They say it's your birthday!

Morgan is 6! It's official, she's old, we're old, we're just a bunch of geriatrics over here. I'm okay with Morgan turning 6, but I'm kind of having an issue or two that on her next birthday, she'll be 7. How can someone in their mid-20's have a seven year old? Oh wait, that's right, chronologically I am in mid-30's, it's just mentally I am stuck in my 20's. Needless to say, we're wild about this little girl. Little did I know that on August 29th, not only would a baby girl arrive in this world, but half of my heart would leave my body too.

These pictures are out of order (sorry!). Morgan celebrating with her buddies!

We bought Morgan a motorized razor scooter for her birthday, because yes, we like to spend money on ER bills. We thought practicing in the basement was a good idea, until on the first run Morgan ran into the wall. What good parents we are!

Daddy presenting the present.

Aidan happy that he is finally the proud owner of a ninja zhu-zhu pet.

Hopefully, Morgan will take to her guitar lessons and profits made from her musical debut will offset our medical bills related to the motorized scooter.

Breakfast celebration. A Kearney favorite... pancakes, homemade, jam and whip cream. Who are we kidding, we don't just eat this healthy treat on special occasions, unless you consider every Saturday and Sunday morning a special occasion.

Byron, the luau dog, waiting to greet guests at Morgan's luau celebration.

Morgan and Aidan waiting for guests to arrive....

Thank you Mema and Papa for making the trek over and helping to make "6" a special celebration for Ms. M!

Pin the tail on the donkey with two of Morgan's favorite people, Petra and Ryder!

Table Rock - Part Deaux

Papa and Mema Kearney surprised Morgan for her 6th birthday... So we took them on a hike to Table Rock, part II for the Boise Kearneys!


Ryan and Jim, collaborating to find cures for all that ills the world.

Morgan's making a fashion statement with her hiking attire. Soccer shirt, ballet tutu skirt, sparkle shoes. Yes, fashionistas of the world, you will copy this look, you know you will.

Papa, Mema, Morgan and Aidan. Happy as can be!

I Heart Summer....Random Pictures of Summertime Fun!

Since we've had about a 30 degree drop in the last couple of days, I am already getting nostalgic about the passing summer season. How the Kearneys love summertime!!!


Ryan. (It's a Monday, so no, I can't muster the brain power to think of a better caption.)

Ryder and Jeremy doing a little father/son wakeboarding!

Ryder making skiing look really easy.

Buddies. I love Aidan's closed eye smile.

We tried to get to the kids to take a nice picture with me. Thanks Morgan, that face is nice.

Fosters + Kearneys = FUN!

My parents came last weekend to have some fun with the Kearney brood. A great time was had by all, minus the massive amounts of pizza we made my parents eat (hey it's easy and allergen free!) and also Ms. Morgan's massive sinus infection (plus some nerves thrown in there about the upcoming entrance into Kindergarten!). We played on the boat, tried to play at the pool (it was shortlived due to a random kid pooping in the kiddy pool and Morgan's aforementioned sinus infection), went out to dinner, and even hiked up Table Rock! But in the Foster tradition, we pushed through and had a fantastic time with the grandparents!!!!

Papa Jeff and his namesake....

Sinus infection? What sinus infection?

Grandma Deb and buddy boy... Grandma was a champion innertuber with Ms. Morgan... Unfortunately the pics are on her camera.

Swim break!

My dad is going to hate this, but I had to post... Always singing and dancing, hmmm.... who does that remind us of?

Because sometimes....

Being normal just isn't fun....

Memories to Etch in My Brain...

For those of you who have had children, especially infants, you've probably at some point said to yourself, "Remember this, don't forget how this felt, how wonderful this moment is, how lucky you are." I remember doing that a lot when our children were infants and they would snuggle into my neck and I find myself saying this to myself at special moments... We had a special moment today, Morgan started Kindergarten! Leading up to this moment entailed a lot emotions, nerves and excitement. Sending your child off to "big kid" school is a big deal. Sending your child with potentially life threatening food allergies is not only a big deal but TERRIFYING! Throw in Morgan's fears of "what if I am the only one in my class with food allergies?" (She is the only one). "What if no one else has a peanut or nut free lunch and can't sit at my table with me?" (No worries there, I'll explain that in a minute). And then Ryan and my thoughts, "Does this school really GET IT?" "Will they jump into action if they need to?" I think and pray they do and we go on!


Morgan and her buddy from preschool, Petra. This little lady made my day, no check that, my school year. She informed her mom and dad that there would be absolutely no nuts or peanuts packed in her lunch and snack so she can sit at the peanut/nut free table with Morgan. What a thoughtful sweetheart! Thank you Petra!! And a minute after this picture was taken, Morgan told me it was time for me to leave and "to have a good day!" Thanks Morgan, I did, but missed you like crazy!!!

About ready to go! Proud and as excited as can be. Oh how I love this girl.

