Happy 3rd Birthday Lizzie!

Due to the busyness of life, I've neglected to post Lizzie's 3rd Birthday party pictures. We did celebrate her birthday on her actual birthday, October 6. One of the highlights of her birthday was the fact that Uncle Jason flew into Grand Rapids from Alabama for work on her birthday. What a wonderful gift!

Lizzie, you are such a special girl. We love you more and more each day that we spend with you. Your quiet demeanor and your caring spirit are such wonderful traits that mommy and daddy enjoy immensely. We love your infectious giggle and your constant desire to read and learn new things. As of late you have been so sure to tell both of us that you love us. You know how to touch our hearts. We love the fact that you love to sing songs like - Jesus Loves Me, Deep and Wide (sung by you as "Wide and Deep"), This Little Light of Mine, and Twinkle, Twinkle. Additionally, you are such a great big sister. Talie looks up to you so much. She tries to copy every little thing that you do. You are always looking out for your sister and everyone else. Thank you for being such a sweet, loveable little girl.

You will always be one of our two favorite Princesses. We praise God for the great gift of Joy that he gave us three years ago on October 6.

Dear Lord,

Please watch over our little Lizzie. Bless her and keep her. Make your face to shine upon her and be gracious to her all the days of her life.

Amen.

Lizzie is ready to open her presents before daddy heads off to work.

One of our little princesses on her 3rd birthday.
Lizzie enjoying her "new" house.

Princess Birthday Cake!

Lizzie and her dollar from Oma Doctor.

Natalie Faith - 1 Year Pictures

This past Friday night, my sister took Natalie's 1 year pictures at Douglas Walker Park. I love that she has access to a nice camera ---oh how I wish that I did. Although, my kiddos probably wouldn't like it b/c I would always be making them be my models. At any rate, a good number of them turned out very well. I am currently in the process of touching them up so that I can get them developed. Can't wait!

Random Photos

I promise, this is my last post of the day. It is Friday, my house is clean, the girls are sleeping and I really have nothing else to do. So, I thought that I would be a good mom :) and update what seems to be my girls photo book - our family blog. These are random pictures of our family from this summer, but I thought that they were cute. I had to include one of me and the girls b/c it is so rare for me to get included in the photos.

Nap Time

In an attempt to start decorating Lizzie's room, I mistakenly hung her name above her bed. I say mistakenly because as you will see below, she has decided that rather than taking a nap she should rearrange the letters. Some days I find them backwards (as below) other days the letters are facing the right way but totally rearranged. So the real question is: "Is she outgrowing her nap time, or is she just preoccupied with her new decorations"?

I guess time will tell. I kind of think she is outgrowing her naps (rats) because she is also trying to find many other reasons as to why she needs to get up.

Playin' On the Deck

Lizzie decided to dunk her head in the bucket we have by the back door that we use to wash off the girls feet.


Lizzie and Natalie were playing in the sandbox together like they were best friends.

All I can say is that Natalie LOVE, LOVE, LOVES the sand!

Did I mention that Natalie loves the sand so much that she likes to EAT it.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY NATALIE FAITH

One Year Ago - 7/21/09 -Our little Natalie Faith joined us at 7:58 am

Celebrating her 1st birthday - a few days early.

She really enjoyed her watermelon cake!

Playing with her sister Lizzie and her doggies just before bedtime.

Only 1 and already getting into trouble...but we LOVE her to pieces.

Natalie -

Mommy & Daddy pray for you every day. We pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you. That he will make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. And may he give you his peace always.

Many hugs and kisses!

Mommy & Daddy

Tadpoles, Dragonflies, & Tomgirls

In our backyard we have a small creek that runs along the back of it. Today we brought the girls out to fish for tadpoles and dragonflies. The girls loved it as you can see from the pictures. I think we have two tomgirls on our hands.

Natalie wanted to touch the dragonfly.

Lizzie holding on to one of the tadpoles.

Lizzie carrying her tadpoles to the garage to "keep". I told Ryan that I think she is going to have a hard time with the concept of "catch" and "release". For educational purposes we agreed to let her keep them in the bucket until later this evening.

Unfortunately, Ryan just informed me that 1 of the 3 tadpoles has already died. Lizzie was showing the neighbor kids her tadpoles and they were a little rough in their handling of them.

Early Summer Updates

Wow! Time flies. Natalie is now 11 months old and she is walking behind her toys (although not always the most stabile). She has also learned how to quickly find the stairs and climb up them. She is currently getting her molars - not fun.

Lizzie is mailing her pacifiers (aka - "pipes") to baby Carson, her cousin. For over a year Lizzie has only used her pipes while sleeping, but we thought that since she will be 3 in October that we should get rid of them altogether. The first night was great, but lately she has been putting up a fuss during her naps and bedtime. Hopefully her fussiness will soon pass.

Lizzie and Natalie (Talie) have been playing very well together. Lizzie loves to read to Talie.

Lizzie and Talie love dollhouses, so when I found this "old" dollhouse at a garage sale for $4 I couldn't pass it up. Most of the new dollhouses are $70+ ---crazy!

And we shall not forget ----Lizzie is now potty trained (with the exception of nighttime). Yay!!!!

Spring 2010 Random Pictures

Hanging out with Mom & Dad.

Natalie learning to roll.

SLEEP...oh so important!

Natalie - 10 Months - clapping, waiving, trying to stand up.

My Girls

6 Month Stats and Valentine's Hat

Sorry that I haven't posted in a bit. I just haven't found anything more entertaining and endearing than Lizzie playing hid-n-seek.

Well, today Natalie had her 6 month check-up. She currently is getting over bronchilitis (this is what the Dr. called it, not bronchitis) and she has her first ear infection (not fun).

At any rate, she is a little smaller than Lizzie was at this age, but she is still up there on the charts.

Height - 27 and 3/4 " - >95th%

Weight - 17# 5oz. - 80th%

Natalie and Lizzie look a lot alike. Today she visited my work after her appointment and they said that the two of them could be twins.

Enjoy the pictures! Lizzie made the Valentines hat at my sister's house yesterday and she won't take it off. She wore it to Natalie's Dr. appointment, to my office, and the store. They are both so much fun. God has truly blessed us.