Never say never

Dear 16 Year Old Nikki,

Remember the other day when you said you would never drive a mini van? You are now almost 33 years old and practically jumping up and down over your new Odyssey. Never say never.

The Beginnings of Fall

Lainey is going to pre-school 3 days a week this year and is loving it. Makes me happy that she enjoys school so much. She has some fabulous teachers and is in the same building as Jamie so he peeks in her window a few times a day and tells me that she is always right in the middle of the action. Boy do I miss her though. Three days a weeks feels like a lot to me...guess it's good preparation for kindergarten next year. Daddy's 30th birthday was a couple of weeks ago. We sent him on a weekend trout fishing trip with one of his best friends and took this picture right after he got home. This is our new birthday hat...pretty cute huh! Can you tell how much Jamie LOVED wearing it? He just couldn't turn his little girl down when she put it on his head : )

We have been loving our Saturday morning soccer games. I never thought that Lainey would be timid doing anything, but she is when she plays soccer. Jamie has been working with her to be a little more aggressive. I think it's sweet though, she always cheers for the other team when they score...such a thoughtful girl : )

Wild, little man in the middle of the goal (while the team was heading his way with the ball!) The boy just wants to be in the middle of it all. Have I called him wild a lot lately? Seems to be the most fitting word, or maybe ferocious. Love having a little boy!

One of our favorite fall traditions...apple picking at Eckerts. Love living down the street from an orchard.

What a Summer

This was a fabulous summer. So fabulous in fact that we've been living it up and I haven't updated the blog in a while. So, per my momma's request here are way too many pictures of the past few months... I officially became a soccer mom this summer and am proud to say that I am the loudest mom at the games. Lainey likes it at this point in her life, not sure what she'll think of my cheering her on in a few years : )

We visited Grant's Farm

and the zoo

homemade salsa with things we grew in our garden

Little man took his first steps

Lainey and I had a special "girl day" and she got her first pedicure

We read our first chapter book

We went to Starlight in Kansas City to see Cinderella with my family

We had some good, quality cousin time

We enjoyed the new playhouse my parent's and Seth built in memory of my great grandma

We played all day at an in-door water park

We celebrated the 4th of July at a small town carnival

We added a new member to the family...my niece, Malloree Grace

We had a wonderful vacation in Branson with Jamie's family

We visited Silver Dollar City and Lainey met two of her favorites

We got small glimpses of what it must have been like growing up in the O'Dell house : )

We found out that another member of the family is on his way! Baby boy #3 will arrive in January for Brian and Crystal!

We caught a glimpse of our daughter's driving ability. Yikes!