The wedding to end all...

I'll admit it.... I'm "into it." I really am! Today or yesterday or whatever, Kate and William married. No, I didn't stay up until 2 a.m or whatever time it was that their wedding first aired but needless to say, when I woke up, I grabbed Morgan and we watched our taped version of the festivities. I know that the average American is grimacing about my excitement but who cares? I have spent the last 8, yes 8, years working in divorce/high conflict custody/domestic violence court as a social worker, and I have to say, I am still a sucker for a good love story and resulting marriage. Instead of being jaded, I root for love and I look to my parents, my grand-parents, great-parents marriage, etc. etc. as a reminder that a lot of good and worthy things come from a wonderful union. So yes, I have yet to attend a marital union that I haven't cried at, Kate and William are not exempt from that. Yep, I shed a tear this morning and Morgan asked me if I was sweating. Apparently, I am very classy in my shedding of a tear. Regardless, I don't care what the nay-sayers say, a beautiful and wonderful love story is just what I think we need right about now! Long live the Queen or whatever it is they say in England!

Quirkiness continued....

My last blog post was dedicated to the quirky little boy who is my son... I must continue to share! Ryan thinks our kids are going to soon reach an age where they hate this blog, but what can I do? Really, they give me so much material, I can't help it! I think I have mentioned before that Aidan falls asleep every night sleeping in our hallway. Why? Well really, why not? Sometimes it apparently gets lonely laying there watching your parents while waiting for sleep to overcome you, so Aidan brought some "friends."


It really was a pretty safe place to be sleeping. A fighter jet, tank, fire truck and I'm sure the pillow pet and crane could really do some protecting too if needed... Never a dull moment, even in when they are sleeping!

Introducing our son... Pirate Jake!

For us, having a daughter has meant drama, an outgoing personality and lots of giggles. Having a son has meant a lot of quirkiness, an imagination that is like none other and again, a lot of giggles. Aidan and his very best friend Jack have taken on a new role in life... They are Pirate Jake and here is the outfit. Yes, Jack has the exact same one! Aidan has worn this outfit for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT. It's one thing to walk down the grocery store with a Darth Vader or even a Spiderman in tow, people think that's cute and they laugh. When Pirate Jake is in the house, unfortunately people look at me like I have three heads and wonder why I dress my kid like he's a Bruce Springsteen/Hells Angel wannabe. I am in the process of making a t-shirt that states, "Yes, this is my child and no, I did not have anything to do with this outfit."

If you have been within a 3 mile radius of the Kearney home in the past three days, you've probably heard a loud and ferocious "AAAARRRRGGG" coming from Pirate Jake.

And there it is... My little Bruce Springsteen. I think the suit vest adds a nice touch, don't you?

Morgan's Turn!

Our good friends the Headlee's frequently have a guest blogger, their darling little girl Kiara! Like all fun ideas, we're stealing it! Morgan picked out some of her favorite recent photos and added captions that only Morgan would come up with! Here's Morgan's first attempt at blogging.... I have a feeling there will be more!

this is morgan tiping

it is nice and cool

it is vaery vaery vaery vaery funny

i like the puppys that are here

Soccer Saturday!

Soccer Saturday was a HIT! Both of the kids had a blast, despite the snow. Yes, the snow! All four of us were soaking wet at the end and freezing cold, but my two little people had smiles on their face and that made it all worth it!

Catching snowflakes with her tongue. Not really what I envisioned for soccer Saturday!

Aidan and Daddy doing PAKS! I think that stands for Parents and Kids Soccer. Next week it's mommy's turn since Aidan's buddy from school and his mom will be joining us. Wish me luck! Aidan's grin was HUGE!

Morgan's the one with the pink hood. She did fantastic, we are so proud of her. She got right in there and was not shy one bit.

There's my girl! Towards the end, Morgan's attention was a little distracted by the social nature of it all. She just had to find out who had loose teeth on both teams, what grade everyone was in, what they like to do for fun, etc. etc. Priorities people! She had a great time and we're excited for next week!

A New Era...

