Father's Day 2009

Happy Father's day to my sweet husband! This father's day we are traveling back from our fam. vaca! We all three shared a beautiful breakfast before we took our last dip in the ocean. Linkoln and Sammy are like two peas in pod...they each light up when they see the other.

Here are a few pics of Sammy's special day. The last one is on the airplane. Daddy and Link were playing with the window shade and of course cracking each other up....not so sure if the lady behind them got the joke.:) Sammy said it was a great D-Day and I agree! xoxoxo!!!!

Sammy,

Thank you so much for making my dreams come true. You have been our rock and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Linkoln's love for you is like no other. You are an awesome dad...I luv u!

McKamie Family Vacation 2009!

We just returned from paradise and I'm already longing for the beach! This summer we choose Turks and Caicos for our destination. We all really enjoyed ourselves and we definitely soaked up the sun. Linkoln fell into to his own routine super fast. He was up at 6:30 everyday...if not sooner:(, ready to hit the sand. Each day he became a little more brave. The last two days he felt so comfortable that he and daddy would take a running start into the water and then fall down splashing and laughing. The tiny footprints that he would leave behind were so precious to me. I will forever carry that day with me always! The water was soo super clear. Linkoln loved to watch the fish swim below us and the boats zoom past us. We would jump the waves as they made their way to shore. Oh and of course every time he saw a boat it was always "Uncles", lol! We spent most of our day building sand castles, writing our names in the sand, swimming in the ocean and of course making memories. By the end of our trip Linkoln would wake us up with a.. "Good morning", and greet us during the day with a "Good afternoon". He grew soo much right before our eyes this past week. He is now putting together two to three words sentences and has started to sing...it's the cutest thing ever...he is growing into to his own personality and Sammy and I are sooo trilled to be here to see it. Linkoln and I are already working on daddy to make our 2010 Family trip back in paradise:)

Miss Courtney also took this family trip with us. She and Link have such a great bond and they always have the best of times together. She truly loves and cares for Link a great deal...it has always been so easy to trust her. We will miss her this fall as she begins a new and exciting chapter in her life. Thank you Court for everything you have done for us. You are such an amazing young women and we are going to miss you like crazy....you're always welcome back anytime:) God bless you and we will always hold a special place in our hearts for you!

Our anniversary!:) Sammy surprised me the night before our anniversary with plane tickets to H-town to do some shopping. We had a wonderful time reconnecting and enjoying some "alone"time. We didn't even have to break tradition...they have a Zaza in Houston too! Thank you honey for all that you do....I love you with all of my heart and soul!



"Coming home to a new little boy". While we were gone Linkoln decided to start saying some sort of "yes" verbally instead of just shaking his head. It might not be the most polite but a "uh huh" works great with me. I think Poppy had something to do with it. Linkoln is also saying "love you" more clearly....which melts my heart and his"thank u" is adorable. We all know that he loves to play with his trains, but now he has added an "all a board" to it. It is the cutest thing ever. While we were away poppy put together Link's wagon. Since then we have had to take a wagon ride EVERYDAY morning before it gets too hot! Linkoln loves to collect leaves and admire the wind mill in our neighborhood. It's good to be home!;) Thanks Mom and Dad for watching over our baby boy... luv u!

A shared Holiday!

Happy Birthday Honey and a Happy Mother's day to me:) Today we enjoyed church and a wonderful lunch with my parents. We all crashed when we got home and then enjoyed the wonderful weather outside. Today was a shared holiday. Sammy's birthday falls on Mother's Day about every 4 or 5 years...what a true gift for his mama:) It was a relaxing weekend filled with my most favorite people. My sweet Linkoln made me a Mom and that in itself is the prefect gift. Even at his most defiant times I am still sooooo blessed and happy to be his mom! It must mean that he is going to be a good leader and that I am going to need a lot of prayer throughout his young life:)

Love to all and Happy Mother's Day! xoxoxoxo

Linkoln loved blowing out the candles....we had to re-light them 4 more times so that Link could blow them out by himself!

Link showing daddy how to use his bday gift. Pro surfer!

The prefect Mother's Day!

McDonald's and Peanut butter

My first Happy Meal! I promised myself that I wouldn't give Link McDonald's or Peanut Butter until he was at least 3 or 4. But I clearly caved. :) This lake trip will filled with "first"!

