Wood Christmas Party and Makenzie's New Friend

Last weekend was the annual Wood Christmas party.  Thank you Elaine Hock for these pictures.  I love to let you all see what she is up to when she is with Jared also.  Per Jared and Elaine, Makenzie met a new friend, Brianna.  Brianna is Elaine's niece.  Makenzie and Brianna played the whole time together.  Santa Clause came to visit and gave Makenzie a baby doll and an extra set of clothes for the Baby Doll

Makenzie and Brianna

Makenzie Wood Christmas party 2008...                           

                   And 2009

Makenzie and Brianna playing

Aren't they two beautiful girls.  It looks like they were having so much fun together... And you even get a shot of Makenzie plumber butt. ha ha  It is so hard to find pants that fit her.  She is tall for her age.  Her legs and butt are thick, but her waste is small so a lot of times this is what happens. 

Makenzie's new word that she has been using lately is "horwable" (horrible).  "It's so horwable", "It smells so horwable", "that show is horwable"  It is so funny the way she say things ("free" for three).  I am really going to miss it when it is gone.  She will learn how to pronounce things correctly very soon. 

I still have LOTS to add.  Breakfast with Santa, snow pictures, school Christmas play... etc.  I have to admit, this new "insert photo" link has got me SO confused and has become quite annoying.  I am hoping to do this tonight.  B/c then I have Christmas Eve and Christmas to do.

Pictures as promised

Grandpa, blowing out his birthday candles.  What a very special day and I feel so blessed to spead another birthday with him.  Makenzie adores him.  He adores her more.  Happy Birthday Grandpa, we love you so much.

Carter, holding Kenzie's hand with both of his.  SO adorable!!!

Chapstick Face

Oh the Funny Things She Says...

I have a lot of updating to do.  I am having problems downloading pictures.  I need to add pictures from Grandpa's birthday, her Church Christmas play and now Breakfast with Santa on Saturday.  I am hoping to get that all done tonight.  In the mean time, I wanted to share more funny things Makenzie has said...

On Thanksgiving, Mimi said that she was taking the bird out of the oven and Makenzie walked over and asked what it was; Mimi told her it was a Turkey.  She said "Well, did you kill it?"

Yesterday she asked me if she could have some chips; I said "Sure, what kind would you like?"  She said, "Ummmmm, I will take the potatoe kind." 

Lately, within the past few weeks, as SOON as Makenzie gets home from an outing she goes in her room and come back out with her pants off.  Yesterday she did it and a few minutes later asked to put pajama pants on.  I just think it is so comical.  She is ready to relax an be comfy. 

I must tell you also that she is having her first crush.  Jared and I noticed it after her play on Sunday.  She was following this boy around all over the place.  So, I asked Makenzie if she had a boyfriend.  She didn't say anything but looked over toward Tyler Leafly who was sitting next to her.  Jared and I both laughed BUT Jared did not like it.  He isn't ready to start worrying about boys yet.  Though, I don't think Tyler is going to have any interest in a 3 year old, as he is ELEVN YEARS OLD.  Man, she likes older men. ha ha Tyler is very sweet to Makenzie and has taken her "under his wing".  On Saturday I went to take a picture of her while she was at breakfast with Santa.  She was sitting next to Tyler and when she saw me lean in to take a picture of her, she leaned into Tyler so that they could get a picture together. HA HA  Later that afternoon she went in for a hug and Daddy saw it.  He looked at me, concerned and said "Did you see that?  She went in for the hug."  He really isn't liking it.  Its pretty funny to watch.  We arent the only ones who noticed... Aunt Becky said at dinner on Sunday, to me and Oma, "I have noticed Makenzie has a crush.  The older Leafly boy.  He said 'I guess she is going to be following me around today; owell.' And grabbed Makenzie's hand and ran off to play."  See what I mean, he is very sweet to her and protects her like a older brother as she interacts with all the children when at Church. 

Speaking of all the Children at Church, she has become quite popular.  Since the play (having play practice every Wednesday and Sunday for hours since September) she has become really close with Kids of all ages and they really like playing with her, though she is 3.  They get excited when they see her and give her a hug.  They include her in their games and dont treat her like a baby.  It is so sweet and I enjoy watching her play with them.  You would never know she is three.

More pictures to come, hopefully tonight, including her with her new boyfriend.  : )

Our Weekend...

