OUR BABY, EMMA!!!!

Here are a few pix of our baby- actually John's baby girl, Emma. The first two photos are of Emma the night we brought Emma home- is it any wonder we just had to have her! She was such a cute puppy- these photos were taken December 28th 2005.
She is an Australian Shepherd- pure bred. A family friend in Grand Island breeds them and when we were down for Christmas, the girls were able to play with the puppies. Then our friend said we were welcome to have one. The girls were very excited- but I was a little hesitant. Did I really want another thing to have to take care of and clean up after? So we went to get John and talked with John to see what he thought. He flat out said that we couldn't get one.- which is pretty much how I felt. But there was something about someone telling me what I could and couldn't do that set me off. And it wasn't John's fault - he was being responsible and realistic. I just have this independent streak that defies being told what to do. So we loaded up the girls and went to pick out a puppy. There were 8 puppies in the litter. We chose her by letting the girls get in the kennel and watching them interact. It was John's idea- and it worked out really well- because she is a GREAT dog!
This next picture is a photo of Emma sledding with us in Feb of 2006.
Emma loves the snow and loves the farm (our family acreage out by Davey). I think Luke (John's brother) said it best- she has an energizer battery up her butt! And she keeps going and going and going! She runs all over the acreage- all 80 acres and loves to play with her cousins- Max and Mooky. She is a really good dog and she listens extremely well. She is extremely loyal and protective of the girls. She also loves to play ball but her favorite thing to do is herd up the kids when they are running in the back yard. It is so funny to watch her out at Davey with the kids. She is a good babysitter and keeps track of them very well. We are still waiting for her to tell us Timmy is stuck in the well! She is close - I just know it! She is John's girl - and NO I am not jealous... well maybe a little! =0) She is a loved addition to our family. This last photo was taken a few days ago- its a rare occasion to see her just laying around- so we had to get in on film.

You have to rent this movie!!!!

I am recommending to everyone who reads this to rent the movie 'Crash.' I think it came out early last year so it is relatively new. I watched it then and then again this weekend. And I have come to the conclusion that this is one of the best movies ever. It has so many life lessons weaved into the stories in the film. It isn't a family movie- but if you have a little time after the kids have gone to bed- it is worth staying up for! SUPER SUPER SUPER movie! Reminds us all of how crazy -small the world really is!

oh-- there are a few scenes that you can fast forward through and not lose any of the content- a little graphic in parts- but realistic and relevant to our society.

WHAT THE...!?

Yesterday - I pull up to our house after taking Corynn to school and notice that my newspaper is clear on the other side of our porch- no where near the door. Strange- but maybe the paperboy was a little off on his aim this morning. Then I notice something brown laying outside my front door on the step. Huh?! Wonder what that could be- I was expecting something from UPS- but this was a little early for that- but you never know. So I pull into the garage and notice my cell phone beeping at me. I have one new message. So I get out of van, I am checking my messages and putting my keys in my purse on my way to the front porch to grab my parcel. I am entering my security code on the phone and start to reach down and grab the box when I noticed the box move. I am literally inches away from this...


HOLY CRAP! I was so scared I dropped my phone and ran into the garage. As I am leaning up against the van trying to catch my breath- it occurred to me-FRICK! I needed my phone to call someone for help. How was I going to get my phone... I start to look around the garage. Then I spotted the perfect tool! A shovel! So I grabbed the shovel and sucked up all the courage I had and slowly inched my way around the garage door (alot like a soon-to-be victim in a horror flick right before the murderer gets them). I had grabbed the shovel- initially, for self-defense. But then it occurred to me I could use it to scoop up the phone- then I wouldn't have to get so close. Well, it sounded like a good idea- but in reality it wasn't that easy- it took about six or seven tries. It might have worked better with a smaller shovel- but I didn't want to take any chances... THIS IS A WILD ANIMAL! During all this my neighbor is standing in his driveway watching me ...with a look of "She's crazy!" mixed with "I really should have my video camera!"
Finally I get my phone and immediately call my husband- who is out of town on business. His response was- "What do you want me to do?" Well, I wasn't sure...but this seemed like one of those moments you should call your husband- Aren't they supposed to fix stuff like this?
Anyway- I decided to let it be and eventually that afternoon it left.
Moral of the story:
Always wear your glasses...you never know when a possum will show up!