All done!

Daddy bought this for me...don't I look cute?!

Soooo Behind.....

Oh my goodness..how time flies! I cannot believe that we are already at the end of March. Last week was the first day of spring....yippee! With all that being said let me apologize for being such a slacker. I had every intention of blogging over the past few months, however I clearly just didn't make the time. So let me catch you up on "The McKamie's". We had a wonderful New Year's. We went back down to the lake like last year to spend our first week in 2009 relaxing in our home away from home. Mom and dad didn't come down this year but our BFF's live a few doors down so we were definitely in good company. February flew by too. Linkoln is ever so big and running our house like nobodies business. I know every parent says that their child is so smart but I truly think that we have a baby Einstein on our hands:) Right now Linkoln loves anything he can push or pull. He loves to get his train and push it as hard as he can into a wall or a door....it literally cracks him up (me..not so much). Airplanes, trains and trucks/bus's are his favorite. His words are amazing....he is now trying to repeat everything you say. Last week Sammy and I were having Link repeat really long words like Mississippi...it was adorable to watch him try so hard to say it...I just love him. Linkoln is still in swim class and is doing good. He had his 1st bubble bath the other day...way cool! We also introduced him to the sand box a couple of weeks ago. When I first took his socks and shoes off he tired to jump back into my arms so fast. I guess the texture of the sand isn't his thing. The word "outside" gets him moving! He could play all day out doors if I'd let him. And believe me trying to get him back inside is a full temper tantrum....but we're working on it!


...Okay, so the post above was back in March and it's now the middle of April...seriously where does the time go? So what's happened lately? Really just the same stuff. Linkoln is still doing amazing. Easter was wonderful! Our Easter bunny visit didn't go as good as last year, but we have a good memory from it;)! We had the family over for lunch and all the kids played and hunted Easter eggs together. Link's favorite words right now are Computer and Einstein. Actually the phrase, "TV, Einstein...TV, Einstein" about 10x in a row is his fav.! It drives us bonkers, but it is way too cute! Linkoln finally had his surgery...praise the Lord! That truly was such a challenging time for Sammy and I but the power of Prayer and our faith pulled us through. Link did great and we are now waiting on our post-op apt next week to release us back to ALL activities. Mama's going crazy and I know my poor son has to be bored:( (3 weeks and counting)! It's always amazing to see God's work first hand. Not only did he answer our prayers for Linkoln but he pulled off a miracle with our good friends baby boy. Little Jake was born with 3 different heart problems and went into open heart surgery within the first week of his birth date. I'm not sure I have ever prayed sooo hard and as much as I did that week. As I still continue to pray for Jake, Jen and Russell, I not only pray to allow God to make him stronger, but to also praise him for all the many prayers he has answered & the love, hope and faith that he has once again placed in my heart. It feels so good to have a God that we can speak directly to anytime we please. How thankful are we that we have a God that unselfishly gave his own son to live a sinless life and die for our impurities so that we could one day enjoy heaven. Over the past month my relationship with Christ has grown by a mile. Prayer not only changes situations but it also changes people!


"I called, you answered...and you came to my rescue"

Christmas day

I just LOVE Christmas! It truly is my favorite time of year. This holiday really did fly by for us...I hear that's what happens once you start to have children of your own. Sammy and I took Link to pick out his first Christmas tree...we were a little late putting it up along with the other decorations but we figured Link is still too young to know.:) We also went to the Gaylord with Nana and Poppy to see Santa....Linkoln did awesome! That hotel is just amazing during the holiday's. Linkoln is such a joy to watch....his eyes were full of amazement as we walked the grounds of the hotel. The train set was by far his favorite, I think Nana got some really good pics of Linkoln and trains...hopefully I'll get them sooner than the ones from the "Polar Express" (wink..wink mom)! Our Christmas Eve's are always the same: Church with Mom and Dad and then everyone back over to our house for dinner. All the kids played so well together and the adults got some good quiet time too! Sammy and I stayed up late trying to get everything in order for Christmas morning....we wanted it to be perfect!

