The Varner Family

A Kansas City Christmas!

2011-12-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

Our first Christmas in Kansas City! 2011 has been a year full of changes. Parker turned 2, Kennedy turned 6 and Brandon was transfered to KANSAS CITY! It was a very scary move, but so far love it here! The kids have adjusted well to the new school and daycare. I work at a Transportation logistics company "Freightquote.com" and I love it!

Brandon is a plant supervisor at Robert's Dairy and the best part about KC is the Dillavou's live here :) With so many big changes in 2011 I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us! The newest addition to the Dillavou family is going to the join the family on January 26th. We are so excited to meet him/her! Happy Holidays to everyone!

More Christmas Pictures!!!

2010-12-14T17:25:00.000-08:00

Holiday Time!!!!!

2010-12-14T17:13:00.001-08:00

Ok so Brandon goes a "little" overboard on the Christmas lights..... just kidding this is a house in our neighborhood that the kids beg to drive by everynight:)

Family picture time- this only took maybe 30 tries using the self-timing flash!

Kennedy and Parker are ALWAYS wrestling around! Parker may be little but boy can he hold his own.

Say Cheese!

Christmas shopping is done and the stockings are hung!!! We are all very excited for Christmas next week! Although, first we must get through this busy week- we have a Christmas concert, CCD, Dance Practice, Dance Recital, and to top it off I have my auditors in the office both Thursday and Friday!! Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season!!!!

Halloween in Kansas City!!

2010-12-14T17:05:00.001-08:00

We had a great time Kansas City over Halloween with the Dillavous and Grandma Sue!!!

Gus was Woody (toy story) and Kennedy was a "princess" bumblebee. (as long as the word princess is in the costume name she is happy!

We took the kids to Boo! night at a YMCA that Josh works at- It was so much fun!!

Kennedy seen here is posing with her hand in the pumpkin being very careful to NOT touch anything. Brandon and I did all the carving the kids thought it was GROSS!!!

Although both Kennedy and Parker loved the finished product!!

2010-09-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

Kennedy and Parker were baptized last weekend at our church in Coralville! It was a beautiful ceremony performed during church!

Hazel and I hanging out! She is just so cute- I love this little girl!

Kennedy's Godfather Nick!

Kennedy and Hazel in their matching dresses! Kennedy loved getting to hold Hazel like a BIG girl!

The McCollom Family!!!

Lance, Steph and Keenan came to the Baptism!! It was so nice to have them there!!

The kids posing for a picture!

Brandon and I want to thank everyone for making this day so special for both Kennedy and Parker! Kennedy is excited to learn more at her religious education classes! She started them last night and had a lot of fun. School is going really well for Kennedy she is so tired at night that she is in bed by 7:30/8:00 which is nice because that is also when Parker goes to bed. We have a PLP (personalized learning plan) conference with Kennedy's teacher next week and I'm really looking forward to seeing what she will be learning this year! Parker's 18 month appointment is next week-uhhh I can't believe my baby is almost 18 months old...time just flies by!

Go Hawks!!

2010-09-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

We had quite the houseful for the Iowa Vs. ISU game last weekend. It was so much fun!! Lance, Steph, and Keenan, Traci and Josh and the kids and Grandma and papa McCollom were all in town for the festivities! Grandma had a great day watching her grandkids! Grandma Sue reading books to her boys...trying to get them to take a nap- didn't happen:)

Parker and Gus having snack time!

Trying to get all of them to look at once....impossible!

This is Kennedy and Parker's Touch Down dance during the Iowa Vs. Eastern Illinoise game!

At first Parker wasn't sure, but it didn't take him long to jump in!

Kindergarten

2010-08-18T19:43:00.001-07:00

Kennedy's first day of Kindergarten- she had an absolutely wonderful day. Loved her teacher Mrs. Bolding and one of her best friends from pre-school was in her CLASS!! YAY!!! She is so excited for tomorrow! NOTICE: Kennedy's glasses are missing from these photos...on Monday Kennedy attempted to rescue Parker at daycare from the big kids slide and to show his gratitude he grabbed her glasses and broke them practically in half....thank goodness we have a warranty but I'm thinking a back up pair from Wal-mart would be a GREAT idea:)

Parker helping unpack from Branson- he now quacks all the time on the duck whacky quacker Traci gave him....thanks tay! lol

Branson Fun!!

2010-08-18T19:21:00.001-07:00

We had a great time in Branson, Mo with the family...although we were sad uncle Nick couldn't join us- he just started his job in May and it was an incredibly popular vacation week at CH Robinson. Kennedy asked multiple times to trade Parker for Hazel then I said her mom would miss her and she suggested we also trade parents-lol She LOVES aunt Traci and uncle Josh!

