We have had a good couple of weeks. For Memorial Day weekend we went to Dallas to celebrate cousin Kate's first birthday. I somehow ended up with no pictures?? The kids had a great time playing with all of her toys and eating the cake she left behind.

Until that weekend both kids had been waking up before 6 every day. I was getting very tired of it but we drove home from Dallas late Sunday night and they slept until 9 on Monday! Since then they have been making it until at least 7 - Praise the Lord! One day we were playing in the back yard and Kinley asked me to take her swimsuit off so I did then she said go pee pee so I took her inside to the potty chair and she went! She has continued taking herself to the potty 80% of the time for the last week and a half! It has been really nice using and changing less diapers but I'm not holding my breath for complete training anytime soon. I don't want to get my hopes up then be disappointed. I have vowed not to do anything to potty train her except make it available and give her M&M's for a good job (which she LOVES). We'll see? She has also adjusted to her big bed wonderfully. We had a week that she decided to try getting out of bed but after big brother's chastisement and a few spanks from mommy I guess she decided it wasn't worth it. She has however moved on to causing a ruckus in most other areas of life. She has had bad behavior reports from the church nursery three weeks in a row. Every time we get to the door to pick her up she starts saying "timeout" because that is where she's been the whole hour. I guess she is depending on her good looks to get her friends. Kinley often says goodness gracious when she sneezes or coughs - she got it from Josh - so cute. He got this hat in Dallas - Grandad got it for him. Grandad and Dad both told him he might get some flak for wearing it in OK but he didn't seem to mind. The next week he was wearing it and we were going to my doctor appointment and I reminded him that people might make comments like "that's an ugly hat" or "why in the world are you wearing that". He decided he would just say he likes Texas when we are at home with family and not when we're out. We had a good conversation about caring what people think and deciding things for ourselves and being consistent no matter where we are. I think he got it a little but he still decided not to wear the hat in public. It is cool and scary watching him grow up and figure important issues out. It is going to be so hard to watch but I hope I can keep a good balance of guidance and freedom. It is going to involve lots of prayer! He is growing like a maturing like a weed in the spring! He has loved helping with Kinley's milestones and preparing for Mallory. I couldn't have a better first child (so far). He is really into imaginative play, story telling, and making up animals. Kinley has decided to start clawing him, pushing him, and hitting him whenever she feels like it and he is starting to get sick of it. However, she left a nice red scratch on his cheek and he has milked the sympathy. He is an amazing helper with whatever chores Josh or I have to do. I love having a big kid but it is challenging to keep up with stimulating him intellectually and imaginatively. Spiritually he is really starting to make sense of the gospel and how the verses and Bible stories he knows apply to his life. His questions and statements of understanding are really interesting.

We went to Edmond to stay with my parents for a couple of days this week and the kids had fun with Bop's Harley stuff as usual. We also got to hang out with cousin Tristan a lot.

We went to the kiddie park in Bartlesville with our friends the Henslee's Kinley called it "Elmo's Kitty Cat Park" because it had a ferris wheel like her Elmo book and kiddie must have meant kitty cat?? They had a great time riding every ride except the one that spins way to fast for any human to enjoy in my opinion.

Kinley working the carousel

James and Ezra on the big kid roller coaster (without an adult) ready for the thrills.

Look at their faces! They aren't so sure about the thrills. They ended up loving it.

Oh the boys are in trouble, look at that face. However, Levi has the "oh ignore her" technique down.

This gave Josh and I chills because we flashed forward 12 years! James was very cautious as usual so we were encouraged. It was hilarious though because I don't think they moved more than a foot or two because he couldn't make it to anything but turn in circles.

They are so good at sharing with each other. They got a cotton candy and an ice cream cone and shared both without incident!

They have been loving a Mallory a lot lately. Kinley so sweet listening to a book on my belly.

Not so excited about sharing Mallory with James. Her looks can kill!

Yesterday we were working in the yard and our neighbor gave us this turtle she found in her garden. James named him Torti and created a nice home in a diaper box for him. They went out to check on him this morning and he was gone because the rain made his box soft enough to bend so he could climb out. They are sad but determined to find him.

Last week we were able to go to Big Cedar with Josh's family and my parents for four days. We had a wonderful time. They took us to Dogwood Canyon and we got to ride a tram through it then walk/bike through it. It was a beautiful day and amazing surroundings.

Cousin Kate was having a blast - isn't she adorable!

Kinley working the camera

We got to see Elk, Longhorn, and Buffalo up close and personal on the tram ride. The guide put out food next to our tram and they all came up and ate, we even got to pet them.

