Kenya to Canada

So, the day before Kenya turned 1 year old we took a trip to Cardston, Alberta. We are going to make her a world traveler, if we can! We went up to the temple there and Robert got to help with the ward youth trip. He is now serving in the Young Men organization. Grandma came with us to babysit so that when Robert was done he and I could go through. But, he finished about 5 minutes after the last session that day. BUMMER! Grandma went through the temple when Robert was helping with the youth. It was still nice to be on temple grounds and feel the wonderful spirit that is at the House of the Lord. Kenya LOVED it! We spent most of the 2 hours outside walking the grounds and playing with other children who were there waiting for their parents. The trip was well worth it and everyone enjoyed it!

Kenya is growing up so fast. She is saying a few new words almost daily. Here are some of the words that she has said in the last week, at least some of the ones I remember.
star
stairs
okay
Kenya
nose
yes
one
kisses

Birthday Videos

I was wanting to make sure that I got something posted about Kenya's birthday so, I left the videos off of the last post. But it looks like the internet is working fine still so here are a couple. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENYA!!

This was the best birthday ever! I think we were successful in making Kenya’s birthday exactly what she wanted.

Her birthday was a balloon, Cheeto, dance party. That is right, she got balloons to play with from the time she woke up, had Cheetos for lunch and even some after dinner, and got to dance at her party. What a life for a 1 year old.

At church today she was quite the ball of energy. She would not sit still or even play with her quite toys. All she wanted to do was climb the stairs to the pulpit run in the aisle, or cry and whine. What a day. I am sure she knew there was something special about today and that she could push us just a little bit more than normal. And the fact that all she had was a less than 30-minute nap.

After church we had a family party. We had a wonderful dinner (ham, potato salad, corn, and homemade rolls) with Grandma and Grandpa Evans, Elcia, and Great Grandpa Stevens. I think Kenya ate at least 1 full adult serving of ham. SHE LOVED IT! Who know? I had made the potato salad thinking that is what she would eat the most of, but she only ate 1 bite. She loaded up on corn and ham. After dinner we turned on the music and danced and opened gifts

Kenya got a little stuffed dog for her birthday from Robert and I. As soon as she got that she fell in love! Really, it was adorable! We also got her a large bouncing ball. She got 4 pairs of shoes (can you believe it!) and some super cute clothes from friends and family.

We then had cake and ice cream. I made her a balloon cake. I think the idea was cute, but it was poorly executed. It had a larger balloon in the middle to write “Happy 1^st Birthday Kenya” on and then cupcakes all around it to make it look like a bouquet of balloons. I like it and everyone else said it was good too. We let Kenya have an entire cupcake to her, but she was really not interested. I put a little bit of ice cream on her tray too. That is what she loved! She ate it fast and got an ice cream headache and the spit out some of the ice cream. Too cute!

Then to end the day she had a bath and off to bed.

She had everything, that I consider her favorite!

Balloons, Ball, Dog, Cheetos, Dancing, Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Helped with Laundry, Bath, and Kitty!

Kenya we love you so much! Happy Birthday.

Wow, now that happened fast!

It seems that it was a long time coming, but that is just because we waited just under 5 years for her. Kenya is almost one year old! I cannot believe it! She hasn't seemed like a baby for awhile now. Ever since she started walking at 10 months old she has seemed like a toddler. I thought that you got to have a baby for at least a year.
No, really she is amazing. These are just some random thoughts of things that she is doing and most of them she has been doing for quite sometime, but I only have a few chances to use the internet now. So, here we go:
Kenya helps me get her dressed. She puts her arms in when putting it on and lifts them up to take her clothes off.
She has rediscovered the bath in the last month or so. She hated it before and so we started to shower her and she was happier with that. So, we decided to try it again this last month and she loves it! It has a lot to do with a toy she got at Christmas (thanks Chris') she loves it!
She loves her kitty! Her favorite thing to do is follow This around and when This lays down she puts her head on her and loves her. It truly is darling. She also plays fetch as well as This. We throw the hair tie for This and about 90% of the time Kenya is the one that brings it back.
She now asks to clean her own face and hands after meals.
She sometimes asks to sit on her potty. (Potty training is going to beginning VERY soon, if I can work up the commitment.)
She sleeps in her own room.
She is learning new words almost daily.
She loves dogs!
She like to "get" mommy or daddy. And she like to be "gotten"
She climbs!!
In playing patty cake she can now "roll it" in fact I think that she likes to "roll it" more than anything.
She discovered her nostril. Yes, I have a 1 year old who puts her finger in her nose.
If you ask her how old she is, she will show you! She hold up 1 finger.
She can identify a few body parts, like nose, mouth, toes and sometimes eyes and ears.
I am sure there are a lot more. I am just amazed at the things she can pick up on. WOW! that is all I can say. Is this normal to have a 1 year old who can do all of this? (I am sure it is, but it amazes me as I already said. I just think about the new skills that I have learned in the last year and compare them to what she has learned and how much Kenya has grown. Man, I am a slacker!)