We stayed at Tribes Cabins and i- it was wonderful- a very large cabin/clean yet it had that cabin feeling! I still can't believe we made the 7 hour trip there and back with a 5 yr old and 1year old. They did so good though!

Ripley's Believe It OR Not Museum!

Papa and Parker were inseparable at the Titanic Museum and the Ripleys Museum. Parker doesn't talk much but he definitely says PAPA when he sees grandpa :) We made so many wonderful memories- I'm so glad we took the trip- Thank you mom and dad for inviting us!

Parker and Kennedy and the two headed calf.

Gus grabbing a snack at the water park before heading back into the wave pool!

Kennedy and Gus loved the water park so much we went twice:-)

Parker was so HOT at silver dollar city- but he was such a trooper we were there when they opened at 10 and we stayed until 5:30! We had so much fun and probably could have spent another day there- vacations are never long enough!

Brandon and K walking across the swinging bridge.

All the kids look super enthused to be taking this pic- but I had to get a pic of the matching pajammas.

Kennedy's New Glasses

2010-08-18T19:08:00.001-07:00

Kennedy's first day at pre-school with her glasses:-) She was so excited because one of her best friends "Sarah" has glasses too... So cute! I took K this week to a pediatric opthamologist (sp?) for second opinion and yep the glasses are here to stay!

Ice Cream cones on the deck! It has been so hot lately we have been spending most of our time inside- but I don't trust K or Park with ice cream cones inside!

Kennedy loves helping with Parker- here he is begging her to poor more water on his head...she loved it!

Relaxing Weekend!

2010-07-25T18:01:00.001-07:00

Uhhh... I can't believe the weekend is over! I wish we could have just ONE MORE DAY! We had a nice relaxing weekend at home! Yesterday I stayed home with the kids while Brandon worked and today we went to Target, Michaels, Game Day IOWA and the farmers market! We love fresh veggies and sweet corn. Here are some pictures from our weekend!!

Parker LOVES peas! I think he ate a whole can by himself this weekend!

Parker put the shopping cart on the table- he just loves climbing on things!Hasn't anyone told this girl it is 100 Degrees outside? I don't think long sleeves and leggings are necessary?

Parker stole Brandon's hammer and measuring tape when he was hanging his name letters on the wall.

Lately Parker has LOVED all of Kennedy's toys- her dolls, her pom poms and her chairs. They fight over everything!

Kennedy is so good with Parker. Here she is letting him "hang" out in her room.

Just a couple more cute pics!

Busy Day!!!!

2010-07-19T17:37:00.001-07:00

Kennedy and Parker taking a ride in the wagon!!!

You can usually find Parker sweeping my floors, dusting my furniture and his latest is vacuuming the coffee table and our bed!!!! Parker is into climbing on absolutely everything!!!

Well we had an eventful day today!!! Brandon took K to the Eye Dr. with him for an appt and then I met them there expecting to help Brandon pick out glasses and when I arrived the Dr to said I needed to pick out some glasses for my little angel....which completely took me by surprise!! I was just getting her a check up because it was required by her Kindergarten....I never expected for them to say she was farsighted and would need glasses. My nephew "Gus" got glasses a few months ago- it seems crazy that they both are farsighted and have similar prescriptions! Kennedy's is +3.75 and +3.75!!! Well we get them in a week!!! I hope the transition goes well!!! She also had her 5 yr check up today!! She did great!!! 95th percentile for weight and 60th for height!!!!

Grandma and Papa Varner Visit Us!!!

2010-07-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

On Saturday- Papa Mike and Grandma Lu came down to see us!! We had so much fun going to Stuff Etc. and out for lunch to REDS ale house!!! We LOVE that place!!! Thank you!! Grandma got some much needed play time with Kennedy- and polly pocket of course:-) It was so great to see them!!!

Kennedy loves playing on Parker's Giraffe!! She may be a bit big for it- but she has so much fun!!! Thank goodness papa Randy made it so strong!!!

Parkers turn for a ride!!!

Pumpkin was relaxing in the chair amongst all the chaos of the afternoon!!!

Snack time in Mom and Dad's room with some cartoons!!!

We found a Stanzi jersey at Stuff Etc. this weekend and it fit K perfectly!!! She is ready for the 2010 tailgating season!!! Go Hawks!!!

