Midwest Keech

Do you ever just ignore those coupons that print out at the grocery store? I seem to get MORE than my fair share of "$10 off when you change your prescription to ___" coupons. Many times I get coupons for things that I've just purchased (and probably won't need more of before the expiration) and competing or name brands of things I purchase. Sometimes, I get some that say $ of a certain purchase of $ in bread/meat/store brand/etc. Occasionally, I get those coupons for actual $$ off any purchase. Usually, they end up in my pocket or wallet only to be found after it's too late. Well, recently I received one that I got rather excited about. - I got one from Cub Foods with a code for a free 8" X 8" photobook. I became very excited, because at the very least, we were talking a savings of at least $20 for a softbound book. As I added the code to the site, I was even more surprised to find that it was actually a hard-bound book offer. Wow! I knew that I...

I just really wanted to share these, mostly with my friends & family who don't see us often. Just a little background - When Adam was a baby, he would get SO excited & bounce on his butt. He literally would bounce so high, he came off the ground. Sometimes, he would get so high, his legs were 1/2 straightened & other times we would fling himself forwards onto his hands & knees. In any case, it was hilarious to watch my little jumping-bean of a baby bounce around. After having 3 little sisters, and none of them developing this habit, I was convinced it was just another quirky "Adam-Thing". NOPE! Avery has gradually come to bounce, and has even adapted it to develop her own method of transport. She's 9months in another few days, and refuses to crawl on all fours like a "normal" kid. I guess she really does belong in this family! This was taken back in July. Sorry I didn't post it sooner Jess! This one was taken in August, and she seem...

I know, right?!!? I have been M.I.A. for.........Well, it's been a REALLY long time. I want to, but I'm not sure I'll ever get caught up here on the blog. It's probably just better to post whatever I want .   Here's a little video I shot of Avery at the Museum of Science & Industry this weekend. Too cute!

Avery is thriving, but I find myself busier than ever. Go figure. At her one month checkup, she weighed 8lb 14oz (born 6lb 15oz). Then at her 2 month checkup, she was 10lb 14oz. I don't think I've had a baby grow so fast. We'll have to see how long this keeps up. She's even close to sleeping through the night. Several nights a week, she sleeps for around 7 hours! None of my babies like bathtime . BIG Yawn! Baby bear in her carseat . Allison can't stand to leave her be. She loves her baby sister. Sometimes her eyes don't focus together....My poor little crazy-eyes. Happy baby! She's officially grown out of a few outfits like this one. Sad Baby. Trying to enjoy a litt le playtime. "Look at Mommy Baby!" My Little girls. Floor Dancing Avery needs her binky . Allison is a punk sometimes...She took Avery's sock off, so I made her put it back on. It's a lot harder than it looks.

Monday, I was cleaning the kitchen. Daddy was painting & working on door trim outside. The kids were playing outside & having a blast with the neighbor kids that hang around. I think they came in for a drink-break, and Mia casually mentioned that she could ride her bike now. Bryan took her training wheels off in the fall (before it was too cold to go out). Well, she has wanted to ride, but ONLY with a parent (mostly daddy) holding her up by the bike seat. I went out with her one day, but she got VERY mad at me. - I kept letting go, to give her an idea of how she needed to balance and/or catch herself before falling over. I guess she just decided to give it a shot on her own. I was AMAZED! You GO GIRL! I even got it on VIDEO!

Yesterday morning, while I was finishing my breakfast, Adelaide picked up her guitar (which has dead batteries at the moment). She started singing, "I am a child of God..." It was SO cute! I made her do it again so I could get it on video. I apologize - She's very quiet & has a tiny little voice. I know, weird. Of course, not wanting to be out-done or lose her chance to be the center of the universe, here we have Mia Montana singing "I Lived in Heaven". Gotta love the bed-head.

Here are the great cake pictures. 2 years old? Can she really be 2 already. W ow. I LOVE this picture (ignore the cluttered kitchen)...such a funny smile! Here are the kids waiting to "help" blow out the candles. Isn't she too cute ? I got Allison got some fun things. She got a play purse with lots of little girly things to go in it. She also got an Aquadoodle mat & a Little People playset . Here's a cute little video of the kids playing. Today, we received a package with gifts from Grandma & Katy. Fun, Fun. She got a play puppy & another dolly. Allison especially likes the baby doll. It talks, and Allison thinks it's funny. It's really cute...it knows some of it's body parts (eyes, ears, tummy, toes, etc.) I thought it was adorable that they matched . What a coincidence that I'd dress her in the same outfit? What a goofy smile ! Of course, we get the camera out & everyone wants in on the action. Allison is such a good sport to...

NOT to be confused with Powerpuff Girls.... Yesterday was not a good day around here. Aside from needing to do the laundry, it wasn't supposed to be a big deal. Well, the girls made a huge mess! Amelia & Adelaide emptied an almost-full baby powder all over their room. I was SO MAD!!! I was proud of myself for grabbing the camera instead of them. It gave me a minute to calm myself ( a little ). Here, you can see footprints in the powder. The girls had powder ALL over them, but especially in their hair. I was coughing & hated breathing the stuff. Didn't the dust bother them too?? Luckily, the majority of the mees was on one side of the room. I know I could have cleaned things better, but I made them clean the other half of their room alone. They had to do it if they wanted to take a bath instead of a shower (which is a punishment for these girls who HATE showers). The video shows the disaster much better. I still feel the dusty film in the hallway upstairs. Aaah!!!

One of the kids' favorite things about staying at a hotel is swimming in the pool. Adelaide loves the pool, but she prefers to hang around by the steps. Amelia uses her flotation vest, and she loves swimming. Of course, Adam loves bugging his sister. Allison likes the pool, as long as Daddy stays put & doesn't move around too much. She loves to splash & play. Kick-back & make yourself comfortable. Aaah...