
We have so much MORE to be thankful for in our lives. We were blessed with our son Matthew "Caelan", born August 27, 2007 our daughter, MaKenna, born April 3, 2009 and our newest love Cohnor, born January 25, 2012. We look forward to sharing our fun and laughter with everyone!
About Me
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Now I know what the straps are for!!!!

Kinzer's Garden
We are so proud of our little garden. We can't wait until we can have a huga green-giant garden. So until then we shall shower these little containers with love and well wishes. We have rosemary, lavender, cilantro, basil, dill, a tomato plant, bamboo, two decorative flowering plants and attempting to grow two avocado trees. We are always teasing each other "Honey, I'm going out to work in the garden." Shawn says he's going to buy me a big floppy hat, gardening gloves and tools for proper garden tending. Kickin' it at the Pool

The weather was beautiful today and the sun was warm, so the mommies and babes headed out to the pool. The water wasn't quite warm enough for a dip yet so tootsies it was. Caelan didn't mind, I dangled his toes in and he went hog wild splashin all over the place. We are really looking forward to future pool parties. Caelan is gettin his water wings and nose plug warmed up as we speak!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
9 Months old today!!!!
Speaking of gifts, Caelan decided to share a present with us for his 9 month birthday...tooth #2!!!!! Although considering how uncomfortable he was today I don't think he liked the gift as much as we did. Hee.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Happy Memorial Day
Caelan watching the soldiers march by
WWI rememberance
Buffalo Soldiers rememberance
Friends and family carry photos of loved ones lost
At 3:00pm there was a moment of silenceMmmmmm pancakes....
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Dinner with Scottie
The tooth....
We have lift off!!!
On the 20th Shawn and I were talking to each other, doing our morning regulars, making breakfast etc. and Caelan was on the floor, rolling around in his big basket of toys having a grand old time, when Shawn looks over and says "Gina, he's crawling!" Shawn grabbed the camera and I jumped to the floor and became his cheering section, overcome with excitement and tears. Can you explain the feeling of watching your child crawl for the first time?
Sorry for the delay....
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Burke Lake
Shawn posing for the "Field & Stream" magazine cover
Caelan and I after our hike around the lake
A hungry, hungry squirrelThe trek home to Virginny
On Tuesday we started off our trek home with a promise to Caelan we would stop at the Bass Pro Shop and see the fishies. Of course he was dazzled by all the fish and tried staring down an albino catfish. The rest of the ride home in daddy's bigrig was uneventful. Lots of singin', stories and sleep. What a great traveler Caelan has become! He keeps asking us when we're going to take our next road trip.Another fun day!
Caelan's first ride in a swing
Down the slide with Daddy
A blue heron
Mossy backed turles
Happy Anniversary Jay & Barbara!Happy Mother's Day
Gettin' Ready
Caelan is gettin' ready for our big trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, 5/10-5/13/08. We're going to visit our friends, Jay and Barbara, who recently moved there from Arlington. We're driving there, about an 8hr trip, and have prepped Caelan on proper long trip protocol. He promised to sing, tell stories, then sleep on the way.Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Singin' & Dancin' at Gymboree
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sushiiiiiiiiiii

Caelan was getting ready to finish off his last sushi roll before I stopped him to snap a quick photo, we couldn't believe how many rolls he ate. Matsutaki has his favorite sushi buffet in the afternoons.
Later that afternoon, he insisted we go to Coldstone Creamery where he had his first nibble of orange sherbert, he was a HAPPY CAMPER!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Calvert Cliffs State Park (cont.)
Caelan, in his carrier, and I
Building sandcastles
Looking for fossils and sharks teeth
A little friend
Once we got to the beach, it was beautiful. Caelan was a little nervous, but after he got used to the loud noise of the surf and wind, he was excited. I laid out a blanket on the sand and let him grab his first handful of sand. He didn't know what to do with it because it wouldn't shake off his hand. After a little exploring and attempting to put it in his mouth he decided a little snooze was in order. To be honest I could have slept right there as well, the sound of the surf crashing in, pure serenity.Calvert Cliffs State Park
Mr. Turtle basking in the sunUS Air Force Cycling Classic

Friday, May 2, 2008
Caelan's 411
This is the down low on our big man in the house. He is 8 mos as of April 27th! We are constantly being told by strangers how big he is, I just reply...Yeah he's a biggin! (And we love every square inch of him) So yes, he seems to be growing leaps and bounds. He is such a happy little guy, always so content and so smiley!Food: Caelan is not a picky eater, he can keep up with the best of 'em. He's added yogurt, bread, pancakes, rice, cantelope, kiwi, strawberries, watermelon, apples (we share apples all the time), avocados, butter beans (thank you Jaedyn), yellow squash, brussel sprouts (which is a no go), baby mum mums, freeze dried fruit, blueberry & sweet potato puffs and organic baby food with turkey or chicken.
What's he doing? We've been working with him everyday on his sign language. He is using "up" and "more". Shawn has taught him to clap and he loves doing it so proudly. Rolling is his primary mode of gettin where he needs to go. He is working on moving from a seated position then on to his belly. Once he's got his hands out in front of himself he rocks and rocks but can't get that one little leg out from under his body. He uses his index fingers for everything, picking up food (which is the most precious thing to watch), turning pages on a book and putting them in "holes", ie: noses, ears, drains, peek-a-boo books, etc. He has now figured out how to call us if we aren't looking at him, he will grunt once in our direction and will do it until you look at him. It's like he's saying "Hey". He recently, like this past week, has started bouncing to music with a happy smile on his face. He doesn't have any teeth yet, but I love looking at his big gummy grin anyway! He's now wearing 9-12mos clothes and sz 4 shoes. Which he got his very first big boy shoes (tennies and sandles, sooooo cute) recently.
Favorite things to do: Loves to play in water. We go swimming 1-2x a week and he splashes like crazy. And bath time is fun time. He enjoys all the walks we take and the outings we go on with our moms groups. He is always so curious and watching what is happening around him. He enjoys reading books and looking at family pictures. Pulling his toy basket over and rolling in everything is a new past time. And he still sucks on anything he can get his mouth on.
Nicknames: Caelan the marchin man, Bubba joe, scoochie, sweet potato, fuzz head, honey bee, and sweetie pie. And responds to all of them, Ha!
He is just growing so fast and each second is so precious to us.
I recently read a wonderful quote: "Happiness is found along the way, not at the end of the road."
Caelan's new mode of transportation
So today we hiked out onto the Mt Vernon trail near our apartment. He was kickin and talkin along our way. He sits high up, so he has a great view and holds on to my shoulder straps like he's driving. The trail was really busy today with bikers and runners and Caelan would smile at each one of them. He's such a friendly guy!
Wow was it work out for me! I can't wait to use it on a real hiking trip.
After our trek, it was tubby time. He is a crazy man in the water. He loooooooooves water, spishing, splashing, kicking and diving after his tubby toys. I was soaked by the time it was over but I have to admit I was laughing too much to me bothered by the drenching!
The National Zoo (cont.)
The National Zoo
Caelan wanted to help push the stroller
Water polo, anyone?
Moe, Larry, and Curley (or so they said, as they laughed)
A curious lil meerkat, checkin out Caelan
A tamarin, who loves to play the tambourine (just kiddin)



















