Sweet as Pie

Our little Elise has to be one of the sweetest babies ever. She is always (well, almost always) happy and content and she smiles all the time. Took some pictures of her the other day wanted to share them with you. Enjoy!

Oh, the joys!

Aaralyn has started this thing (again) where she likes to put her finger up her nose. (we already fought this battle one time...) Lately, I feel like I am always telling her "Not up your nose, Aaralyn." and she promptly takes her finger out.


Well, the other night, the girls and I were nearing the end of dinner and Elise was ready to go to bed. So i left Aaralyn to finish her supper while I went to put Elise down. When I returned, Aaralyn had her finger up her nose saying "Not in you nose, Not in your nose!" to which I replied, "That's right, Aaralyn. Get your finger out of your nose."
So I go switch the laundry out, when I get back, Aaralyn has her finger in her nose again and says, "not in your nose!" and I reply, "that's right. Not in your nose." She repeats this a couple of times and I am getting a little fed up. "Aaralyn, get your finger out of your nose right now! All done."
Then she says "It's stuck."

Uhh Ohhh...

I'm truly dreading what I will find as I hurry over to her chair.


Yep. I found it. A WHOLE cheerio stuck up her nose. Thankfully, it didn't take long to pull it out. I just laughed and laughed.
I think I feel like a real mom now!!

Sad part is...I don't think she learned her lesson. She didn't seem to notice.

Ark Animals

Very carefully, Aaralyn lines up all of her Ark Animals.

She really is serious about it.

Then...with one swoop...

she knocks them all down.

Only Noah survives.

Aaralyn is quite pleased.

:)

My Sister

My sister, Marlana, is starting classes today at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. She is pursuing her Masters in Women's Studies. I could not be more proud.

I have always seen the potential that she has and I know that this season in her life will be a fruitful one. She is going to bloom and grow like never before. God is going to use her in very special ways.

It was really sad to see her move so far away, but I know that she is doing what God has for her and there's no other place I'd rather her be!

Miss you, Marley! See you soon!

Most Amazing

Just getting over the WORST COLD EVER!!! and thought I would update.

This weekend, my hubby and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary!! How crazy is that?!?! I have loved the past five years. They have been filled with so much love. I have been blessed to have such an amazing man as my husband. He is sweet, sensitive, a WONDERFUL father and spiritual leader. He keeps me grounded, looks great on a tractor, makes me laugh all the time, believes I am beautiful, and loves me no matter what.
I am so thankful to have him in my life. He is the Most Amazing Husband Ever!!

To celebrate, I surprised Donny with a lunch picnic.

Wraps, grapes, chips and dip, and hot chocolate...yummm!

Aren't we cute!!

And then Donny took me to the Melting Pot for dinner. Wow! was it good!!

I love you, Baby! Can't wait for the next 5 years!!


P.S. He's a really smart guy and has a lot of great things to say. You should check out his thoughts!

Applesauce and Pigtails

So, when you dump apple sauce on yourself, what happens?

your mom takes a picture, of course!!

what a mess...

but what a cutie!

I got Aaralyn's hair in pigtails for the first time and, of course, got the camera out.

Gotta love it!

So I think you are caught up. For now!

Angela and the Park

Angela came and visited us last weekend and we decided to take a trip to the park.

All the favorites were visited...

the slide.

the swing.

the see-saw.

the play area.

the swing. again.

Elise took a nap.

a short nap.

Thanks, Aunt Ish, for the great visit. Come visit again soon. We love you!

Back Home

When we arrived back home, we started on a new adventure...

Aaralyn has now moved to a Big Girl Bed! Her first night I snuck in and got some pictures.

She has adjusted so well and we have had no problems!! Halleujah!

This girl LOVES her some "neckas" - She is an accessory queen!

Aaralyn and Elise are getting along so well now. I feel like we have just recently gotten to the point where Aaralyn accepts her little sister and isn't affected by her every noise. It is cute to watch them together!

Look at those baby blues!

Her first lego tower.

Really, she did it herself!!

This one, her Daddy helped her build and she is looking for more!

She didn't want to stop!

Sleeping babies are the cutest...

More Catch-up!

We're not done yet!!

Here are some random pictures from the rest of our time in Marianna.

Aunt Marley showing Aaralyn how to play "Play-Dough!"

Marlana and I had MUCH more fun than Aaralyn did. I forgot how much fun it is!!

Good memories!

Elise is smiling...and is so cute!

Bathtime in the sink!

Fun glasses that Aaralyn loved to wear!

Rana finally getting to hold Elise

My cousin Kristi

Grill time! Some of the best steaks! Uncle D needs to open a restaurant!

Uncle Lenny supplied the steaks....they we SO GOOD! (I can't say that enough!)
Too bad Donny missed it. He traveled to Cincinnati for a wedding on the 27th so he was gone right after Christmas. We missed him, but family gatherings like this were a great distraction!

All of Uncle Lenny and Aunt Georgie's granddaughters slept in the same room, like a big slumber party on the floor. Aaralyn jumped in on the fun!

Suzanne, Rana, Aaralyn, Elizabeth, and Mira. This picture just shows so much of their personalities. One of my favorites.

The making of the gingerbread house

Each of the girls were able to "ice" a side...Elizabeth's turn.

Silly and sweet all in one!

They had to hold the sides together for 15 seconds...everyone had a hand in it!

Finished product! Yumm!

The girls were so proud! Thanks, Marlana, for heading up the project.

And finally, Aaralyn had so much playing outside with the "big ball" at my parents house.

Still more to come!