We had such a busy weekend!!! We went to Target, Lowes, Menards, Scheels and the new Black and Gold shop in Coralville today!!! We didn't have time for the Home Depot or Bed Bath and Beyond :) But it was a great family day!!! The kids were so good, which is rare w/out an afternoon nap!! Brandon is taking K to the eye Dr tomorrow morning and to her 5 year appt in the afternoon!!! With swim lessons in the evening it is going to be a busy day!!! Brandon is turning the Big 29 on Tuesday!!! Getting so close to his thirties!!!

Memorial Day Weekend!!!

2010-07-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

Papa Randy set up the slip and slide, sprinker, and baby pool over memorial day weekend!! The kids had so much fun!! Well Kennedy and Gus did- Parker wasn't too sure of the water !!
Parker prefered to sit by the pool with a beverage:)

Papa Randy kept the kids entertained with sidewalk chalk!!!

Gus is so cute!!! He was keeping up with Kennedy Running all over and jumping into the baby pool knees first!! Ouch!! He is such a tough little boy!!

Kennedy prefered dancing in the pool! She was putting on her "Splish Splash" routine from dance!!!

Twins Baseball!!!

2010-07-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

Brandon and I went to a Twins/Brewers game in May!!! Target Field is amazing!! We had so much fun!! A BIG thank you to Papa Randy and Grandma Sue for babysitting!!!

Kennedy was sporting her basketball skills at the Park (of course she has to "Pose" with the ball)!!

Summer 2010

2010-07-08T18:48:00.001-07:00

Parker table surfing!!!

Ice Cream Cones on the Deck!!!

Parker eating yogurt like a big BOY!!! He such a great job!!!!

Summer is flying by!!! I can't believe it is July!!! We have been so busy!!! From Hazel's baptism, visiting Great Grandparents as well as the grandparents and the fourth of July!!! Kennedy turned "5" on June 1st! She is so excited to go to Kindergarten this Fall!!! Parker is so much fun he talks all the time of course I can't understand what he is saying but it is so cute!! He has also developed a huge temper!!!! If things don't go his way he throws himself on the ground kicking and screaming- I could of swore Kennedy didn't start that till she was 2/3 but oh well!!!

Holiday Photos!!!

2009-11-11T19:06:00.001-08:00

A quick update- Parker is all over the place crawling like crazy and such a happy little guy. K is just getting over the flu- and isn't quite herself yet. It lasted about 10 days and was just awful- then it settled in her ear- Sunday morning we took both the kids to urgent care to discover they both had ear infections. On another note the kids were wonderful last night at their photo shoot! Kennedy wasn't too excited about having a "baby" in her photos but as long as she had some solo photos she was happy!!!

I just love this one- parker was so happy!!!!

My little model:)

I have no idea how to flip this pic- so I'm leaving it:)

Brandon and I just bought a new computer and it is sooo much faster than the old "sony" - it was incredibly painless to upload these photos took maybe 2 minutes vs the 30 minutes it took on the old computer:) Therefore I will try to update the blog more often- I no longer have the slow internet excuse- Aunt Traci will be proud:)

Family Day!!

2009-08-25T19:00:00.001-07:00

On Sunday we went to the park by our house!! Kennedy had so much fun!! Parker enjoyed the walk there and his new toy elephant!!

This is Kennedy's school in the back ground where she will attend Kindergarten next year!!!

This was Brandon's only day off all week- so we took full advantage of it!!

CRAZY DAY

2009-08-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here is Parker getting ready for a bath!!! He just loves bath time!

Again, at the Park-what a ham!

Getting better at tummy time:)

First time trying sweet peas- not quite sure about them- but last night we had sweet potatoes and they were a BIG hit!!!

This is Kennedy's CRAZY day outfit- she had sooo much fun. But I think I may have gone over board on the pink hair. I have a feeling next year they will send out letters saying no hair dye on crazy day!!! But all of her friends loved it! She definitely had the craziest hair:)

Parker's Room/ First Cereal!!!

2009-08-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

Brandon and I have been busy painting the kids' rooms. Kennedy moved into the basement when uncle Nick moved out at the beginning of the month. We sure do miss him!!!! We had to paint over Nick's Army Green with Princess Pink- which takes about 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint:) Below is pictures of our work in progress (Parkers room). We are painting over the beautfiul pink and white stripes that took my mom 12 hours to tape/paint last summer- with a lime/olive green that matches our new elephant baby bedding!!! Here we are adding the dark brown around 3ft up the wall where we are going to add a white chair rail!!!! That is when Brandon figures out how to do it:)

Here is our bedding!!! I had the hardest time finding something simple- but absolutely adorable and not BLUE!!! I just love it- Carters Green Elephant Crib Set!!! I can't wait to finish the room!! I will put pictures of the finished product up as soon as Brandon does the chair rail so hopefully in a week or so!!!

