Kendra & Co.

bpz on nye.

2012-01-23T08:25:00.001-06:00

It has been so unseasonably warm this winter here that we were able to take a trip to the zoo on New Years Eve.

Granted we were wearing coats and hats, and not all of the animals were out, but still we made an enjoyable trip to the zoo on December 31st.

Why yes, that is a yeti on Breckin's head. Isn't it the cutest? Dixon, however, insists on wearing his shark hat from last year. :)

Aunt Rachel in San Fran sent us family zoo passes for Christmas this year. We were so excited to put them to good use and plan to go often this spring and summer.

Dixon telling Daddy all about the fishies.

There is a new sea lion exhibit that was open and the sea lions were out to play.

The boys loved it!

I'm in LOVE with these last two pics of Breck. I really love catching the sunlight in pictures. It is totally by chance though. This summer it is on my to do list to take a class to learn how to work this camera. :)

Big B's Bday.

2012-01-12T20:11:00.000-06:00

To start the day we went to a place called Pump it Up with tons of inflatables. The boys LOVED it!

Especially the man of the hour. :)

After pumping it up, we ate at El Rodeo so the boys could get their fix of chips and salsa.

Then it was home for nap time.

Breckin still needs a nap each day, Dixon usually just rests.

Just coming off of Christmas, Breckin had become a pro at digging into presents.

And Dixon was eager to help.

Two of the birthday boys favorite foods are ice cream and Oreos, so it was a no brainer to get him an Oreo ice cream cake for his big day.

Ahhh yes, it sure was fun to spend the day celebrating our second born on his second birthday.

Insta Friday on a Sunday night.

2012-01-08T19:33:00.000-06:00

Deeeeeep in thought.

Are you my mother?

The stockings were hung....

Breck at the zoo on NYE.

Wild men!

Focus.

Fun on the farm.

Christmas train at Valley West.

Cake pops for Breckin's birthday.

Zoo on NYE...Iowa is becoming a tropical paradise.

Breckies and Aunt Natalie on Christmas night.

HAPPY Christmas break walk.

First week back at work...I love beating the sun to school.

Would you believe it if I told you...

2011-12-31T17:14:00.000-06:00

My husband never even had braces.

What loves refried beans, toy cars, and waking up early?

2011-12-30T20:52:00.001-06:00

Just a few things I do not want to forget about my sweet second born on his second birthday:

1. His deep little voice and the way that he walks with his chest puffed out.

2. His favorite phrase is "I do" he uses it when he wants something, or when he wants to do something basically 24/7.

3. He also uses "help please" very appropriately.

4. Breckie loves anything and everything to do with the movie "Cars"

5. He has the best sound effects, like "woah" and "wow" and "woohoo."

6. He goes by B, Brex, Breckie, Breckies, Breckie K, Brek, and of course Breckin.

7. Loves to eat refried beans, mac and cheese, glazed donuts, and chicken nuggets.

8. Breckin is my early riser, we usually get a few hours together before his brother and dad wake up.

9. He is on the gogogo...as soon as you say the words, he is standing by the door, ready to go.

10. Mr. Breckies is chalk full of personality in a way that you would not believe.

I know it is cliche, but it is so true that a baby fills a void in your life you didn't even know you had.

And that's the way it's always been with Breckin. He brightens many a days with his laughter a zest for life.

Breckin Kendrix is busting at the seems with life. He has been a blessing since the day he arrived and our family continues to be very blessed with this amazing little guy.

Christmas 2011: The pocket sized edition

2011-12-28T19:16:00.001-06:00

The day after Thanksgiving Santa Claus visited our courthouse.

Dixon was really excited to see him but Breckin wasn't so sure.

However, they both decided not to look at the camera.

The week before Christmas Dixon and I went to Christmas at my dad's house.

Breckin and Adam would have loved to go, but Breckin was at the dr that same morning and diagnosed with strep throat.

With six kids, 13.5 grandkids, spouses and friends there was not a lack of entertainment or laughs. Breckie's present was hand delivered the very next day.

The boys and Adam and I made a special trip to Des Moines the week before Christmas to ride the train and see the Jolly Holiday Lights. The boys loved both experiences, although JHL got a little long. :)

Christmas morning ~~the boys~~ Adam woke everyone up at 6 am. The boys were greeted by plenty of cars, trucks, Star Wars, and even a new sled.

At about 7:30 on Christmas morning we headed out to Grandma Wendys to see family and open more gifts.

