Family Fun at Six Flags Over Texas!

Today we purchased 2010 season passes to Six Flags! Chris and I have always loved the park, and decided that it was time to introduce Everett to the fun! He LOVED it! He had so much fun and was a big trooper! Today was the perfect day to go, too! The weather was beautiful and the lines were short! We weren't sure how he would react to the rides, but he loved them all and even rode a few all by himself! We are excited that this was the first of many trips over the next several (or more) years! Here are some snapshots from the day!

Everett and Daddy on the train!

Everett and Momma riding the Mini Mine Train!

Swinging all by himself!

Our little pilot!

Everett taking a break!

Trick-or-Treat!

This Halloween was extra fun! For the first time, Everett was able to go door to door trick-or-treating! We all had a lot of fun! He had such a great time! We took the wagon, and trecked all up and down the neighborhood! At each house, Everett would get out, go up to the door and wait for Momma or Daddy to ring the doorbell! When someone answered he would say "TREAT"! It was the cutest thing! Once he received his 'treat', he would say "Thank you, bye"....precious! The weather was beautiful, too! He loved his monkey costume and sported it the whole time without complaining! We wanted to share some pictures from our night! Enjoy!

Chris and I...with our little monkey!

Monkey Boy!

The sweet stuff!

Our carved pumpkins!

Everett posing on the hay with our pumpkins!

He loved looking at them!

Our PUMPKIN PATCH Visit!

This weekend we took Everett to the PUMPKIN PATCH to pick out his pumpkin! He LOVES pumpkins this year! I can't wait to see how excited he is when we actually carve them this week!!! Should be loads of fun...and we are sure to have more pictures to post with our final jack-o-lanterns and Everett's Halloween costume! Anyway, just wanted to share these with you!

I had to add this picture in! Everett's new favorite thing to do is play the toddler games on my iPhone. He loves it! So, here he is on the way home from the pumpkin patch with his two favorite things of the moment....the phone, and his mini-pumpkin!

What a happy kid!

Everett turns TWO!!

As I spent some time organizing photos, I took a few minutes to look back at our sweet Everett and how much he has grown and changed over the last few years! It's pretty amazing. So, I thought I would share a few of those with you....

Here is Everett at just 14 days old!

Everett on his 1st birthday...

playing with his birthday present

Everett's 2nd birthday!

Playing in the back of Daddy's truck!

I have no idea where the last two years have gone....however, I do know that they have been filled with some of the best memories Chris and I will ever have...and that we will always hold dear to our hearts! It makes us excited to see what the next years have in store.

Here are a few pictures from our family birthday celebration this weekend.

Everett blowing out his candles!

Everett and Chris...

this is Everett's new train set...its his FAVORITE!

We recently moved all of Everett's toys to the upstairs bonus room...its been really nice not to have all these toys downstairs! He loves it, too! Here are a few pictures of that.

Getting ready to head to school!

Our family on Everett's birthday!

The End of Summer!!

It's sad, but true...summer has come to an end! We did have a good time and did almost everything we said we were going too! I haven't blogged in while, it seems...I guess it's because I have been really busy with my new little business (by the way, the website is up and running...www.polkadotqueen.com ).

Things are going well, and its nice to be back on a normal routine and schedule. Everett is loving his new class at school and learning lots of new things like the ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, his numbers and so much more! He loves his classmates and teachers, too. This morning when he sat at the little table at school to eat his banana and the rest of his breakfast, he said "Bye-bye Momma"....I didn't know whether to be thankful he didn't cry because I was leaving, or be sad that he was so okay with me going! :)

Chris started his second masters tonight....he will be a student for life! :) He loves to learn and craves new information...I am not totally sure how he does it! Other than that, things are the same and he is doing well! He loves spending time with Everett and doing "boy" things!!!

As for me, its been nice to be back at school even though summer has been a blast. I missed all my friends!!! So far (all 2 days) have been great! Looking forward to what this school year will bring!

Here are a few pics from the end of the summer....

Me and my teacher friends and Kari's wedding (fellow teacher)!

She was beautiful and we had a blast!

Lately, Everett has wanted bananas about twice a day!

Here is our little monkey!

Everett and Maycee...we say its his girlfriend!

We are sad they aren't in the same class this year!

Maycee's big sister is one of my cheerleaders..and her name is Kaylee...kinda funny!

Everett with a bunch of my cheerleaders at our swimming party!

What a ladies man!!

