Texas trip

Mimi, Mamaw, Bran and Jax

Riding the Ranger with Poppie

Hanging with Papa and ChaCha

Poor ChaCha

Cousin Charlee, Gracie and Jax after some hard swimming

Jax, Gracie, Mimi and Miller

Jax, Bran, Gracie, Miller, Lea Ann and Joe

The kids and I made an unscheduled trip to Texas. We didn't even purchase the airline tickets until 1 week before we left, so it was truly unplanned. The purpose of the excursion was to let Kev get a ton of work done which included submitting a HUGE grant. We missed Daddy very much, but we had a wonderful visit with grandparents. We didn't let anyone know we were coming, so we didn't see any friends; therefore, we apologize to all of our Texas friends and family that we didn't visit. Joe, Lea Ann and Miller came to Granbury and spent a couple of days with us. It sure was wonderful getting to see them and play with Miller (I am sure Gracie and Jax taught their little cousin plenty of new bad habits); seeing him walk and run around is such a blessed sight! We visited the Fort Worth Zoo with our fellow Kenworthys, and the pictures from that are in our albums on the right. Another highlight from our trip was spending time with Mamaw. We had not seen her since the stroke she suffered in January. Mom was not able to care for her after the stroke, so she moved to a nursing home for rehab. Unfortunately, the rehab was not too successful, so Mamaw is going to remain in the nursing home. That is the best thing for both Mamaw and Mom. The good news is that Mamaw looks great; she has gained weight, and she seems happy. I am not sure she knew who we were, but I think she knew we belonged to her. She just thought Gracie was the most beautiful little girl she has ever seen (which she is). It is difficult to understand many of the words Mamaw says, but you can she thinks Gracie and Jaxon are 2 very special people. Oh, I also cut my hair and donated 10+ inches to Locks for Love while in Granbury.

Happy 5th Birthday, Jax

Jaxon turned 5 on July 10. He wanted his party at the Skate Station, so that's what we did. He had a wonderful time, and both he and Gracie are now decent skaters. Our friend, Jessica, came over the night before the party and made his birthday cake. She also made Gracie's cake this year; needless to say, she is awesome!

You can see more pictures from the party under the album section on the right.

Horrible Parent

I am definitely the WORST parent ever!!! Here's the story: Gracie fell at school Wednesday morning. The office called me at 8:15 and said her hand looked really bad and that I should come get her. Yes, her left thumb/wrist were very swollen and 'angry' looking. Of course, me being the great nurse that I am (obviously not), took her home and gave her ibuprofen. No need to see the doctor I said; it's just a bruise or sprain. Well, the thumb and wrist were still hurting her today (Friday), so Kev took her to the pediatrician. They took an x-ray of the left wrist and saw no gross abnormalities. They then decided to x-ray the right forearm for a comparison film. The radiologist then asked Kev and the crew if Gracie had injured her right arm recently. Gracie immediately spoke-up and reminded Kevin about the soccer kick she received about 1 MONTH AGO! Gracie did cry when that injury occurred, but she got back in the game! She complained for a couple of days, but she was fine soon afterward. Well, much to our dismay, she apparently broke her arm that night. The 'comparison' film showed a healing fracture of her right radius. Luckily, the left wrist/thumb are okay. I can't even express how terrible I feel right now. There are no words to express my horror and anger at myself. From now on, if the kids get hurt, it's straight to the doctor (yeah, right - I will probably still down-play everything). You probably don't remember, but Jaxon broke his right forearm (radius and ulna) when he was 2; he fell off of a swing. We didn't take him to the doctor for 2 days. I am beginning to think we might be unfit parents! Regardless, we have very stoic children, and they are surviving (and thriving, I think) despite their upbringing. We do feel very blessed that the fracture has healed straight and will require no further treatment.

Go, Fish

The entire 1st grade at Wiles Elementary performed to muscial "Go, Fish". Each class had a different role (sharks, crabs, red snappers, etc). There were about 10 students who had speaking roles, and Gracie Mae was one of them! She was on the stage during the entire play; she was the Blowfish. We were very proud of our little puffer!

Cowboys

While Papa and ChaCha were visiting. Jaxon's school had it's annual show. The theme this year was 'How the West Was Fun'. When they heard Jaxon's granddad would be in town and that he has a ranch in Texas, they asked him to speak to the kids about being a cowboy. Therefore, Papa loaded-up with cowboy things from Texas: chaps for Jax, spurs for himself, mesquite branch, barbed wire, hats for him and Jax. I think he was a big hit!

Puerto Rico

Kev and I escaped to Puerto Rico May 1. We had a wonderful time; it is a beautiful island. Kev received a grant with a professor at University of Puerto Rico, so he sent some samples to Dr. Otriz to see how they would grow. The plots looked great, and we were able to collect a lot of other grasses growing throughout the island. To view our album, click on 'Albums' under the 'Links I Like' heading on the right. Thanks to Papa and ChaCha for watching Gracie and Jax; I think everyone had a great time!

Lily

We haven't shared any recent pictures of Lily (possibly none since last March). She turned 1 in January, and she is definitely a handful! She loves to put her head in your lap, go for runs with either Mom or Dad, and eat bones (or ANYTHING else whether edible or not!). We have thoroughly enjoyed her, and here is proof of her cuteness.