Labor Day Weekend 2012

This year, we were thrilled to be able to close out the summer with Labor Day weekend at the Bluff! It's always bittersweet. An amazing weekend celebrating all things summer with bits of sad because it marks the end of such a great season.

It was lots of fun to have Ella at the Bluff with us for the first time. The weather was still summery and seasonably warm during the day, but the relaxing mornings were chilly enough for sweatshirts. Perfection! 

Ella really enjoying her relaxing Bluff morning.

It was vacation, but Abby still insisted we bring her "learning books".

Gearing up with G-Diddy right before his morning bike ride. Abby would have followed him on her little tricycle if she could. 

 

Nana and her great granddaughters

We enjoyed long days playing outside. The first half the day Abby spent exploring the top of the Bluff with her little friends (from swings and the sandbox to a treasure hunt) and the second half we spent enjoying the lake right up until dinner time.

rocking the shades

sandbox.

gorgeous day

my loves:  Daddy and his girls

our family. How can you not love this place? It's breathtaking!

perfect moments.

On our way to the treasure hunt...

playing lots of games with G-Diddy

enjoying nursery rhymes together

Ella meets her Nana

geared up for a boat ride in her new life jacket

Mommy hung out poolside with Ella. We'll be in the boat next year!

Abby loved kayaking with Daddy and Grammy.

stud.

She started out in Daddy's kayak and did a mid-lake swap into Grammy's boat.

Bluff evenings were filled with delicious dinners with family, beautiful sunsets and easy bedtimes.

Every night before bed, Abby helped G-Diddy take down the flag.

Their special tradition together

last big BBQ of the summer. Ella hanging out with Mary!

meeting Charlie

Abby and Lauren are such great buddies. They spent the entire weekend playing together and were so sad to say goodbye!

enjoying sunset together

hanging out with little Anderson

Almost time to go.  Our weekend was the relaxing and refreshing time our family needed! Goodbye for now, Summer! Until next year. Hello Fall! Apple picking here we come...

all filled up and blessed

family <3 br="br">

Messy Floor

Source: ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Smiles

Back to Life. Back to Reality.

We've hit the 6 week mark! Back to life. Back to reality. :) We are getting into a bit of a groove (but you know as soon as I say that out loud things will change). Joe is back to campus full time with the start of the school year. Having our baby around has become normal life. Abby is dancing around, learning lots and playing games with her imaginary friends.  I'm cooking and running errands again! I've even folded a load of laundry today. :)  It probably also helps that at six weeks, Ella started giving us some longer stretches of sleep at night. She slept from 9:30-5 for almost a week before she started fluctuating again.  I'd say we're getting there and having fun doing it....with every challenge there is a joy to balance it out!

Today: The breeze was blowing. There was barely a cloud in the sky. My perfect kind of day. Ella was asleep in my lap. Abby and I were playing dolls at the table outside. Country music was playing just as Daddy walked through the door. In that moment, I was honestly overwhelmed by the precious blessings God has given me and what a good God He is. And to think it was all happening as Kenny Chesney sang, "Man, that's the good stuff!"  I couldn't agree more. I wouldn't trade these moments for anything. All the years I waited and wondered...they are better than I ever could have dreamed. Thank you Jesus!

Here's some of the "good stuff" from our last week:

We broke out the activity mat. Ella loves that penguin, but is still way more captivated by her big sister!

Tummy time!

getting stronger

what a face!

so serious. :)

Abby loves reading to her baby sister.

Over the weekend, we went to a birthday party for Abby's little friend Isaiah. He was turning three and was having a snake party! As we talked about going in the days leading up the party, Abby informed us that she was not happy about the fact that there would be snakes present. So, you can understand our shock when she walked right up and sat front row for the morning entertainment. She was more brave than most of the three year old boys at the party....and even more brave than her Mommy! We were so proud of her.

When the lady asked if anyone wanted to hold the snake, Abby jumped up and down shouting, "Me! Me!"

a real live dragon

getting bigger and bigger

couldn't wait to get her hands on him! 

I tried my best to hide the camera to capture this! Abby is always singing worship songs around the house, but on this night she set up her rubber duckies in choir-like fashion and taught them to sing worship songs.

Grandma's visit

Last week, my mom came for a visit. She waited patiently to have her chance to come stay for a few days and spend lots of quality time with Abby and Ella. We really enjoyed having her here. Not only was it helpful, but we had a lot of fun too. Mom, thanks for helping me get some extra chores and cooking done! And, thanks for loving our girls so well.

the baby whisperer

love love love.

spa day with Gma

pretty pink toes....