Makenzie had her first sleepover with Gracie and Taylor. They made a Ginger Bread house and Makenzie had her first sloppy joe. Mandy said she ate almost the entire thing. I picked Makenzie up at 8:30 am. I walked in the Dudley door to find three very sleepy-eyed girls. Taylor was doing Makenzie's hair, it looked very good too. We headed off to church.

Sunday was Grandpa's birthday, also Makenzie was in a Christmas play. I still need to download those pictures. Hopefully I will be able to do that tonight.

Gracie, Kenzie, and Taylor with their Gingerbread house "CHEESE"

Email from Mimi

As I mentioned, Makenzie went to Ocean City with Jared last weekend. She got to sit on Santa's lap (again, no scanner, can't post the picture sorry). Well evidently Santa wasn't so jolly. Mimi sent an email about her visit with Santa. Here is the email:

Karen, Jared has a photo of Makenzie on Santa's lap...we had it taken when we were in OC. When we were on our way back to the condo she was looking at the photo and said, "Mimi I feel sorry for Santa". I asked why and she said, "Because he looks so sad and I feel sorry for him". He was about the worst Santa we have ever seen...no expression, no questions, no "jolly" in him. As she walked up to him she handed him a "scribbled" wish list and all he did was lay it on a table next to him with all of the others he had received...like it was a chore or something. She was so excited and so cute accepting a candy cane...that, too, was a chore for him. I don't know where they found him, but we all want them to send him back to "Santa School". If Jared has not given you the photo, let me know and I will remind him. Wait until you see it...you have never seen such an "unhappy" Santa. At least a "jolly" one will be visiting at our annual Christmas party this month. Take care and hope you got a laugh...because Old Saint Nick didn't. Laurie

Shame on Santa!!! But how cute is it that Makenzie was concerned for Santa and not upset? She is such a sweet heart. I feel bad too b/c it was her first time she sat on Santa's lap, that she will remember (too young to remember the others), and Santa had to be a dud. O-well, as Mimi said, she will get to see Santa at the annual Wood Christmas party and Breakfast with Santa on December 12th at Marbury Baptist Church.

Thanksgiving 2009

It is so much fun and bitter sweet to look back over the years and how much Makenzie has grown. Here is Makenzie's 4 years of TG with us...

TG 2006 TG 2007 TG 2008

TG 2009

Time sure does fly! Look how much not only she has grown but how much her hair has grown. For anyone who is thinking there is not hope. : ) We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Oma and Papa's. Oma prepared a fabulous meal. It was so good with Granny's famous gravy and corn pudding. Family favorites!! Makenzie was with us until about 2 pm then Jared picked her up and headed to OC for the weekend to have Thanksgiving with Mimi and Pappy. Makenzie also got to go see Santa Clause while in OC. I don't have a scanner or I would post the picture. It is so cute. I am so glad she sat on Santa's lap this year. Last year Jared and I waited in a LONG line with Bailey and Mandi and Makenzie would have no parts of it.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, as we did, and Happy Holidays.

What Makenzie is Thankful for...

In Sunday school class Ms. Linda asked Makenzie what she was thankful for; Makenzie said she was thankful for:

• Mommy
• Daddy
• Ms. Linda
• Her bed
• Flowers
• the Sun

Mom also said, later on Sunday afternoon at play practice, Ms. Sallie told all the kids before they got a prize for participation (as they do every Sunday) they had to tell her what they were thankful for. Makenzie was waiting in line and when it was her turn to grab a prize Ms. Sallie asked her what she was thankful for she said "My Mommy and My Daddy". She also told me last night when she showed me her craft she had made in Sunday school that "I am thankful for you Mommy." Now of course this made me tear up b/c I am SO thankful for her, so much so that she will never even be able to comprehend it. I told her "Well, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me." I am most thankful for her!!! Every year for the past FOUR years. Though she is three (as she will tell you again and again and again, "I am fwee") she has been with us four Thanksgivings now and each one is more special. I cannot imagine Thanksgiving (or any holiday for that matter) without her. She adds a special touch.