Everett really is our little monkey...and not just because of the bananas! Here he is on TOP of the coffee table! Momma was not happy! I also caught him climbing the shelves in the pantry one day!!

Here is our little guy on the first day of school!

Everyday he puts on his backpack, carries his lunchbox, and asks for his banana! He is the cutest little thing with all this gear on!

Hope you guys all enjoyed your summer! I know we did! Time sure does fly...this was the fastest summer ever...its hard to believe Everett is going to be two in less than a month!

Love to all!

Kaylee

Polka Dot Queen!

I have been very busy since my last post! And have lots of new things to share!!

I have a new blogspot that will be for business only...that way I can keep this one to family fun stuff! The new blog address is http://www.thepolkadotqueen.blogspot.com/ It is still under construction, but is coming around and looking good (THANKS to my friend Tricia!)!!

Here are a few pics of what has kept me busy lately....after this, all Polka Dot Queen pics will be on the new blogspot!!!

Custom Canvases...this is my business logo!

Keepsake Boxes!

My business logo!

Everett's Western Letters

Letters for a friend

More for a friend....school spirit!

For another friend!

Western Letters....for my lil man!

Go Wildcats!.....a few more of my letters!

Here are a few more letters I recently finished for my classroom at school! Up next, a western themed set for a little boys room!

Here are a few more letters I recently finished for my classroom at school! Up next, a western themed set for a little boys room!

Gotta Love the Hill Country!!

This summer we took a mini-vacation to the Hill Country (to Mom and Dad's Ranch). We love it there...its is so beautiful, lots of neat little towns, and a bunch of wide open space!! Very relaxing! Just thought we would share a few highlights from the trip!!

Chris, Mom, Matt, and Everett in one of the ranch vehicles....Everett LOVED riding up top. As matter of fact, he just loved being in any of these vehicles...he was non-stop!

Family Picture!

Mama D, Papa D, and Everett!

Just the three of us....by the way, I think it was about 105 outside this day! Whew!

Everett playing with the baby fawn at the ranch!

Ashley (who is almost 5 months pregnant with my first little neice or nephew!!!),

Me, and Mom!

The three of us in the Safari Jeep!

Everett and Papa D playing with more fawn!

Christopher and Everett!...two peas in a pod!

My brother Matt (soon to be Daddy), and his wife Ashley!

And here are a few short video's from the trip!!

Family, Fun, & the FOURTH!!

We had a blast on the 4th!!! Every year, we have Chris' family out to our house for dinner and fireworks! Here are just a few pics from the very HOT, but fun afternoon!!!!

Everett in his 4th of July shirt and his sparkly top hat!

Our matching shirts....we have done this every year for 9 years now...

Isn't that crazy!

Everett loved the fireworks this year! We weren't sure how he would react...we thought they might be too loud! The noise didnt phase him a bit! He loved it!


Everett and Chris playing with glowsticks!

The girls and our x-tra large roman candles!!

Here is a quick video of Everett and the fireworks!

A Lil' Bit of Craftiness!!

Hey Hey Everyone! Over the summer I have had a little extra time to really work on some things that I have wanted to do for a long time! I have had so many people love the things that I have made so far, that I have decided to try and start a little side business doing these things! Today I am posting just a few pictures of what I have done recently. I have 2 more projects to work on this week, and will post pictures of them later. If you know anyone that would be interested in having any of these things made, let me know and we can discuss pricing based on what you/they would like. I would appreciate it if you would help me spread the word and jumpstart this little side business!! Please email me if you have any questions to kayking@aircanopy.net

Here is a little bit of what I have done so far....

This is a diaper cake I made with my friend Terri for her daughter's baby shower! Her theme for her little girl is pink ladybugs and paisley. It turned out really cute!

Front

Left

Right

I also made these letters for the same friend. They coordinated with her baby bedding and will hang on the wall above her crib. I can paint any type of shape or surface that you might like, for example, a door hanger, or small sign, a box, or a chest...anything! I will be posting some other examples of these soon!

Again, any way you might be able to spread the word for me would be awesome!

Next.....on to a new post of our recent family vacation!!!

Love to all of you!

Kaylee

And the fun keeps coming......