Kennedy moves up this week from the pre-school room the the pre-kindergarten room!!! She is so excited!!! Today at school is CRAZY DAY- where they dress and do their hair CRAZY. We put pigtails in with pink stripes (thanks aunt TRACI). She looked super cute!!!! This is shortly after Parker had his first food- cereal!!!

Here h is just not sure about the whole cereal thing!! But he decides to give it another try!!

I think he made this face after each bite he tried:) By the end of it he was opening his mouth faster than I could get another spoonful ready!!! I'm so glad it went well- probably cereal a few more days and then fruits and veggies!!!! What a big boy already!!!!!

Fourth of July in Clear Lake!!!

2009-08-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

Kennedy, Parker and I traveled to Ventura over the fourth of July to visit Grandma and Papa!!!Grandpa and Grandma took Kennedy to the Carnival and she had a ton of fun!!!!BUMPER CARS!!!!

Bouncing in the BIG Castle!!!

Tired of the whole pretend driving the truck in a circle:)

Now this was more Kennedy's style- a pink and blue jeep!!!

July Fun!!

2009-08-16T20:21:00.001-07:00

Kennedy likes to dress up like a Fairy!!

Kennedy entertains(babysits) Parker for me- she is so good with him!!! But I think she is a little jealous of all his cool toys!

I caught Kennedy playing with Parkers Gym during his nap time! She is such a cutie!!

June 2009

2009-08-16T19:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry- it has been so long since my last post....Traci has been trying to get me to post all summer!!!! We have just been so busy!!! SO I may make several posts this week to get all my pictures posted!! Brandon and Parker rocking!!!! Parker loves to giggle at daddy!!!

Kennedy dressed herself- what a cute little model!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Kennedy with Kennedy :) We stayed with them when we went to my cousins wedding in Ames!!! We had a lot of fun!!!

Nick with Grandma and Grandpa!!!! It was so nice to see them!!

Parker 10 Weeks!!!

2009-06-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

Parker is starting to smile and giggle at everything!!! He thinks he has a pretty goofy daddy and silly big sister. Kennedy is so good with him- she sings him songs and helps me make him happy when we are getting ready for work/school. I love getting up in the middle of the night...he gets so excited when he sees me!!! It makes 3 am so wonderful. I also of course can't stand that I get no sleep- but it is worth every minute of it. Last night Parker slept 8 hours-yay hopefully that is sign things are starting to turn around:)

Parker is a big fan of cousin Gus's bouncy chair...thanks Gus for letting us borrow it:)

The first 10 photos I took I kept missing his smiles. By the time the camera flashed he had stopped smiling and was a little scared at the bright lights!!!

Here Parker is modeling his newest Michael Jordans...just like daddy.

Grandma Lu and Parker relaxing on Mother's day weekend!!!

Parker is starting to smile and giggle....still hard to catch with a camera but I cherish the ones we get:) We have been so busy lately with graduations, weddings, and holidays. Aunt Emily graduated from the college of dentistry at the U of I!!! YAY- she and Eric moved to Wisconsin last week and will start their careers soon:) I can't wait to go visit them and see their new place! We have weddings and holidays pretty much every weekend for the next few weeks- so we are going to be pretty busy- but we love visiting with friends and family!!! Hope to see everyone soon!!!!

Kennedy and Gus's B-day!!

2009-06-15T19:46:00.001-07:00

Kennedy's 4th Birthday Party!!!!

Aunt Steph showing cousin Keenan little Parker!

We were so happy that everyone could make it to Kennedy's party even though it was super short notice:)

Gus is such a cutie- we had so much fun with him all weekend! Parker sat quietly with all of Kennedy's presents while we ate..what a good little baby!

Gus celebrated his 1st birthday with a big party at papa and grandma mccolloms house!!! It was so much fun..Traci is quite the party planner and cake decorator-please refer to her blog for the

pictures of Gus's Frog Cake!!! Kennedy's cake was a little easier for me since I purchased the Hannah Montanna Cake at Target:) Next year though Traci will be making Parkers First Birthday cake:) On Sunday we celebrated Kennedy's 4th birthday with a trip to her favorite place to eat...The Pizza Ranch...we had a great turn out- Kennedy had sooo much fun!

Parker and Visitors...