What an AMAZING weekend

Kenzie and I had an AMAZING weekend, though she was feeling a little under the weather. We headed to the IMAX Theater on Friday night to see A Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey. It was in 3D which was VERY cool. Mandy, Charity, Gracie, Taylor, Gage, Christian, Makenzie and I had a great time. We were the first ones in the theater so we got to pick our seats. The movie was great. Kenzie didn't really like wearing the glasses the whole time, but she did for some of it. It was a little scary at times when things would come flying at ya. Saturday night we went bowling on the base with Mandy, Kevin, Elaina, Grace, Taylor, KJ, and Braylon. We had SO much fun. The kids did great bowling. Oma and Papa brought us Ledo's pizza. Then we headed to the Knott's house so Kenzie could play with Devin. It was a busy weekend, but so much fun. Kenzie slept most of the day Sunday b/c she wasn't feeling well. Matter a fact she has been sleeping A LOT. Jared took her to the Doctor yesterday and she is on an antibiotic. I sure hope and pray she is feeling better before Thanksgiving. After she has TG lunch with me, Jared is taking her up to OC with Mimi and Pappy. Here are pictures from this weekend:

Kenz in my sunglasses. She said the sun was in her eyes. Then she told me that I had to re-take the picture b/c in the first picture she was smiling. It isn't a cool sunglasses picture if you are smiling, evidently.

All of the Kids at the movies. Kenzie, Grace, Christian, Taylor, Gage Kenzie, Gracie, and Christian

Christian, Taylor and Gage

Kenzie, bowling for the first time

Look at that bowling stance. ha ha

Devin and Kenzie. Before Kenzie came over, Devin told his Dad that Makenzie, his girlfriend, was coming over. ; ) He told his Dad NOT to tell his Mom. lol

Singing Taylor Swift

I believe I have mentioned Makenzie's LOVE for Taylor Swift. Makenzie knows EVERY song and sings them with pride. We went out to Outback for dinner Monday with the family. Makenzie sang Taylor Swift the WHOLE way there and the WHOLE way home. Oma bought a CD for everyone’s car and I know Jared has it blasting every time he picks her up or drops her off. Anyway, I started to sing along with her in the car and she said "NO, these are MY favorite songs and I will sing them; only me; not you; these songs are very expensive." Yes, she said expensive. I can ONLY guess that she has got that from me b/c I always say "Oh, no, don't touch that b/c it's expensive." Or, "Kenzie we can't play with that, it's expensive." Or, "Don't drop it! That was very expensive." I use the word expensive to make sure she understands the value of certain things. So, naturally, I cannot sing her songs b/c they are expensive. It makes sense, right? She is so silly. Here are a few pictures from Monday night

Makenzie singing into the microphone (her hand)

My silly girl

At the dinner table. Isn't she so pretty?

Oh, the things Kenzie says...

The more she learns, the funnier she gets. Makenzie was outside playing the other morning, I was in the kitchen making lunch, the front door was wide open and I could hear her talking away. The SMECO man was pulling away as I walked out. I said "Makenzie were you talking to the SMECO man?" She said "Yes." I said "Well, what were you telling him?" She said "Um... (puts her hands up like "i don't know" and was shaking her head) Just ebby sang I know." I thought I was going to choke I was laughing so hard. Granny was making her a snack in her kitchen the other evening and Makenzie sneezed. Makenzie looked at Granny and said "Don't worry gwanny, I blessed myself."

The other day I was cooking Bagel Bites and for some reason it set the fire alarms off. Makenzie opened up the drawer, took out the pot holder and started waving it in the air (to turn off the alarm), I guess she has seen me do this a few time. LOL So funny.

Last night I showed Makenzie my new phone. It just so happens that my friend Autumn has the same phone. Makenzie LOVES Autumn's phone and Autumn always lets Makenzie take pictures with her phone whenever we see her. So, Makenzie was calling me "Autumn" all night last night b/c of my new phone. She would say "Audum, can I see you phone Audum?" Or anything else she wanted or needed, she would call me "Audum".

I just thought I would share a few funny things. She is constantly keeping a smile on my face.

Halloween

It was a RAINY NASTY MESS on Halloween so we headed to Marbury Baptist for trunk or treat. Kenzie enjoyed it. Much safter atmosphere. Marbury had a nich setting, games, lots of trunks to walk too, and some cute costume. It was a great turn out!!!