Kinley has learned to use her imagination and role play with animals. She has a little cow and pig that she loves to play with. One day she said "pig ride cow's back" and proceeded to make them give each other piggy back rides. Then she said "cow hug pig" and made them hug. The she said "pig cow talking bout meat tacos" and had them facing each other nodding their heads. We all got a good laugh. James heard a little song that he loves "twinkle twinkle little ants I have purple underpants" he and Kinley both laugh hysterically when he sing this. Yesterday in the car Kinley started saying "tickle tickle underpants" and thinks she is so cool like brother.

She just finished her little gymnastics class. She really enjoyed it and got a lot better at all of the stretches and equipment by the end of the class. The bar was definitely her favorite.

This is her saying "tada" with her gymnastics hands after the got off the balance beam.

These are James' best buddies at the moment. Joshua on the left and Ezra on the right. They are both 3 and fully decked in James' hand me downs. Me and their mom's were praising and thanking Gigi, Bop, Nana, and Grandad for all the clothes they have given our children.

This is James holding Bennett Wagner. He and Kinley both love him and are getting good practice for baby Mallory. I was asked one day if I thought Kinley was ready for a baby sister and I said "hell no" (I know not a good thing to say I don't know where my guard went) and Kinley heard me and tried to repeat it but said "El Mo" it was so funny but I really have to watch it! Truthfully, I think bringing home a baby is going to be really hard on her but the best thing for her so I am trying to enjoy my last two months of peace before major training.

We got a tea set last week and the kids are loving it way more than I expected. James at first said I don't really like to play girl things but I convinced him that it was a gender neutral tea set and Josh told him men all over Europe have tea parties and showed him how to drink with his pinkie up. We had real warm tea in the tea pot, James drank it up and Kinley made a disgusted face every time she tried it so she would just pour an overflowing cup for herself then dump it in the grass and pour herself another.

Her new thing is to say "puppy" then pretend to be one. I tried to tell her this isn't acceptable for high tea but she didn't care. We went in the backyard one day and found the kids like this. James was telling her about jets and the sky. She was a captive audience.

April 15 was our planned planting day and was the only available day to do it all of April so rain as it may we were out making our yard beautiful. It was really fun and of course the kids loved the opportunity to get dirty.

This is a new addition to our perennial plant collection - we love it! We kept our last hibiscus alive for five years, hopefully this one will make it even longer!

Kinley working the camera while cooling her feet in the river. We went camping last weekend with our friends the Henslee's. We went to Osage Hills State Park. It is outside Bartlesville. It rained off and on Friday and Saturday and during the nights but it never got too heavy and our tents kept us dry. We did however think it was smart to put the dining fly over the fire pit so we could cook, eat, and relax out of the rain. Miraculously it did not catch on fire but we did all leave the campsite unattended while we went to bath the kids and one of the Henslee's chairs caught on fire and incinerated.

James is an amazing camper. He never complains about anything, thinks helping us is the greatest privilege ever, and always wishes we could stay longer. He loves his hiking backpack and keeps it stocked with water, tweezers, bug box, binoculars, flashlight, his favorite plastic animals, magnifying glass, and all the "treasures" he finds while exploring. He had it on every waking moment - so cute.

Levi was riding on Derrick's shoulders and Kinley wanted to ride like him so we tried it and she insisted on holding my face with all her might. Needless to say the ride did not last long.

I should have cropped this one but it is the boys hiking to the river.

Ezra, James, Levi, Kinley all swinging in the hammock. They actually enjoyed it like this for over five minutes. They must really love each other. Since we will have one more next year Derrick thinks we should take a babysitter. We don't think one in their right mind would take the job!

James enjoying a s'more. Don't those hands look yummy!

We let James drink caffeine free coke when we are camping. He thinks he is so big especially since all the other kids don't have mature enough taste buds to handle the "spiciness".

This is James with his shotgun. He and Ezra spent a lot of their time hunting and killing bears in the woods. Ezra would spot them with the binoculars and James would shoot them. Ezra called the gun "the shooter hot gun" James just rolled his eyes and laughed at him.

Kinley and Levi are five months apart and they were so funny. They would share a banana one minute the sweetest thing you've ever seen then fight over a toy the next minute and they sounded like screeching clawing cats fighting. They were sweet more than they fought and they were so fun to watch toddle around.

