Growin' Up

I feel like lately I have been noticing how much our girls are really growing up.  It's crazy how time passes.  Some days can seem long, and then before I know it we have gone from March to the end of June...how does that happen?!  I probably take way too many pictures, but a big reason why I do is because life is too short.  Somehow I want to just freeze a piece of time.  Since I feel like time is constantly slipping through my fingers, I want to grasp onto little fragments to savor.  I like to look back and remember moments.  I want to remember those sweet little eyes that gaze back at me, monkey kisses and both girls singing or babbling random, improv songs around the house.  Motherhood can be stressful and sometimes a bit overwhelming, but the sweet lovin' from these kiddos far outweighs it all.  I love my babies.

 I couldn't get this kid to hold still for a second.  She was on the go the whole time.

Abby wanted to pose herself.

 Shortly after this picture Kate attacked Abby for getting in her space.  Oh boy.  

Ah, well, it shows...don't be fooled by a picture.  They can be cute, but naughty too. :)

Laura caught some footage of these two singing and doing their 'improv.'  

In the video below, Abby somehow got a hold of Laura's computer and recorded herself. 

Laura had no idea Abby could work her computer and came in on the scene with Abby jumping on her bed.  

Daddy

"Dad

A Sons First Hero

A Daughters First Love."

-Author Unknown

The girls always look forward to every minute that they can spend with their Daddy, and for good reason. When Daddy comes home from work it is always a grand event.  The girls will drop whatever they are doing and run to the door when they hear it squeak open. In fact, there have been nights where I see two little heads peering out the bay window in hopes to see him walking up the path. They know the fun really begins when Dad's home.

 Some of my favorite moments are when Brett will wrestle with the girls on the floor and chase them through the house.  (I feel bad for our downstairs neighbor that probably feels like there is an earthquake as they trample through the house.)

Brett is always making sure he takes good care of all of us and that is not an easy feat with three demanding ladies around. I honestly married the perfect man for me and I'm so grateful to have him.  He is the sweetest Daddy and Husband and we love him dearly.

xoxo

Happy Father's Day!

We also love our wonderful Fathers.  

They have sacrificed and taught us much.  

I just adore my Dad. I can't even tell you how many times my dad had to literally duck tape the side view mirror back onto the car after we plowed it down countless times as teenagers. He wouldn't yell but would patiently talk with us and then strategize a plan with the duct tape. He was and still is so patient and teaches me how to be optimistic, no matter the situation.

My Father in-law is wonderful as well.  I love when he reads to the girls and they gather around him. They could listen for hours as he reads, (which says a lot with their attention span.)  He is kind to everyone and is always looking for ways to help.

We sure love our Dads. They are great men and amazing examples.

First Dance Recital

I have to admit, I love having girls.  Sure, we have our fair share of 'drama,' but that is minor to all the fun and frill little girls bring.  I was a wee bit hesitant to sign Abby up for dance, wondering if she was too young.  But, she kept begging to be able to take classes, so we signed her up and I am sure glad.  She looked forward to every single week that she got to get dressed up and spin on the dance floor.  I can't decide if she was more excited to dress in her ballerina clothes or dance in the studio.  No matter, she was in heaven and that is what was important.  Seeing the sheer joy on her face to dance with her friends in her tutu solidified the fact it was a good decision.  

 Abby had her first recital last Saturday.  It is always entertaining to go to these recitals and watch the young ones on stage trying to figure out which is the right or left foot. When you are three, it's alright to adjust your nylons, leotard, or even a 'weggie' on stage. And, there were quite a few young performers that demonstrated that when there is something caught IN your nose, you sure better fix it. ;)  Oh, I love it.  Miss Abby danced her little heart out on stage and I have to admit she did a really good job following the teacher. It was fun to see her confidence grow.  She was so proud and felt like a princess.  

It's so fun to have girls.

Abby and her friend Joey.
She was moving so fast in the rest of these pictures, I couldn't keep up with her. haha

This is how she posed and it definitely shows some spice.

(I'm sad I accidentally cut off her feet in this one.  Oh, well.)

Here is a brief clip of the recital.  Our recorder didn't work well.  Abby is in the center, the shortest one.

Blueberries

Ok, it's true, we have a bit of an obsession with picking berries.  Whether it's blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries, we can't get enough.  They just taste so good.

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Weekend is always a time to remember the great people in our lives who have passed on before us and also show gratitude for those who serve and have served our country.  THANK YOU for your sacrifice.  It is no easy feat to leave family and friends to fight for our freedom.  We live in this great country because of those who dedicate their time to make it free.

We were able to spend the holiday weekend with our awesome friends, the Sanders. We adore their family and are so sad they are moving next month.  I still don't' know how to tell Abby that her some of her best friends are moving. We LOVE them.  (We are glad to know they will be in a place where we can see them when we visit family in Colorado. ) 

It was honestly the perfect weekend of fun for kids and adults.  The kiddos got to play outside to their hearts content with fields full of all kinds of frogs and we got to enjoy nights of fun games.  We just savored the time we had.  While there we visited several historical sites and battlefields which was fitting for the holiday. There were quite a few re-enactments of both the Revolutionary and Civil War for Memorial Day which was interesting to see.  I learned a lot.  I also had no idea how soldiers wore such heavy gear and uniforms in the blazing HOT sun.  Bless them. 

All the history was fascinating to learn and appreciate, but the best part for me was at night when we kicked back, talked, ate, played and enjoyed the time.  Such good memories.  Thanks Sanders for an awesome vacation.

(I forgot the camera so the iPhone pulled through again.  I LOVE how the phone caught the sun rays in this picture.  

Relaxing and making Banana Boats.

The place where Pocahontas got married.

The Lovers.

Best friends.

Laura and her new boyfriend.

War re-enactments

This first video if for Uncle Dave.  It's not too exciting but shows her love for 'ducks'.  This is the spot where the settlers landed in Jamestown. 

Re-enactments on the fields where the Revolutionary War was fought.

Good times on the swing.