So far, our summer has been pretty fun! We haven't done any of the "big" things yet, like the aquarium, the zoo, or Sea World...we have those planned for July. However, we have been having a lot of fun at home and around town visiting friends. We have even had a few friends over to our house for play dates outside in the pool. Speaking of being outside in the pool....Chris bought us a new 12 foot above ground pool.....its just the right size for us to play around in this summer. Everett can stand up in it which makes it nice, too. I will post pics of him playing around in the pool later...I havent taken any yet (oops)! Everett's vocabulary seems to get bigger each day...which has been lots of fun. It's nice to actually be able to (somewhat) communicate. Now, instead of me trying to guess what he wants for a snack, he runs into the pantry and actually picks it out. No more guessing - so much easier! He adores the movie "Cars"....I can't even begin to count how many times we have turned it on this summer! He loves it. Each day seems to bring something new with him...and Chris and I love it!

Anyway...here are just a few of the things that have kept us busy this summer so far....

Another favorite pastime of E's....he loves to play peek-a-boo with the pantry doors. He goes in, closes the doors, and waits for us to say, "Where did Everett go?"....then he runs out, pushes the doors open, and laughs sooooo hard! It's pretty hilarious! Here he is in the middle of running out to "surprise" us.

This year, Everett has been helping Mommy water all the plants. Everyday we go outside and get the watering can (which is another favorite) to water the potted plants. He loves to put his hand under the stream of water while I pour it over the plants. Another simple thing that just makes him so happy....honestly....he just loves to be outside...he would stay all day if it wasnt so hot! Here is our front patio area with our 4th of July decorations...

The other day, Everett and I had to run to WalMart for a few items...there was a 4th of July section at the front of the store with lots of neat stuff. Everett immediately pointed to this red, white, and blue glittery hat and said "hat"....so of course, I picked it up for him and let him try it on....he wore it the ENTIRE time we were there. I'm going to have to go back and get him one for the big day!


Our little munchkin on the back patio after having a popsicle...gotta love that face!

The next two are of Everett at my friend Terri's house. We spent the afternoon in her pool and had a great time! Everett was sporting his new sunglasses...and looked pretty cool! In the bottome picture he was taking a break and having a little snack...Yum...M&M's...this was his first time to have them...and he LOVED them!

Until next time!

Our New Glogster Page!

Kickin' Off SUMMER!

Today is our first "official" day of summer....and its already been a ton of fun! Everett and I have tons of plans for the next 10 weeks that we get to spend together. Some of our plans include, swimmming, playing in the sprinklers, going to the playground, visiting the animals at the zoo and the aquarium, making craft projects, spending time at the ranch in the hill country, going to SeaWorld for the first time, going on the lake with Daddy, learning lots of new things, spending time with both sets of grandparents, and so much more!

I can't wait to spend all this time with my little guy...who is quickly becoming a big guy! It is so hard to believe that at the end of summer he will be turning 2! Where has the time gone? He loves to be outside and is constantly exploring! He also loves to read his books...especially "Tails". It has been read so many times, we are in need of a new copy! He has also discovered a new favorite cartoon...Handy Manny. He loves it! He still loves to sing "Pat-a-Cake", but also loves to do the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" . Chris and I have recently figured out that Everett doesnt want you to cut his finger food up into tiny pieces anymore....only BIG ones, like BIG boys do. It seems like everyday he learns something new!

Here are a few pics we wanted to share from some recent events lately....


June 26-29, I will be headed to TCU Cheer Camp....this wil be my 4th year to coach cheerleading! I learned a lot over the last year in Midlothian...Cheerleading is a whole other being here. I am really looking forward to next year - now that I know the ropes of cheerleading in Midlothian. This is a picture of me with my returning cheerleaders for next year at our end of the year banquet. I love these girls!




Here are some of my favorite people from school! We went out to dinner to celebrate the end of the school year! Great friends and great co-workers...Terri, Blaine, Leanne, and me. Leane (next to me) will be coaching cheerleading with me next year! I am excited that I wont have to do it all alone anymore! Blaine (top left) is a great friend, with a sweet and giving heart! She has two sweet boys that Everett loves to play with! Terri (above me) is awesome! She is our Technology Media Specialist (new name for MISD librarians)...she is so much fun, and I have truly enjoyed becoming friends with her this year! She is going to be a (young) grandma at the end of the summer and is so excited!

This picture is actually from today! Everett and I decided to soak up some sunshine and play in the backyard! We both lounged in the baby pool! It was fun! There is a slide on it that he adores! He actually said "slide" today while we were playing! After we took a break on the patio for lunch, we both had popsicles! HE LOVED IT...of course!! He kept asking for more! I am sure we will be spending lots of fun pool time in the backyard this summer!