And perfect it was...we have video to prove it;) Linkoln loved what Santa had left for him and could really care less about opening any of our presents that we had wrapped for him. It was a good start to great day! We spent the day at my parents house and then came home to a relaxing evening at our house. This Christmas was just prefect. I loved spending time with my parents, sisters, and of course My love and sweet angel. Merry Christmas to all...God Bless!

The start of a tradition!

Choo-Choo...all aboard! What an exciting time we had this pasted Friday night. Sammy and I and my parents took Linkoln to the North Pole Express in Grapevine to ride on the train and see Santa Clause. Linkoln loves trains...what boy or child for that matter doesn't:) They had each cart decorated wonderfully and had music and singing throughout the whole train. Santa and Mrs. Clause even paid each child a visit. We talk to Linkoln about Santa almost everyday so it was great for him to actually see him in person. He loves it when daddy and I say "Hohoho Merry Christmas"...he belly laughs so hard and tries to imitate the "hohoho" part. The weather was prefect and the company was amazing. We had the Palmer's with us too and of course Carson and Ry's Grammy & Grampy! I just love Christmas time and making new memories and traditions. Merry Christmas everyone!

Girls weekend!

Wow...what a great weekend! This past Saturday the girls and I headed down to the lake to have a relaxing get away. We got on the road early Saturday morning with our donuts and Starbucks in tow ready for fun drive. It has been a while since we have "ALL" been able to get together and reflect on our friendship. It seems the older we get the more responsibility we create and the time for dinners, cocktails and shopping just slips by. Two of us have families now, one of us has a sweet baby boy on the way and the other two are so very busy with work.



I put together this short weekend trip for us girls so that we can once again make the time for each other. It was a great time for us to remember our crazy stories from years back as well as catch everyone up on what each of us has planned for the new year!



*Stephanie, Danielle, Jen and Jac,
I feel so blessed and thankful for each of you. We all bring something different to the table and I think that's why we work. Our friendship is very rare and I know that I will have you in my life and heart forever. I love you deeply and I can't wait to see what the next 20 years has in store for us!xoxoxo



And to my wonderful hubby...Thank you for taking such special care of our baby boy while I was away and for supporting me always. I love you!

Update

Okay...so we just celebrated Link's first birthday and it seems like he growing faster than ever. As you all know our "toddler":) is now walking. He can really book it...from room to room, around corners, up steps...everything! Besides his new found freedom of walking he is also babbling alot more. Hi, bye, dadeee and book are his favorite words right now, but he is really trying to repeat everything you say out loud like boat, bath, duck, puppy dog, hippopotamus and airplane....the last two are no lie...he's smart! Linkoln can also bend over to pick up a toy without falling down and can stand up from a seated position without the assistance of someone or something! No more bottle...strictly a sippy cup and he is a great eater...literally eating us out of house and home. He just amazes us. When you ask him a question its like he really gets...he even responds with a "yes" or a shake of the head....its crazy how fast this all happens. He can recognize and point out or grab many of his toys when asked. He is working on his 8Th tooth and yes he still needs a hair cut in daddy's eyes, but not mine:) Hopefully this has caught you up on our baby boys progress! I'll update more when it happens!

Happy Birthday Linkoln Kole

What an amazing gift I have. My heart is so full of love. Never in a trillion years could I have imagined my life as it is right now. Our precious baby boy is turning one. Yes, one already! It seems like just yesterday Sammy and I were on our way to the hospital to welcome Linkoln into the world. I will never forget the first time I saw Sammy holding our sweet boy. It was moments after he was delivered and Sammy, who was once so scared to hold a baby was doing it with such strength and tenderness. The man of my dreams was holding our blessing! Linkoln is such a sweet soul. The joy Linkoln brings in our lives is indescribable. We are forever changed!

Today we had his birthday party. He was beyond great and really enjoyed playing with all of his friends. So many special people helped us celebrate...thank you to everyone for making this such an amazing memory for Sammy and I. I have to give a sincere thank you to my awe-inspiring photographer/friend, Marquette (w/ Simple Treasures). She absolutely takes our breath away with the unbelievable and phenomenal pictures that she captures of our Link. I wanted to get something heartfelt for Sammy to have always, so I asked Marquette if she could put together a slide show of Linkoln's first year. I have never seen anything like it....it was so perfect in so many ways, it was a lovely reflection of our pride and joy....Thank you again Marquette and Thank you to all of our family and Friends for helping us celebrate Link's first year...we luv u dearly!xoxoxo