Animal Sounds

Kenya can say a few animal sounds.

Cow... mmm (she leaves of the oo)
Doggy... woof woof
Sheep... baa
Kitty... mmow (she rarely does this one)

She is able to point out animals in her books too! What a fast learner!
Now I need to get the shapes, colors, numbers, and letters down. So much to learn, but it is all great fun!

Kenya is a Dancing Queen

Kenya loves to dance! She has for quite sometime now, but lately she really loves to dance and ask to dance often.

Last week we were watching the Olympic figure skating on TV and Kenya began to imitate their skating by twirling around and dancing. It was so cute! We caught it on video on Sunday. Wow, has she grown. She imitates all kinds of things now. I should be doing a better job of watching what I do and say.

On Saturday night we had a family dance party and for over an hour listen to music and danced. It was a blast.

On Sunday we Robert was downloading some music on to is PS3 and Kenya was very insistent about dancing because she heard the music. She lives to dance by herself as shown in the video, but also she like to dance with me or Robert or Grandma (I bet really she would dance with just about anyone who would let her.)

Here are some other videos of our almost 1 year old. She loves to play! We take more videos of Kenya than pictures because she is so active that we want to catch what she is doing as well as how cute see is. Sorry if it gets old to watch videos. I will try to take more pictures!

One last thing… Kenya had become quite social. When she walks in a room, or anywhere really she puts on her amazing smile and waves at anyone and anything. I think it is a game she plays that goes something like this… “I bet I can get that person to smile and wave… yep I knew it would work. I have got them all figured out!”

Could this be an update?

It sure is folks! After being hounded for an update and we've finally delivered!
So these first 4 pictures began as a joke. Lois put the bow in her hair to be humorous, but after seeing it in her hair we couldn't decide if she was ridiculously cute or just ridiculous...so tell us what YOU think! Please select one answer on the poll and answer honestly. We won't take offense!






These next 4 are of Kenya at dinner time one night. She was hammin' up the camera that night!




She is practically posing for a photo shoot in these next 2 pics!

It kinda looks like she got a hold of the camera and took a picture of herself!

Here is a video of Kenya feeding herself...well with a little help.




Here's a video that shows a little of how she walks and tries to run! She never really practiced walking. Just one day she decided that crawling wasn't fast enough and just stood up and walked! Even though we have been watching her walk since January 5, we still are absolutely amazed every time we see her walk!





We can't leave This out! Here she is playing with her oh-so-addicting hair tie! She still plays fetch too!

We have a walker everyone!

Today is the day Kenya decided that she was going to walk. It started a while ago really. She has been getting braver and braver each day. A few times in the last two weeks or so she would take a step or two away from or to someone, but that was all. Last night she stood up and walked on her own and it was quite a few steps. I knew it was all over! Today she did the same thing at least 10 times. She just stands up and walks. She is still crawling about 75% of the time, but I am sure it wont be long now. What a girl.
So these videos are of her over the last few days. The first one is her using the walker that Amy got her for Christmas. She got comfortable with it quick. This is only the first day she used it.



Next is of her using the walker Grandma and Grandpa Draper got her. She plays with it all the time. (We left one walker at Grandma and Grandpa's house and brought the other one into Kalispell, told you we got spoiled!) She loves the music and the walker.


The last one is of her today walking. This was unprovoked and typical of what I saw randomly through out the day. I guess I am off to get her some shoes tomorrow.

A Merry Christmas Indeed!

This year we had Christmas at the Evans's household. It was a blast! There were 17 people crammed into a home made for two, but has had some modifications to help fit some more people. Six out of the seven Evans children were present for the holiday. It is understandable that Aaron & Kelsey did not make it because they just had a baby 9 days before. (Congrats again) Their absence was missed, but having a white Christmas helped us deal with it! It was great to spend time with so much family. For Christmas dinner there were 22 people total, crammed into the home!

It was so fun to see Kenya and her first Christmas! We want to thank the Evans & Drapers for helping to spoil us this year! We got way more gifts than expected or necessary, but we are sooooo grateful! Kenya already loves the many toys she got!

Here some pictures of my Christmas present from Don! He really is Santa because I never told him and Lois never told him how much I have been wanting a good quality Samurai sword. (Thank you so much!) It is quite sharp too! Santa is just that good!

Santa was definitely sharp this year...in addition to the sword he delivered a barrel load of knives this year! You heard it right...knives. I am pretty sure everyone that anyone over 5 yrs old that set foot in that house on Christmas got a knife!