100 Things about the Kelly family

1. We have lived in Lincoln for 4 1/2 years
2. The girls have moved 7 times in 8 years
3. Corynn is the "little princess" of the family
4. McKynna loves soccer
5. Kwynn plays volleyball
6. The twins went with us to the NCAA Vball Championship in Omaha- Thanks Jeff and Nancy
   
7. Corynn is over the 100th percentile for height
8. The twins loves to draw
9. John is a master griller
10. I love to bake
11. I tend to have OCD on occasion
12. Emma (our dog) is John's baby girl
13. John and I were married outside
14. The twins were baptized on their bday
15. I was baptized on my bday
16. Corynn LOVES Superman
17. Corynn has gone through 3 baby dolls in two years
18. and we have had 'funerals' for the first two
    
19. I like frogs and the color green
20. John works hard
21. Emma plays hard
22. McKynna is more of a tomboy
23. Kwynn is just a typical girl
24. Corynn is the girly girl
25. I have a teapot that the girls call my cocoa-pot...I don't drink tea so we use it for cocoa
26. We have movie night twice a month
27. Corynn attends Montessori School for Young Children
28. I have two brothers; one older one younger
29. John has an older brother
30. McKynna likes video games - especially pacman
31. Kwynn is great 'big' sister to Corynn - she reads to her and helps her all the time
32. Corynn LOVES having big sisters and be able to play with them
33. I want to work for the state of NE in the welfare system
34. OR for a non-profit like the Friendship Home
35. John is a pushover with the girls- and they know it
36. I am the disciplinarian - and they know it
37. We like going to South Dakota on family vacations
38. We have never went camping - but it sounds fun
39. We like to have family game night- Twister is the best
40. I like to read books in one sitting- hard to do though with three kids
41. My favorite movie is Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn
42. My mother in law looks like Audrey Hepburn
43. My father in law looked like the hunky young Elvis when he was in college
44. I like to write children's stories
45. McKynna is an artist
46. Kwynn is very witty- annoyingly so sometimes
47. Corynn is very athletic
48. McKynna and Kwynn are 17 minutes apart
49. McKynna is older
50. My favorite tv shows are Scrubs, House and Grey's Anatomy
51. Not sure what is up with the medical theme
52. John likes to watch 'Dirtiest Jobs' - so GROSS and so FUNNY
53. We are football fans - pro and college
54. We haven't gone on a family vacation for two years- we are due
55. The twins went to Disney World in Florida with my mom last October
56. We are members of the Arbor Day Foundation (just a random fact for ya)
    
57. Corynn is learning Spanish at school and loves it
58. Kwynn is very good with animals
59. I plan out a menu for family meals every week --- that's the OCD thing I was talking about
60. My kids didn't learn to tie their shoes until they were 6 - I'm such a slacker!
61. They didn't learn to ride bikes until this fall - Go ahead say it- SLACKER!
62. Corynn likes to watch Lazy Town
63. Kwynn and McKynna are not identical
64. Kwynn's middle name is for my mom
65. I found McKynna's name on the Internet
66. Corynn Tillie was named for the matriarchs of both John's family and my family
67. I had five grandpas growing up
68. My grandma was married a few times
69. We have five generations of women on my mother's side of the family
70. John and I are both bullheaded and stubborn- but it works surprisingly well
    
71. John is a people person...he can talk to anyone - anywhere
72. I am not a people person
73. I like my space i.e. my bubble
74. John makes the best baby-back ribs around
75. I like to garden
76. Corynn likes to 'help' me with chores- at least she thinks she is helping
    
