...it's true....we're obsessed!

(I guess I have to start strapping the wiggle worm in...)