The Faces of Summer

Here's a few pictures of the faces of summer that I don't want to forget! It was a fabulous summer with these 2 little angels!

Photos courtesy of Randy Nieter!

Joe's Birthday weekend

They gave Anna the spoon - how funny is that - she wasn't about to give it up.
Yummy - Daddy was nice enough to share with 2 of his 3 girls!
ready for takeoff!
That's a ginormous plane!

We like to celebrate birthdays for a whole weekend or longer around here! This time it was Joe's turn. We started out on Thursday night with a dinner at Red Robin so Joe could get his free birthday burger - yum yum. On Friday night we had dinner with Joe's parents at Longhorn - again yum yum. Then Joe, Erin and I headed off to the Twilight Airshow. Joe has always been an avid fan of the airshow and he just loved having his little girl there to share it with him.

To top off the weekend we had dinner with my parents and brother's family. Joe, my brother and Brent, my brother-in-law all have birthdays within 4 days of each other, so we always do a joint party! It was a great weekend and I think Joe got enough of the Air Show in to last him to next year.

Messy Eater!

We let Anna enter the world of self-feeding, with a spoon that is, and boy does she love it. She is quite proud of herself too! It will take a little while to get the hang of it, but we thought she had great coordination for the first try!

Rockin' Out!

Last night I took Joe to the Third Day, Switchfoot, Jars of Clay, and Robert Randolph and the Family Band concert as his birthday present. It was so much fun, very loud - but fun. Since the concert wasn't very full we got to move up closer which was nice. Jars of Clay wasn't that great, but Switchfoot was really good. The Family Band was neat, Robert Randolph plays a steel guitar so it was a lot of neat music, but not really singing.

Third Day was of course the hit of the night. They are so amazing and did some good old songs for those of us that have been around awhile. We were talking about how each of their songs so clearly gives the message of God's love for us. It was like a huge worship service. We had a great time, and can finally hear again today!

Jars of Clay

Switchfoot

Third Day

The whole gang

Beautiful Girls

I find myself just stopping and praising God for my wonderful girls lately. They both bring so much joy to my life and I am so blessed that they call me mom!

How could you not love this face first thing in the morning? Doesn't she look like Joe here?
" Oh Mommy - you've been holding out on me, this is the best teething ring ever!"
" Don't know where I'm headed, but I'm prepared, heels and all!"

Family Treasures

Growing up my Great Aunt Martha(said Matha) was a very special person to me. For as long as I can remember, she made me feel like the most special person in the world. She and my Uncle Robert were more like Grandparents than an Aunt and Uncle. They didn't have any grandkids of their own so they gladly took us in. They were the kind of people that dump the whole cereal box out just to find the toy at the bottom, let you go slip n sliding in your underwear, and played every game in the book with us, and did every craft there was with us. Spending time with them was always a treat and a treasure.

Sadly, they left this world many years ago, but their love made an impact on my life forever. About a year ago, my mom found 6 crosstiches of lighthouses that my Aunt Martha had done many, many years ago. When I saw them, I knew I would love to have them one day. My mom decided that I could have them, and we would get them framed as my Christmas gift last year. After months of shopping around, I finally have them framed and I couldn't be happier with them. There were 6 in all, but framing is very expensive, so I've just done 4 for now.

Lighthouses have a special place in our hearts, and home, but these are so significant because of the hands that made them. I feel so blessed to have a piece of my Aunt Matha's talent in my home. It is surreal to touch something I know her hands were all over. I know one day my girls will understand the impact their Great Great Aunt Matha had on me and I hope we can all learn to be a little bit more like her!

First Day of Pre-K 4

My Little 4 Year Old

Today was Erin's first day back at Preschool and we swear she grew an inch last night. Everytime I look at this girl I see a little less baby, and a lot more little lady. She awoke in a terrific mood ready for a great day. After a little discussion on the outfit of the day, which mommy won, we were ready to go in no time. Her cousin is going to the same preschool on the same days this year so we'll be seeing lots of her and MawMaw at school. Erin walked right into her room, gave her teacher a picture she had colored, and set down to start drawing. Not a single tear or whimper. After a few hugs and kisses we were off!

I feel so blessed to have this wonderful preschool where I feel safe leaving my child and know she is being loved. I can only imagine how much Erin is going to grow this year. Joe and I have also been praying that Erin makes the decision to ask Jesus into her heart this year. She is so ready and has lately been folding her hands and saying spontaneous prayers throughout the day. She is very aware of who God is and how important He is and we know it won't be long before she is ready to make that decision.

On a side note, Anna wasn't thrilled being home alone. She talked a lot in the car and kept looking around at home as if to say, where is that crazy sister of mine? Luckily, it was naptime during most of it!

Erin and Mrs. Mullen

Erin and Samara