I've been tagged...

...by my friend Melanie. I guess the game works like this: She tags some people from her blog who then choose the 6th picture from their 6th folder in their pictures on their computer. Her's was a sweet one of her and her daughter when she was born in 2001. I however have only had a digital camera for 1 year and this is the picture fitting that criteria. Can you guess what Lauchlin is doing?He is showing what time it is when we are leaving for the hospital for me to deliver Jude. It is quite fitting since Jude will be 1 year old next Tuesday. I can not believe this!!! So, I thought this was a fun game. I don't have very many friends who blog so...I tag Cindy, Sarah and Katie. Who knows if they will know that they have been tagged but I tag you all just the same!

(The crazy thing is that we will probably have a similar picture in a few months when we head to the hospital for Priscila. Lauchlin hates this picture because when he initially posed I didn't like his facial expression so he went over the top for the second one. He will just love that this is the picture that I have posted for this game. heehee!)

Love you all,
Mackenzi :)

First football game and not a baby anymore...

We went to Jude's first high school football game on Friday and he seemed to enjoy it for the most part. (It was a game for one of our friend's brother, who is the quarterback for his team and is quite good). Sitting in the 'parents' section' made for alot of cheering and Jude did get scared when there was loud cheering. However, he sat looking at the game for quite a while with interest. Lauchlin and I decided that Jude can play football or be in the marching band, just so that we can come watch games when he is in high school! I really love marching bands!



I have been weaning Jude from formula to milk this week as well. The doctor suggests that in this transition we also replace the bottle with a sippy cup. I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it, I think psychologically it means that my baby is now officially a toddler and it makes me sad! (I will do it soon...I promise!)

I can't believe that he will be 1 year old in a short 2 weeks. Well, I am enjoying his increased babbling and mobility!

Hope all is well with you!

Affectionately,

Mackenzi (and gang)

Atlanta or Bust...

We packed up on Friday and headed to Atlanta to see Aunt Anna, Uncle Calvin, cousin Arielle, cousin Gabriel and Uncle Jon. Jude seemed to get excited as Momma began to pack our things to go. It took us about 7 hours to get there and thankfully Jude slept most of them. However, once we arrived he didn't sleep much. So, the grownups ended up with about 3 hours of sleep the first night.

Saturday morning probably around 5:30am, Jude and Gabriel met. We had to try to contain Jude from brutalizing Gabriel because he was so excited to interact with him. Gabriel is only 5 months old so he can't give it back. :) They liked to look at each other and smile.Arielle and Jude were another story. They were all over each other. Considering Arielle is 2 and 1/2, Jude held his own. His weakness was that he couldn't stand up and so got pushed over alot. Arielle started calling Jude, 'my Jude. She kept asking when Jude was napping, 'where is my Jude' or she would try to get into his room to wake him up because she wanted to play. They became fast friends.Then, Saturday afternoon, Jude got to meet his Uncle Jon. The beard went over well and Jude kept playing with it. Also, because Jon and Lauchlin sound so much alike, Jude kept staring at Jon because I think he was confused as to why Daddy's voice was coming out of Uncle Jon's mouth.

It was neat to see the Groff siblings together, even if it was only 3 of them. Always good to hear the Groff banter going on around the dinner table. One topic of conversation was how good of a nickname Lauchlin had given Jon a number of years ago. Jon had come out of his bedroom wearing different patterns in his top and bottom. He got the nickname 'Jonny Patterns'. It has stuck. So much so that Arielle somtimes calls him Uncle Patterns. :)

Lauchlin and I both got to spend some quality time with Arielle. She was able to master our names surprisingly well. She sometimes called us Aunti Mack and Uncle Lauch which sounds very endearing coming from a toddler.

At the end of the day, Lauchlin and I both agreed that we have great affection for our niece and nephew. There is something very special and unexplainable about family ties. We had a great trip with some neat memories. The amazing thing is how different each of the children will be once we come together again. Priscila will be added into the mix as well.

We are now back to Memphis but very grateful for a wonderful trip.

Affectionately,

Mackenzi and gang

Little booty in jeans and moving toward Priscila...

Look at that little booty in jeans!

As I have been dressing Jude in more fall clothing, I just think he looks sooooo cute. The other day when I put these jeans on I just couldn't stop from chuckling because he just looked like a little man.

Okay, so that may be very boring and a little over the top for most of you but I love it and frankly this is my blog so get over it! :)

This past weekend we really worked hard on the house cleaning things out and reorganizing. We are getting carpet put into our bedrooms to minimize noise between rooms for when Priscila arrives. So, this entails cleaning out closets and reordering bedrooms. Jude will be moving into what was our office. The kids are winning, it is a losing battle!! But, doing this helped me feel a little bit more like we are accomplishing tasks to be more prepared for a new baby. Once the carpet is in the two kids' rooms will get organized and I will feel much better! I am definitely having the nesting instincts again this time around.

Anyway, that is what we are up to. We will be heading to Atlanta to see Lauchlin's brother, sister and brother-in-law (and their 2 children). It is exciting because we haven't met their youngest Gabriel yet and they haven't met Jude. So, it will be a weekend of introductions and fun!

Have a great week!

Affectionately,

Mackenzi (and gang)