Please note the sparkly "sneakers" (as Morgan calls them). It was P.E. day so we had to wear the "right" shoes.

Okay, reality might be hitting. Looking a little nervous in this picture.

Another memory to not forget. Our little buddy, always at the front of the boat, as serious and stoic as ever. I think with this guy looking out for all of us, we'll be okay. (As an aside, he has had the most emotions about Morgan starting school. At our send off today, he was so proud and excited for her, but had a little tear in his eye.... And that's love!)

We don't know stress...

Ryan and I frequently have the same conversation as we are scurrying around (I make us sound like mice), working, paying bills, keeping up with two wild monkeys (or children as some people call them), a mortgage, a dog and all of the other aspects of young parenthood in the 21st century. We don't know stress! We might FEEL stressed at times or feel like we are pulled too thin to get everything done that we need to or want to, but ultimately... we don't know stress and neither do millions of Americans because we don't have chronically or terminally ill children. I often say to myself, bankruptcy... fine, foreclosure... bring it, cut my right arm off... didn't need it anyway (I'm a lefty), lose my legs... great (good excuse to not have to work out anymore), but if something happened to my kids, well then we are going to have some real problems. In my personal life, I really only know one family who *knows* stress and they have done something absolutely amazing with it. You can read more about it HERE and I strongly urge that the next time you are feeling stressed to donate to the Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Foundation, because what this family has gone through is the real deal and good on them for making steps to ensure that no one else has to *know* stress.

Running Just as Fast as They Can!

Morgan and her best buddy, Ryder, ran in a one mile "kid's race" this morning! It was so much fun to see those two run their hearts out and ESPECIALLY EXCITING to see Ryder win the race!


Two proud and tired buddies. It takes a lot to wear these two out, let's hope this did the trick! The kids are having a "sleep over" tonight at the Bordner's so let's hope for Jeremy and Kirstin's sake that this really does the trick for a good night's sleep!


Sprinting toward the finish. Please note her shorts, those would be her brother's since Ms. M. refuses to let us buy her anything that could be construed as being comfortable or athletic!

Ryder about to win the race, YAY Ryder! We are so proud of you! Yep, that's Jeremy coming in after Ryder, the dads picked the short straws and had to accompany the kids on their run, which is good because I don't honestly think I would able to keep up with them!

There they go....

The cheering section!

Daddy and Morgan...

Hi - ho, hi - ho, it's off to work he goes!

Aidan recently started preschool, which we were a little nervous about since our previous attempts at organized activities were met with extreme resistance (also known as Aidan sitting on the sidelines saying, "NO!") Needless to say, we have been pleasantly surprised because Aidan LOVES going to school. He's really proud of himself and all of the "work" he does there, so much so that he has started bringing his work home and put it all in a "neat" little pile. He absolutely refuses to let us touch his "work" pile and he can spend literally hours "working" in his room. Also, we have found that he has been stealing dollar bills from our wallets and "working" them too. Hmmm.... Do we see a future career as a white collar criminal on the horizons?.



And there it is. My son's little organized "work" space. It's been growing exponentially by the day. Maybe you'll see the Kearneys on an episode of "Hoarders." The "worker" must be on a milk break, because if this picture was taken during "work" hours, you would see him sitting in the middle of this pile doing who knows what! I love my little goofball children.

She's at it again....

Need I say more? Any worries that our daughter was switched at birth and may actually have someone's else's D.N.A. are gone, this is my daughter for sure....


I asked Morgan to go wash her hands for dinner and this is what I found...

Aidan wearing his favorite Monster Truck shirt and Morgan wearing everything she could get to hang off of her body.

The Camping Kearney's - Chapter II

We recently had the opportunity to go up to Stanley with a group of dear friends for a weekend of rafting and playing in the "American Alps," however, we realized that the Kearney's were really needing family time with just the four of us... This summer has been so busy and with gearing up for Morgan to start kindergarten and our 3 week journey to Denver on the horizon, we needed some quality time with our favorite peeps. I am so glad we did this! We had the most relaxing and fun weekend... Naps on the beach, wakeboarding, tubing behind the boat, massive amounts of 'smores and extreme sand castle building all added up to a great time for all of us!


I love this picture for a variety of reasons. Aidan looks like a very proud boy-scout, complete with his gut sticking out for all to see. Morgan is of course doing a silly face. I had just woken up from 2nd nap of the day, so I look strangely relaxed as well as I am rocking Elizabeth Shu from The Karate Kid style hair, yes!!!

Rock and roll hoochie-koooooooo!

Ahhhh.... Relaxation at it's best!

The Foster Family Just Got Bigger (and Better!)

I am beyond thrilled to announce that Maxton Alexander Foster is officially stuck with us for life.... He joined our family several months ago, but his adoption was finalized yesterday! YAAAAAAHOOOOOO. We love him and his family more than words can say and we look forward to a lifetime of adventures and fun with this little man.

Is this picture stolen from a magazine you ask? Are these hired models being paid to look this cute? Nope, they really are related to us!