Reagan looks so cute here.

Roman really wanted to get a picture of us together. I love this one. He is the sweetest little boy in the world.

Van the man

I love the boys faces... their not sure what they are supposed to be doing, but they don't want to lose the treats we bribed them with.

I kind of wish we would have done a funny face one.

Reagan wanted to be in mine and Tony's pictures. I think he would have liked to be an only child.

Reagan and Van are coming up with something... you can see it.

She wants hair... can you tell?

I love the weird angle on this one and how little Kingsley looks. He's really is tiny.

Roman can't make a scary face... he tries but it's no happening. He's too sweet.

This is a Reagan face.

About 10min after I took this, Van puked in the grass. He keeps reminding us all day today that he "puked in the grass"

I love this picture.

OK look at Van... I love the hand in his pocket. He does this a lot. I think he knows he's cool.

Kingsley and Mama

They were all trying to kiss Kingsley

One of the best things about getting family pictures are the out takes. This is the Russell....reality style.

The Russells
Somehow this didn't get on my last post.

Can you believe we started all this mess?

It's all about family.


So now that are family got even bigger this year it was really important for us to get pictures again. I did another swap....this is the great thing about being a photographer. This time it was with another photographer from church. She did a really good job with our family shots and getting the kids all together. (Thanks Kelly)

OK so Kingsley is almost 10 months old right? I know where in the world did time go. I can't believe that she is going to be 1 in two months....crazy! Anyway She was a little late getting to her nine month appointment. So here are her stats... She is 27 3/4 inches long 50%, she weighs 16 pounds, 10%, and her head is in the 75%. You would think that her head is huge, but it really doesn't look big. Anyway she is not putting on the weight like they would like, but she is growing. So it's off to the food allergist for some more testing. I really think there are some things that she is allergic to. But she is growing so that is good news. Maybe she will one of those lucky ones that are tall and skinny her whole life.

The Flower

Mario... again.

Link

Hopper the frog with a monkey on his back.... if you had a Van you would put a monkey on his back too.

The boys. I forgot to get one of all of them together. Kingsley went to bed on time and we let the boys stay up. So oh well next year. They were so much fun though. Van really enjoyed getting candy and he was so cute and charming that people would give him lots of candy. The big boys loved going with Garrison and Ali too. Kingsley was out for a little while then I brought her home, Tony and I traded and I did the last bit with the kids. It was good, our last Halloween in West Lafayette...kind of sad, but a lot of fun.

Happy Halloween

The beach we stayed on.

Castillo De San Marcos

The Prison in the Castillo... do you see any ghost???? This place was blocked off too so we too pictures through the door and it was really hot in there. Crazy!!!

Kenzie..She is her mother's child.

Hollie and Kingsley. I think Hollie would have taken her home if I let her.

The crazy kids. I still can not get over how much Roman and Kenzie look like each other.

KIKI

Look at this photo carefully, it's so funny

Hollie and the kids.

Scary Van

all of us and No it's not a pirate... I don't remember what he is but he's not a pirate...arrr.

Van

Macy

My dad

Confused...haha Kingsley was, and Van and sometimes the older kids when we both had our sunglasses on. This is Hollie

Van was a little scared of the ocean but then got over it.

Me and Vanny. Note to self do not ware bright colors on the largest part of your body.

She is so cute....

Brave Reagan

"Surfing the American Sea"

Florida or Bust

So after Reagan's big weekend, the family decided to run away to Florida. It was my Dad's idea.... he's got the best ideas. Anyway we haven't taken the kids any where in a long time so I decided that we would go. The boys missed a few days of school and we had to leave Tony behind to apply for jobs, but we had a blast. Lucky for me Hollie started to feel better and hitched a plane to Jacksonville so she and Kenzie joined us done there. I think I seen Hollie more this year then I have the past 9. It was awesome. I love Kenzie and she fits right into our family. Hollie also was Kingsley momma the whole time we were done there. It was good cause Kingsley couldn't tell us apart and Van got to have some Mommy time all to himself. The boys also loved playing with Kenzie. It was nice for Reagan to have a beach buddy ( I think they could have lived on the water the whole time) and it was good for Roman to play with her too. They all got along great. Although Kenzie was not to found of Van. I wouldn't have been to after he through her horse over the railing at the condo. "bye bye Spirit"

Anyway it was nice to hang out, fun to watch the kids. Life is so short, that I think it's these time we have to remember. Our little ones are not little ones for long.

