This election had a record number of youth voters and Kaylee was one of them!  Kaylee waited in line with us and went into the voting booth with Scott & then with me.  She was very much a part in this magnificant, history changing election. Unfortunately, she couldn’t stay up late enough to see the results of our voting.

Words can’t express the joy in my heart that Barack won.  Kaylee, for so many different reasons, this one’s for you sweetheart!

This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the redwood forest to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me.

Catching up
We’ve been traveling, working, playing and just enjoying being a family.  In the last month or two we’ve traveled to San Francisco and got to sing onstage with Sheryl Crow, had a new deck built, renovated a room in our basement, and just got back on Monday from a 10 day trip to Spain!  Whew!  Kaylee has gone everywhere with us and has been an absolute joy to travel with.

Happy Halloween!
This year for Halloween Kaylee was a strawberry, which was the perfect costume since her grandmother, Kay’s birthday was Halloween and she loved strawberries.  Kaylee was a little angel, she handed out candy with her Grandpa to all the kids who came to the door.  In total we probably had around 150 kids and Kaylee just loved it!  She would hold the candy in her hands ready with anticipation of the doorbell ringing. 

Then Scott & Grandpa took her out to knock on a few doors.  Like a good girl, when they answered, she gave them all of her candy.    So precious.

She’s so funny!

Then during the last week when the temperatures have been around 100, Kaylee has been enjoying playing in her little pool on our front porch!  What fun!

Staying at the house for the weekend were gracious homeowners; Lorraine, John and Mike along with Jaimee, Dan, Cheryl, and unborn baby Beckmann.  On Friday night we had a bonfire on the beach, roasted marshmellows and made smores.  Kaylee fell asleep on my lap and we all enjoyed the gorgeous beach fire.

Saturday was overcast, so we played some tennis which was so much fun. I hadn’t played in years, but it made me want to take it up again. On Sunday it was gorgeous out and Kaylee played with her toys out on the deck. Then Scott and I took her down to the beach to play in the sand for the very first time. Surprisingly she didn’t eat it, she just let it fall between her fingers, loving the feeling of something completely new.

But somehow during the weekend Kaylee made time for some light reading…

All in all, Scott, Kaylee & I had the most wonderful time.  Thanks Lorraine, John & Mike for having us up again and again and again! 

After an eggs benedict and mimosa brunch along with some birthday presents, Kaylee and I blindfolded him and brought him to Grand Prix (www.gpny.com) where we surprised him by having our friends and brothers go cart racing with him.

    
Cole won first place, Scott won second place and Andy won third place!

Then we threw Scott an awesome surprise party at our home with all of our friends and family, where we had a treasure hunt to find his birthday presents.  People chipped in to help us purchase a pinball machine. 

The following Tuesday we went to pick one out together and I think we’ve settled on the Simpson’s Pinball Party machine!  I can’t wait to get it and start playing.

What a fun weekend!

I got to sleep in late, Scott made my FAVORITE breakfast, Eggs Benedict, and then we picked up Grandpa and went to Muscoot Farm.  What fun!  Kaylee got to see her first animals – sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, ducks, and horses – most of them had babies that were adorable!

Then we went over to Papa’s house and celebrated Mother’s Day and Grandpa’s birthday with more family. 

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Since Grammy & Opa are in Europe, we celebrated Mother’s Day with my mom last weekend.  I made a list of things that my mother did for me that I’m grateful for.  We had the most wonderful time reminiscing together.

Being a Mother is the most wonderful gift.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

And tried to eat the wood chips. 

Thanks for the beautiful sweater Auntie Lisa!  Kaylee LOVED it – especially the mittens.