• We have decided to name the baby Mallory Ann Morris!! It is growing on us and the kids seem to like it. I can't remember if I put this last time but if we ask Kinley what is in my tummy she says "baby sissy" it is soooo adorable.
• We moved Kinley to her big girl bed after Easter and she has done really well. I'm sure she will figure out how to get out and drive me crazy right when Mallory is born but it is going great for now.
• Last week James said "Somebody has got to watch her, I can't be responsible for her every second." I guess I depend on him too much?!! And he's a little dramatic.

Jason, Emily, and Kate at Easter

James is a pro egg hunter and even got his own tough big boy hunt separate from the babies

Kinley's smelling face

Her idea of a pretty picture

lWe're getting closer

My idea of a pretty picture

One of the better family pics

No one had to teach this one to egg hunt, she had it down fast and was greedy

She was even willing to go to great extreme's

Three Morris babies in the tub (cousin Kate on the left)

I looked back at Kinley in the car one day and this is what I found!

Egg dyeing at Gigi's

• We were playing in the backyard and James got a chair and said I am going to sit in the shade and think about God. Of course Kinley followed him and he said "Kinley you can think about God too!"
• James' class went on a field trip to the Tulsa airport. Kinley and I got to go with him. He was so kind to us and introduced us to all his friends. He taught Kinley everything he knew about school and field trips and was so proud to have us with him. We got to go in a private jet hanger and go in different jets. We also saw two fighter jets taking off and landing. Now Kinley says "jet" every time she hears a plane. She is going to be going to the same preschool one day a week next year - she can't wait.
• One day we were meeting some friends at the park and we were early so we were taking out time getting out of the car. I was at the back unloading the stroller and Kinley climbed back in. I shut the back door, she hit the lock button and James was about to shut the front door. I said "James don't shut....!!!" and he looked right at me and slammed the door. My keys, phone, and Kinley were now locked in the car with no one in sight to help. After about five minutes one of my friends showed up and I used her phone to call Josh. Kinley was not freaking out at all she was living it up. I don't let them play in the front seats or hit all the buttons. I also don't let her play with my keys and the remote that unlocks the car. She was doing all of the above and looking at me with the most devilish smile. She passed the time by pushing the panic button on the key remote over and over so the car was honking for 10 minutes. Finally she hit the unlock button on accident. Then Josh showed up. It was very stressful for about a minute mainly because I was so mad at James for deliberately disobeying but after that I just started laughing and couldn't stop. Oh a day in the life of a mother!
• James' new thing is to say "I hate to tell you this but..." Once he said I hate to tell you this but you're loud mommy. I hate to tell you this but I just spilled my whole cup of milk. I hate to tell you this but I just got poop all over the bathroom and myself. At least he's being a little sensitive. He also says "what am I chopped liver" if we are loving on Kinley or each other and don't love on him.
• He loves to help Josh mow and work in the yard and Josh was telling him how great of a job he does and how much he likes his help. James said "daddy, you know my mower isn't real right?" So funny, he was being like an adult letting a child down.
• My birthday was the 8th and my mom took me to Dallas to shop for three days! My grandma, Bop, and Josh took turns keeping the kids. My grandma said Kinley loved her cat and chased him everywhere. One time she followed him right under the bed and got stuck. Grandma asked James to go under and get her and he said "no way, I'll get stuck too" so they had to drag her out by the legs. My mom and I had a great time - we are never together without my kids so it was wonderful to have full conversations and go in and out of a million stores without kids. I got a new arm chair that glides and has a ottoman for the baby's room. I have wanted one since James was born! Josh and the kids got me beautiful new canisters for the kitchen. I feel incredibly spoiled and loved.
• Kinley started sleeping in her big girl bed on Sunday night. The first night she fell out around 12 and cried off and on for three hours. She totally wanted her crib back - I felt so sorry for her. But since then naps and night have been great. She is still too little to get on and off the bed by herself so we haven't had the getting up issue yet but I'm sure she'll decide to use that one when the baby comes! She and James love being together - it is so sweet to have them sharing a room.

I am 21 weeks pregnant, feeling baby sister kick a lot, still enjoying having some energy and not being sick. We are really struggling to come up with a name. We seem to coming back to a few options Karsten, Kiersten, Kaylin, and McKenzi (we aren't sure how we would spell those and don't love any of them) Kinley is really getting into the baby in my tummy idea and likes to kiss, poke, and snuggle my belly button since she is sure that is what the big deal is all about.

We went to my cousins ranch in Hominy this week to hang out with Hayden and Maggie Jo and see their pigs. James found this lovely animal spine and just had to bring it home. They all ganged up on me about getting James a dog and at one point their dogs were frustrating James and I said "see James that is why I don't want a dog they are always bugging you" and he said "yeah I see what you mean, lets get a cat then". Then I had to go into a discussion about why I don't want cats or hamsters or bunnies or any pets. By the way, James' teachers asked him to tell them a story, any story, and this is what he said "I don't really have anything. I want a dog. I love dogs but my mommy doesn't. She really doesn't like it when they cuddle with her. I don't know what she would do if I brought a dog home. That's all."

