Storytime with Mom

I'm not sure why Olivia was so happy. Maybe because storytime was over?

Olivia learns to talk on the banana...

...uh, I mean, phone.

"No way! That is so funny!!!"

Story Time!

Kathryn loves to read stories to Olivia. Here she is reading "Olivia" to Olivia :). This is her new favorite book. Of course, in true motherly fashion, she always says, "Uyia, sit still. Right here, Uyia. Dood job!"

Normality Returns

Things have been in a bit of a stir around our house lately. Every night around 8 there was a hurry and scurry to get girls put down, a rushing to get drinks and change into comfy clothes, and a race to see who could open their Harry Potter book the fastest.

This was it. The one that ended it all. And now, it is over. Harry's fate is sealed. Good prevailed over evil once again.

The house will finally be tidied up. Neat stacks of clean clothes will fill the dressers. Brad's much neglected CPA study books will once again feel their pages turn.

"All was well."

Random pictures

Who says you need a double stroller?


Kathryn enjoying her sand (rocks :) and water table...


...her climber...


...and her stroller.

Sweet Kate

Kathryn said her first unprompted prayer this afternoon at lunch:

"Thank you God, so much... for Daddy... Amen"

She's also just started noticing that there are lots of "treasures" in the couch, so frequently throughout the day I walk in the living room to find all the couch cushions thrown on the floor. Yesterday she found a Gobstopper... probably from Halloween? Yummy!

Her favorite story right now is "The Three Little Pigs". She loves the "wuf" (wolf). Today she grabbed Brad's CPA review book, and said: "Uyia, tum here. I read you stuwy. Once upon time, the wuf puff and he puff. Do away!!! Do away!!! And the wuf do away. The end."

I think that's the abridged version :)

"Allen took a picture!"

Yesterday, the Mason's all met us down at the Discovery Center to take some pictures of the girls. Allen took the pictures while the rest of us stood around making funny faces and noises trying to get good smiles. After the pictures, Megan and Morgan took Kate to the play area to climb though the tunnels and slide. She thought that was the greatest! The rest of the afternoon she said, "Allen took a picture! Megan, slide! Morgan, slide!" Needless to say, she was not ready to come back home. :)

Kisses from Olivia (video)

Click here for kisses from Olivia.

(4.94 MB, 22 sec.)

This was fun

Livin' it up before bath time...

Kate turns 2!

Kate's 2nd birthday came with huge success. This was probably my single most favorite day with her so far. She was nothing but smiles and laughter all day. She had the absolute time of her life, and so did we.

When we brought her down from her nap we had everything decorated and the cake sitting out for her to see.


Kathryn, Olivia, and Claire Jeremy, Jessica, & Shelby came all the way from Chattanooga to help us celebrate!

(Jess, Olivia, & Claire)

Make a wish!

Shelby eating her "nummy nummies"

After cake and ice cream, everyone settled down to watch a DVD that Matt & Amanda created for us of Kathryn during the past year. Many, MANY thanks to Matt for using up all his "free nights" for us. It was awesome!

Kathryn went crazy over it! We included all of her favorite songs, so she thought it was absolutely hilarious and smiled and laughed through the whole thing.

Shelby after a blow pop :)

Claire, Shelby, & Kate in the new rocks and water table We are so thankful to the Lord for the 2 wonderful years He has given us to love this sweet little girl. We hope and pray there are many, many more.

(And thanks to Jessica and Allen for taking all the pictures so I wouldn't have to :)