Flagstaff Surprise!!!

My own father's birthday was last weekend and as a fun surprise my stepmother, Karen, purchased tickets & planned a whole weekend for all of us to spend in Flagstaff together! It was awesome! Escaping the heat was reason enough, but we were able to eat some fantastic food, hike, catch up, and explore Flagstaff & Sedona together.
Isabelle was SO PLEASED to have all of the "Gr Pa" & "Gr Ma"'s attention. She was the bell of the ball and boy did she know it. She conducted everyone and got everything she asked for. She just LOVED it. Isabelle has a fantastic ability to remember all of her Grandparents from such an early age and she has most definitely learned how to use this to her advantage.
Andrew & I loved the down time and catching up. We really wish we could have family near by, but we feel so blessed that all of our parents make an enormous effort to stay a part of our lives and most especially Isabelle's life! We are so excited to be bringing another bundle into our loving family!
Thank you a million times Dad & Karen (aka Grampa & Grandma)!!!!
Love, AK&I

Photos from our Adventure Together....

Isabelle was so PLEASED to discover a "Par" (Park) in the backyard!

If Isabelle was bored she never failed to forget to ask to go "ou si" and play!

"Gr Pa" is the FUNNIEST!!!

Cococino National Forest

An amazing and educational hike...

People actually lived on these cliffs!

Isabelle was so pleased to be out of the car when we reached Sedona

Daddy & Isabelly

Hanging with her Grandparents

I LOVE YOU TO PIECES GRAMPA & GRANDMA!!!

Baby Guesses

A little information to get you started:
Carnahan Baby #2 is Due October 19th by the doctors chart, but October 20th by my own tracking. At 20 weeks, the baby measured a week ahead of schedule (or bigger than normal), but most of the babies growing happens in the last few months. I am having the exact same pregnancy & carrying nearly exactly the same as I did with Isabelle just a bit lower (I claim that my body has just relaxed after having one child). Oh, but Andrew thinks my face isn't as "plump" as it was last time, but I keep telling him we have a few weeks to go. ;o)

Isabelle was due November 1st and was delivered the 4th after my water broke. Isabelle weighed 7 pounds 12 oz and was 20 or 20 1/2 inches long.

I was due October 31st and I was delivered November 5th (2nd child). I weighed 8 pounds 11 oz and I have no idea how long I was.

Not sure what else I can tell you...I'd like to deliver a bit early, but that probably means I'll have to be induced at 41 weeks which I really don't want.

Make your guesses here:

Seattle

....our first FAMILY VACATION!



Nana Jane & Mummums were in attendance, but Andrew, Isabelle & I got to spend some time doing all the fun tourist adventures together with bonus help to keep Isabelle preoccupied (Thank You Nana Jane). We had a blast enjoying 70 degree weather in August and checking out all that Seattle has to offer. We did all the big things in our few short days, but we are very excited to try the adventure all over again in 2-3 years. Who wouldn't want to? We got to spend time a Pike's Place Market, take a Ferry to Bambridge for lunch, have brunch at the Space Needle, and watch boats come in and out of Lake Washington at the Ballad Locks. Not to mention all the awesome food we over induldged on and the amazing company of my mama, Mummums, Kari, Sean & Jeni. It was so much fun. Here are a few of the photos....
Love, Andrew, Kathryn & Isabelle
PS - I am so thrilled for this to be Isabelle's last lap flight and my last flight before baby #2....

