Fall 2010

I have been a slacker lately, mainly because I'm back at work full time at Woodward Academy. I've enjoyed teaching again, but not enough to leave my little girl every day. I feel like I miss so much and she's doing new things almost daily. This long term sub position has been a great test, but I'm looking forward to being done in 3 weeks.

We've had a wonderful fall! Russ cheered on the Buckeyes and of course Jacey-Kate and I have cheered on the Roll Tides! We've been disappointed, but hey, as long as we beat Michigan and Auburn it'll be all good in the Kiefer house.

Russ' family visited in October which was so nice because they were able to babysit while I was at work and spend lots of one on one time with Jacey-Kate. Mary Jo made Jacey-Kate's cupcake costume for Halloween. Of course I'm a little biased, but I think she was the hit of the party! It will be hard to beat that idea next year. We had a lot of fun with them while they were here and look forward to visiting at Christmas. Keeping our fingers crossed for snow.

This morning I took Jacey-Kate to ride the Pink Pig. It was so much fun and brought back childhood memories. I hope she'll really enjoy it next year. We went to see Santa, too. That didn't go over so well. Mommy had to sit with Jacey-Kate and she still screamed.

We head up to my parents' tomorrow to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Sustakovitchs. We're lucky this year, we get two Thanksgivings! I need to bring out my maternity pants again. :-)

Hope you have a Happy Happy Thanksgiving!
Eat lots of turkey.

Beach Trip

Jacey-Kate and I flew to Myrtle Beach, SC Tuesday evening and enjoyed 2 1/2 days of gorgeous beach weather and fun with the family. Wish we could have stayed longer and that Russ could have been with us. We ate incredible seafood while we were there. Christy and I are so lucky being married to such wonderful cooks! Jared grilled grouper, shrimp and tuna while Christy fried buffalo shrimp. We had so much fun at the beach. Jacey-Kate skipped her morning nap because she was playing so hard...and eating so much sand! Mom and dad were so great playing with Jacey-Kate, Luke and Lily Anne. Jacey-Kate loved her newest cousin! I think she's going to be the BEST big sister. Enjoy the pics!

Summer Visit to Michigan

We just returned from a FUN visit to see Russ' family in Holland, Michigan. Our long weekend was packed full of swimming, swinging, eating, shopping, games and playing with Jacey-Kate. We watched two sunsets at Lake Michigan which were gorgeous. Russ, Mary Jo and Laura are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. Jacey-Kate loved swinging on the swing set at the beach and the park. Wish we all lived closer! Enjoy the pictures.

Jacey-Kate at 13 Months

I love Jacey-Kate being ONE. She is so much fun and makes Russ and I laugh all the time. Within the last month, she has started talking more, saying a few words, but mostly babbling. She is into everything and loves practicing walking with her lion walker and her car walker! We have a hard time keeping up with her because she's on the go and never sits still.

We just got back from spending the night at the lake with my brother's family. Jacey-Kate loved seeing her cousins, but I think she really enjoyed her first boat ride. We all played in the lake and enjoyed our time together. Next week, we're headed to see Russ' family in Michigan. We're very excited to experience Michigan in the summer time!

Jacey-Kate Turns ONE!

Our precious little girl is ONE. She survived us!!! Jacey-Kate's actual birthday was very low key. Russ and I woke her up by singing happy birthday to her and then the two of us enjoyed her day as we usually do playing, napping and eating. The following Saturday, we had her birthday party and it was a blast. Thanks to all her buddies and our friends who joined us to celebrate Jacey-Cakes. The party was supposed to be out by the trampoline in our neighborhood, but thank goodness it rained, so we had to move it inside where it was nice and cool. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided to have a 1st birthday party in the 90 degree heat. Never again. Our wonderful and generous friend, Lindsey McIntosh, took pictures for us. She's an amazing photographer, check out her work at www.lindseymcintoshphotography.com you just might want to book a session!!

4th of July

This past weekend was a blast here in Serenbe. We had our good friends, the Bozzas, down for the weekend which added to all the fun. Saturday Russ, Chad and our neighbor, Jeff, drove to Alabama and spent a ridiculous amount of money that was raised for the fireworks show on fireworks. They got buy one get one free fireworks, so if you're ever in the market for fireworks, go on July 3rd. That evening was the 3rd annual 4th of July Pot Luck at Lisa and Cindy's home in the Crossroads. There was great food and wonderful neighbors there, it was a lot of fun.

Sunday morning Russ took the girls blueberry picking and then we made blueberry waffles for breakfast. Mid-morning we decorated our next door neighbor's, Ross and Rebecca's, 1964 vw truck for the Chatt Hills Parade. The kids who live in our area of the neighborhood got to ride in the back of the truck while they threw candy out which mainly hit their parents in the head. :-) That night we cooked out at the Olsen's, two doors down and then walked to the Grange lake to watch the fireworks. I think our husbands had way too much fun shooting off all the fireworks, it was a great show which lasted for about a half hour.

Today we've been super lazy and have enjoyed hanging out on our front porch and napping while Jacey-Kate naps. Tomorrow we're headed to Six Flags for my 32nd birthday!!! What a weekend!!! We're looking forward to the arrival of our niece, Lily Anne, on Wednesday. But the most important event this week is celebrating Jacey-Kate's first birthday on Thursday! Lots going on in the Kiefer family....stay tuned.

Birthday Weekend

Jacey-Kate had a great weekend with her Auntie Yumi visiting Friday and Saturday and then two 1st birthday parties. We celebrated Lily McIntosh and Jake Taylor on Sunday. It was a busy afternoon, but tons of fun. Russ and I are getting a glimpse of what Jacey-Kate's 1st birthday party will be like....lots of CAKE all over Jacey-Kate's face!!! Our daughter loves to give kisses, you'll see in the photos below.