First Camping Trip!

It was Tallie's first camping trip at 9 months old!  Grant's gone camping several times each year, with his first trip at 2 months old.  He's an old pro, and knows that there is nothing better than spending three days covered in dust, eating junk food that fell in the dirt and riding his bike in a million circles!

Our kids are so lucky to get to spend these awesome days with their aunts and uncles- David, Kent, Bre and Jaime, and their cousins- Anthony and Whitney!  They love our kids as much as we do, and nothing makes me happier than seeing those simple pleasures...

Rise and Shine!!

Tallie and I go in to wake up Grant every morning, and this is always how it goes... Tallie lays on Grant's pillow, reaches over and grabs and ear or nose.  The smile on Grant's face when he sees her just is the best thing in the world...  He loves her so much and she thinks the sun rises and sets on him!!

Tallie's first Easter!

And she was as cute as a button!  The crazy part is... when I consider the ridiculous cost of her dress, sweater and sandals, I should be posting pictures of how beautiful she looked all clothed!  But, alas... these could be the sweetest thing I've ever seen- just a beautiful little girl having a fun afternoon with her family!!  Love...

Though I plan to NEVER need her services...

The best doula in the world, Sarah, is offering a giveaway on her blog at Woven and Spun for Sweatybands!  They're designed for running (so sure won't need them for that!), but they're also just darned cute.  I'm thinking maybe for housecleaning... I always seem to break a sweat doing that.  Sad, I know.  Check her out!

Under the sea...

I found the cutest picture online of a no-sew mermaid tail.  Obviously, this isn't something Grant would be interested in for a million dollars, and Tallie is too little to care.  Thank goodness for Addy, a friend's daughter!  She *loves* Ariel and I just needed to get some craftiness out of my system.

Unfortunately for Grant, I still needed someone to try it on, just to be sure I was getting it right!  My poor child will probably need therapy one of these days...

The RIGHT way to have milk with your cookies!

Grant loves to make things.  I love to make things.  We're a great combo!  :)  So, we decided to bring treats to his class last Friday and made teddy bear cookies.  The best part of the snack was the glasses we sent with it!  How cute are they?

We melted Wilton's candy chips and dipped the tops of plastic glasses in them and then covered them with sprinkles.  Think a G-rated Margarita glass!!  Seriously, how fun to lick the candy off while having milk and a cookie?  And really, they're impossible to mess up!  Grant said "it was the best day!"  Of course, he says that about a lot of days, but still made my heart warm and fuzzy!

Lord, if you had been there...

Wow... what a topic for yesterday's sermon.  Admittedly, something that goes through my mind once a day-  Lord, if you'd been there, I would have two baby girls instead of one.  Lord, if you'd been there, I could have seen Olivia grow up to be a sweet and sassy toddler.  Lord, if you'd been there...  I could go on forever. 

The story is of Mary and Martha and their interactions with Jesus when they send Jesus a message about the illness of their brother, Lazarus and the conversation between them after he has passed away.  At different times, both Mary and Martha say- Lord, if you'd been there, my brother wouldn't have died.  I can so imagine the depth of emotion in that sentence- the wishing and wishing and lack of understanding about why these things have to happen.

But,  perhaps like the Israelites leaving Egypt, maybe I wouldn't have been content with just one miracle, and would have continued to expect the Lord to intervene in every rocky circumstance.  Maybe I would have expected a "perfect" life.  And like the speaker said, Jesus didn't come to give us a nice life.  He came to give us a new life... and when that day comes I'll get to snuggle right up with my baby girl. 

A girl after my own heart!!

SO, I will freely admit that my children are pretty spoiled.  They get a lot of attention from us, from our family and are certainly not hurting for "things".  It became ever so apparent when I was sorting through Natalie's clothes and got out her shoes in the next size and lined them up on the windowsill so that I wouldn't miss any.  15 pair of shoes this little 5 month old girl has!!! 15!!!  Her aunties sure love her- I'm pretty sure there is something to match each outfit in her closet!  But seriously, look at this face... wouldn't you want to spoil her too??

A very long, long, LONG snow day!!

Just when we thought it was safe... not so much!! 

Grant was thrilled to spend the day in his jammies, but after about a half hour, was needing to be entertained.  Not so thrilling.  We got around to reading some stories and read How I Became A Pirate, always a favorite.  After that, there was nothing to do but bake these absolutely adorable cupcakes to take to show and tell tomorrow with the book!

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

You know how there are just certain things that when you see them, your mind instantly is connected to someone that you know?  My grandpa has always been the music guy- who has a "music room" in their house dedicated solely to that purpose?  He's a pretty talented fellow, and I had fun making him this music-themed birthday card that I saw from a friend online.  I'm not even sure that I made all of the little notes and symbols on the cards right, but I tried!!  Love you Grandpa!

The first Valentine's Day...

The first Valentine's Day with our sweet little Natalie, and the first Valentine's day without my little Olivia.  Each of the kids got a little treat for Valentine's- Grant got a new game for his DS, Natalie wore a cute little heart dress, and Grant and I picked out candy roses for Olivia.  Such a sad and sweet place to go...

Valentine's Day fun...

There's nothing Grant loves more than a project, and when it comes to bringing treats to the friends in his class, his excitement knows no bounds!!  We've had a busy weekend making all kinds of treats.  He wanted chocolate dipped pretzels covered in sprinkles- I think I'll be finding little things all over the counter and floors for the next few days!

Grant even wanted Tallie to take a treat to her "friends".  Nevermind that she only drinks formula, doesn't speak, and would much rather have all of the attention of the teachers to herself!  We made "tiny-Tallie's"- Nilla wafers dipped in candy melt, with heart sprinkles for bows and a sweet little smiley face.  They are pretty sweet and I'm sure Grant and his class will happily eat them for her!

My two nephews came over this afternoon to write their Valentine cards and made pink and white playdoh hearts to attach them to.  I figured they'll ingest enough sugar tomorrow to last the entire week, so it will be fun to do something different.  They were pretty cute and had a good time!

Katie's Blog!!

I'm pretty sure I will be essentially talking to myself, but it's just too cute to resist!!  Sarah Jean is the best... who else can create something so darling in a matter of hours??