Hangin with his cousins!

Both staring at each other - so sweet!

He was supposed to be taking a nap

and this is what I found - notice the blinds too!

Looking over the bridge

All the Cousins at the Riverwalk

Sneaky Andrew tried stealing Morgan's slush

while I was trying to get a group shot! Tricky Boy!

HAPPY GIRL!

Andrew LOVES Buzz!

The look on Claire's face is priceless!

I had my nieces and nephew over for a few days and Andrew LOVED it! They definitely wore him out. He was so happy to have 3 BIG kids to play with from the time he woke up to the time we made him go to bed. It was fun to spend time with them all.

God's Grace ~ Hannah Grace

When parents find out they are pregnant all they think and pray about is for a healthy baby. Once that beautiful miracle has finally arrived you breathe a sigh of relief for their health. You dont realize while your pregnant that their sweet birth is only the beginning of endless worry.

I'm writing this post to share an incredibly inspiring yet heartbreaking story of a girl I used to teach with. Her 4 year old daughter is dying as we speak of brain cancer. I cannot think of anyway to help or even console except to share her daughters story with those I love. I do not know why, I cannot find answers in my heart. The one thing I do know is this little girl and her family have inspired many through their faith in God and impeccable strength! I sit here in tears just thinking if it were my children and just hug and kiss my babies a little tighter and longer. We take so much for granted. Hannah Grace and her family will be in my prayers and my heart. If you would like to visit their website to read more of her story - here is her link. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahgraceharrison/journal?jid=5859308

So in honor of Hannah Grace ~ just stop, take a moment, and breathe in your life and countless blessings!

You've Got A Friend In Me!

This should be the anthem for our summer! Andrew is obsessed with the movies, toys, and especially Buzz! We watch one of the movies every night before bed and he quotes the movies throughout the day. It's so fun to watch him play using his imagination.

He fell asleep on the way home

with his new squirt gun

Claire had her 2 month check up today and it went great! When he put her on her tummy to see how strong her head was his eyes got huge and said, "Oh my goodness, she is freakishly strong! I can't believe how strong she is!" I explained it's just part of her survival since she constantly has her big brother petting her! Little Miss Piggy has gained over 2 lbs in the last month and now weighs 12.14 lbs (93%), and is 23.3 in (82%)! She's not feeling her best after her immunizations so hepefully she'll perk up tomorrow. I almost forgot to mention that she's basically sleeping through the night - she'll go to bed about 10 and wake up between 5 & 6!!! Since Andrew didn't do this until he was 1 ~ we are soooo happy!!!!

Her new outfit from the Maddens

Before our big anniversary date ;)

8 Weeks & She's All Smiles!!!

Staring at Andrew

BFF's Already :)

Claire is changing by the second! Her smiles and coo's are contagious and Andrew is becoming more protective and concerned over her by the day. It's fun to watch her stare and giggle into her big brother's eyes as Andrew mimics our baby talk to Claire. Yesterday Claire spit up and Andrew sympathetically says, " Oh she puked, poor baby girl" or he'll look her in the eyes and with his high pitch voice say, "Hi blue eyes!"It melts my heart every time. Then we have him walking around with a baby doll to his chest with his shirt pulled up, "shes hungry". Hilarious!! Although the temper tantrums are challenging, I LOVE this age!

A Week of Catching Up

Me and my Momma

Trying to figure out how this is fishing

Focusing on Ashley

Sitting nice with Grandpa

Ashley (she wa such a big help too)

What a handsome boy

Bathing Beauty

Swimming to Grandma

A Quick cuddle with Danelle

Last week started with meeting up with one of my best friends from elementary school and her family. I havent seen her since Andrews baby shower 2 years ago, so it was time to catch up!!!Then Thursday, my best friend from college came up from VA to spend a little time playing with the kids, I havent seen her since the shower either!! It was great to catch up with old friends - Im so lucky to have them :) Friday the kids and I packed up with my parents and headed to Hayward, WI for a wedding. We had a blast, but boy am I exhausted. Thank God for my parents help with the kids because I wouldnt of been able to handle it by myself. This week should be pretty quiet, but Aaron and I celebrate our 6 year anniversary on Saturday!!! Holy moly, time flies - even harder to beleive weve been together for 10 years!!

6 Weeks Old

Her new outfit from The Maddens

Goofball
Cooling off from being outside

I can hear her screaming in her head - "Get OFF of me!!"

My Sunshine

Ashley made this sign for us - Aaron had one literally torn off a cardboard box when he was a baby and I loved the idea! Soooo, she made a cutesy one for her (My Mom made one for Andrew)

Playing nice with Dakota (we're dog sitting

Passing the time by playing with the iPhones

Claire Bear, little cupcake, tiny dancer .....

is 6 weeks old!
We had a great week. Before I know it I will be back to work crying that I have to leave my babies :( It's never going to get easy!!!

4th of July Part 2

Quick snap shots before we were all sweaty

Boy does she looks like Andrew in this pic!

Stayed long enough to get eaten alive by the skeeters

2 cuddle bugs tired of the heat

Roughin around with Daddy

I am desperately trying to start a family tradition of going to Lisle Eyes To The Skies - a hot air balloon festival over the 4th holiday. I've been defeated for 2 years now - the weather just will not cooperate for the balloons to take off. This year they couldn't even inflate due to the wind! I remember laying on the hill in wonder watching them take off when my Father took us as kids. We still had a great time and Andrew LOVED the live music - and hot lead singer! He was literally in a trance watching her and threw a major temper tantrum when it was time to leave. We got stuck in the rain walking back to the car and got soaked! When we finally made it to the fireworks Andrew decided he didn't want to see them 2 nights in a row and wanted to leave. Soooo, we packed up and headed home. One of my favorite days of the year cut short to go home and cuddle my baby boy - it was a great day!

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