....lots of jewelry and a beautiful hairdo!

It was nice to have an extra set of hands at bedtime. Bedtime has probably been the most difficult transition for Abby since Ella arrived. I think she misses having the undivided attention of both Mommy and Daddy for the entire story/prayer/song time before bed. Some nights are easier than others, but each night we adjust a little bit more and Abby has become more accepting of the reality that she has to share us in the evening. With Grandma here, we took advantage of that quality time with Abby and she loved it. Grandma rocked Ella to sleep and spent quality time with her. One night I came out of Abby's room ready to take care of Ella and get her to sleep, only to find my mom had gotten her to sleep and down in her crib. What?! Two free hours before I planned on going to bed and no one to take care of? What would I do with myself! :) It was a nice break, which I enjoyed curled up on the couch with Joe and a delicious bowl of ice cream. Not to mention, Ella slept that night from 8:30 to 3. Not bad!

Another night, Ella woke up each time my Mom put her down in her chair, so after almost two hours of rocking her, my Mom decided to multitask:

On our last day together, we went to the city pool! A beautiful Saturday morning and no one was there. We had the pool and playground all to ourselves.

just hanging out on this breezy sunny summer morning

just like Daddy

beautiful day! I love this picture. It captures a lot.

Thanks again Mom! Come back soon!

Abby Em always making us laugh!

This picture is SO Abby! She makes us smile and melts our heart everyday (multiple times a day) with her sweetness and sass.

Here are some of her recent quotables:

"I love your earrings, Mommy! You are a cute momma!"

As Ella was doing her cute baby stretch, Abby says, "Look Mommy! Baby sister is raising her arms to Jesus."

"Mommy, can I get ice cream with rainbow sparkles on it?"

Last night while reading about Jonah in the Bible, Abby says, "Daddy, I will not run away from God. Jesus will come get me and put me in the fish's belly."

To me: "I need some milk, waitress!"

M: What Bible story do you want to read tonight?
A: Zaccheus
M: We've read that Bible story for the past three nights. Do you want to read another one?
A: No Mommy! I want to read Zaccheus. It's my favorite.
M: Why is it your favorite?
A: Because Zaccheus got to see Jesus!


One of Abby's new favorite activities is checking the Weather Channel website with her Daddy for storms and then when they actually come sitting by the window with him and listening to the thunder. She also draws us pictures of storms and runs around the house shouting "Daddy, a NORM is coming! A norm is coming!"

After having a belly ache and going #2 one afternoon, she ran around the house exclaiming, " Oh no, I have dinarina!"

Abby tells us lots of stories and is quite the dreamer. Most of her stories recently start with the phrase, "When my sister is sooooo bigger..." Ella has lots to look forward to!

A: Thank you Daddy!
D: You're welcome Abby. My pleasure!
A: What Daddy? What?! Blood pressure?

Abby in the room by herself. We hear her singing..."I've got my Savior..." (a song we had never heard and we're pretty sure she made up completely....tune and all)
 D: What are you singing, Abby?
A: I'm just singing about Jesus, Daddy!

M: Abby, do you know what state you live in?
A: New York.
M: Do you know what state Nagymama lives in?
A: Florida!
M: Do you know what state Grammy and G-Diddy lives in?
A: (thinking...thinking...)
M: New...
A: New Bluff! They live in New Bluff, Mommy!  :)

This last quote I couldn't leave out. Joe did such a good job of not rolling on the floor laughing hysterically when our innocent little girl asked her Daddy this next question so seriously. He talked her through it so well (and then left the room to come and laugh hysterically with me)!

"Daddy, when I get so bigger am I going to grow a penis just like boys?"

 Today, during a brief moment I had while both girls were occupied, I was catching up on administrative tasks like putting important dates and appoinments on my calender. I turned to September and found this. I couldn't help but smile. I thought it was so sweet that at some point Abby snuck into my planner and tried to be like me. I went from thinking "aww, how cute!" because of the squiggles so neatly within each day to being proud because of the way Abby tried to write something all by herself (see picture number 2). She'll be writing and reading in no time.

And I totally agree Abby! Thanks for making sure I don't forget that we have to ABQ on Sunday, September 16. 

More Photo Fun

 

sweet.

precious

Our first morning back at church

My little organizer. Every night in the bath she sorts and organizes her bath toys by category.

The other day Abby was coloring and I was doing dishes while Ella napped in her crib. Abby heard Ella wake up on the monitor before I did and called out, "Mommy, you need to go check on my sister. Ella needs you to take care of her." She is such a good helper.

rocking the pink plaid

capturing the smiles!