Going to the lake has quickly become a favorite of ours to do as a family! We bought a state park pass for the year and go to Cedar Hill State Park (Joe Pool Lake) almost every weekend! We have had a great time doing it! Everett loves it! Shelby and Aaron have beeing going with us too! That makes it fun! Here is a picture of us in the water and one of Everett in the tube!!

My school district, Midlothian ISD, has a really neat preschool program for teachers kids only. We enrolled Everett in it this year, and it has truly been amazing for all of us! They have curriculum that they teach all ages starting in Everett's class all the way up to the 4 year olds. He has learned so much there and has had 2 great teachers this year! The school plans all kinds of fun activities such as, pep rallies, petting zoo's, pajama day, costume parades at Halloween, firetruck visits, and splash day! This is a picture of Everett and some of his classmates at school on splash day!

We hope you guys have a great summer! We know we are looking forward to every day of ours!

Love you!

Memorial Day Weekend! FUN in the SUN!

A long weekend was just what we needed! With me in the last stretch of school before summer, and Chris busy with work and traveling, a relaxing, long weekend at home was perfect! It was just a small taste of what the upcoming summer will hold for us!

We spent the weekend doing all kinds of fun, family activities! Friday night, we (all 3 of us) worked in the yard. Daddy mowed, Mommy cleaned up the grass, and Everett worked on the sprinklers and watered the plants. Check him out in the pics below. Saturday we took Everett on his very first boat ride! He LOVED it! The water was a little chilly for him to swim in it, but he loved to splash his feet in the water and splash Mommy and Daddy! He even got to help drive the boat! He fell and hit his head at one point, but was a big boy about it! A little fall didnt keep him from having a blast. Saturday night, we made brownies...and SOMEONE sure enjoyed licking the spatula....and it wasnt me! :) We also had TONS of rain Saturday night. Sunday was more yard work and playing with the dog in the backyard. Today, Memorial Day, Daddy made us sausage and homemade belgium waffles for breakfast! Everett practiced eating with a fork. He is getting really good at it....sometimes he drops his food...and says "Uh-oh". Then we went to the lake again! More fun in the sun! Turned out to be a great weekend!

Chris and I keep talking about how big and grown up our little man is becoming! We are able to take him to do all sorts of things now, and he actually interacts and enjoys them! He is a sponge, soaking up everything we say and do! He wants/tries to be just like Mommy and Daddy. He repeats almost everything you say....as best as he can, anyway. Some things are easily understood and others are a little bit of Everett's own language! His new favorite thing to say is "Uh-oh!" He has said it before, but now he says it ALL THE TIME! He is learning more and more animals. He loves to "flap his wings" when you ask him what a bird does, or growl like a bear when you ask his what sound a bear makes!

Here are a few pics from our weekend! Enjoy!

Splashing Daddy in the lake!

Living it up on the boat! What a happy kid!

Mommy and Everett getting ready to launch the boat!

Daddy and Everett before we launched the boat!



Going for a swim with Mommy!
Do you like my King Ranch hat?

Someone was SUPER EXCITED after licking ALL

the chocolate of the brownie spatula!

Everett in action!

Enjoying my waffles and sausage....AND USING A FORK!

Helping in the yard....Let me water Mommy's flowers!

Running through the sprinklers....THE SHIRT SAYS IT ALL!!

"MAJOR TROUBLE"

Fixing the sprinkler for Daddy!

Sunday Funday & Friends!

Today was a fun day with friends! Everett and I enjoyed our playdate with Whitney and Hayden so much! Hayden and Whitney went with Everett and I to shop in Uptown Village at Cedar Hill. They have fun water fountains and lots of fun stores. The boys both loved the water. Then we went to McDonald's and had lunch in the big yellow school bus in the playpark. After lunch we went to the park by our house and had even more fun! I think we wore both boys out! Everett is asleep now...he couldnt wait to lay down! Here are a few pics from the afternoon!

Everett and Hayden going down the slide together! So cute!

Everett and Mommy

Our friends...Whitney and Hayden

Riding the Sea Horse!

Uptown Village...playing in one of the water fountains!

I have never seen two boys that love water more

than Everett and Hayden!

Drying off and having snacks in the sun!

Snack time!

After playing in water, SWINGING is one of Everett's favorites!