After Grandma Wendy's, our next stop was Grandma Gayles where we saw more aunts and uncles and opened even more gifts.

Next, we went home for a small break to change into matching argyle sweaters, before going to

Grandma Patty's house for snacks, gifts, family and laughs.

Next was back to grandma Gayles for her delish ham and pineapple gravy. Yummmmmm.

The boys were also able to see Grandpa Louis and Grandma Nancy,

eat lots and lots of peanut butter pie,

and rough house with their Aunt Natalie.

I then dropped all three boys off at home and went back to my moms.

Where she took care of my tension headache with rotating warm cloths and an ice pack.

Ahhhh yes...another successful Christmas.

fa la la la la

2011-12-21T09:56:00.001-06:00

Our humble little tree, with only plastic ornaments.

But I swear the boys see it as 30 feet tall.

{BIG grin}

This year Dixon told Santa he wants a Batman and Star Wars guys.

The boys and the big guy.

Sorry, no pics with the boys looking at the camera. :S

Thank goodness Santa was looking...always a true professional. :)

{Side note}

We took the boys to the mall on Monday night in an attempt to get a picture of Santa with

faces, but to no avail. The line was SOO long.

My bf in SF's amazing tree!

My first response?

Is there a tree under there? ;)

Breckie's "Elf" inspired creation.

What are those food groups? Candy, candy canes candy corn, and syrup?

I think my children have adopted that same philosophy.

a few things

2011-12-18T18:24:00.000-06:00

1. I'm baaaaack! I have been in a blogging funk lately, but since I have sent it out with my Christmas cards, I better get back on the blog train! :D

2. I forgot my camera on Thanksgiving, but it went off with out a hitch. Three big meals in six ours left our tummies and our hearts very full.

3. Black Friday was crazy. I mean crazy. We have never seen it so wild. I think it was because the stores are opening earlier and earlier. Still we braved the elements, and by elements I mean insane soccer moms, and got some great deals. PS...if you see me, ask me about the Burberry look-alike scarf I scored!

4. Cousin Thanksmas was also a huge hit. It was held at my moms and there was tons of food thanks to Uncle Lance and TONS of DMTC paraphernalia thanks to Jack.

5. Dixon will only wear "soft pants", much to my dismay. Sometimes I can trick him by saying that, "these are soft jeans" or "Santa likes jeans." Is this sad or what?

6. My sister Tasha found out that she is having another sweet baby girl! Charlotte is set to arrive mid April and I could not be more excited!

Watch for a post coming up with actual pictures of these sweet little guys...

In case you've missed us

2011-12-12T15:01:00.001-06:00

Here is what we have been up to the past week...

Strep

Brace off

Pink eye

Pink eye

Ear infection

Flu

Virus

Lots of meds, drops, creams, ect.

There. Now you are caught up on our life.

Pics of cute boys to come soon.

Insta Friday! (Monday!)

2011-11-21T09:03:00.000-06:00

Cars and coffee.

My knight in shining armor.

Dixon relaxing after a looooong day. :)

Breckin after a tumble off of the train table. ;(

Hey Breckin...I don't think your nose is quite touching the screen.

long lost covered bridge pics.

2011-11-15T11:01:00.003-06:00

Only about a month after the fact, not too bad, right?

We had a wonderful covered bridge weekend this year.

The weather was amazing.

Family and friends were flocking to our hometown.

The boys were in high heaven.

Especially with their cousins Casey and Carter (the teenage version of D and B).

And of course, their lovely mother, Aunt Darcy.

We also got to spend time with cousins Haley and Dani while watching the parade.

Dixon loved playing in the corn...

Almost as much as the corn, the boys loved seeing their little cousin Reesey!

This pic was just too sweet not to share on Sweet Shot Tuesday! I mean, can you feel the love???

a few funny screen shots.

2011-11-14T12:49:00.002-06:00

FYI...AAA is Adam Alvin Alexander and Rachel's screen name is Tacoloc (after her dog and tacos?).

Auto correct is 99% of the time very useful...but sometimes...it's just not quite what I was thinking...

And this was, let's just say, a rough night.

Insta Friday! :D

2011-11-11T10:38:00.006-06:00

By now it's no secret that I love Missy Starr and will basically do anything I can to copy her.

So, when she began her Insta phone Fridays, I knew I had to jump on the blogwagon!

Instagram is an app for the iphone where you can jazz up your phone pics a little.

Not so fond of the snow...:)

Dixon is right back at it, playing hard in the snow and going to school!

