Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Welcoming Baby Hayley!

I was so excited to have the opportunity to make a quick trip to California last month to visit my best friend Melinda.  She and I have been friends since college.  We lived together for something like 5 years, during which most of the time we shared a room, and she has walked with me through what feels like half my life.  She's been there for me during the hard parts and she has celebrated with me every milestone from birthdays, to my wedding, to buying our first house, to babies.  She has selflessly loved and celebrated with me so often that when I found out we'd be moving a month before Hayley was due I was absolutely heartbroken to know that I'd miss being there for this big moment in her life.  I'm still sad that I didn't get to be in the waiting room or the one who brought her what she was craving after labor, but I did the next best thing and spent the day that she was in labor texting her mom, pretending that I was there though I wasn't, and I booked a ticket to meet this precious little one as soon as I was able.  Hayley is absolutely precious and such a lucky little girl!


 

 
While I was in California I couldn't stay away from these little ones either.  I don't think I even realized how homesick I was until I pulled into our old neighborhood and started to cry.  I cried partially because the new owners are totally remodeling our house and have everything torn apart, but mostly because I so miss being across the street from my other best friend Courtney and her family, and being back in the neighborhood just made it all feel way to real. 
 



Monday, November 11, 2013

Greens Bridge Pumpkin Patch

Greens Bridge Pumpkin Patch
My wonderful sister-in-law Katie asked if she could take the kids to a pumpkin patch and we had so much fun.  It was only a few miles away and it had so many fun free activities for the kids, not to mention pumpkins for only a dollar.  We bought quite a few and came home feeling very festive.  We also returned that evening so that Daddy could enjoy playing with us.
 
Sliding
 
 
 
The Petting Zoo

 
The Hay Maze
 
 
Duck Races
 
Notice the color of Sadie's ducks.  My little girlie girl is all about purple and pink these days!
 
 Wheat Box
Sadie loved being buried which was no surprise.  She also LOVES sand.
Wyatt on the other hand is never sure about getting too dirty and I didn't help him out much as I shoveled wheat in his mouth by accident as I attempted to bury him.
This is a little more his style :)
 
 
Dollar Pumpkins
 
 
Family Pictures

 Auntie Katie
 


 
 Uncle Caleb
 






 




Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Happy 4th Birthday Sadie!

Sadie Loves, Loves, Loves, Minnie Mouse!!!  So, this year it was our theme for her 4th birthday party.  I had a lot of fun getting everything ready this year mostly because she was so excited about it.  She helped me put the letters on the banner and make the bows and the ears and when I finally completed her birthday shirt she was just ecstatic.  I think her words were, "Mommy you put the bow on my shirt!  I love it!  Thank you!!!"  It was so sweet and I savor these moments as I know that there will be a time when nothing I do will be just right.  I know this because it's what I did to my mom and what I'm pretty sure all kids do to their parents, at least for a season.  The first few years kids are to little to recognize your effort, but Sadie's age is so sweet because you are just the best in their eyes.  There are many moments when I think I can't wait for my kids to get through "this" stage.  This stage of not sleeping, or tantrums, or arguing with me, but the stage that Sadie is in right now is very sweet.  Sadie loves to spend time doing puzzles, stringing beads, playing games, baking cookies, watching movies, helping Grammy and Daddy and anyone else who might need her help, and pretending with Wyatt.  She's imaginative and funny, she's silly and thoughtful, and she's a great big sister to both Wyatt and Cooper.  In fact she entertains them better than I do at times and she gives the best hugs.  I hope year 4 lasts a long time.
 
A Minnie Mouse Extravaganza!!!






 
Pictures With Minnie Mouse
 Minnie and Grammy
 Uncle Robert and Minnie
 Uncle Caleb and Minnie
Uncle Ryan and Auntie Katie and Minnie
 Great Uncle Kevin and Great Aunt Sonja with Minnie
Minnie and Mickey
 Minnie and Daddy
 Minnie and Mommy
Happy 4th Birthday Minnie Mouse!!!
 
Wyatt loved his cake.
Cooper wanted some cake.
 
We also celebrated at Chucky Cheese with Uncle Robert, Grammy, Uncle Ryan and Auntie Katie, and Robert's adopted niece Kasey.