While we were there we also went to Castillo De San Marcos aka the Fort. It was awesome, hunted and the kids loved it. I think that was one of the highlights.

Reagan and his grandmas

Four generations

Mary Beth and Ryan Russell

The Gazave Family

Christina, Ben and Curt....(with a little girl coming soon)

Street, Jessica, Emma, Zoe and a bun in the oven. (We can't wait to find out what it is.)

The Russell and the Fortners

Reagan and one of his best friends in the whole world. I thought it was sweet that Garrison had to sit near Reagan. They are a good support for each other and best friends for a long time.

Kingsley and her BFF Abbey

Reagan and his Grandpas

Kiki and Aunt Mary Beth.... you should get one of these...haha

My boys..all four of them.

Reagan on the phone with a sick aunt Hollie that couldn't come.

Tony and Reagan. I'm proud of both of them.

How all this Russell madness started.

Reagan was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Oct. 18 2009. This was a great day for the Russell family. We had friends and family come in from all over. We were missing a few, but they were in our hearts. Reagan was excited, and I was just praying that he would understand what was going on. Special things happened, to special to share with everyone, but I have to say... he got it. I'm so thankful for a sweet little boy that understands what's going on around him. That questioned everything so he will know what is truth and what's not. He is a cool kid, and this day he made a big step.

If you can't go to AC/DC bring them to you.

Last week Tony was supposed to go to an AC/DC concert. Something about reliving his youth. It would have been way fun for him though, he was going to go with is brother Street and just have some time to chill out with all the hard work he has been putting into school. WEll Late Monday, when he was about to leave for Louisville, he got the word that one of the band members had a stomach ulcer. I guess that's how it goes when your favorite bands are 1. old and 2. alcoholics.

Anyway the boys and I felt bad for him so a great plan was evolved? The boys did a great job. They came up with the song and costumes. Tony got to sit back and watch his concert after all.

Tony and I went on a DATE?

I know what's that right? A friend of ours is a Derby Girl for the Lafayette Brawlin' Dolls. Anyway to make a really long story short, I wanted to take pictures of them (get me back to my sport photography roots) and they let me. It's was awesome. It was our first time leaving Kingsley with a babysitter (other than Shari) and I must say I picked a winner, she was amazing with the babies. It also helped that it was Shari's daughter and babies is what she does best.

Anyway back to the Derby, it was awesome. Our team almost won, but there was a lot of laughing, a lot of hit and I was really proud of them for pulling off their first in town derby. As for the sports photos, I'm a little rusty and need some better equipment. But It made me miss the good old days when sports was all I did.

Here is a link to learn more about the Brawlin' Dolls.

Kingsley and her friend Abbey. They laugh when they see each other. It's really cute.

How can you not smile when you see this little girl ?

Her cute outfit. OK it's really fun to have a girl.

My little girl.

Nine Months....What?


Kingsley is nine months old. Do you believe it? I can not believe how fast this year is going. She is doing good. She needs to have some more tests done on her allergies, we kind of figured it would come to that. I don't have any info on her considering we don't go to the doctor until the end of the month. But she is really a happy kid... it's great. She sick right now and just laughing about it, unless she can't breath and then she gets made until I suck all the junk out of her nose. She is getting a little bit better with sleeping and has a tooth. I never thought those would come in.

