The Girls

These are a few shots from this last week at our house...

M at 3.5 years old

Lovely

Happy E

Happy E with food hanging off her chin

Six-months-pregnant me. M is apparently tightening up my large belly with her trusty Allen wrench.

Hello, E.

Nice mug shots, girls.

M models the amazingly cool red socks Aunt A knit for her. Thank you, A!

M, her socks, and her rockin' ladybug nails (thanks, Julie!)

Love Across the Miles

In early March, we took a trip to visit the extended fam. The girls were rather sick most of the time, but it was still wonderful to be with family. We didn't take many pictures because we were busy running the girls to the doctor here and there, but here are the ones we did manage to snap.

M and her cousins getting artsy

Cousins I and E

E at 18 months

M just a-swingin' with G and L

The two littlest cousins hanging out on the porch

Grammy and E having an ice cream date

"Grammy, you're awesome."

Yummy in the tummy

Miss E

Happy Birthday to Us and Other Winter Happenings

In January, we were invited to celebrate the lovely A's birthday with her at an ice-skating rink. Come on. What a fantastic idea. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. In early February, I had my own birthday celebration. We had some friends over on the evening of my birthday for ice cream and lovely conversation, as well as a bit of a dance party.

The birthday girl and me

My birthday. Thanks for celebrating with me!

Other random winter news...I finally finished and mailed homemade Christmas gifts to the cousins.
Just a month or two late...

M smiling a not-so-genuine smile

A and his winter-camping crew. Unfortunately, the two-night trip that was planned was cut short by zero-degree temperatures and 70-mph winds. Needless to say, I'm glad they came home early.

Sled it Up, Baby

A few weekends ago, we took our first "just us" family vacation. We spent one night (getting crazy, I know) at a friend's condo and had a fabulous time. We went snowshoeing, made snow angels, sat by the fire, and, of course, hit the sledding hills. The girls loved it, and A and I really enjoyed the break from routine. Here is some of the sledding action.

Poor kid. She can't move her arms. But she's warm.

M strikes a similar "I'm so bundled, I can't move" pose.

Ready to roll in mom's sunglasses

Nice run, M.

E takes a turn.

Success!

Eventually, E just started throwing her body down the hill. Very entertaining. Who needs a sled?

Snow babies.

Happy 2009!

2009 has arrived, and I couldn't be happier about it. I just love the clean-slate freshness of a new year. Don't you? I love being all goofy and getting way too excited each New Year's Eve as we all count down to midnight (Dick Clark, I will always love you.) I love how A and I celebrate each January 1st by adding another year to the "years we've known each other" count (now at 9). I love how a new year reminds me of God's daily mercies in my life, new every morning.

To start things out right in 2009, here's a smattering of photos from our annual self-timer family photo shoot. Granted, these photo shoots are one of the few things in life (along with moving large pieces of furniture and navigating unknown roads in the car together) that truly encroach on the wedded bliss between A and me, but we're always glad we go for it and end up giggling. A lot. And asking Jesus to help us get through it. A lot. I love my husband. Much, much more than Dick Clark.

Happy New Year, friends.

All our love,
B for the whole fam (including the newest little one, due to arrive in June!)

The two winning shots.

And some of the others...


And a few more recent shots:E helping prepare a yummy winter dinner

M working it as a cow in the Christmas pageant at church. She thought it was pretty stinking cool to be up there with all the kids, sharing the good news about baby Jesus. She totally nailed her cow lines, and continues to recite them (as well as other kids' lines) in bed after we've said good night.

Checking out the other livestock

Jingle them bells, baby

M and A's creation: Probby the Snowman (Believe it or not, M was the one to name him. M currently has dolls named Doddi, Toddi, DawnPen, Nan, Baby, Groovy, and Fiona, as well as an in-utero brother or sister name Cellpho. I love my daughter. Much, much more than Dick Clark.)