Powell, Here we are!

The Kids (human and not so human)

My children...

2 furry

1 with hair

Malakai and the dogs are best buds. Everyday when he wakes up from bedtime and his naps he looks for the dogs. Boris is the protector and Tasha is the play buddy. What a sweet little family we have!

Malakai Turns One!

March 26th was the wonderful day Malakai joined our outlandish family, and one year later he is still here with us. We had great fun at his 3 different birthday parties. Spoiled does not accurately describe the awesome gifts this kid received. He got everything from books to clothes, playyards, and a trip to San Diego!


Luckily we, the parents were able to go along for the ride.

We went to the...

Beach: Kai had so much playing and splashing in the ocean. He definately wasn't afraid of the water. He seemed to really enjoy the sand as well. I guess your born with the concept that sand is made for burying things. He would bury everything he could get his hands on (including his hands).

Zoo: Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!!! What an adventure the zoo was. We felt right at home. The day was hot, long, and fun, but well worth the time.

Aquarium: We go from land creatures to the sea. We were able to see and touch... many species of fish, sea stars, and sea cucumbers. I think Malakai had more fun splashing the water than actually touching the creatures that lived in it. He was wetter than they were!

All in all a first birthday to remember.

Our Boy Is Getting Big!!

Yes it's true, Kai is now 9 months and weighs about 22 pounds. And the height on this kid is astounding (we don't know where he gets it)! As you can see in the picture he comes up to my thighs, now I'm sure some of you are thinking that's not hard to do. But, come on, for 9 months old thats tall. Things in our house are still a little nutty, Kai crawls with the intent to explore every nuke and cranny in the house. Grandma Howard has decided to show our little guy just how much fun it is to climb stairs. He finds it thrilling, but his father and I are not so fond of his new talent, what will she teach him next (how to climb down stairs)? Now he has found the fun of pulling up on things and playing with his "balance" (or lack there of...). Making a mess of the CD's and DVD's is his favorite pastime, and poor Boris is now used as a "horse" more so than ever before. What is this kid going to do next? We can't wait to see.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

This year I had to work, so I asked Santa to come a night early. He agreed graciously and we celebrated Christmas on the Eve. As you can see, Malakai was not fond of Santa at the Howard Christmas Party. I guess I'm doing a better job at teaching him "Stranger Danger" than I thought.

Malakai enjoyed the paper and bows more so than the gifts themselves (of course). I think he was very overwhelmed by all the new surroundings and noises that his new toys made. Even today (the 2nd week in January), he still finds more interest in the decorations in the house than his own toys. One day he'll find the joy in his toys. Anyway, Christmas was fun and we enjoyed being with our family.

We love you guys!!!!

First Snow Day

Kai's 1st Snow Day!

While daddy was shoveling the driveway, I decided to see how Malakai would react to his first snowfall. We bundled up and headed outside to play in the snow! Malakai eyeballed the white stuff with a great big smile. I'm sure he was thinking.... I bet that tastes good. I set him in the snow thinking he would take a large handful and move it to his mouth, but instead he didn't move. He just "froze". He "warmed" up quickly and he was having fun in the snow playing with mommy and daddy!

Cousins are Different Flowers From the Same Garden!

One cool fall day in October, 4 crazy women gathered 9 spunky kids, to do what they love least. Take pictures! Of course, Rachel, Lindsey, Demi, Maddie, and Josh did great and actually behaved as much as they could. I would even venture out and say that they had fun.

However, the 4 youngest of the bunch did not enjoy themselves as much. Isaac and Lexi became irritated and uncooperative at the end of the session. Malakai was at the beginning of his first ear infection, and he was not the happy go-lucky kid that he usually is. Jenna didn't seem to care about the commotion going on around her, she slept during most of the 2 hr. ordeal.

In the end, the pictures turned out great and really captured their personalities.