Kenya loved her cousin Matt! Here's a video that shows how much!


He was getting her to laugh like this quite a bit over the holiday. I love his last closing comment!
I was laughing so hard that I accidentally stopped recording, but I got the goods!

The most important thing about Christmas this year was feeling the love of Christ as we all spent time together and received gifts from others. It wasn't the gifts that impressed us but the efforts, thoughts, feelings, and intentions that were put into giving the gifts this year. The gifts of togetherness. The gifts of love and peace. The gifts of the Spirit. It was an amazing Christmas! We hope you all had a memorable Christmas too! We wish you all a Happy New Year as well!

Christmas letter 2009.

Sorry, its late but better than never.
Here is a short update on us. We welcomed our beautiful baby girl Kenya Irene to our family on March 7, 2009. Wow! She sure has grown. She is almost walking and is started to talk a little bit. It truly is amazing what a baby can learn in less than a year. I think about what I learned in the last year and I sure as lagged behind Kenya on that one. She started so small and is now in the 50 percentile. We love her and now know why God made us wait 5 years for her. What a blessing and joy she is our lives.
Robert graduated in July from BYU-Idaho. He is now working in a call center in Kalispell. Its a job to get by and has full benefits, so he took it. I am living my dream and am able to stay at home with Kenya! Thank you, Robert, for allowing me to do so! What a man!
Life is great! We have our family and friends enjoying the ride with us. We want to thank all of you!
Remember the feelings you felt this Christmas season and recognize that it is the spirit of Christ! He lives and died for us. If we live the best we can and use the atonement to make up what we lack we will return to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to live with our families forever and live in true happiness. We love Him and thank Him for all of our blessings.

Christmas Fun.

Dad and Kenya decorating the tree.

Look how big she is. Kenya is almost walking. She stands by herself often now and has even taken a few steps toward something she wants. Most of the time it is kitty! This is another way she worn the dress I made her for Christmas.



So, this past weekend we made cookies and trimmed the tree. It was a lot of fun! The tree turned out really nice this year. We thought it looked great! Hope you enjoyed the pictures.
I am so excited to have so much family home! 6 of 7 kids and their families will be there! Aaron and Kelsey have less than 2 week old baby, so obviously they will not be coming. The house will be very crowded, but well worth it! I will be posting a Christmas letter hopefully in the next few days, so keep a look out for that. Merry Christmas! I hope all of our Christmas's turn out just wonderfully!

Newest member of the Evans clan.

Makhail Xavier Evans 8lbs 5 oz 21 1/2 inches

Mikhail Xavier Evans was born on Thursday December 17, 2009. Chris and Christine are proud parents. I just love how our family is growing so quickly.
Christine was amazing and such a trooper. She did three kinds of labor for just one birth. She started natural, then went to being induced because her progress had stopped and then when Mikhail became distressed it ended in a c-sections. What a women! Congratulations guys! Parenthood is amazing!

Now, I am sad to say that is the last of the family news for awhile. At least all that I know of. What a great 18 months it has been in my family!

Just Fun

This is the only Christmas tree that we had. Robert put together some of Kenya's toys to make it the other day. Yesterday we did go to visit Great Grandpa Stevens and there was Christmas tree there with lights and decorations. She LOVED it! She kept walking over to it and just looking at it. Can't wait to decorate one at mom and dad's house this weekend. I am so excited to see all the family coming into town next week.





So, Kenya and I had some fun yesterday. We played with our cat, This. For those of you who don't know This' favorite game to play is fetch with my hair ties. For the past month or so Kenya has tried to play too. She will crawl over to the hair tie and pick it up. She then dangles it in front of the kitty and then This will actually bat at it. It is so fun to watch them play together.

This video is of Kenya dancing. She really likes music and understands when we tell her to dance. What a girl! It is really short, but you get the idea.

Welcome Sammy!

This morning my new niece come into this world. My brave sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who they named Samantha Jane Evans. She is about 8 lbs 10 oz and 21 inches long. Boy, Kelsey sure can grow long babies! Congrats to Aaron and Kelsey. You are truly a trooper Kelsey. This is her second baby in just over 13 months and both were all natural, what an amazing woman.


I am expecting another nephew any day now too. My sister-in-law Christine is a few days over due and I am impatiently waiting to hear news about their little one.

Finished Christmas Dress

So, I tried to do all the sewing by myself, but I ran out of time. I was trying to finish the dress by today so that Kenya could wear it at least a few times. So, my mom came to the rescue and sewed the hard parts. The collar was harder than I was expecting. I tried it a few times and then just asked my mom to do it because she could get it done in just a few minutes and I had already spent more the half an hour on it. So, with mom's help I finished yesterday afternoon and Kenya was able to wear it today. It turned out beautiful!! I love it!! I made the "1/2" size from the pattern and it was still quite big on Kenya. Oh, well she stilled looked stunning.
I was trying to she how little money I could spend on the dress and ended up spending more that I wanted to, $9. The lace was a LOT more expensive than I thought it would be. Anyway... The fabric and thread mom had left over from other Christmas projects and the zipper I got from my aunt. So, the dress was still cheaper than buying one at the store and I love it!! Look at my cutie!!