He has an amazing ability to bounce back! :)

Click on over to Life Rearranged to see what other imoms have been up to this week!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-10T07:55:00.000-06:00

I must say that Halloween this year was a smashing success.

We took our sweet Mario and Luigi to Night Eyes the weekend before Halloween and they had a blast.

We had planned on them being Luke Skywalker and Yoda until and week before Halloween when Dixon insisted that he was going to be Mario.

In fear of an episode like last year, I made a last minute trip to Des Moines to find the only two Mario and Luigi costumes in the city (both in size 6).

Dixon's fit pretty well and I just trimmed the arms and legs of Breckie's.

Monday night was beggar's night and the weather was near perfection.

And so were my Mario and Luigi.

Get this boy some candy!

Double fisting it.

We interrupt your thankful posts for a broken clavicle.

2011-11-09T12:34:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know I have missed quite a few days of being thankful. However, I plan to catch up and I have a pretty good excuse.

Last Wednesday night, I was sound asleep when Adam woke me up at midnight and told me that Dixon fell out of bed and had been fussing for about an hour.

True to form, we could not get him to tell us where he hurt. He kept saying, "I not hurt." When we finally realized that it was his right shoulder area, we decided that we should take him to the ER.

Adam stayed home with a sleeping Breckie as I called my dad to meet me at the ER.

They were quick to do an xray and discover a broken clavicle. Dixon was in a lot of pain so they didn't put a brace on but they did give him some really good meds. Shortly after they gave him the medicine in his nose he looked at me and said, "It's a sunny day, Mom." So I knew it was working. :)

Since then we have been to both our pediatrician and our pediatric orthopedic surgeon (from the broken arm and trigger thumbs x 2). He has been wearing a figure 8 brace that goes over his shoulders like a backpack and a sling. He prefers to lay flat on his back, with no pillow, so we prop the ipad up in front of him so he an watch his favorite shows.

Dixon has been showered with gifts, treats and visits from aunts, uncles and grandparents. We have been alternating Tylenol 3 and Advil every 3-4 hours to keep his pain under control. Finally today, he has been out of bed more than in and back to his old self.

Please, let me be the first to tell you, I had a good two days of pitty partying. I just felt so bad for sweet Dixon. In the past year he has had many obstacles. I just wished that I could take it all away. I cried and cried the night he told me, "I just want to be comfortable."

But I am past that now, we are on the road to recovery! I am working to get back in thankful mode...

I am very thankful that one of my favorite doctors was in the emergency room on the night of our visit. She was able to put my nerves at rest and take amazing care of Dixon. I am also so thankful for Michaela who left her family in the middle of the night to come take Dixon's xray, with a smile on her face.

I am beyond thankful for my dad who met me in the ER with not even a second thought. I know he would be anywhere anytime that I need him.

I'm thankful for the overall health of my family. After just one week of an uncomfortable boy, sleepless nights and constant rounds of meds I can not imagine having a child with a chronic illness. I am thankful for only a broken clavicle.

I am thankful that Adam is able to be home with Dixon during this time. I have needed to take minimal time off of work, which is a blessing.

I am thankful for Dixon's sweet preschool teacher and class who made Dixon get well soon cards that were too cute for words.

Thankfully yours,

Kendra and Co.

Thanks!

2011-11-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

A growing trend on Facebook is to write something you are thankful for each day in November. I have decided that because things could get a little mushy, that I would make it my goal to write something I am thankful for each day on the blog.

Here goes...

Today I am thankful for my job. Of course there are days when I question my career choice, but it has provided so many opportunities.

I am able to work less than 3 minutes from the boys and I can be there at the drop of a hat if they need anything.

My job as a teacher allows me to have summers off to spend with my little guys. This also allows for the opportunity to earn extra money.

Because of the income from my job, I am able to keep the household going while Adam goes back to school (which has been awesome for our family). This also allows Adam to be home during the day and drop off and pick Dixon up from school.

I am thankful for my job because of the relationships it has brought into my life, old teachers and friends, as well as new friends.

lullaby

2011-10-28T21:41:00.006-05:00

They didn't have you where I come from

Never knew the best was yet to come

Life began when I saw your face

And I hear your laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough, is forever enough

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough

Cause I'm never, never giving you up

I slip in bed when you're asleep

To hold you close and feel your breath on me

Tomorrow there'll be so much to do

So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

As you wander through this troubled world

In search of all things beautiful

You can close your eyes when you're miles away

And hear my voice like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough

"Lullaby"

By The Dixie Chicks

___________________________________________________________________________________

This is one of my favorite songs by my girls, The Dixie Chicks.