2009-04-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Parker 5 weeks old already!!! He is still pretty skinny, but I think it is because he is so long:) Papa McCollom bought Parker these Hawkeye booties and hat at the gift shop at the hospital!!! We just love them but he is already starting to grow out of them!!

Tummy time:)

Brandon's cousin Amanda and her husband Shawn were married on Saturday April 25 so we made the trip back with Parker for the reception. After the reception we stopped by our friends house Brian and Sarah Novacek to introduce them to Parker:) It was so nice to see them- Kennedy always has such a hard time leaving them...I think she would like them to be her second set of parents:)

This morning Brandon found Kennedy sleeping with her baby on her chest in bed...I think she may have seen us both laying like this with Parker! She is such a good mommy!!

Papa and Grandma Varner came down a couple weenends ago to visit. Lu Ann came for a few days to help out with Kennedy and baby it was nice to have a couple extra hands aroound the house. Great Grandma Varner came down with Papa to pick up Lu Ann so she could meet our new little man. It was so nice to see her!!

This picture is from when aunt Traci came and stayed with us just after Parker was born. Kennedy did not want to sleep with anyone but Traci...which Traci was a little nervous that she would have an accident in bed...but Kennedy made it and was dry- thank goodness for Aunt Traci!!!

The last 5 weeks....

2009-04-30T17:52:00.001-07:00

Kennedy has been such a big help with Parker- she keeps saying I can't believe we have a baby mommy- should we keep him???? Here is her BIG Sister shirt that Aunt Traci and Uncle Josh bought her!! She just loves it and Parker has a matching Little Brother shirt!!!

Kennedy has been practicing shooting hoops with Daddy.

He she is showing off her Michael Jordan Dunk.....

Parker's first bath in the tub!!!

He wasn't completely sure about the whole bath thing, but he is starting to get the hang of it!!!

Kennedy's first fish!!

2009-04-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

Kennedy, Parker and I went to stay with Grandma and Grandpa McCollom last week since Brandon had to go back to work. My dad had the week off so he bought Kennedy a Hannah Montanna fishing pole and taught her how to fish off their dock. Kennedy began the evening catching about 10 little walleyes but before long she caught a FIVE pound catfish that papa had to help reel in. Papa was surprised that the Hannah Montanna fishing pole didn't break or that the fish didn't pull Kennedy in the water!!!

Here is Papa taking one of Kennedy's walleyes off the hook. Papa was so busy taking fish off the hook and baiting hooks that he didn't have time to fish himself:)

The big fish is Kennedy's catfish- it barely fit in the bucket and the other are two yellow bass one that Papa caught and one that grandma caught.

Kennedy had so much fun with papa and Grandma all week!!! Kennedy has her last day at Paulines today and then starts pre-school tomorrow. She is excited, but is so nervous. I think she will do fine as long as she doesn't use to much attitude with the teachers. Parker is doing great started smiling yesterday:) Which is so rewarding being that he is still not sleeping very well. I will upload some pictures of him this afternoon!!!!! Hopefully I can get one of him smiling!

Picture Day!!!

2009-04-14T15:41:00.000-07:00

Parker and Kennedy had their first professional photo session today and they both did great! Kennedy loves to model and Parker didn't cry in every photo-Yay!! Brandon had today off so we thought it would be a great chance to get their pictures taken. Here are a few pictures of our little angels!!!

Parker relaxing in daddies hand!

Parker Levi Varner is here!!!!

2009-04-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

Parker was born on 3/26/2009 at 7:29 am. He weighed 6 lbs 11 oz and was 20 inches long!!! Kennedy is so proud of her little brother and is an amazing helper. Parker is an amazing baby and he only cries when hungry- which unfortunately is still every 3 hours!!! Brandon has been on paternity leave for the past two weeks and he has been so amazing I don't know if I could have done it without him. He has to go back to work on Monday- Parker, Kennedy and I are sure going to miss him! Mom, Traci, and Gus came for a long weekend to help with the kids and celebrate Traci's 28th Birthday!! We had so much fun- I will be sure to post some pics soon!!!

Weekend in Des Moines

2009-03-03T10:27:00.000-08:00

This weekend Lance and Steph had the Bach

parties in Des Moines. Brandon went, but I stayed back at the hotel. Something about being 37 weeks pregnant just didn't make the party sound like that much fun for me :) Traci and Gus came to visit us, and so did Jen and Hayden. Kennedy had a lot of fun in the pool with daddy.

I am due in a few weeks and getting more and more anxious and ready. Baby boy Varner, no name narrowed down yet, will be here before we know it! We are ready for his arrival, but still very nervous. It has been a few years since we have welcomed a baby into our life.