This Kind of Love...

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Family Fun Day!

Rusty has been working A LOT lately, stress goes hand and hand with this in his line of work and that just really stinks. Kennedy had a Friday off from school so I encouraged (well, I may have guilted him a little, haha, but he needed a break) Daddy to spend the day with us...and it worked! We picked Sea World since we have passes that will expire in December and the weather is slightly changing so it wasn't too hot. As a matter of fact, it was overcast and breezy most of the day which made it that much more enjoyable! The girls were so good and we really enjoyed our day all together. They even napped at the SAME time which meant happy hour for Rusty and I! Yep, Sea World sells beer. That's how the Grafs roll :) Kennedy was a little nervous in the turtle 3D movie (we thought it was really cool though). And none of us were expecting to actually feel like we were IN Antarctica at the new Penguin exhibit but we braved the 30 degree weather in shorts to get a peak at those cute and funny birds. We hope to get back soon to see some more shows and maybe catch a few roller coasters! A perk of living in Orlando is that we are so close to the theme parks, but we don't have to spend so much money to enjoy them as a vacation!

We were those people who bought the family photo taken at the entrance, haha. It's a memory!

I love that Kennedy is holding her sister's hand.

The girls are ready for the day!

Watching Shamu!

Family photo op, this makes me smile really big.

She stuck with her Daddy the whole day. Make yourself comfy! Rusty told me on the way home that he now understands why my back hurts all the time!

Of course when she saw water, she had to go play. Thank goodness for extra clothes in the diaper bag!

This is how Kennedy felt about going on the carousel. She seemed nervous about everything this trip, but she still had fun and didn't cry.

They wouldn't let Rusty hold her. She looked like such a big girl in her own seat.

And after all that happened...this happened! Cheers!

Look who woke up first! Happy baby!

Looking for turtles of course...

There's one! The aquariums are so awesome.

Look how close they were to us. The one to the far left is sleeping, interesting position. I love these birds.

Presley fell asleep in Antarctica. I was trying so hard to keep her warm, guess she was comfortable!

An end to a great day! Thank you Daddy for playing hookey from work and hanging out with your girls! <3

Monday, September 30, 2013

Arts and Crafts

Kennedy loves to color these days. She is constantly coming up to us with a pen or marker she has found in Daddy's briefcase saying "CO-WER" I think it is the cutest word but I know it won't last forever. Yes, she has colored on things she shouldn't like our couch and our ottoman, ugh. Coloring keeps her busy when I am making dinner a lot of nights as long as she is strapped in her seat!. She got some finger paint for her birthday so we have been making lots of masterpieces with that too. What a mess, but usually that means they are having the most fun!

Getting dirty now! Her cute apron is from her Maw Maw. She got it in London at the Paddington Bear shop. Presley has a matching bib.

She loves to see her hands in her crafts.

Umm that doesn't taste so good.

Look at that masterpiece, Picasso in the making for sure.

Now WHAT?!

Presley's First Haircut!

To this day, Kennedy has never had a cut or trim to her hair. With all that hair she has that may be hard to believe, but this is true! Presley on the other hand was not even 5 months old when Daddy took the clippers to her sweet head. It was my idea though and after it was done, I was glad we did it. Her hair has never been as dark or as long as her sisters, but in places it was longer than others and the poor girl needed a little style help with that cray cray hair, haha. She was a trooper and sat so calm like a big girl. I was secretly freaking out while Rusty was doing it but trying not to show it (we took video too and it will be funny to watch one day!). Since we buzzed her hair over a month ago it has grown in quite a bit, LIGHTER and EVEN. Maybe she will be a blonde??? Either way she is beautiful!

She was balding in the back and growing everywhere else! Maybe she was going for the Elvis Presley look...fitting!

Here he goes! Yes, I saved a lock for her can Renee :)

Of course Kennedy was right there overseeing it all.

Ta-Da! The finished product. Hello from the bald and the beautiful Presley Rose! I can't remember the date as I am blogging, but I think she was 4 1/2 months old??

Here's an update with a more recent photo of her. This was on her 6 month birthday, half way to a year, SAY WHAT??!!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Look Who's Two!

Happy 2nd Birthday Kennedy Anne! Life has been so much sweeter, and much more crazy good since you came along two years ago! You keep us smiling and on our toes, teaching us something new every day. We love watching you take on the world, learning every little thing you can. You are so, so smart just like your Daddy. Oh what the future holds for you. Beautiful, fearless, friendly, curious, adventurous...the list goes on and on. We love you so much sweet girl! Please stay our baby forever. Ok? You promised.

Kennedy's birthday is in the hottest month in Florida! We picked Trotwood Park in Winter Springs area for the party because it has a splash pad and is mostly shaded. It was a hit with the kids! Thank you God for a breezy day, it was such a great party. Kennedy has so many people that love her. My friend Amy so nicely took the pictures of the celebration for us! I told Rusty that I secretly love to party plan (well not a secret anymore since I just told you) but I always end up stressing myself out to make it perfect. All that matters is that the birthday girl had fun and that she definitely did! Thank you to those that came out to make a splash for our little mermaid :)

Kennedy's love of Ariel was the inspiration for the whole party.

Hard to see but I named all the breakfast treats with fun under the sea names. Yea, I get excited about that stuff. Must be the teacher in me. The donuts (compliments of Gramps) were named DO-NUT feed the sharks, haha! We also had seaweed grapes and clam cookies!

Views of the pavilion. Highly recommend a party at this park.

The fun goodie bags!

Now the party can start!

Proud Parents!

Our attempt at a family photo. Presley, tell us how you really feel! Ha!

The Birnie Cousins July 2013

Have I mentioned yet how much we love our new neighborhood? Maitland is such a nice area with lots to do for families, children, and couples. It seems to be centrally located to so much which is a plus. We are also blessed with such nice neighbors. The people right next door to us have small kids as well and the mommy just happens to be a photographer. And you know how I LOVE pictures so Ashley and I instantly had something to talk about! Now that I have rambled...my mom has always wanted a picture of all the grandkids together. Sharon, Taylor, and Audrey were visiting Florida in July so we decided to make this happen! I asked my neighbor for her help and she was excited to take on the challenge of 5 kids, 5 and under, including an infant! Not to mention it was so hot and humid. BUT the pictures are priceless as you will see and will be cherished forever. Sharon and I coordinated their outifts (kudos to us) and they all looked adorable. Nini said this was the best gift she has ever received and Gramps said the pictures were amazing. Thank you so much Ashley for capturing the littles all in one place! Check her out at blog.apoolephoto.com to see her talented work. Here are a few of my favorites....