Meet Me in St. Louis

After I picked MacKenzie up from camp on Friday, I had a major surprise for her.  I'd made plans with her best friend, Mia's mom for to have a meet up in St. Louis.  Mia moved to Chicago two summers ago, but the girls still keep in touch.  They met when they were four at school.  They have a beautiful genuine friendship.  I can so see them being life long friends.  When Mia lived here, people often thought they were twins.  They have so much in common too.  Both girls are strong academic performers, are competitive gymnasts, play the piano, love to read, were only children for more than half of their lives, and are just really sweet girls!  I'm so glad that Mia is in MacKie's life!  

While in St. Louis, the girls spent Friday night at City Museum and had a great time with eachother, their other friend Sydney, and Mia's little brother, Myles.  It was fun to get to see Myles.  I haven't seen him in two years, and boy has he grown up!  He is a character!  On Saturday, we planned to wake up early eat breakfast and head out to Six Flags/Hurricane Harbour.  Somehow, we didn't end up making it there until 4:00!  It turned out perfect though, because, really it was just enough time.  It was super hot, and I don't think I could have handled being there much earlier.  The girls had a blast.  Mia experienced her first roller coasterS and did quite well.    MacKenzie is an old pro.  We love amusement parks around here - (primarily for the thrill of roller coasters)!

Summer Camp - College for Kids Edition - Missouri

We left for camp on Father's Day morning so that MacKenzie was set for check-in at four. Unfortunately, early on, KT took a wrong turn and we were off about an hour...no biggie, as it turned out, we were "right on time", though I would have loved more time to get her all settled as it was her first big trip away. Truthfully she was only "away" for two days, b/c we were near by for the first 3 days and then I was right back there to pick her up on Friday.

MacKenzie had a blast, and while I know she missed us all, she did quite fine without us. It's scary how fast she is growing up. She is becoming such a young lady. She had a very full, educational, and fun week. Fortunately, we were able to visit her and while there I got a few shots of her and her new "instant friends". Don't you miss being able to meet someone and instantly you are friends?? To be a kid again...

As soon as we left, she asked about returning next year, I think that's a good sign that she loved it. I'm so glad. The thought of her being away was a wee bit stressful for us, but ultimately, I had peace about it and feel confident that it was a good decision for her. She seems to have gotton a lot out of it.

                                         

                                                        

Tuesday Beauty of the Day - A Week Late

MacKenzie had a photo session with Beth Jansen out of Oklahoma City.  Beth Jansen defines COLOR.  Her images are breath taking.  Last week she featured MacK on her blog.  Check out the images, and while you are there just check out all of her work.  She is AWESOME.  LOVE LOVE LOVE her photography style.

MacKenzie - by Beth Jansen

Beth Jansen Photography Blog

Tolivers Lately

So, I'm not sure why but I just really feel like life is flying by.   We are seriously nearly half way through 2010.  That just wows me. 

So lately:

1) We are preparing to send MacKenzie off to camp in Missouri next week.  It's a big move for us.  I'm prayerful that she will get a lot out of the camp and meet at least one good friend.  I'm also a tad bit nervous because we just haven't let her go anywhere on her own yet and this feels so major.  She's mature though so hopefully she will do fine.  I think she will. 

2) Since we are taking MacKenzie to camp, we (KT and I) are going to spend a few days alone in St. Louis.  I don't think we've spent two consectutive days just the two of us since our honeymoon.  I think it will be good for us and is what we probably need right now.  I'm a bit nervous about leaving the girls, but will be leaving them with my mom and sister, so I KNOW they'll be well cared for.  But still, I'll miss them and worry how well they'll do without nursing.  They are still both nursing twice a day so we'll see if this is the way we force wean...we shall see. 

3)KT got his new shift schedule for next year.  His off days are all during the week beginning in August.  This stinks majorly in my book because basically we won't have any day of the week that we are all home together.  When the shift schedule is what you want you are thrilled for it be set for a whole year, but when it's not...it stinks bad.  Gotta love being a cop's wife. 

Finding the Joy - Week 1

This week's assignment - on  Sunday  to capture the budding relationships between my three girls...three sisters.  Here are a few of the pictures.  Click here to see a sampling of the full set posted on Flickr.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Screenshot of the fullset 

14 month old goof balls!

The girls are 14 months old!  Hard to believe how fast time has gone by.  One of my friends brought her little one to work today and I can hardly believe that it's been so long since my little babies were so small.    They are getting so big.  They no longer want you to hold them really tight...they are way too busy for that.  Both are getting around really well now.  They are in and out of rooms loving to slam doors.  Their little personalities are just blooming.  They couldn't be more different.  The cutest thing they share these days are frequent little high fives.  They like to high five everyone, but it's just beyond adorable when they do it to eachother.  I pray that they are always bestfriends (MacK too).  Wisdom in days has taught me that nothing takes the place of a good friend or a sister.  

Thanks for 14 wonderful months NiNa!

Love you baby girls:)