NICU reunion and Westport art fair

Annual tradition is the westpost art show every September with my Aunt Carol. She is a water color artist and not only do we like to help her set up her booth, but we enjoy hanging out with her for the weekend since my uncle passed in 2001. He was always the one to do the job, but Chris, I and her kids have taken over the job since, and since I am an art lover and Aunt Carol lover... I love these weekends. Once Emilia was born, these weekends became a bit more difficult, although we almost always make it for set up, take down, and nightly walks to the car. Emilia has yet to miss a year at the best art fair in town and so we find ourselves here again! This time I brought Hannah and Hudson... you can never have too much culture too soon!

Emilia and Hannah's favorite Westport house

a picnic with the artist!

some of her artwork

I love my maiden name, Hensley!

In front of Kelly's bar... just like last year

comparing with last year....

she's such a biggie girl!

and we're dancing in the streets!

such a handsome little boy!

here's to Westport 2009!

The NICU reunion was the same day this year, but unfortunately my "purse camera" battery did not make it there.. so I will link you to a NICU grad post that was awesome to see! So good to see all of you... just as you say I made a difference in your life... I feel the same! I am forever changed by each baby I care for. All these babies are such blessings and I feel so privileged to have had the opportunity to have cared for them! I love my job!

fall picnic

Some days I wake up grumpy, knowing I cannot conquer the world, and Emilia is being quite naughty... what else is there to do besides pack up PB&J sandwiches, some grapes, and your tricycle and head to the park... it's how we cope! :) It works for us... you should try it too!

Could her smile get any bigger... who would have guessed she was in time out

twice before we even ate breakfast?

My dad would call those " Betty Davis eyes"

Yup, on those days we don't wear make up... not even sure we brushed our hair??

Don't worry, mom, at least our teeth were clean and we were wearing

clean underwear (inside joke :)!

Here is some video footage... if you listen closely you will hear her singing

along with the ring on my phone when it rings... so stinkin cute!

May our rough days be abundant so we can spend more days like these!

Octoberfest

Yearly tradition took us to the Lee's Summit Octoberfest with some of the fam. It was quite crowded, but beautiful weather to do the chicken dance in a tent with the polka band. The excuse for Emilia's outfit is that I have a 3 year old that likes to dress herself... who wouldn't wear a tutu every day if they could... without people laughing? Come on... be honest! :)

Octoberfest hot dogs... organic and all natural, right?

She seemed to like them!

Emilia and Lily made friends with these cute little girls on the dance floor!

Garrett is such a good big cousin!

Markus seemed insulted that Emilia did not like his funnel cake!

Come on, buddy, give her a break... it's not like you made them yourself! :)

Last dance

Blogging Hiatus

The last few weeks have flown by and have entailed many fun events, such as picnics, a NICU reunion, and the westport art show. While I have many photos and funny stories to tell, at this time I neither have the time or energy to do so. I will be taking a blogging break to focus on other areas of my life that are a bit more important and are requiring more attention at this time. God allows challenges, obstacles, and tragedy to enter our lives, and unfortunately no one is immune to this, whether Christian or non Christian. Times like these define you, and define where your faith and strength lies, and while times may be difficult ... I know I worship an awesome God that nothing is too big for and good can come from every challenge we face. I will hopefully be back to blogging in the next month or so, but until then... what posting would be complete without pictures of our beautiful daughter?

Taken by yours truly at Unity Villiage!

Almost forgot Labor day!

Labor Day was fun and we enjoyed the beautiful weather with a cook out with a few of the family. While Emilia was napping, Samantha and I got a kick going through old photos... some way back from elementary school. I have already been threatened by Heather about posting any of them, but if I can gain her approval of a few, you might find humor in the styles of the 80's and 90's as interpreted by the Hensley girls! Mel, don't worry, I will get your approval as well. And because I don't mind posting funny photos, I am working on scanning in my 3rd grade photo... yes, before braces... you will see why my nick name was gopher, and why I pray Emilia inhereted my husbands beautiful smile! The glasses I wore alone are enough to make you spew beverage out your nose, so be for warned! And PS... parents, don't do that to your child... there is really no reason for the bottom of you child's glasses to reach their chin... seriously, they might not be so forgiving as I am! Anyways, as I was saying.. Labor Day... Cheese burgers, chips, dip, BBQ beans, and brownies... need I say more??

My brother in law, Markus... I make no excuses! :)

Lily provided the music

Papa and Millie Bug

Ty ate the uncooked brownie mix... yum!

Chris

Then Tuesday we had to get up bright and early for Emilia's dentist appointmant. Call it what you will, but I am proud to use bribery to get my daughter to cooperate. Her 1st dental appointment was at 18 months when she had bumped her chin on the floor just right while growling at me, and her upper tooth bumped her lower one just right to knock it halfway out. Not knowing what else to do, I pushed it back in place and took her to the pediatric dentist my niece and nephews go to. All this to say, her 1st dental experience was a bit traumatic (although the tooth turned out fine), and her 2nd one was not traumatic because she wouldn't even open her mouth! Haha, guess she showed him! Because he did not want her to be further traumatized, he simply let her say no and play with the toys at the office and reschedule. I didn't know quite what to do with this because I have always loved going to the dentist, so I resorted to bribery. I took her favorite princess gift sack and filled it with a few goodies from the dollar section at Target. I waited in the waiting room, and told her if she was a blessing and let him count her teeth, that she could open the gift and we would go to lunch afterwards. Worked like a charm, but bad news... a chipped molar needed to be filled. When they came to tell me that I panicked a bit until they told me they had already done it and she was a complete angel! Wow... I was impressed. The only bad thing is that they said this will need to be re done as it wears away. She probably chipped it while chewing ice... oops! Lesson learned, and now she is on my dental insurance! :) So I was wondering if the princess bag would work again and it did! Ahh, I actually sat in the waiting room and caught up on my Jon and Kate gossip in a magizine and viola! She appeared with clean teeth, smile, and goodie bag in hand.

She even gave Dr. Martin a hug on the way out! Her choice for lunch this time was "that place you eat salad and coffee and listen to music"... awesome... Dean & Deluca... my kind of girl! She ordered mashed potatoes, 2 sesame chicken strips, and a cookie to eat on the way home...

Imagine my suprise when I pull in the house to find this in the back seat...

I love these kind of days, and am actually looking forward to her next dentist appointment... she was an absolute angel!