My Hubby the Photographer...

Late this past summer, Quinn and I wanted to get some good pictures of the girls (seeing as how he's getting more into photography and we have absolutely zero recent nice pics of them!). I think they turner out great - you be the judge! For a while we didn't show anyone because we were going to get good copies made and give them to our families - besides wallets, that has yet to happen. Seems typical of us, huh? What can I say except life gets in the way - which brings me to tonight. I realized that I never got to post them on the blog and so here they are! We couldn't get a good one of Faith, but I thought this one of her and Pooh are adorable! (And he even got a good one of me - which is rare these days) I love my girls and I know Daddy is so proud!!


 

Post Family Farm Field Trip

Back in October, I got to accompany Grace's Kindergarten class to visit Post Family Farm. My mother-in-law watched the younger girls and it was so much fun for me to go with Grace. The only problem was that it was so unexpectedly cold - way colder than the half hour East of there where we live! I don't get the mother of the year award for that one - I sent her to school with no hat or gloves - instead I made her pull her shirt sleeves down out of her coat and grip them with her fingers to keep them somewhat shielded from the elements. I mean it was COLD people!! I froze my tush off! Despite the weather, we had a great time - it always makes me thankful when I get to do those things because I know there are lots of moms and dads who don't get to or don't take the time to share in special days like those. I love my girl and am so proud of her. We got to see all kinds of animals, go on a hayride (through thick mud - I didn't think we were going to make it!), pick out pie pumpkins and then sample fresh doughnuts and cider before leaving for school. Oh my goodness - they were the BEST PUMPKIN SPICE DOUGHNUTS I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!! AND THE CIDER ROCKED! I bought a dozen doughnuts and needless to say they didn't last long!
My Punkin in the Pumpkin Patch!
Grace and one of her best friends Kaitlyn - who interestingly is the daughter of Quinn's best friend since middle school. We think it's great and very neat that they go to the same school and are in the same class!
Mrs. H's Kindergarten class!

Friends for Life!!

Pictures from Jen's shower in October - you can read all about it below!

Sarah, Jen & I - hard to believe we've been friends since 8th grade. My two best friends from high school - these dear friends are so special to me (and their families). It was so neat to be able to share with them in the excitement of these new lives growing inside. We have the kind of friendship that you can pick up from where you left off at any time. Our love for Christ and each other keep our friendship going. I love that no matter what circumstances may occur in this lifetime, I will get to spend eternity with these dear kindred spirits of mine! I love you girls!!
Sarah and Jen (and baby girls!) - Aren't they cute?
Mom and Jen
Chris (hubby) and Jen - high school sweethearts! 

Hello - Is anybody still out there?

Hello Everyone! It has been ages since this blog has been updated. I apologize for the neglect - and after hearing my husband give me a hard time about how I never update the blog anymore - I've had enough!! Lol. (No hard feelings or anything!) Life has just been happening. It seems at warp speed most of the time. I'll try and share a few things that have happened as well as share some pictures that are long overdue!
The following pics are from this past October when I made a trip to Columbus with Faith for Jen Lovelace's baby shower. She's my best friend from high school and a very dear friend still. She and her hubby are expecting their first this Feb. and Quinn let me escape to attend her shower. What a great time and it meant so much for me to go. My other best friend from high school (who lives in Florida), got to go as well and she is also expecting a baby girl this Spring (after 8 years of wanting a biological baby - they have adopted twin boys from Russia)! God is so faithful and good - what a blessing for me to see both of my friends pregnant with their firsts and being able to give them a big squeeze in person!
Mom went with me to the shower as she and Jen are very close (like a second mom). I'll post shower pics above, but when I wasn't at the shower, I was hanging out with my mom and dad. They loved getting to know Faith better one on one. It's hard when the other kids are around. She had a great time watching the game with Poppa Wes - they both had their Buckeye gear on and I took some really cute pictures as you can see! Thanks again mom and dad for the hospitality. I'm sorry these pics are so late!! I love you!!


 

Thank you to our Vets

Grace Legacy of Honor/USO Show

Cold Weather Cuties!!