Hereford

This post is coming a bit late, but better late than never.....
Last month, Isabelle, Andrew & I made a trip to Andrew's home in Hereford. We got to see his whole family, enjoy some new "possible" family members and attend Andrew's cousin Melissa's Wedding. We had a wonderful time enjoying the pool & catching up.
Isabelle LOVED all of the attention and attending her very first wedding! However, I think this may be her last wedding until we feel comfortable with her performances in church. I spent a lot of time in the cry room with some other adults & babies. Andrew was a reader in the wedding and did a wonderful job, of course. ;o) But more importantly, CONGRATULATIONS TO MELISSA & DOUGLAS PAYNE!!!! It was quite fun to be a part of such a special occasion!
Isabelle & I stayed a few extra days to spend some quality time with Nana Janette & Papa Eric. We had a lot of fun! We took tractor rides, saw new animals (FROGS!), swam, swam, swam, ate fresh fruits & veggies and made some fun memories. Isabelle spent time with her second cousins: Jazzlyn, Braeson, Traylon & new baby Britlyn and I got to spend some time with Andrew's wonderful cousin, Jessica! It was a lot of fun to watch the kids together and it was so nice to had a very accomplished mother & friend to visit with (thank you Jessica)!!!
We love you NANA & PAPA!! Thank for such a fun filled trip! We cannot wait until next summer. ;o)
Love, Andrew, Kathryn, Isabelle & Baby #2


Dancing at the wedding....AWESOME!!!

Taking a break for some ICING

1st attempt at family picture with a toddler who only wants to dance....

...and last attempt! Awesome.

My water baby!

Mama & Isabelle

Isabelle with her cousins!

Tire Swing - who remembers these?!?!!?

Isabelle, Nana & Papa

Isabelle, Braeson & Traylon

The Cutest Little Tush you ever saw!

New Baby Britlyn

Andrew's Godson, Braeson & Isabelle

Isabelle & PAPA!

Fernandina Beach

While Andrew & I were living in Jacksonville, we met some of the most wonderful people spontaneously. First our friends who lived in our apartment complex - we all shared a love of doggies, then a wonderful friends the Venerdi's in Fernandina Beach - whom we met through friends of their parents. We were so blessed to have all of these amazing friends. I rarely felt homesick and we always had little activities planned with one of our groups of friends and a place to be on holidays.
However, I won't lie, I was happy to leave Jacksonville, substituting at the public schools scared me. Andrew on the other hand would love to live there again, so close to the beach. Anyways, our relationship with the Venerdi's continued as we moved from Kansas City, to New Jersey and back to Arizona. We continued to keep in contact and felt a strong connection with their family & their faith. We asked Lori & Bo to be Isabelle's Godparents and we were thrilled that they accepted.
Now, the only difficult part about have Godparents across the country is the fact that they are across the country. Flying is a pain & pricey, so when the opportunity arose for an inexpensive flight to visit the Venerdi's, I made sure Isabelle & I went.
WE HAD A BLAST!!! Isabelle is a major BEACH BABE!!! We took her out to the ocean as soon as we rested from our very unsuccessful red eye flight. She was mostly curious, but played around for a bit. The next morning, Isabelle was the daredevil! She would have drowned herself had we let her. We had to take breaks and turns to keep ourselves from getting too exhausted. She played in the waves for about 2 hours. She was so thrilled and giggled at every wave. So much fun! Her love for water was already up there, but you never know with a new kind of water if they'll still love it. I was so excited for her to get to experience this with her Godparents. We had a blast. When we weren't at the ocean, we played games, I ATE A TON, slept about 12 hours a night and had a lovely time catching up.
Thank you so much to the wonderful Venerdi's for having us. We love you all to pieces and I don't think Andrew will let us leave him at home next time. ;o) Until next time....Summer 2012 or Summer 2013, we love you and miss you!!!!
Love, Isabelle & Kathryn

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY....

....to the most wonderful Daddy for my little baby doll!


We had a lovely day that began with a homemade breakfast...

off to church to thank the Lord our Father...

A LOVELY afternoon nap...

Mexican lunch....


And a trip to the park.

All and all, I believe Andrew had a wonderful relaxing day. I hope he knows how much he means to our baby girl and to me. He is our rock, the center of our family and the one we all love very very dearly. Thank you Andrew.

Love, Isabelle, Kat & Baby #2