Yeah, it is pretty long! Each Sunday she wears it, I am going to add something a little different, like changing the hair bow or adding a ribbon around the waste. I will post pictures of all the different ones if I get a chance. Mostly because she will look so darn adorable in the dress every time she wears it.




Kenya is doing a raspberry in the picture. She really enjoys that lately, it is a funny, but a cute face!

Domesticated

So, I am going to attempt to be domesticated over the next week or so and try to sew Kenya a Christmas dress. I want her to have one, but I could not see $20+ on a dress for my 9 month old. I was talking to my mom about it and she told me she had plenty of Christmas fabric and patterns that I could use. So, I looked through a it and picked a pattern and will try to make a dress. It will all depend on how independent Kenya wants to be and how much she can get into, if I when, I will get it done. I have very little sewing experience, but have always wanted to do more. I took a child's clothing class at BYU-I and really like it. So, I will hopefully, be posted pictures of that in the next couple weeks.
Sorry, there have not been many updates, but really we don't have much to share. I am waiting for my new niece and nephew to come into this world in the next couple of weeks. That will be fun too!

Christmas is on the way!

An annual tradition that Lois uses to kick off the Christmas season is watching White Christmas on Thanksgiving! It is such a good movie to start this great season of love, service, and selflessness. It also has really good music. So if you want a good way to get into the Christmas spirit early; we recommend watching White Christmas!

Some Thanksgiving food for thought

This is a video from the Mormon Messages videos. I find it quite appropriate for the upcoming week! Happy Thanksgiving!

50 FREE greeting cards!

FREE 50 photo greeting cards. This is awesome. I found this deal on coupongal.net ! So, what it is is SeeHere.com is running a promotion where you get 50 free greeting cards AND free shipping! I think this is wonderful and thought I should tell EVERYONE! It is quick and easy. Create an account with SeeHere.com and the click on "order now: under the card section. Chose the 4x8 and then design a card. When you are done, SAVE it and then put 50 of them in your basket and the use the promo code "newbaby" when checking out. I just did it and they didn't even ask for a credit card # or anything! How wonderful. If you don't have cards yet for Christmas or need them for anything else (maybe baby announcements or something), definitely go there. Awesome deal!!

Words Kenya can say.

Here are some words that Kenya says and has meanings for:
Kitty (itty)- she began saying it just shortly after we got to MT. She was just shy of 5 months old and I think we are calling it her first official word. She still using to call This and the other cats here.
eat (ea)- without the "t". this word came shortly after kitty and occasionally still uses it.
dada- she calls for her daddy
mama-calling for mom
grandma (gma)- Yes she calls for her grandma!
grandpa (gpapa)- she has said it a few times before, but just tonight she was playing with grandpa and calling his name after he "beeped" her nose.
bye-bye (bye-bye)- so cute! She will wave and say it at the same time.
all done (da)- at the end of a meal, I tell her all done. Now when every I say all done, whether after eating or anytime, she will she da da.

There are often times when we say something she will mimic the sounds that we just made and they are very close. I think she has a gift of speech or communicating.

Other updates.
She is finally in the right side of clothing for her age. She is in 6-9 month size, but she is just over 8 months. She has done a lot of growing!
She crawls reguarlly!
Today she stood up by just holding onto my shirt and then stood there for a few moments. She then let of my shirt and still just stood there. This was witnessed by Chris, I am not making it up. I was impressed!
She loves to play with the kitty! She is getting good at being gently when petting her too.

I am sure there was more I wanted to say, but I am tired now and going to bed.
Please, if you have any memories or comments about Kenya up to this point in her life please leave a comment for us. I want to keep these posts and share them with her when she is older. Thanks!

Goodbye Halloween, til next year!

Halloween this year was good. We went to a party at some friends house on Friday and then enjoyed a mellow Halloween on Saturday. For it being Kenya's first Halloween we felt it went good. We dressed her up again and took her to the local grocery story. There they had 6 stations where they handed out snack items and had hot food to eat throughout the story. (No, not the food on the shelves, but pizza and hot dogs for us to eat. It was perfect because we didn't want Kenya's first Halloween to just pass, but she couldn't really do any trick or treating.

Next are some the latest pictures of her in her. They were take last Sunday. What a big girl she is now! She is in her 6 month clothing. What a cute outfit! She was all dressed up and ready for church.