Yesterday we went to the mall and got new scarves, gloves and hats for the girls (including a new coat for Grace as Maddie graduates to Grace's old one!). This morning Maddie went into her room to get dressed and came out wearing her bathing suit - that's ok it's only in the forties! Then she started laughing and getting all of her winter gear on and then Grace just had to do the same. Of course as a parent of three instead of the "What are you doing you'll catch a cold!?" it was "Hey lemme fix that scarf and lets get the boots to complete your outfit so I can get a picture!" As you can tell they didn't mind the cold at all! Aren't they cutie patooties?? BTW, posing is ALL them! after all, they have a flair for the dramatic instilled in their genes!


 

Best friends!

Yesterday the girls were coloring in the big book while Faith rolled around on the floor. She got next to them and I told them to kiss her - she loves being with her big sisters and they adore her!
 

Happy Halloween!

The last two years we have had a tradition of having friends over for Halloween to go trick or treating and then having a soup dinner. Last year the Valentas came over and we made the mistake of having dinner first and going out after. Well, by the time we went out last year, it was pouring down rain and it was way too late. This year we had the Valentas over again along with Scott, Harm & Chloe and Al & Nita. It was a great time! Carissa brought snacks to munch on before going out, then we went out by 6:25 and walked the neighborhood until about 7pm. When we came in we sat down to hot chili, chicken & rice soup and cheddar-garlic biscuits. Harm brought the all time fall drink - lots of apple cider - yum! And Nita brought delicious no bake cookies to fill up on! It was a feast and tasted great after being out in the cold. The girls got lots of good loot.
Pic #2 - the girls and Ainsley ready to go out
Pic # 3 - the whole gang afterwards

 

Kindergarten Halloween Party

On Tuesday I went to Grace's school to watch all of the classes parade around the building in their costumes and then we went back to the classroom for their Halloween party. I was amazed by the variety of costumes (some looked really expensive) and the creativity of the students (more likely the parents). Maddie and Faith came with me and Maddie got to wear her costume too. The first pic is of Grace, her good friend Kaitlyn and Maddie.
The next is of Grace's teacher Mrs. H (on left) and the aide Mrs. Potgeter (on right - who we also just found out is expecting her first this spring!) Finally a picture of Grace at her desk. Enjoy!

 

A stolen wish...

This past Sunday we gathered at Al & Nita's for a family b-day celebration in honor of Grace & Harm's birthdays. Nita made a killer Lasagna and we ate salad, cole slaw and garlic bread as well! Then comes the time old tradition of singing the birthday song and blowing out candles - making a wish as you do. This is where our story begins - shown by the following pictures as proof .

Picture # 1 - Ah the sweet anticipation of blowing out the candles (note Madison's sneaky glance - can you see where this story is headed?)

Picture # 2 - Grace is starting to sense Madison's eagerness, thus arm on hand.

Picture # 3 - Grace opening her mouth to blow only to realize that Maddie is already stealing the moment (see how many candles are out and notice me trying to pull her away in the background)

Picture # 4 - Maddie you rascal! Grace's yearly picture of blowing out the candles makes for a not so happy birthday after all (on a positive note, Aunt Harm is pointing to the candles that still wait to be blown out) - Tough break kid - better luck next year!
 

More Birthday Pics

Opening presents...Papa holding Faith (aren't they sweet?)...Maddie, Grace & Aunt Harm...a giant coloring book for the girl who LOVES to color!


 

Two beautiful girls!!

Quinn took this picture almost two weeks ago on a Sunday morning before church - aren't they growing up? These years are so precious - though also full of craziness, lots of noise (in the form of non-stop talking - gee, I wonder where they get that from? hee hee), busy days full of activities, stress (for mom and dad) - it is going by so fast and I wouldn't trade it for the world!! I am so very blessed and I give praise and thanks to God for it every single day.

Our former Pastor's son Rich came over for dinner last week - he is currently working as an intern at our church. The girls are so taken with him and from the moment he walked in the door it was non stop "Rich look at this!" "Hey Rich guess what?" "Come see my room...these are our princess dresses...etc..." They were thrilled that he came over and so during dessert we snapped a pic of the three of them on the couch (he had to sit in the middle so there was no fighting). Just look at the way Maddie is looking at him! It was fun and we all had a good time. It just almost makes me scared to know someday I will have three teenage daughters probably all boy crazy!! We'll have to lock them in their rooms! :)