Sweet Celebrations!

Kay's birthday was earlier this month and we all got together to celebrate!  I asked Lucy what she enjoyed doing over at Grammy's house and she said "eating Starbursts and playing with my purple bunny."  Eli and Lucy always enjoy their time at Kay and Fred's house...they like the cuckoo-clock, the sandbox, and rolling cars!  Over the summer, Eli learned to say "Grammy", "Kelly" and "Grammy's house!" 

And, over the past few months, we've celebrated our friends' new babies!  Carter's baby brother, Owen, was born at the end of May and we met him in Texas in July.  Owen also came to Lucy's birthday party!  Then, we showered both Nan and Amanda in anticipation of their bundles of joy!  And, Alice was baptized!  My devotional Bible says "We celebrate because our lives overflow with things to be thankful for, and because God gives us the eyes to see how incredibly we have been blessed."  

In like a lion...out like a lamb...August re-cap

Our first few weeks of August were busy with birthday celebrations!  Eryn and Cammi visited and it was a wonderful weekend filled with giggles!  They also visited us the first weekend of August last year and we always celebrate three special birthdays...Eryn's on July 19th, Lu's on August 13th, and Cammi's on August 19th.  Our two-year tradition is that I take the girls to a local cupcake shop and they pick out a cupcake for their Birthday Celebration! 

We did more than eat icing...but I didn't snap any other pictures...we were too busy cooking, playing dress-up, experimenting with make-up, shopping, and visiting the zoo! 

Then, Amy and Avery stayed with us for a week!  Amy was "working" from our house...which was really impressive considering how to she had to work around nap schedules, children with no volume-control, and sound of the washing machine in our study...somehow she pulled it off!  I was thrilled to have Avery here for days so I could snuggle her...she now sits at the table, eats lots of yummy food, and loves to roll all over the place!  I continue to think her personality is well-suited for a job on a submarine...she is not at all bothered by the very close, constant contact of her loving cousins.  :-) 

Then, Matt, Mom, Dad, and Grandma arrived for THE birthday party...which wasn't until the day after the actual birthday...which took a lot of explaining to the new 4-year old.  But, we did have a proper birthday dinner (with singing!) on the 13th! 

Our last few days of August were very slow.  Lucy continues to be fascinated with face-painting and Chris lets her practice on him! (Father-of-the-Year Moment) 

And we found ourselves at the pool in the evening and it was very peaceful.  Chris has had some vacation days and that has been wonderful!  We usually don't spend much time at home together...of course, we have weekends, but by the time you include activities and church, that's not a lot of hours at home.  We're usually traveling when he takes vacation days...or at the hospital having a baby...so we're enjoying just being...as I like to say "where be is the action-verb." 

Then & Now

Our mall has a photo booth near the kids' play area...Lucy, Eli and I jumped in it last summer...then again earlier this month.  Obviously, this is impulsive...notice the hospital-issued BIG SISTER t-shirt on Lucy last summer and my visor this year...we tend to keep it pretty casual.  :-)

Summer 2009

Summer 2010

Lucy's Birthday Party!

When we first started talking about her birthday party, Lucy said she wanted "a pink and purple party in the park" (say that five times, fast!)  We'll outside in August isn't exactly comfortable, but there was a very subtle breeze and the Birthday Girl didn't mind the heat a bit.  Two princesses, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, came to paint the kids' faces and do balloon animals...it was a very colorful affair!  Many thanks to all who celebrated with us and those who shared their pictures...it was a wonderful day for our family!