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! :)
 

Pumpkin Carving 2006

Grace, Maddie & I continued our annual tradition by carving the family pumpkin tonight. Grace scooped out the guts for all of 2 minutes until she realized her hands were goopy. She then washed up quickly and went over to start drawing. Maddie however kept coming back for more-- I had to make her stop, she loved digging in up to her arm pits.
It's so funny how different they are, yet such good buddies.

 

Now it's Daddy's turn for fun.... w/ the camera

Top picture is done w/ a long exposure zooming out while the shutter's open. Bottom picture is done with long exposure zooming in while the shutter is open. I like the "ghost" effect of the top and the popping eyes of the bottom.
 

A day at Robinette's

Robinette's Apple Haus 2006

Sep 23, 2006 - 25 Photos

Click on Faith to see pics from our day and then read about it on the post below!!

Robinette's Apple Haus

Today we took the kids to an apple orchard and farm for some family fun before it gets cold this week! First we had a lovely lunch at none other than McDonald's (figured it would be cheaper than where we were going) and then off to Robbinette's! Who should we run into right away but the Valentas - some of our most favorite and beloved friends! It was nice because then we both we able to take pics of each others families with everybody in them! We said goodbye to them and then... looked at big pumpkins, played on the wagon slide, ate warm homemade doughnuts and fresh apple cider , also saw how they made cider and doughnuts, bought half a peck of apples and some fresh kettle corn and finally made it to the car to go back home! Whew! The girls had a great time and we did too - you know, I had so much work I needed to get done at home today, but that will always be waiting for me. My family comes first and I wasn't going to waste a beautiful day inside cleaning (like I do every day!). I love my kids and my hubby and thank God for how He has blessed. It truly was a great day!

Triple Play

Girls watch on as Ashley opened her gifts today at Ashley's 3rd birthday party. 

Children's Museum today with Dad

Children's Museum with Daddy

Sep 30, 2006 - 19 Photos

Click on the picture above to see the entire album of pics.

Big girl Faith

Just Faith eatin a biter biscuit and gettin real messy! Time for a bath!! (Her bib reads "Nana & Papa Love Me" - made for us by Lanette Bowen) 

Go Bucks!!! Ohio Sate Football Rules!!

Is there really anything more to say? I know who I'm rooting for today!! Oh how I would love to be in old O-HI-O today to watch the game with my family! Go Bucks!!!