Suddenly 3

I sure love this little girlie. There are so many things I could say about her. I remember the first week she was born, I was staring at all her perfect little features and wondering what her personality would be as she grew older. I can honestly say that she is so very, very different from what I imagined...but I wouldn't have her any other way. I pictured a quiet, almost timid little blonde girl. Well, she turned out blonde, but definitely not quiet and most definitely not timid. This girl is full of life!

Puzzles...tricycle...coloring...reading books...playing steam roller...baking in the kitchen...telling stories...pretending...dress up...all things princess...blocks...asking why, how, when, where...alphabet...numbers...tying knots...play dough...doing her own hair...picking out clothes...dancing...dancing...dancing...exercise...flowers...ribbons...jumping...snuggling...

The Birthday Bash!

We chose to enjoy the rare sunshine on Katie's birthday, and have her party at the park. It was very cold, but I'm glad we did it. I only wish I had been able to take hot chocolate with us. We had a few friends there with us which I think was really important to Katie. She is very social and loves to have friends around for everything. At the end of the day, I asked Katie if she had a good birthday and what her favorite part was. She said with out missing a beat and with surety, "Eating cake." I don't know if any other human being loves cake more than Katie does. She lives for cake. It was such a fun day and I loved watching my Katie-baby "get into" all the festivities.

I love my Daughter

Katie: Mommy! I have to go to the bathroom
Me: Do you need help?
Katie: No, I am going to poo
Me: Alright.
Katie: You better get out of here because it is going to get stinky in here.

A Wedding

Congratulations to Joseph and Paulette LeMieux!

We're happy for you and wish you the very best.

Disney Land!

1st Trip to Disney Land (at least for Katie and me). Justin has been several times, and we left Gracie with Aunt Suzanne. So fun. It was almost too much for Katie to handle. She just wanted to be everywhere at once.

Katie's Disney Experience:
Favorite Ride: Autotopia with Uncle Garrett
Favorite Thing to Do: Meet the characters. Loved the princesses of course...
Most Magical Moment: Mickey Mouse dancing with her and kissing her hand.
Favorite Princess Moment: Meeting Ariel
Favorite outfit: Emily, Justin's sister, made Katie a Cinderella dress to wear to Disney land...she will hardly take it off long enough to sleep...it's filthy now and I need to wash it, but she won't leave it off long enough for me to wash it.
Favorite Quotes from Katie: "I want to be IN that show." (at the end of the parade)
"I want to find Ariel and take her back to the castle with me."

My Disneyland Experience:
Favorite Ride: It's a Small World
Favorite Thing to Do: Watch Katie meeting the characters
Most Magical Moment: Watching my exhausted child dancing to the parade music, not wanting the fun to end.
Favorite Time with Justin: Riding Autotopia together.

I wish we had been a little more prepared for Disney and planned a little better, but it was a great experience. And I am glad we went. The very best part was watching my little one have dreams come true.

Bott Beach Bash 2011

Justin's family had a reunion last week. We had a blast on the beach. Katie told someone yesterday "My mom calls me her little beach bum." And she was. From 6:00 am until dark she was out in the sand. The first words out of her mouth every morning: "Can I go outside and play in the sand?"

It was so great to get to know Justin's family a little better, and meet some relatives I hadn't met before. What a wonderful family!

"Out of the Best Books"

I love to read.

I love to learn.

I love the library.

I haven't done much reading in the last year due to my high maintenance children and my inability to read in moderation. Once I start a book, it's hard to keep me out of it...So I have been refraining from this favorite indulgence. However, in the last couple months I have had questions about all sorts of things. The library hardly ever fails me so that's where I turned. In the last two months I have read all about:

1. Interior Design
   
2. Kids Crafts
3. The glycemic index
4. abdominal exercises
5. housekeeping
6. parenting
   

I have several books on hold to teach me several other things. I have been learning so much lately and it has felt great. It's like being back in school without the assignments and tests. How invigorating it has been for me to learn something new every day. And who knew I would find some answers to prayers in a book about home make overs!
Love, love, love the library. What a wealth of information. Now that most of my questions are answered, I'm going to find a novel to enjoy. Any suggestions?

So now it's your turn. What have you been wanting to learn about? What are you learning about now? What are you reading? What do you want to read?

Gracie's Birthday

Bubbles, Balloons, and Birthday Cake!

Gracie's birthday cake was my first attempt at fondant frosting. I was pleased with how it turned out. Katie enjoyed helping me cut out the circles and flower. I foresee many fondant cakes in our future. Grace was excited about her cake until she tasted it....she's not a huge fan of bread-like textures, but Katie more than made up for Gracie's disinterest. We had a great day with Gracie despite all of our belongings packed and a little stress about moving.

See Gracie Grow

Born Aug 12, 2010

Blessed October 10, 2010

4-9 months

9-12 months

I'm trying my best to not be emotional about this, but seriously, is she one already? It seems like yesterday I was begging and begging Heavenly Father to just let her be born already, and now she is turning one. My heart is just aching to hold onto this little ray of sunshine and not let her grow up. Reaching milestones is a bittersweet experience, but this time, I think I am tasting the bitter a little more....Slow down, Time. I need more time with my little girl.