Fashion by Owen and Katie

We really like boys/daddys in button ups and therefore our littlest man too! But Owen added his own fashion touch with Katie's sunglasses.

I. Love. This.
Little man, you are great!

And not to be out done....Katie joined in our glasses fun!
Priceless joy!

Then she raided a bag of clothes that she wore when she was 6-12 months old for a 'fancy' outfit. (The bag hadn't made it up to the attic since we had loaned somethings to a friend). Here is her conductor hat from 18 months, a dress that she is wearing as a shirt size 6-12 months, a skirt that was a 3T and her cute little belt. I think it is safe to say that someday she will be helping me put together fun assembles. :)

Very nice, Pippers!

Look what came in the mail!

Blessings...That's what came in the mail. Two fun surprises for K and O.
Thank you Papa and Nana. We LOVE you!

Love, fast riding Owen and Momma loving Katie

O received a hot wheels and has been on it non stop (unless K has started some game where they switch between the train and it...that game shows that K loves it too)!

"Beep Beep" is commonly heard and "gs gs"-so we fill it up with pretend gas and off he goes-around and around the circle!

Then a few days later a package came for K. Isn't the excitement great?!

ummmm.......a new baby book for Lily?

WOW, new pjs for Lily and me!!

Cute Twinkies!
Aren't these the best? Anything Paisley is close to my heart. :)

Lily needed her own photo.

Katie really wanted to take a nap yesterday with her new pjs, but when I came in there after a few minutes she said, "Mom, I don't know why, but Lily won't go to sleep. Every time I put her down, a few minutes later she wakes up crying. I just don't know why. She just won't go to sleep these days, she just cries out."

Morning Dance Songs

These three songs have been Justin's songs to dance to with the kids. Since Daddy had a workshop to teach this morning and left early...we decided to dance to his songs to start our day. What a great way to start the day~!

Highest and The Greatest by Tim Hughes


No Not One by Christy Nockels


It is Finished by Matt Papa

Why to hire a photographer

I tried to get the kids to sit together, smile and look at the camera-all in the same moment (and please excuse the sweat rolling down their cheeks)...
you can see below the outcome-or should I say outtakes. :)

Katie, these are not silly photos

Owen, take your fingers out

Open your eyes kiddos and look at the camera

I am not done. Yes, you have to stay there for a few more photos.

much better-Katie, look at me please
*this is the best one!*

keep looking at me...Katie, don't tickle your brother..Owen, look at Momma

Okay, okay, you can do silly faces

:)

Landfill Park

We've spent a few morning at the park....mornings outside these days end around 10 am. It is just that hot. But we braved it a few days ago and we had the park to ourselves-I can't understand why. hehehe But we had a great time playing, sweating and just being together!

Yes, I see that his tongue is almost touching that rim...I snapped the photo and seconds later lifted him up for his drink saying-wait for mommy!!!!! :)

Katie has taken a strong liking to the 'jungle monkey' as she calls it. She LOVES learning to climb all around. It has taken her a bit to learn to balance, but now she's a pro!

Owen has no fear...the boy just tries anything! His little legs aren't quite long enough to go from the step to the pole, but he managed to maneuver his way onto it by himself!

Long legs little Ms Katie!

Seriously Momma...I could stay here ALL day.

pondering...

My friend Brandy linked me to this article about rule following on I Take Joy blog...

here is a quote from the article that I am pondering...

"Consequently, it is not in getting the rules right or in defining all of the rules and theology that will make our children want to serve God. It is in laying down our life for them, serving them, listening to them, loving who God made them within the context of a call to holiness, that will secure in them a desire to love God with all of their hearts. By seeing our love, they will more easily understand and receive God’s love, as it will already be familiar to their hearts and brains."

-Thanks Brandy

She also writes a post titled, Sneaking away, a habit with a reward. I found this encouraging and a necessary reminder of my need of Him who alone nourishes my soul for each of my days.

"God wants those who wait on Him, follow His lead, hear His voice. I have noticed in my own life that God is not in a hurry and rarely does things quickly, but in the process of His leading, He cares more about forming character, building holiness, stretching our trust, strengthening our muscles of faith–and through this process He builds in us a legacy of integrity.

And so, this morning, my soul is once again filled with joy, peace, worship and rest–I do not know the future, but I rest in the one who does. It all comes from a habit, a rhythm of making time to be with Him, to hear His voice, to follow His ways. Years and years and years of getting away–to Him. "

Katie says

Daddy, you are doing quite the impressive job. (he was laying out cards to play memory :)

Owen, that is tragic. (he had spilled his water on the table :)

*I think K's vocab is growing!

Owen at 21 months

He is into everything...I mean EVERTHING.
He loves grabbing scissors.
He love to try and grab hot dishes off the counter.
He loves to sit on Katie's head if she is on the floor.
He loves to draw on pillows-thankfully not the couch!
He constantly wants 'up'.
He has learned to whine really well. He will cry and walk to his room to pretend cry some more on his rocking chair.
He can unlock just about any door and wants outside more then anything in the world.
He can drink a glass of water in about 2.5 seconds.
He loves to read.
He is still very good about closing all doors, putting shoes away and using the 'rag' to clean up his hands and messes.
He is learning to say many words...not all are understandable, but he communicating lots!
He constantly climbs on things he should not. -computer chair, ottoman, bed, table...
He is a great help at unloading the dishwasher!
He has a difficult time being by himself-guess that's a second child thing.
He can't seem to NOT eat paint or non-edible things.
He wears 18mo and 2T clothing and most people like his fashion. :)
He has heard, 'no' or 'stop' or 'obey' way to much in his life. But also ' i love you!'
He is learning how to eat everything-like eggs for breakfast...but it has not been a fast process-but he likes many things now!
He has mastered his 'silly smile'.
He has a great laugh.
He can gallop around the house which he prefers to plain running.
He loves with daddy plays tiger.
He still needs one solid nap and has to be in bed by 7:15 or he wakes up multiple times at night. He is an early bird, always up by 6:30.
He still sucks his two middle fingers and has moments of cuddling while dancing!
He loves to spin around and around to fun music.
He isn't afraid of trying anything...his tolerance for risk is high.
He loves us and we love him!
He is a JOY to have in our family and we do LOVE HIM!

Looking forward to the Mountains

We can't wait until Aug...we are blessed to take a trip to the mountains for our anniversary. Thank you McKenzies for watching our kids for our trip! It's amazing to know that we have only stayed away from our kids at night because of three hospital stays -and thanks to many friends for letting me do that-though I can say that it is not much of a holiday and we don't want to ever do it again...But that is changing when we head to the sweet retreat of the NC mountains. Love our kids, and can't wait for some time with my love.

PS I wore this lovely shirt the weekend we got married and then for our dinner date a few days ago...yep it's 9 years old! :) And it is about all I have left in my closet that is that old and therefore it stands the test of fashion.-maybe I'll pass it down to katie....hehe :)

Saturday morning outting

We ventured out way over to Durham to Duke Gardens to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather we had over the weekend. It was a nice reprieve from our 100's last week and today. It was actually 97 at 10 am one day and then 77 at 9am the next! Whew.
And at DGardens we were not disappointed. We explored, smelled flowers, picked up sticks and rocks and watched the ducks float by on the pond. We didn't have any discipline issues which made our adventure even better. :)

I would have gotten a photo of just Owen, but alas no way did he want that!

Love these two cutie pies...and I think the top photo shows some deviousness going on in the mind of our son... :)

Then we went to the Mad Hatter for lunch. Yummmmmylicious!

I think we all liked our food!

Yessssss, coffee and a scone, delicious!

Our two handsome guys.