Its been a while...

Happy Thanksgiving! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And... Happy Valentine's Day! I can't believe I haven't posted since the beginning of November. Whoops! I've been slacking almost as much as Laura Freeberg! (Sorry Laura!)

So let me think... What's changed in the last few months??? A lot! Then again, not much! Lauryn was student of the month in December. She couldn't WAIT for the newspaper to come out so she could see her picture in the paper. It was cute! Kenzie rained on Lauryn parade by telling Lauryn over & over that she's been student of the month TWICE! The girls are going through a phase (at least I hope its a phase!) where they VERY RARELY get along...ugh! I used to brag about how well McKenzie & Lauryn got along but it seems those days are over. :(

Kenzie was diagnosed with Fifth Disease in the middle of December. For those of you that don't know what Fifth Disease is, here's an explanation... Common in kids between the ages of 5 and 15, fifth disease typically produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes the child appear to have a "slapped cheek." The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. Fifth disease is actually just a viral illness that most kids recover from quickly and without complications. McKenzie's "disease' caused her to have a major breakdown at school. The school called me at work to tell me that McKenzie was very upset & had been crying. When they asked McKenzie what was wrong she told them, "I never thought I'd have a disease! I don't want to have disease!" It was one of those "Oh McKenzie (sigh)" moments that we have so often. She's a very softhearted little girl & tends to be emotional. She gets it from me. ;) She & I talked about her "disease" that night & I was able to reassure her she was going to be just fine & she is! Poor McKenzie!

The girls are participating in the Just For Kix program in Cannon Falls again this year. They've had 2 performances so far & did GREAT at both performances! Kenzie looked extremely nervous while she danced & Lauryn sang the entire time. Their personalities couldn't be any different! :)

McKenzie & Lauryn are both in Girl Scouts this year. The girls just wrapped up their annual Girl Scout Cookies sales. Both of them reach their goal of 150 boxes. It looks like I'm going to be busy delivering 300 boxes of cookies at the end of the month!!! Thank you to everyone who bought from the girls!!!

Jamey's going stir crazy (not to mention driving me crazy!) not having worked since JULY! He couldn't work from July 26th until November 1st because of his foot injury (car accident). When the doctor authorized him to return to work, he was laid off (seasonal layoff). He "played" farmer this fall and helped his uncle Mike combine on his farm in Byron. My dad was quite impressed that Jamey could drive a tractor until he found out the tractor was a green (John Deere). The Kimmes' drive red tractors (Case) NOT green!!! ;) Jamey also helped a family friend on his dairy farm. I tell you what... Jamey's smells a whole lot different coming home after spending the day in a dairy barn - phew! I don't think that's a smell you ever get used to! Two weeks ago, Jamey played in the CF Alumni Basketball tournament. His class ('98) took 3rd place. They were happiest about defeating the class of '97 because the class of '97 had about 15 players & the class of '98 only had 7! Jamey lit up the 3 point line both Saturday & Sunday. It was a lot of fun to watch him play! I'm proud of ya Jay!!!

If you've read Bridget's blog, you already know that we're expecting another a baby boy. NOT US - Bridget & Rusty! (had to clarify that!) My dad was blessed with 4 daughters & 3 granddaughters (even though he may not call it a blessing) before his first grandson was born. But since then, its been boys, boys, boys... Ethan, Devon, Collin, JB, Cohen and now grandson #6. I REALLY wanted a girl but am happy for Bridget & Rusty & can't wait to meet the Lil' one in May/June. My mom, sisters & I are going to Floria on June 8th to meet him & to help Bridget (she'll be sore after her c-section), and of course to spoil JB while we're there. Jamey the girls & I are hoping to go down this fall too.

Sorry I didn't post pictures this time. My computer won't recognize my camera.

I promise I'll do my best to post more often. I hope all is well with you! Take care!

Kelly

Proud Godmother

Saturday was proud day for me as a Godmother. My first & oldest Godchild, Lexi went deer hunting for the first time with her Papa Randy & shot one! Lexi said it was a gut shot & Grandpa had to "finish him off", but was she ever excited! I'm not a deer hunter but I'm married to one, so I know how exciting it is to shoot a deer on opening day. Not to mention shooting one your first time hunting. Way to go Lexi! My newest & youngest Godchild, Cohen was baptized on Saturday. I am so honored that DJ & Deena chose Jamey & I to be Cohen's Godparents. Cohen was so good throughout the service. He didn't even cry when Pastor poured water on his head. :) JB, the middle Godchild didn't have to do anything to make me proud. I was just happy to be able to spend the day with him. I know its a little early to be giving out Christmas presents but I figured Saturday was as good as any day to watch JB open a present. Bridget & Rusty enjoyed watching him too because they hadn't seen him open a gift either. He of course enjoyed the paper more than the gift itself, but that's ok. I know his daddy was THRILLED that I bought JB MORE Vikings paraphernalia. Rusty laughs & shakes his head every time JB gets another "MN" theme gift. But hey, we just want JB to know that there's a lot of people in MN that love him! And anyone who knows our family, knows how we love to pick on the ones we love. So Rusty, giving JB all those MN gifts is just our way of saying "We love you!" :)

JB opening his first gift

Proud Godparents of Godchild Cohen Kimmes

JB at Little Oscars - taken just before they left for the airport

Our family keeps growing...