77. Kwynn and McKynna like to watch Animal Planet and the National Geographic Channel
78. Kwynn is into astronomy and the planets
79. McKynna likes camouflage
80. Corynn has everything Dora
81. McKynna's favorite color is blue
82. Kwynn's favorite color is red- GO HUSKERS!
83. Corynn likes pink and white
84. and anything with the Superman Logo
85. I like classical music
86. I want to go to Africa and help out with the poverty/food/AIDS crisis
87. The twins help me make scarves and hats for the city mission every Christmas
88. The girls willingly donated all their savings to Katrina victims- I have never been more proud
89. Corynn knows how to manipulate people with her 'charming' innocence- its really very scary
90. John is my bestfriend
91. Emma loves her ball
92. Emma is a wuss when it comes to other dogs - so embarrassing at the dog park
93. We love Lincoln!
94. We have a family retreat that is the best! I love going there and getting away without really going far away!
95. The girls love going on 'adventures' on the property
96. Its the perfect place for sledding too!
97. Our favorite thing to do on rainy days is order pizza, make cookies and play games in our pjs
    
98. I want to complete our family genealogies
99. The girls rock out to Radio Disney and have dance sessions in the living room- its so funny and great memories!
    
100. We love HUSKER football!
     

Jared (my brother) and the girls were playing with my new computer and these photos were the end result. Now no one can argue with me about how crazy my kids are.

this is my adorable daughter Kwynn ... isn't she lovely!
...and this my other beautiful daughter, McKynna!

...and this my baby girl, Corynn- just so lovely!
I have no need for school photos anymore... I can do it from home now! Anyway... I love them and all their goofiness! They keep me on my toes!

I was thinking today... how thankful I am for my family...everyone and all the craziness they bring! I once told my mom not to worry about our family's drama because all families have dysfunction- we just put ours out there. When you get as looney as us - why hide it! I found this picture of Christmas Eve and all the grandkids on my side of the family.
And to think this is the best photo out of about 20 on my camera and there were three others camera snapping away! Too funny! I love my family- my mom is practically a saint for her generosity and the ultimate survivor for raising all of us and living to tell the tale. As for my brothers- they are great and they know I love them and have their backs whenever needed. Speaking of brothers-I did get this photo of Trevor and his baby boy Stetson. They really look alike! Poor kid! HA- just kidding!


Families- can't choose them but gotta love them... or something like that! hehehehehehe! I do love my husband's family as well. My mother in law is the perfect mom and super creative! She should probably have her own show on HGTV. I have alot to learn from that woman- that's for sure- my own personal Martha Stewart... without the criminal record of course! My father in law is the best- the most dominant father figure I have and I consider myself lucky to have him. My husband's brother and his wife are awesome and have a little boy named Sam and another one the way- congrats! Not so much drama on this side of the family - but it helps because it keeps life in balance.

I love my children- super kids! And my husband is not too bad either- I am really very blessed! And so on this the 16th of January when I think of the last 27 years- I most thankful and happy about what I have now... in relationships and in experiences.

Now enough of the mushy stuff- my funny thing for the day. I was watching my friend's baby this afternoon and he was crying and fussy. Corynn was sitting on the couch trying to watch cartoons...and you could tell Thunder(the baby) was annoying her. Finally she stands up with her hands on her hips and says with a finger pointed right at Thunder-"I am getting too old for your whining!" then she looks at her baby doll and says "If you ever do that - you'll be grounded!" I just laughed- what a crazy kid - I have no idea where she gets this stuff!

The girls don't have school today- so we are all hanging out at home. We had a minor snowstorm this weekend and it is really cold today. We are all slowly getting over the cold/flu that has been going around - the antibiotics are slowly working. Tomorrow is my birthday and the girls are soooo funny! They want to give me pedicures and massages- I don't have the heart to tell them I have a 'bubble' so I will indulge. I might even make myself a cake... a cheesecake... yummmmm!

Hey everyone this is our new family blog- so check it periodically for family updates and news. its more like a journal for me to talk too- but informational aswell. HA! You know me- nothing like multi-tasking! So add us to your bookmarks and sit back and enjoy! If I go off on a tangent some day- I apologize in advance! hehehehehe- this should lots of fun!