She wanted to say cheese for the camera, but she was so serious and worried about it. My baby looks so big! How does this happen?

This is how she insisted on going to bed the other night. Knit hat, mittens and cow boy boots. Too, too funny! She slept great all night. The mitts and hat fell off during the night, but the boots stayed on. She was really upset when they finally had to come off. She was so mad that I was taking her pic, but it was just too funny.

Well...hello there!

Who do you think had my camera again? Silly boy!

Snow Day

The girls had so much fun building a snow cave with their dad one morning. The snow was perfect! How did I get such beautiful, fun girls? I am so lucky to be their mom.

Sick Baby

Our sweet Isabella had RSV. :( She is the first and only one of our kids to get this awful cold virus. She was lucky enough to avoid the hospital, and she didn't have to endure any out patient suctioning. (Now, that would really be torture at it's finest for a two year old. ) All she did was watch movies, lay on the cough or floor and be held and rocked for 5 days. She totally hates the breathing treatments, ibuprofen and the coughing fits. Day 6 brought sunshine, and with it, more energy and finally an appetite. She finally seems to be back to her crazy, wild, two year old self. :) We missed you, sweet baby Bella.

Our Budding Violinist

It has been about eighteen months since Lauren has started taking Suzuki Violin. In that year we have had many ups and downs. Good practice days, bad to no practice days. Prepared at lessons, and some not so prepared at lessons. I will be honest, there have been days when I was regretting getting ourselves into this. At times she hates practicing. At times she hates going to lessons. At times she hates playing anything more than once. However, we have persevered and survived our first year. :) One thing about Lauren, she loves to perform. She can't wait until she can play in front of people. She lives for a concert. Even her first recital, she wasn't nervous, she was excited to play her little piece of "Pop Goes the Weasel." This past summer she played "I am Like a Star" for the primary program and did awesome!

Last week, Lauren's school had a talent show and Lauren was so excited to play "Allegro" by Dr. Suzuki. She was really excited and she did so good! Totally full of confidence. Unfortunately, the video is sideways. :) She loves to play (depending on the day) and she is doing well. I am so proud of her!

Happy Birthday Isabella

Wow, our baby is TWO! She is so big and so much fun. She also isn't much of a baby anymore, but I still call her baby and probably always will. We had a fun b-day party with the cousins a week early. I made a Bella-land cake, which was a huge hit, not because of the chocolate cake mix, but because of all the candy. :)

She got a big play house to share with Samuel and Lauren. Aunt Heidi got her a broom and mop to clean her house.
And Grandpa gave her a pretty dress.

We were so glad that Grandpa came up for a few hours and eat dinner with us. After dinner, we did Isabella's favorite thing...SWIMMING!

My two favorite things about my two year old are....
1) she makes me laugh on a daily basis and 2) she is feisty!

I love you Isabella Jane! You bring so much love
and laughter into our home!