Hickman Look-alike Meter--Take 2

After many tries and many different pictures I've concluded that either both of our children are magically a perfect example of genetic distribution, or this thing doesn't work! ;)

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Lineage - Roots

Hickman Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Roots - Family photos

Graduation Joy!

Although not filled with much "pomp and circumstance," there was plenty of joy to go around as Sydnie officially "graduated" from her Joy School for the summer! Yeah for her, and yeah for me! She has actually loved school and really enjoys spending time with her three buddies that she attends school with. As Moms, we all took turns teaching the kids from week to week. I have to thank Brooke, Diana and Emily for putting so much time and energy into helping these cute kids learn. While I am sure Syd will very soon be suffering from withdrawals, we are grateful for Summer Break! For this graduation party, my neighbor Brooke made them all these cute hats, the amazing little treats posted below, diploma/tortilla wraps for snacks, and this amazing little yearbook. Too much...but such a fun day! Congratulations Sydnie! You have done so well with your alphabet and numbers this year! Your desire to learn and explore is amazing, and it will lead you to great places in your sweet little life! We love you so much and are very proud of you!

And the verdict is...

Welcome home, Dallin Molyneaux Smith. We are so glad your Mom and Dad finally agreed on a name for you! (It took them long enough!) ;)

Welcome to the World!

Kade was officially dethroned as the only male in a pack of cute girl cousins (on the Keller side) today, as my sister Kim gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! Born this afternoon, the little slugger weighed in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 inches long. Upon birth, he promptly expressed his distaste for the post-womb world as he screamed....I mean serenaded.... his parents, hysterically, for an hour straight! He was just that mad!
He currently is "in between names," but we'll keep you posted on that one! (The front runners are, "Dallin," and "Bryce") Kim and "baby boy Smith" are both doing really well! Macie was a little unsure about what to think of baby brother...we'll see what happens when she realizes that he really is coming home with them and not just going to "live at the hospital," as Sydnie suggested.

Congratulations Kim & Sean! We are so thrilled to finally have that little buddy here! He makes the perfect addition to your amazing family! Welcome to the world of little boys...it is a beautiful (and sometimes bumpy) new adventure you are going to love every (or let's say most) minute of!

The power of chocolate

Nothing like chocolate ice cream to bring smiles to kids' (and Mom's) faces! The problem comes in only eating just one! ;) Funny how irrelevant it becomes that you bought the "low calorie" ones...after you've had five for the day.
Justification is a beautiful thing! "Sugar-free, low-cal, fat free"...bring it on...it's all chocolate to me! ;)

"...That's what friends are for"

A dear friend of mine randomly appeared at my door today with this breathtaking burst of Spring blossoms! I was speechless...to say the least. They are so gorgeous, I couldn't help but share them vicariously with you all. It was an unexpected spoiling to help revive an exhausting week! Thanks, Karina! You are too, too much!

Bubbly Bubbles...

Not unlike every other child in the world, my kids are obsessed with bubbles! Not content anymore to just chase them, Sydnie is, of course, insistent that she now blow her own. I had to grab these cute pictures of her as she is attempting to blow her "bubbly bubbles." Who knew that pure joy could be found in such a simple thing. I think I need to go out and blow myself some bubbles, too! ;)

From Scraps to Skirts...

The other day I was fabric shopping with my mom for some random Relief Society project and ran across this adorable fabric that would have been the cutest as a skirt for Syd. Being me, I of course bought it with the most noble of intentions--knowing full well that it would most likely sit in the pile in my craft room with the rest of my beautiful scraps of fabric awaiting their "someday" potential. Little did I know, however, that this day my scraps of fabric were destined for greater things. I took them along for the ride-with the R.S. project-to my next door neighbor Brooke's house (since she was, so kindly, actually DOING my R.S. project for me). I whipped them out to show her, and almost in a blur, she has created this amazing, adorable skirt for Syd out of them! I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to Brooke...and my other incredible friends...that actually USE the talents and gifts the Lord has given them! Bravo! You're my inspiration! Needless to say, sweet Brooke has been in a creative frenzy since the random encounter with my once ill-fated fabric scraps, and is now selling these ADORABLE skirts for little girls. Her blog is: www.claireesesboutique.blogspot.com. You'll have to check it out! Here are the pics of what those lucky fabric scraps of mine actually became!

Fun in the Sun!

So, we (very uncharacteristically) planned this random, last minute get away to San Diego with the kids this weekend! We have been wanting to get out there forever (sorry Jared & Amanda). We found really great rates on airfare for the fam and took off to enjoy the California sunshine!
Sydnie is obsessed with the ocean and all of it's many treasures. She would ask me all the time, "Mom, where IS the ocean?" My descriptions never seemed to cut it for her. I don't think she could even conceptualize what it must be like. Finally, after she started pointing to the dirty little ponds off of East Bay Road and asking , "Mom, is THAT the ocean?" I immediately decided it was time to take the kids to experience it for themselves. We did a quick trip this time....ocean, beach, SeaWorld and back home again! It was so great to have them with us, though, and to see the pure amazement on their faces as they ran into those waves, made sandcastles, found seashells and scrunched those little toes in the sand! SeaWorld brought the long awaited opportunity to see those amazing whales and for Sydnie to actually touch and feed the dolphins. She has been wanting to do that forever! Both kids loved feeding and touching the bat rays...and were fascinated with the octopus and jellyfish in the aquariums. Kade decided he wanted to experience a little more of SeaWorld for himself, and did a flip into one of the shallow display pools--good times.

Grandma Wendy and Grandpa Larry came along for the adventure, along with Aunt Dice. The kids LOVED spending time with them...and we were so grateful to have them with us! It couldn't have been a more perfect little weekend. I guess there might actually be something to this whole spontaneity thing :) Somebody remind me of that once in a while....after I've forgotten all of this...OK?