The photos were from after church on Sunday. I was pretty proud of the cute outfit. I bought that skirt for $3 bucks, and it will last her forever. Anyway, she was crazy giggle happy when we got home from church. I'm it was because she slept on her grandma Loni for most of it. Thanks again Loni.

Reagan's Birthday

Baby boy

First birthday party at Grandma's house

The bluest eyes ever

An awesome big brother

Cute

a lover of all things clifford

Crazy Man

Dear Reagan,

Eight years ago today was one of the happiest days I can ever remember, because I became a Mom. Not only was I a mom but lucky for me, I was your mom. We were blessed with the most wonderful, perfect little boy. Reagan that was you. You were an awesome baby. A good sleeper, a good eater, happy as can be. You would laugh at thunderstorms, clap when Clifford came on, and just make me happy all the time. Then you grew up.... and still you make me happy all the time.

I'm amazed by your smart mind, and they way you figure things out. You have always been a studier, and man of many words (like your Dad). I love your soft side too, how you take care of the babies, your passion for reading, you ability to learn. You are the best soccer goalie in the whole wide world.

Thank you for making me a momma. We couldn't have asked for anyone better to be our first son. You are a good example to your brothers and little sister. They think you are coolest kid around.... I do too.

I hope you enjoy correcting my spelling in this letter to you, and that your birthday is full of everything wonderful. You are the best... truly Reagan you are awesome and I love your awesomeness.

Happy Birthday Reagan Russell aka Mario.

Love,

Mom

Sometimes we get board while the big boys are at school so I start taking pictures.... It's just what I do. This one is of Van and he wanted to see how close he could get to the camera without getting in trouble.

Cheese

My Bel

I love her big bald head

So if her oneies was a shirt my size... I would so ware it.

I think she looks like Tony in this one.


I love my kids... I hope they know that in between me telling them what to do all the time. I think I need to get some photos of the big boys on here. I have something in the works for them. They love reading the blog and they get sad when it's mostly about the babies...Stay tuned Bub's and Regs you guys are next.

Play date with Brian


Brian was another NICU baby about a month after Kingsley. He is doing really good and they like each other. Although I think Kingsley likes him more. He's really laid back and Kiki is starting to investigate things. So she is a little hand on.

Courtney and Kingsley

Megan and Kinsley

Some of the awesome NICU nurses.


NICU Reunion


So I'm a little behind. About two weeks ago was the NICU reunion. It was emotional for me to go back and see everyone. Honestly how do you say thank you for everything they have given me. 50 years ago, Kingsley wouldn't have had a chance. Now of days there are no limits to what they can do. These woman saved my baby's life, the were emotional support for me and most of all they are some of the most wonderful people in the world. The NICU is not a place that you want to end up, but if you do you want nurses like these.

Thanks girls for everything... and most of all for taking such good care of me and my daughter. We love you and are thankful for your good work.

OK... Now I feel like I can say this cause I'm so excited and it's out. But my best friend (for like 22 years) is having her first baby..... Yay and it's a girl. Her due date is a little less then a month after Kingsly's first birthday. SOOOO I'm really excited for Kingsley to have a little best friend on the way.... YAY!!!!

I will dream of the day that we live in the same culda-sack and carpool our children to school.


Love you Camerons.

Eight Months... do you believe it?


Kingsley is eight months old. It's crazy and she is doing so so good. She has been off the monitor for two months now. She has started food and we have been working with the doctors on getting her stools taken care of. She is now on Miralax and the poo is moving..(OK too much information) so I'm going to start her on some more foods, but with everything going in the right direction the spitting up is getting a little bit better. She is still the happiest kid in the world and we are so blessed to have her. I wish my body was built for babies, cause I would love to have more. But at least we have ended with a bang and got one of Heavenly Father's most beautiful spirits. I'm lucky to have her and so happy and thankful that she is doing so good. Now we just have to make it through RSV season again, not to mention N1H1. Good thing we have awesome doctors and Shari for the "crazy mommy moments".