Jaime's Nephew, Brayden

Pre-Halloween Party

Mandy, Gracie, Kenzie and I went to a Pre-Halloween Party at Kelly's. It was so much fun. The girls dressed up. Gracie was Tinkerbell and Makenzie decided she would be a princess this year. A little background on Makenzie's Halloween Costume... Jared and I decided that we would take Makenzie to pick out a Halloween costume a few weeks ago. I must say, driving into DC every day for work, I have been pretty lucky when it has come to accidents and being held up. I usually get home with in 35 minutes. WELL... this particular day Jared and I made the plan, I was STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR TWO HOURS. Jared was already at the store so he just went ahead and let Makenzie out her costume. You can see what she decided on below. Anyway, the party was great, the decorations were SCARY, and the girls looked amazing in their costumes. Thanks Kelly and Shawn for a wonderful night!!! PS... Kelly and Shawn are having a baby boy. Congrats!!! See their link from Kenzie's blog to see pictures and video. Sunday Kenzie and I stayed home and had to miss church b/c she is a little sick. Coughing and sneezing and feeling under the weather, tired. Then all day Monday too. Tuesday we got up and got ready to go to school b/c it was FIELD TRIP DAY. We were SO excited to be able to go to the Pumpkin Farm. I had taken a day off from work and EVERYTHING!!! We got to school, ran in, turned around the corner to sign in, only for Ms. Cushman to inform us that the trip had been canceled due to stinking RAIN. : ( We were not happy. So, we headed back to the car and decided to eat breakfast at the Lunchbox. Kenzie ordered pancakes and scrambled eggs with cheese. I got chip beef gravy. Makenzie ALWAYS decides she does not want what she is eating and wants what I am having (I decided today from now on we would share...LOL), so I discover her new LOVE for chip beef gravy. She ate the entire plate. I was so excited b/c Makenzie doesn't have a big appetite and rarely eats a lot. After breakfast we went shopping and, I kid you not, I finished ALL of my Christmas shopping. This is the first year I have not run out the week before Christmas weeding through racks to find presents. This year I took my time and selected meaningful presents and actually FINISHED before Halloween. I am proud of myself. I might pick up a few other things here and there, but I am pretty much finished. I even shopped for Santa today while Makenzie wasn't looking. I put it underneath the cart and the check out lady was nice enough to scan them right where they were. Then they went in the trunk. Makenzie and I got a lot accomplished today. Here are some pictures from this weekend:

Diva

Posing

Being Silly

"" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397411313667667170" border="0"> This is Kenzie looking at Shawn's costume. She was very scared.

Granny's Birthday and some news...

Friday after work I picked up Makenzie from school. We went to Oma and Papa's for Granny's birthday. Oma made lasagna, salad and Texas toast. It was SO good. We had fuggy the whale ice cream cake. It was sooooo good. Makenzie's favorite part of the cake is the eye. She claimed that piece as soon as the cake came out to the table. She ate the entire piece. Uncle Greg, Aunt Becky, Uncle Steven, Jaime and Grandpa joined us in celebrating as well.

I haven't mentioned this in any post before b/c I totally believe in "jinxing" myself. : ) BUT... Makenzie and I are looking for a house to move into. I have been searching for something in the Indian Head/Bryans Road/Pomfret/Marbury/Ripley area. I put a bid on one house and ended up being out bid. That's OK b/c I put it in God's hands, prayed about it, and trusted him to lead me to where I belong. Recently I found another house that is small, cute, and perfect for Makenzie and I. I instantly fell in love with it and felt like it was right. I put in an offer last week. My realtor called me yesterday and told me the seller agreed to all terms and conditions and would even pay %3 of closing if I paid the other %3. I agreed and the contract is in the process of being written. The house is in Indian Head. I am assuming that this is now "my house" but I will not put anything down in writing on this blog until I sign something b/c of "jinx". LOL Just kidding. Like I said, I have put all of this in God's hands and fully trust him. I am very excited and happy for Makenzie and I. A lot of my family traveled over to the house on Saturday to check it out to make sure I was buying something that wasn't a dud. Or something I would have to dump tons of money into. Everyone said that house was in good condition and a great first house. It needs some fixing up, but I am looking forward to that. I would like to thank Uncle Greg, Aunt Becky, Grandpa, Carl and Denise and Charlie for looking at the house for me this weekend.

Please pray for Makenzie and I as we make the transition of getting a new home and living in it together. It is exciting and scary at the same time.

Kenzie Feet...

I always find myself taking pictures of Makenzie's little feet and hands. I have done this since Makenzie was born. I usually take them and look at the picture then delete it off my card or the pictures are lost in piles and piles of pictures of my sweet princess.

She was taking a nap today and I found myself doing it again... Taking pictures of her feet. I was working on the blog and decided I would post them. They will only be this little for so long. They get bigger and bigger as the months and years go on.

These feet below are size 9/10 (depending on the shoe). As young as she is, they have walked many miles. They are so precious to me, just as she is. I thank God for these little, perfect, precious feet and I thank God for giving me this little, perfect, precious girl.