My dear sweet baby boy,
Words cannot express what you mean to me...but I'm going to try. You are fast asleep hopefully dreaming of the fun filled adventures daddy and I have planned for you tomorrow. I truly cannot believe that a year has already past. A year ago tonight we were in the hospital waiting for your arrival. Daddy and I were both so ready and so scared all at the same time. The first time I laid eyes on you and smelled your sweet skin I knew that you had my heart forever. I wanted nothing more than to hold and kiss you forever and praise God for such a remarkable blessing he had placed in my life. You have forever changed me. You are full of so much charm and joy and you pour nothing but pure bliss into each and everyone one of our lives. You have been more than amazing and I truly thank God everyday for such a precious gift. Linkoln, I am so proud of you and I love you with all of my heart and soul. I patiently waited for you my sweet angel..... you were Soooo worth the wait! xoxoxo! My cup runneth over!

Happy Birthday punky!!!!

luv~mommy~xoxoxo

He walks...

So about 2 weeks ago Link took his first steps toward me and then to daddy....3 in counting! Since then nothing new until today:) He decided on his own, without mommy trying to make him walk that today was the day. He took about 5 steps with me across the room. He had such determination. By the end of the night he was walking from toy to toy with ease.

I'm so proud of you Link!xoxo

Pumpkins,Pumpkins,Pumpkins

Linkoln loves his pumpkins...he can't seem to get enough. We have been to three pumpkin patches within the last week. You would think Link is all pumpkin-ed out, but he can't seem to get enough. We went Sunday evening with Nana & Poppy and again the following Saturday with my sisters and her kiddo's. Here are a few pictures of our little pumpkin and the fam! Plus some Halloween pics of our lil monkey!

Our little world travler

So as most of you know my awesome husband was recognized for his hard work and passion for his job. The destintaion was Santa Barbara, the award "Presidents Council" (farmers highest achvement) and Sammy I were stoaked. We visited SB last year for our last hooray (or what I like to call our "babymoon") before Linoln came. It is such a peaceful and amazing place that we couldn't wait to get back there. So we planned this trip to be just the two of us. A week long trip of relaxation sounded wonderful. However as the time to leave got closer my heart, as well as Sammy's was breaking. There is NO possible way for us to be away from Link for a full week..so with a week to go before we left we added Link and Nana to our itentoray! My mom has always wanted to see Santa Barbara and I was so happy she could come along. The weather was beautiful and the company was amazing. Sammy and I had our time and Linkoln and Nana had there's. I loved our morning trip down to the ocean to have breakfast with just us four. We took mom and Link down to the beach where daddy and Link ran through a huge group of birds trying to sun bath on the sand. They flew up off the ground so fast, I'm upset but Linkoln loved it. He couldn't not stop laughing and I couldn't stop smiling. It was a great snap shot I will have forever. Nana and Link took many strolls together and napped outside under the trees. They had a standing lunch date all week and Linkoln even started feeding himself finger foods one morning at breakfast...he's such a big boy. Linkoln is such a happy child with an amazing spirit.

Sammy and I had had a great time hanging out with some old and new friends. We had a private concert with Kenny Loggin's one night and Richard Marx the next. We even had the chance to meet Tony Blair and Carrie Walsh....wow, is she a tall one...what an honor! We were treated very well and hope to be asked to join in on the fun next year. Here are a few pic's we took throughout the week! Enjoy!

1st Day of School

So over the summer Sammy and I decided to start Linkoln in a Mother's Day Out program at church. We thought that it would be a great way to get him socialized with other children as well as take direction from other adults. So the night before I got all his belongings together...I made his lunch, packed his diaper bag and Labeled EVERYTHING. We made sure that his bedtime routine was on point and we put him down to sleep with anticipation of what the next day would bring. Linkoln was well rested when he awoke. We had our normal morning time together, took lots of 1st day school pictures and headed off. Sammy and I both teared up when we dropped him off. It was so hard to leave with out him. He did fuss for a minute but he was clam and enjoying himself before I left. I spent the afternoon with Sammy. We both were a nervous wreck all day. When I picked him up his teachers praised him. He had an amazing first day of school!

* I'm sooo proud of you Link! xoxoxo