Happy Early Hearts Day!

MiMi had a little gift for the girls for Valentines Day and brought it over early. They are cute little bears that sing and even have a little light that flashes on them. I think Natalie enjoys her a little more than Julia does, I don't think she know what to think of it. Natalie was having stress trying to figure out which bear was hers so I had to mark them with a N and a J. I wish all of her problems were that easy to solve!

Can we PLEASE go out?!?

Natalie and Julia have been sitting at the front window looking longingly out ever since we got more snow. Natalie wanted so badly to go and play in it, but with the negative wind chills it just wasn't going to happen. I just love this photo of the two of them. Julia is Natalie's little shadow.

More Snow Photos

It Snowed A Little Here Today

Hitting the Road

Jeff and I decided to head up to Adam and Danielle's this weekend so I could attend her bachlorette party. Of course Mom was delighted to have Natalie stay with her for the weekend. We have never traveled with Julia, but I was ready for the challenge and ready to do something new!

Here we are getting ready to head out of town.



Here we are at our first stop, half way there. I love the new face.

Julia did a great job in the car and I was so proud. When we got there we decided to hang out, talk about the wedding and drink some wine.

The next morning we headed to the mall to do a little shopping. Because we didn't want to take everything we borrowed a stroller from Adam and Danielle. Just so happens we sold them Natalie's stroller so it was fun to see Julia in it!

While Danielle was looking for something to wear to the party, I told her I would watch the girls. I took this photo of them and I think it is just too funny. They both look like I caught them doing something really bad! Hmmm...wonder if I will see this same look in about 13 years?

We were at a great mall that had a Stride Rite, so we decided to get Julia her first pair of shoes. She has started pulling up on things, so I am sure that her first steps are not far away. It was hard to get a good photo of her because she wouldn't hold still! Silly girl.


After the mall we decided to head to Bass Pro Shop. Julia was wiped out from the mall, so she slept, but I think Jeff enjoyed it.


So after all the shopping it was time to head to the party! Here Danielle is in all her bachlorette glory. You know, all the silly stuff we asked her to wear. She was a good sport and everyone had a great time.


Before we left on Sunday we let the girls play together for a little longer. Julia and McKinley (15 mos) really enjoyed playing with each other. I am pretty sure they will be friends when they are older.

9 Month Photos

My Girls and Their New Tricks

The girls are always up to new tricks and this time I caught them with my camera.

This is Julia just being cute. That is easy to catch on camera!

This is Julia's new scrunchy face. She also makes this little piggy noise when she does it. It is so cute and funny. It reminds me of Natalie's cheese face.

In this photo she is making the same face, but you can see all the teeth she is getting in. If you click on the photo and make it larger you can really see them. No wonder she is having a hard time sleeping!

So, Natalie thinks that she can touch her nose with her tongue and I agree, she almost can!

Who's in the Pen?

So, I set this up as a safe place for Julia to play. Somewhere I could control what toys she had and knew that Natalie was keeping her distance from her. However, this is what usually happens.

Bathing Beauty

I just can't resist photos of the kids in the tub. There is something about them in there that just makes them so cute. I think it is all the chubby baby rolls and the slicked down hair. They are just too cute!!

Barbara Jane

At 10:05 on Sunday, January 16th, my grandma passed away. I was there with her and the minute after she was gone I was already missing her. It is funny how you take things for granted. I guess I just always thought she would be around and I would always have the chance to see her again. She was an amazing women who loved to cross stitch, hang out with her family and play cards. Some of my fondest memories include her. I remember staying weekends with her at the lake. She would send us to be in the camper and they would sit outside and listen to the Royals games and play cards. She used to let us roller skate in the basement. She let us eat the cookie dough and I swear she made the best fried chicken and toast. She always had cookies in the cookie jar. They were never the fancy kind, they were the cheap store brand, but for some reason they always were fantastic. She always made us go to church if we were there on the weekend. There wasn't anything my grandma wouldn't do for one of her grand kids or great grand kids. My grandma was a very devout Catholic. She had a bible that she kept all kinds of notes in. It was amazing. I am so glad that Natalie got to meet her. We have told Natalie about grandma's passing, but at her age I am not sure how much she understands. I am sad that Julia will never get to really meet her. I am worried about my grandfather. I hope he stays strong and knows that we are all here for him.

Here is a photo montage that I made for her funeral.

My Giggly Little Girl