Labor Day 2013

Here are pictures from this year's Labor Day fun at Lake Bluff:

modeling in their new Bluff shirts 

quality time with Nana is one of the best parts

Abby kayaked with Mommy and Ella was with Daddy

pretty

bath time in Grammy's sink 

getting ready...

...for her first time tubing!

Though cautious at first, Abby quickly learned to love it out on that tube. We were all a little surprised when she kept giving us the thumbs up and shouting to make the boat go FASTER! 

It was so much fun to watch them try something new together and love every minute of it. 

Ella made a great cheerleader.

We loved having Asher and Kelly come and spend the day with us.  It was such a great time. 

This is what it looks like when our sunset loving little girl gets a serious consequence (not going to sunset) for some bad choices. Her sweet little heart just couldn't miss it...even if it meant sitting on the porch and watching it all by herself. 

Loved spending an afternoon with our kids at one of our favorite memory-filled parks in Syracuse and following it up with some Heid's hot dogs for dinner. 

Ella: 14 months

"Say Cheese!"

14 months old 

• When someone gets in your space in a way you don't like or takes something from you, you are very vocal and let everyone know you are not happy about it by shouting, "Heeeeyyyyyyyy!"
• You are walking around! 
• You bring your shoes to us when you are ready to go somewhere. You point to your bare feet, then you shoes and say "isssshhhh". 
• If you had your way, you would always be outside. When you are not, you stand at the doors and bang on them. 
• You make everyone laugh! We love watching you be a little funny girl because you throw your head back in laughter and crack yourself up at the same time. 
• You are quite dramatic. When you are upset about something, you throw your head between your legs or sprawl yourself on the floor and cry. 
• When we say it's time to pray, you bow your head and at the end say "A-me"
• If you know you are doing something wrong and we warn you, you tend to give us a mischievous smile and laugh. You are not going to make the job of discipline easy for us. 

We love you sweet little monkey!

Snapshots: End of Summer

Two years ago, we discovered our very loud and loyal outdoor pet, Kermie. After we moved into our house, we knew that many frogs were displaced when we cleared out the swamp-like habitat that was our backyard. Night after night, we would hear the loud croaks that made it sound like we had a frog in the house. Kermie has spent his summers in his new home, under our umbrella stand or in the girls' water table. Joe gently removes him to the edge of the yard when the girls want to use their table and each day he faithfully returns home. Abby informed us that we don't need a pet right now because we have Kermie. Thank you Kermie for buying us some time. We hope you'll come back next year little buddy!

Both girls came over to join me while I was relaxing and reading on the hammock. Abby snuggled in and REALLY relaxed by falling fast asleep. To me, there is nothing like a perfect afternoon like this. 

This last month has been filled with "brave" and "all by myself" big girl moments for Abby. She now loves swinging as high as she can go, taking a shower by herself and using the hand dryer in public restrooms. She even went tubing for the first time! All things she was deathly afraid of just weeks ago. I love seeing the smile on her face when she takes such big personal steps.

This girl loves her daddy! 

post shower burrito

Then there are those fun summer days that leave you passed out in your bed like this: 

Abby went bowling for the first time at her friend Isaiah's 4th birthday party and really liked it. Joe caught her response after she rolled her first ball down the lane.

The girls really enjoyed the little animals at our church's Community Day.

Ella rode her first pony...but hopped off in seconds. She was not so sure about the cute little pony once he started moving. Though, she did stay on long enough for me to snap the pictures.

sweet teething baby girl needed her mommy to sleep that afternoon

spontaneous ice cream date with friends after an afternoon at the pool...no wonder summer is so hard to say goodbye to! 

Lake George

Yesterday, we spent the day in Lake George with good friends and we are so glad we did. The weather was perfect. The location was beautiful. The company was great. When I said we were going to enjoy every last minute of summer, I meant it. The day was relaxing and fun!

We packed a lunch and spent a few hours on the beach. The girls played so nicely together in the sand, then Joe took them all out swimming. The water was a little cold for the rest of us, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the sand, sun and conversation. I was soaking it all up!

After the beach, we walked through town and got some Polish Water Ice. The perfect end to a perfect day: Abby's blue cotton candy stained lips and sun-kissed face falling asleep on her daddy's shoulder as we walked back to the car. Ella's head bobbing around in the stroller as she tried to stay awake just a little longer to watch a few more people.

As I was swept up into the moment, I was reminded that not only has God given me the honor of being a mommy to my little babies, but I have the joy of giving them their childhood. I mean God is the giver of all good things, but He has given me the responsibility and joy of creating, teaching, providing and protecting my girls' childhood.  Often life looks a whole lot messier then it did this particular afternoon, but by God's grace even in the challenges and imperfections sweet childhood memories are made. I'm thankful and humbled.

Kena and Abby 

the littlest beach baby

Ella decided she wanted to get in the water. Did she get our attention for one of us to take her in? No! She just started scooting backwards on her belly toward the water. She has such a little independent spirit.

little buddies

burying Joe in the sand 

Would you like a little sandwich with that sand?

little sisters and big sisters

Ella and Isa

my guy

love her!

family love.