fresh grounds

One Week Old

2008-09-02T10:14:00.005-05:00

OK, so Halle is one & 1/2 weeks old now, but I took this picture at exactly one week. Things have been a little busy, but each day is getting easier and easier. I LOVE having two girls...I know how much my sister means to me, and I'm so happy they will have the same gift of each other. =)

Below is Paige showing off her big sister skills. She's doing really well...it's been an adjustment in some ways, but she gets really excited when she notices Halle and gives her the "one finger touch".

One & 1/2 weeks. So precious!! We love our girls!!

Paige meets Halle

2008-08-23T12:41:00.002-05:00

We're doing great and going home today! More pics to come...

Nine Months...

2008-08-18T19:31:00.003-05:00

...and ready to pop any time in the next two weeks!

We can't wait to meet our new little one, and to find out the gender...any guesses?

Summer updates coming soon!

Picture Recap...

2008-06-08T21:03:00.013-05:00

19 months...gorgeous baby blues...thanks to daddy!

all natural...here's hoping a straightening iron never touches them!

Mother's Day

JBU Girls' Weekend 2008...5 of the 7 girls

Sara, Ruth Lee, Jenny, Emily, me

Such a relaxing, fun weekend!

iChatting with Kelly in the Ukraine

the traditional sushi night...

We missed you Kel & Jackie! Looking forward

to our complete group next summer!

making toys out of anything

Grammy brought a new toy over...what fun!!!!

lake house relaxation...and will's new fuzz

yes, i am a sucker for these things.

Happy Summer!!!!!

March!

2008-03-26T23:08:00.013-05:00

March Madness isn't the only thing we've been busy with this month! (My bracket is currently tied for 3rd with my husband's in our extended family competition, thank you very much!)

Reading with "HiDad"

Swinging in the park with cousins Quinn & Layne

Playdates with Shae...Shae's mom and dad, Drue & Lisa S., are friends from JBU. We all ended up in the same parenting class last fall by surprise, not even knowing we live just 2 miles apart! So fun!

Just "practicing" for upcoming egg hunts. =)

Easter Sunday

Loving the Easter basket from Pop & Gee! Thank you!

I don't have a THING to wear...

2008-02-25T14:59:00.002-06:00

Bookworm

2008-02-06T11:56:00.001-06:00

Fashion Statement

2008-01-26T19:04:00.001-06:00

Slumber Party!

2008-01-26T18:35:00.000-06:00

Will and eight guys from church went away for a retreat last night, so seven of the mommies and our thirteen kiddos decided at the last minute to get together for a sleep-over! Can I repeat that - THIRTEEN children! I mean, what grown woman doesn't love a good old fashioned slumber party? The kids were so precious and got along so well. It was so fun to be with such amazing women...I love you all!! I'm going to take a nap now. =)

Happy Birthday to Emma!

2008-01-26T17:18:00.000-06:00

We got to visit our sweet friends Megan & Chris last weekend...for a very special 1st birthday party! We are so thankful for them, and for Emma! Paige & Emma have been friends for a whole year! Happy birthday!!

Fun memories...

Paige Hearts Disney

2008-01-08T20:00:00.001-06:00

We had a family reunion at Disney World last week...so fun! We met my parents, my brother & sister-in-law, and my sister's family for a week of fun-filled non-stop Disneymania! We aren't all together very often, so it was a much appreciated vacation together.

Paige wasn't so sure about this ride, but she danced all the way through 'It's a Small World'.

(Don't start thinking about the song...it sticks!)

Of course...we had to get our pictures taken with Goofy & Pluto!! She LOVED them! But she pretty much loves anything that looks like a stuffed animal. =)

In "San Francisco" (aka MGM 'movie' set)

Out of all the fun, new, exciting things to see, her favorite was the "Winnie the Pooh" crawl-around area!

My niece, Annika, looking fierce with the pink Power Ranger.

Yeah...we obviously got into the Disney spirit!!

We'll definitely go back when Paige is old enough to ride roller coasters!!

Black & White Smiles

2008-01-07T22:49:00.001-06:00

Celebrating Christmas!!

2007-12-29T06:48:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve with G & Pop...They always get Paige & her cousins Layne & Quinn matching pj's, and they were so cute!

Attempts #1, #2, #5, and #10.

Super fun Christmas morning chaos at Aunt Laura & Uncle Matt's...we had a yummy brunch and enjoyed the morning with the family!

Contemplating what to name her new "Jamaican rainbow lion" as Daddy calls it. Thanks Aunt Laura!

Christmas evening at our house with Grammy & HiDad! We had yummy cranberry steamed pudding with eggnog sauce!

Merry Christmas!!

make-shift pacifier

2007-12-23T15:26:00.000-06:00

Yes, that is a rubber duckie head. I know. She seriously roams around the house like this when we withhold her pacifier. =) That's our innovative girl!

Family Fun

2007-12-19T23:20:00.001-06:00

Our very talented and creative friend from church took these last weekend...especially talented considering you can't tell how grumpy Paige was during the shoot! We love them! Thanks, Sam!!

2007-12-18T10:09:00.000-06:00

Wilderness 2007

2007-12-17T10:39:00.001-06:00

The stats: 10 girlfriends, 2 guides, 50 lb. packs, one fourteener, 30 miles, July 2007, 6 days, Young Life Wilderness, San Juan Mountain Range, Colorado, no showers, FUN, FUN, FUN!! Go Dirty Dozen!!

The Ice Storm

2007-12-15T17:48:00.000-06:00

Well...we've been without power for six days now. This was our beautiful front tree:

We really can't complain too much, though. We've been staying with my wonderful parents, who have opened their doors to us, Will's parents, and our dear friends with their two daughters (none of us had power). It was actually quite the fun slumber party!!

By this weekend it seems that most of our city has regained power, except for us. Although it's inconvenient to not be home, especially at this busy time of year, it does have its perks. We essentially have live-in babysitters (aka my parents) who let us sleep in, take naps, run errands, go Christmas shopping, and even go on a few dates! Will told my parents that we actually got our electricity back 3 days ago, but were content to stay with them! Thanks Mom & Dad for spoiling us, housing us, and for making yummy dinners and homemade bread pudding with lemon sauce! We will happily go home 10 pounds heavier! (if our power ever comes back!) By the way, I am so proud of Will, he has lost 70 pounds over the last few months! Now off to our movie marathon...

"daddy's babysitting"

2007-12-15T17:45:00.001-06:00

Playing with Mocha

2007-12-09T20:07:00.001-06:00

Mocha & Paige are buds ...well, actually... Mocha tolerates Paige pulling his hair, hitting his head, and laying on him. After many months of trying to get her to say "mama" or "dada", of course what is her first word? "Mocha"...over and over again each morning when she sees him. It's nice to know where we rank. =)

chilly afternoon at the park

2007-12-09T19:31:00.001-06:00

Well, we thought it would be a great afternoon for the park, but after the temperature dropped we decided to head to the nearby coffee shop instead. Paige was a trooper, and even enjoyed her own mini steamed milk as a treat!