"HOPPY Easter"

We hope everyone had a great Easter weekend filled with family and fun! Our weekend was jam-packed with both! This Easter, we made our way down to the Valley to spend some time with the Drefke's! Everett had a lot of fun - especially playing in and around water! He loved Mom and Dad's fountain in their backyard, the waterhose, and the pond in Nana's backyard! This kid is a serious water-baby! I think I know what I will be spending my summer doing! :) This weekend was very special because Everett was able to spend time with all three of his Great-Grandparents! It was a ton of fun!

On another note, Everett is growing and learning so much! Just in the past few weeks he has started saying a ton of new words....his favorites are dog, bye-bye, hey dad, no, and a few others. If you ask him what sound a bear makes, he makes the cutest growl! It's hilarious! This next one I found out by surprise...he knows how to do the "Patt-y-cake" song. He claps along and when you get to the "mix it and roll it" part, he rolls his arms around each other! When you say "put it in the oven for Everett and me", he points to himself! It is great! I just started singing it in the car on the way to McAllen for entertainment and he started in with the motions! He must have learned it at school!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend's festivities!

Checking out the digs from the Easter Bunny (he got two baskets)!

Close up of his Easter basket (pail)

Hunting Easter Eggs...he was a pro!

Got it!


Papa D, Me, and Everett
This kid loves his Papa D...they were inseperable.


Mama D, Me, and Auntie Em

Our Easter Bunny cake! Mama D made this for Everett.

It's the same cake I ALWAYS had for my birthday parties as a little girl!

How sweet!!!

Playing with Mama D and Papa D's flowers!

Everett and Papa D - just like a boy to play in the dirt!

Our Family - dying Easter Eggs! He loved this!

He was definately hands on during this event!!!!

There was dye EVERYWHERE!

This is at Everett's Great Grandma's house (Nana).

He loved her landscape lights for some reason.

He ran around touching every single one in the backyard.

Here is Nana with Everett and Me.

She is proud of her yard...as she should be! It is beautiful!

Everett with his 2 other Great-Grandparents, Granny and Papa Ed Smith

Everett found the water hose and was in water-heaven!!!

He couldnt get enough....he had to get Daddy in on the fun, too!

Still playing with the water!

Everett is 18 months today!

Hard to believe my little baby boy is basically a toddler now! Today he is 18 months, or a year and a half old! Being home with him this week for Spring Break has been a blast! Here he is today.......

18 new things about Everett...

1. He has an amazing 17 teeth

2. He loves to sleep...and does it well

3. He can't get enough play time outside!

4. He loves his veggies!!!

5. He is attached to his sippy cup...loves crystal light!

6. He smiles like no other when Mommy or Daddy pick him up

7. He could stay in the bathtub ALL DAY!

8. He is growing like a weed!

9. If there is music on, he is dancing!

10. He begs to go play in the garage!

11. He can climb a flight of stairs all by himself!

12. He just learned to say NO!

13. He blows Mommy kisses

14. He wakes up happy 99% of the time!

15. He always wants to pretend to drive Daddy's truck!

16. He loves for you to chase him around.

17. It doesnt matter what it is you're doing...he wants to be a part of it!

18. If you ask him to close the door, he likes to do it!

Everett's First Trip to the FW ZOO!!!

Whew! We officially survived the chaos of the Fort Worth Zoo, during Spring Break, on 1/2 price day! Luckily we got there when they opened, and were able to get tickets quickly and get inside before the major madness began! Everett and I met Angela and Noah at the zoo, too! It was a ton of fun to get to catch up with them and let the boys hang out! Here are some pics from our adventure!

Noah and Everett ready to take on the zoo!

Running around!!

Look at the Flamingo's Mommy!!! Agh..the sun!

Mommy and Me!

Everett's first carousel ride! We ended up sitting on the benches when it started moving! The horse was a little to tall for big E!

New Bedroom Furniture!!! Woohoo!! :)

For Valentine's Day, Christopher bought me the bedroom furniture I have been wanting for a few years now!!!! Aren't I a lucky gal!!!

So, here it is....keep in mind, I still need to do some accessorizing, and need to get some new sheets and things for the bed.....and we havent bought the dresser and night stands yet!

BUT....I LOVE IT!!!

I just had to add in a few more pictures of Everett from this week.....

Here he is putting on Mommy's glasses...he loves to do this!!

For the past week, when I go in to check on Everett before Chris and I go to bed, I end up changing his diaper...he sleeps through it all...and then (the best part) I can't resist laying down with him for a little while...I mean, can you blame me!???

Here is Everett with Papa D and the Elk Hunting Show in Fort Worth last weekend. He is on a big boy saddle...Not sure he knew what to think!