The Kearney's have entered a new era! BOTH of our kids are in soccer this spring... I don't know why, but this just really makes me feel old! No longer is one of our kids idly standing on the sidelines, but both are wild and crazy soccer players, being big kids. Tonight was Morgan's first practice and BOTH kids will have games on Saturday, a big deal around here!

Our big girl! Who also happens to have a field trip tomorrow at school that daddy is chaperoning for... What I wouldn't give to have a camera and get footage of him tomorrow being in charge of 4 kindergarteners. Actually, I just might sneak downtown and do that, although Aidan would probably blow my cover.

And the proud parents. Aidan took this picture and for some reason, it just cracks me up!

Road Trippin'....

The kids and I took advantage of spring break and hit the road! We left daddy behind with quite the "honey do" list (installing hard woods in Morgan's room!) and visited so many friends and family that I felt like we were a traveling exhibit. Needless to say, we had a fantastic time and I am already missing all of our special people in the greater Seattle area. What lucky people we are to have such wonderful people in our lives....

My parents had their neighbors hide their Easter baskets in the woods across the street and pretend there was an Easter bunny sighting. Too much fun! The kids LOVED it! Or "lubbed" it, if you are Aidan.

Hunting for the treats with Ben leading. Ben is only a young 91 years old and he even gave a hopping demonstration of the Easter bunny he saw in the woods behind his house. I remember spending time with Ben and Valdez (his beautiful wife) when I wasn't much older than our kids. Amazingly, I think Ben and Valdez have been hiding in an age-proof bubble all these years, they haven't changed a bit!

Success!

Arrow! Evey's new puppy, because every two year old needs a puppy. Well, every 2 year old who is Evey, I think she might give Morgan a run for her money in the "loving puppies" department!

Papa and Aidan. Aidan LOVES Papa. He even let me put a Husky t-shirt on him because Aidan's convinced that Papa is a Husky.

EBBEY! Actually, this is Evey, short for Evelyn, but Aidan lovingly refers to her as "EBBEY." I might be only a tad (okay a lot) biased, but she really is the smartest 2 year old I've ever met. She LOVES to read to her Minnie Mouse, so as a result, Minnie is pretty bright too.

Evey and grandma. Everything that Evey comes into contact is hers, atta girl! "Evey grandma, Evey grandpa, Evey chair, Evey puppy" and I even got her to say, "Evey Auntie."

A little cousin story time. Aidan requested that we bring Evey home with us. Sorry Aidan, I think her parents are kind of attached. Probably my biggest highlight was seeing my baby brother be one of the most loving and fantastic daddy's I know. The sun rises and sets on his girl and it was pretty sweet to see.

We traveled twice to Jon and Heather's! One visit was planned, the other was the result of a freak storm on our way to Ellensburg on Snoqualmie Pass. Cassie wins the "crazy duck 2011" award after a triple dog dare from cousin Morgan. Yes people, she jumped in! Cassie and I have a TON of similarities, but jumping in the water, IN MARCH after it has rained months on end is beyond me!

Getting ready for the jump!

Morgan was in puppy heaven! Both of my brothers recently got puppies recently... Jon and Heather got two! Dash and Bogey just might be the cutest things I have seen in a long time!

While Morgan was in puppy heaven, Aidan was in adrenaline rush mode. He got so hyper every evening... I think it was utter exhaustion turned into absolute craziness. Look at that look in his eyes, yowza!

Oh Max, how your Aunt Sarah loves you.... This boy is something else. He was a wild and crazy little man and just as lovable as can be. I'm missing him already.

They dynamic duo.

Dinner is so much more fun with the cousins!

I can't remember for the life of me why these monkeys are hopping up and down on Mema's deck! But I do remember it was fun! And yes, Zach is almost as tall as me!

Is that Shannon? Nope, that would be crazy strong genetics at work! These two had fun!

Flat Morgan (one of Morgan's kindergarten projects) was even there! A copy was with Papa Jim in Washington, D.C. I'll have to post those pictures later, Papa J. is the best!

Pump it Up and Flat Morgan! Fun times!