My Grandma Kimmes has been begging my dad for an updated family photo for quite sometime, so while Bridget was "home" last week we took a couple snapshots. Its hard to believe that our family of 6 is now a family of 17 - and we're still growing!!! As a matter of fact, we'll be a family of 18 in 9 short months! Bridget & Rusty are expecting Baby #2! Bridget's not very far along yet but they didn't want to wait to tell us because it was their one & only opportunity (they're done after this one) to tell us in person. We're very excited for them!!!

Bridget's announcement didn't come as a surprise to me because I had a gut feeling she was pregnant. As a matter of fact, I sent Bridget an e-mail a couple weeks ago & asked if my premonition was true. She called me last Monday laughing about my e-mail & denied it was true. So when she announced to the family that she is pregnant, I had to call her out & call her a liar (lol!) which of course caused every one's heads to turn & look at me like I was crazy...lol! So together Bridget & I told the family about my premonition. :)

The Grandkids

The entire family with Dad

Halloween 2008

This Halloween the girls put their costumes together completely on their own. I was so proud of them! Kenzie was Mrs. Clause & Lauryn was a bridesmaid. Kenzie wore the bottom of Lexi's (my niece) dance costume along with other items she found around the house. Lauryn wore Lexi's junior bridesmaid dress from Mike & Jill's (my sister & brother-in-law) wedding. Lexi's dress fit Lauryn perfectly! Its hard to believe Lexi was ever that little!

I passed candy at work during CF Halloween Parade on Friday afternoon, so the girls rode the bus to Jill & Mike's after school & got ready. When I got there, all the kids were raring to go! We all piled into the car & away we went. Our first stop was at my Mom & Bill's. From there we stopped at my Grandma's & aunt's & uncle's houses. After visiting with my family, we met up with my Dad & his girlfriend at our house so the kids could go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. It was such a beautiful night, the kids had so much fun! They're already excited for next year & can you believe they're ALREADY thinking of ideas for their costumes?! :)

Our beautiful little bridesmaid

Mrs. Clause

Mrs. Clause with a bridesmaid

My Halloween Fun!

McKenzie & Lauryn weren't the only two to have fun this Halloween - I had a little fun of my own! I celebrated Halloween on Saturday with a group of girlfriends. We met at a friend's house & spent a couple hours getting ready together. I think we had as much fun (if not more) getting ready as we did going out! After we were ready, we went to dinner at Dan's Bar for dinner. We were the only people at Dan's dressed up for Halloween, needless to say, we got a LOT of funny looks! We ended our evening at Brewster's. We didn't win Brewster's costume contest, but had a great time! I can't wait until next Halloween!

The Devil (Laura Freeberg), Angelic Angel (My sister Jill) & Dark Angels - (Me, Mandi Hofstedt & Amy Doehling

The Devil & I

The Dark Angels (Mandi, Amy & I)

A Bran New Girl!

After 3 LONG years, Lauryn's hair was FINALLY long enough to donate to Locks of Love. We've trimmed Lauryn's hair a couple of times over the last 3 years but other than that, she hasn't had a haircut since she was 3 years old, and that was the first & only haircut of her life! 2 haircuts in 6 years... can you imagine?! Heidi Meyers, owner of Reflections in Cannon Falls, cut 10 inches of hair off on Saturday morning. Heidi separated Lauryn's hair into 4 ponytails, measured to make sure each one was at least 10 inches & then cut. Lauryn was pretty quiet throughout the process. Heidi asked if she was ready for short hair & she shook her head no. Heidi turned to me & said, "Well mom, what are we going to do?" I told her to chop it off! :) As Lauryn's hair began taking shape, you could see the excitement on her face. It was really cute! This morning as she was getting ready for school, she went into the bathroom to brush her hair and when she came out, she was soooo excited that was all she had to do to get ready. She didn't have to sit down with me so I could fight to get a brush through the snarels. She absolutely loves her new haircut! And Jamey & I think she couldn't be more adorable than she is now!!!

Before....

After...

Lauryn & Heidi Meyers - owner & stylist at Reflections Salon

She doesn't look like the same little girl! Sooo cute!!!

Our Homecoming King

These were taken at Homecoming Coordination last night. I know I'm a little bias, but doesn't Devon look handsome?!

When the school called & asked if Devon would be part of the festivities, Devon was pretty nervous. If he was nervous last night, it didn't show! He did great! While he sat on stage among the men, he kept smiling & waving & talking to last year's king & to the gentleman they crowned this year's king. It was really cute!