I have ~~been obsessed with~~ loved them for well over 10 years and they have grown up with me.

I also love these pics of the boys.

They are more of course, by

Ashely Hill.

LOVE.

sometimes

2011-10-27T10:25:00.000-05:00

being a brother

is even better than

being a superhero.

Thanks so much to Ashey Hill for these pics of my little superheros.

They were long done with the idea of a photo shoot by this point,

but she still managed to get some great shots. :)

Jumping the gun?

2011-10-26T14:32:00.000-05:00

Well, yes, maybe a little.

But I just couldn't resist.

Little Weegie, Pine-sol, and sickies

2011-10-21T08:56:00.000-05:00

Our house has felt a little like a sick bay the past few days.

Last Friday I took Breckin to the dr. and he was put on antibiotics for a sinus infection.

Sunday I was really feeling awful, so I went to Des Moines to a walk in clinic and I was put on antibiotics for sinus infection.

So, I was not surprised when Dixon came down (but shouldn't it really be up?) with a fever of 102.

Yesterday I ran him to the dr and he has strep.

___________________________________________________________________________________

In the middle of all of this on Wednesday when Adam had class and I was home with the boys, I was in Dixon's room tending to him. When I went out to the kitchen, I smelled the distinct and overwhelming smell of pine-sol and saw Breckin soaking wet.

Yes, he had given himself a bath in pine-sol. I stuck my nose in his mouth to comfirm that he indeed did have the pine-sol in his mouth.

So I made a call to my friends at Posion Control. Who I haven't called since I caught Dixon with a mouthful of dog food. Who are awesome, by the way. A real person answers with in two rings and they called back a 1/2 hour later to check on him.

The told me that pine oil is the most dangerous ingredient in Pine-Sol and it could cause him to go in and out of conscienceness , but he would probably be ok. Reassuring, right?

He continued to run like a wild man all night, so it was determined to have no effect on him, just on his mom's mother of the year status.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Lately, Dixon has been really into Mario and ~~Luigi~~ Little Weegie. He has been adamant that is what he wants to be for Halloween. Even thought I already had their costumes, last night I ran to Des Moines to get the cutest Mario and Luigi costumes for the boys, complete with stick on mustaches.

Just wait for it.

before and after.

2011-10-19T11:10:00.001-05:00

This picture was taken before we walked on an unbeaten path down to the river.

And after the boys helped dad feed the horses.

Before my flip flop broke and I was walking on said unbeaten path 1/2 barefoot.

It was taken after Dixon had a blast running with my brother Colton's new hunting dogs.

And before my dad took the boys to the most beautiful spot on the river.

Before this picture I had a long day at school, full of meetings.

And after a beautiful evening with my dad and my boys.

Adore.

2011-10-11T08:01:00.001-05:00

I mean really, can you?

I just love this picture of my little guys.

Remember back in July when I won a photo shoot with Ashley Hill?

Well, last week we met up with her at the Science Center to snap some pics of the boys.

Breckie was in rare form. He did not want to look at the camera and kept laying his head on the sidewalk.

Dixon was awesome...following directions and posing it up!

Ashely Hill? She was awesome too! So laid back and paitent.

Check her out her blog here:

www.ashleyhphotography.com

Or her website here:

www.pitterpatterbyahill.com

She is having a mini session special which includes a CD of images.

Perfect for Christmas cards! :)

pumpkin patch version 2011

2011-10-10T07:04:00.000-05:00

Lately around here, we have been having a ~~Indian~~ Native American summer, with temps above 80 for well over a week.

Before the heat wave, the boys, Adam and I made a trip to Howell's, our favorite pumpkin patch.

We got up close and personal with some ponies. Ahem, Grandpa.

We also loved feeding the baby goats.

And, Dixon really loved his pony ride, which was doubled because Breckin did not love his so much.

Picking out pumpkins is serious business!

Dixon's favorite part, by far, was the corn box. I'm sure you can tell which pictures are post corn box. :)

Dixon and our neighbor boy Cael, doing serious work.

Adam was a good sport and took the boys each on 2 laps of the Corn Indy 500. :D

Thats what I love about Sundays...

2011-10-02T18:55:00.001-05:00

they get it from their daddy.

2011-10-02T09:06:00.003-05:00

Is it me, or do these look like real wrestling moves?

Apparently they are genetic, as Adam is was a wrestler...

Now, just to work on an escape move from Brex.