We celebrated the coming of spring by going on a family walk with the Wagner's then going to Braum's for ice cream. This was Kinley's first cone, she actually did really well and didn't get any on her clothes or the table.

Isn't this a good look for Kinley? She loves to wear her rain boots around the house. They also figured out that the teapot stopper whistles when they blow in it. I was so glad they figured that out ;)

One day while James was at school I was baking and letting Kinley play in the sink with bubble water. I went in the garage to get something and when I came back this is how I found her. She had on shoes, socks, diaper and pants! Notice the face! She was so proud and all I could do was laugh and wonder how in the world she hoisted herself up in there. The evening before I walked into the kitchen to find James peeing in the trashcan. I asked "why" and he said "I don't remember". I didn't laugh at that one until later but what in the world was he thinking??

I was doing some sewing and James was extremely interested so I let him sew a little pouch and he was so cute and smart and quick to learn. Most of the time it is really fun to have a big boy. He is getting so mature.

• I was ironing our clothes for a wedding we were going to and James went over and picked up Kinley's little shrug and took it to Josh and said "hey dad, mom shrunk your shirt" (Josh and Kinley's shirts were both yellow) Isn't that such grown up humor?!
• We got to the wedding and the kids were being watched in a little room during the ceremony. When James opened the door and walked in he saw that there were no toys and two crying babies. He turned around, walked out and said "that is not good, I am not going in there" I of course said yes you are, play games on my iphone if you have to. During the ceremony we noticed his face smashed against the window watching us. After the ceremony Josh noticed that he had a missed call and message from me. Well it was James calling and he left a message saying there were no cool games on my phone and no toys to play with and that it was not good. Thankfully my phone was still in one piece when it was all over and so was James.
• Kinely has been talking more and more everyday. She is also learning her colors and gets yellow "lellow" and blue "bue" right most of the time. She will say every letter in the alphabet except W and the name of every color. She also as decided that Elmo and Abby (a new sesame street character) are part of our family. She walks around singing "momma, daddy, bubba, elmo, abby". She says, no way, mo noonles (more noodles), peas (please) and many more.
• Josh and I got to go to Big Cedar with five other couples the first weekend in March. It was a great time and we feel so blessed to have family that provides us with the perks of getting to stay at such a cool place and take all our friends and keeps our kids for us.
• We have also started going to a legitimate counselor for the first time in our marriage. It has been really good and helpful. We hope that by God's grace and power we can overcome the bulk of the struggles that we have wrestled with the past five years.
• oh yes and we will be moving Kinley to her big girl bed in April, she is not excited about it and neither am I but it has to be done so wish us luck!

We have had a fun month! I started feeling almost normal the second week of February - YEA! I am 19 weeks and had a doctor appointment today. Baby girl who remains nameless looks great and I am feeling her kick -so sweet! We were invited to a valentines party and we made valentines and decorated sugar cookies. James and Kinley made cards for Nana and Gigi and devoured the cookies they decorated before I could pack them up to take home. Doesn't Kinley look like a big girl? A couple of Saturday's ago it was about 40 degrees and rainy and I was tired of entertaining the kids indoors so I took them out to play in the "river" running down our street. Josh said "most moms keep their kids in from the freezing rain, but no, not you, you are taking them out to play in it!" I know I'm strange but we had a blast. I felt like we were filming the ending segment of a Curious George show. We floated different shapes and sizes of toys down the river then built a dam to keep them from going down the drain. We have enjoyed every nice afternoon outside. On this particular day James was driving the princess around - such a girl. James has been deciding to get out of most pictures lately?? Last weekend we went to OKC to celebrate Bop's birthday. Gigi threw him a surprise party at a biker bar and everyone dressed up in biker clothes. The kids were adorable. While we were in OKC Nana and Grandad took us to a Thunder game. Kinley was given a balloon and sucked the helium out of it. James started swimming lessons today. He is very fearful of being in big pools so I was really worried about him even attempting to do what the instructor said. We bought him a toy to bribe him to do everything the teacher said no matter how afraid he was and if he did it he got to have the toy. Oh he says I need to tell you that it is a Navy Seal Boat. Well he did great, better than any other kid in the class. I was so proud of him, I really saw him overcome a tiny bit of his fear. We'll see how the next seven sessions go.