State Fair

We had been planning on going to the State Fair on Thursday night since last week. Wouldn't you know it was the chilliest day yet. I told Bryan that it feels like we went from 100 degrees to 60 degrees with no in between. (Which is not all that cold, but coming off summer always makes it seem that way). 

We bundled up and went, and were so glad that we did. We didn't get many pictures, but enjoyed walking around, sampling lots of classic treats, and seeing the animals.

All bundled and ready to explore. Stocking hats were needed. Brrr. 

 My personal favorite, funnel cakes. Makenah was enjoying her first sampling too. 

A super excited girl. We headed out after this, and she wanted to walk herself out of the fairgrounds. She beamed the whole way, and had to hold both of our hands. It was precious. 

I'm glad we didn't miss the fair this year! Where would I have found so many options of fried foods, or so many things they could smother in cheese?! 

We all had a great time, and we were tired when we got home!

Hope you have a great weekend!

So good

If you sit by Daddy, you get good stuff. 

Like yummy sweet drinks. 

She sat like this for a long time. She didn't want to let go.

"I have what on my face?"

Rockin' a pony

Makenah has long hair in the back! The top is catching up just a bit, but the back just keeps getting longer and longer. I've said for awhile that I was going to try out a little ponytail, so I finally combed all that hair back to see what we had.

Helping me brush her hair. 

First ponytail. Even little things like that make me sentimental. 

18 months

Makenah is 18 months old!

I don't even know where to start when describing Makenah at this age. The sweetness, oh the sweetness. Not a day goes by where we don't just shake our heads in pure delight over what a doll we have.

 Makenah is quick to smile, fun to giggle with, and a soft hearted little mama herself. She takes special care of her doll and showers her with kisses and lots of rocking. I really need to get this snuggling on video, because it is accompanied with such a sweet "song."

She's super busy, and prefers to play with us, not by herself. :-) She likes to open things and explore, empty and fill things, and sit in things. She has awesome fine motor skills, can do small tasks with good precision, like stack a big tower of blocks all by herself. Some of her favorite toys right now are her car, wagon, dolls and stuffed animals, balls, blocks and BOOKS! I can't keep the books on the shelf anymore because she is constantly emptying it and bringing them to us. 

We've got a little chatterbox on our hands too, and I love it! Makenah loves to talk and is saying so many words that I am having a hard time keeping track. She likes to babble in her own language, but we are surprised everyday that we hear more and more words in there. We're expecting phrases and short sentences any day! She is especially good with names of people and pets, food, descriptors, and manner words. Her little voice saying "please"(peas) and "thank you" (tane too) melts my heart. She'll also show you all the parts of her body! She can follow instructions, understands the things we ask her or tell her, and loves to help us with easy tasks.

She's just a little thing, and I'm anxious to see how much she weighs at her next doctor's appointment. She's on the move, and seems to be perfecting her run. We've still got an awesome sleeper, and she takes a long afternoon nap. She can feed herself pretty well with a fork or spoon, but is pretty picky about what she likes. :-) A girl has her favorites, right? 

We are so thankful for Makenah, and what a happy big girl she is. I can't believe she is 18 months old! 

Fast week

The week after a long weekend always just flies by, doesn't it!

We had a wonderful time in Garden City with the Stucky/Wiens family for Labor Day! Bryan had Friday AND Monday off, so we really got to enjoy ourselves. I did not do a good job of getting out my camera while we were there. Take my word for it--good times, great family, awesome food, and lots of relaxing! A perfect long weekend. 

We are also packing the week with lots of Billings family time. Now that my parents are home from Hawaii, (2 months without them!!) we are making lots of time to see them, and my sister has been home for a week from CO. 

I've got the camera back on the counter. :-) It's just easier to grab it that way. Whenever I start cleaning up around here, I put it into its bag that sits in our bedroom. It's just not convenient in there. You can expect lots of cuteness to come your way. 

Here's where Makenah ended up last night. A sweetheart in a box. 

What does this box represent, you ask?

My new vacuum! 

Is it just me, or does getting a new vacuum make other people want to vacuum A LOT? 

That should be ok, because Casey provides plenty of hair to vacuum up.

Is tomorrow Friday again already?!

A year(and a few days)

It's been a little over a year since I started blogging. I was really looking forward to having a way to share all the pictures we were taking, and to write about the comings and goings of our family. One year later, I am still enjoying posting about the things Makenah is up to and sharing about family and friends.

We are approaching the 18 month milestone with Miss Makenah Grace. We are so thankful for her health and happiness. She has grown so much since I started blogging about her. Here she is when the blog started.
Besides first writing about everyone in our family, my first post was about our very first trip to the zoo.
6 month old Makenah with Mama and Daddy.

I hope you'll continue to keep up with us!

Happy Birthday Brad!!

Today is Bryan's brother Brad's birthday!! 

Brad is Stucky brother #2. BKS2. (They are all BKS...love it.)

He's fun to be around and makes us laugh like crazy. He's a caring guy, an explorer, a daredevil, creative, intelligent, kind, and a deep thinker. He's awesome!  

We're sending lots of love and birthday wishes to him in Kansas City. Brad is a hard working medical student and an awesome brother and uncle to Makenah. And, as can be expected, I have prepared a fun (and slightly long) picture birthday message to Brad. 

Brad and I on my first trip with the family 7 years ago. He welcomed me into the family from the get go! Smiles and fun. And, he's been looking out for me since then!

Bryan and Brad doing stunts on the 4-wheelers. I learned very early on that you can't just ride them, you have to race them, wheelie them, slide them, tip them, or jump them.

A good looking best man at our wedding. 

Bike Trip!!

I think this picture is just amazing. It was taken by Bryan on an annual bike trip. It should be on a bike magazine. A strong guy conquering the Colorado mountains. 

His cowboy side. :-)

Brad is always up for fun. Wrestling is included! Here you can see cousin Jack trying his best to take Brad down. 

Would you believe these guys were heading out on a hike. A non-mandatory hike. They WANTED to go. These are tough guys. 

Coolest camo suit ever, right? I'm pretty sure that someone didn't notice him hiding one time.

Makenah with her uncle Brad for the first time. 

Love.

Two very tough Stucky guys modeling new chest protectors. You know there is going to be dangerous things involved if you need to protect your chest. 

A pro on a 4-wheeler!

I can't remember exactly what game they were playing...

You can't be afraid to get dirty if you hang out with Brad!

Love and smiles. 

Happy Birthday Brad! Hope your day is awesome!!

Hitting the pavement

I love pushing my girl through the neighborhood. 

She's been a good rider since the start. 

I think a little 'now and then' is in order...

Last night...my walking partner. 

17 months

(With two things you will likely find her with these days. A snack and her baby. Oh, she loves this baby.) 

A look back.

3 months

5 months

6 months

6 months

10 months

11 months

14 months

15 months