Catching Up

I have slacked with my updates and with pictures.  I take my camera everywhere and then just don't remember to get it out.  I think my excuse is that I'm just busy with what's going on and don't remember to go grab it.  I NEED to get better :)!  The reason I do this blog is for me and our family to be able to have a "journal/scrapbook" of our life and it's not as fun without having pictures to remember things and look back on.

Well the girls had their second day of KDO a couple weeks ago.  They did great!  They just walk right in and start playing. I'm so glad they enjoy their time there and it's been good for me too.

A couple weekends ago we went home to my parents where we met up with my sister and her family and my brother (his wife was working and couldn't join us) to celebrate my dad's birthday.  The 3 of us kids decided to cook him a big meal with some of his favorite things.  This was a first for us, HA!  Julie did the main dish which was fried chicken and also some scalloped corn, and green beans, Jack did fried potatoes, and I made the dessert.  My first attempt at a homemade cherry pie, and then our favorite, apple dumplings.  It all turned out great!  It was a quick trip home but it was great being with all my family.  I think my dad had a great birthday, we love you dad/grandpa!!

 Both the girls figured out how to climb this ladder and slide down the slide all by themselves.  I would consider this a 'big kid swing set' so I was surprised.  Of course we were right behind them while they climbed :)! Getting so big, my sweet girls!

 That following Sunday was the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.  I can't believe it has been 10yrs.  I will always remember that day.  I was a Senior in High School and it was the end of 1st period, which was math for me.  My best friend Whitney was sitting next to me when we heard the announcement over the intercom from our principal Mr. White.  We were confused and didn't really know what had happened and at the time thought it was just some crazy accident.  When I got to my second period, Mr. Bradley for Physics, he had the tv on and we all just sat there watching, and saw the 2nd plane hit.  I don't remember much else about school that day except we pretty much just watched it all on TV.  I do remember that after we got out that one of my friends and I went to get gas and we sat in line for around an hour and the price of gas went way up.  My heart hurts for all the people that lost loved ones, but I'm so thankful we serve a BIG God and that He is a faithful and merciful God who loves us so much!

Last week I started a new bible study at church.  I am really enjoying it so far.  There are only 4 of us so that will be neat for a change.  I'm used to being in a big group.
Also last week the girls got the stomach bug for the first time.  It was awful.  Payton woke up around 11pm (WHY must the 'bug' hit at night??) and after 2 bed changes, baths, and pj changes, we decided it was going to be a long night, so we sat on the couch with Payton and a towel as she continued to get sick every 30 minutes.  Parker just got sick one time so we were able to put her back to bed around 1am and she slept the rest of the night.  It was just so sad.  So of course they had to miss KDO the next day and I spent the day cuddling sickly babies and clorox-ing the entire house :)!

Last Friday one of my sweet friends, Rachel, came over to the house while the girls napped so we could catch up.  I enjoy our time together!
That night we were supposed to use FNO, but since the girls had been sick I didn't want to get them around anyone, so we asked our sitters Dia and Claire if they would sit for us.  We went out with Jason and Katie to Mojitos, love us some Mexican, and then we were supposed to go see Seven Years in Utopia, but when we got to the Theater it wasn't showing there anymore :(.  So we went to plan B!  We got some dessert at Cherry Berry,yum, and went to their house to play cards!  We hardly ever get to play cards with friends anymore so it was fun!

Monday night we had a Sprinkle Shower for Abby at Panera Bread.  It was just a girls night, so I had a lot of fun visiting and laughing with everyone!  I'm so excited to meet baby boy Milbrodt in just a few short weeks and to find out his name (they are keeping it a surprise until he gets here)!
Just a few random iPhone pics:

 Parker in her cute pig tails :)!  They LOVE to wear my shoes around the house!

 I caught them the other day just sitting in the corner of the kitchen giving each other hugs!  I hope and pray they are always the best of friends!

They had a check up at the dr., and while we waited they played 'ring around the rosies', their new favorite game :)! 

Labor Day Lake Day!

Our friends Jason and Katie invited us to go out on the lake Labor day, and I can't think of a better way to spend the day and celebrate the end of summer.  I'm not ready for summer to be over yet, but I do love fall!
We woke up to some pretty cool weather!  It was so windy and in the low 60s.  I was thinking "we are crazy to be going out on the lake", but I knew it would be a fun time no matter what! 
Once we got to the lake we met up with some other friends, the Coleman's, who were joining us!  I thought it might be crazy with 5 kids, 4 under the age of 2, but they were all so good!!  It started out a little chilly, but it warmed up nicely and turned out to be such a beautiful day!

 I thought this was so cute, at one point me, Katie, and Helga were at the front of the boat with all the kids and Parker decided to walk to the back of the boat and sit on the wide open bench with her milk and cover herself up with my jacket.  She was just enjoying herself and she looked like such a big girl to me.

 Colson was just content sitting here eating some snacks, sweet boy.

 Parker found one of the Rowe boys sunglasses :)

The four of us at the beginning of the day when it was still a little chilly. 

We had such a fun day with some wonderful friends!  

Labor Day Weekend!

We had a wonderful long Holiday weekend.  Our friend Joe has been doing a month long internship up here and instead of going home this weekend, Amberley and Elsy decided to come up and check out the area in case they move up here.  Friday Amberley and E came over in the afternoon and while the kids napped we got to visit some.  Then once the guys got off work we did a little shopping.  We went to Carters b/c they were having a 50% off everything sale.  I found some cute things.  Then we headed to the mall to run a couple more errands and eat.
Saturday morning the guys went on a bike ride and Ams and I decided to go for a run.  We didn't make it to the trail till 9:30 and by then it was already getting a little warm.  It was a good run, just 4 miles, but man it was a tough run.  Pushing both the girls and with some of those hills, makes for a tough run.  I was glad we did it though!  Good way to start the day.  We then headed downtown to a local place to eat and then went to a fun store on the square.

 I was getting our guest room ready and the Pack n Play set up for Elsy and the girls decided they wanted to play in it.  It kept them entertained for a while, so that was good :)!

 Out to eat at Hammontrees.  Can you tell we are right in the heart of Razorback country?  Pretty much everyone in the restaurant was sporting Hogs gear. 

Amberley and Joe.  Elsy Kate was sleeping in her car seat.

That evening was the first Razorback game.  We decided not to attend the game since it was a late game and we didn't want to take the girls.  I'm sure the grandparents will be taking turns while we attend some games this season.  We went over to Brett and Jodi's house with a few other friends to watch the game.  And by that I mean the girls watched the kids while the guys watched the game ;)!  Thankfully the girls all played well together and so us adults got to visit.  I didn't see one play of the entire game, but we won!  Go Hogs!

 Last time the girls were at Ava's house, she taught them how to play 'ring around the rosy'.  Payton thinks it's the greatest thing :)!

 Micah's bloomers and sweet chunky legs!

Me, Abby, and Jodi

Sunday morning we had a great service at church and then headed home to relax while P&P took their afternoon nap.  Amberley and I did a little shopping during nap time.  While she was up here, she taught me how to make these super cute felt clips for our girls.  There are so many things you can do and make!  I made some 'hogs' ones for game day and then a 'P' one.  The weather had turned SO nice, like low 70s and zero humidity, so we had to take advantage of it.  That evening after dinner we went to the park so the guys could play a little frisbee golf and Ams and I could walk.  The weather was so so nice.

We had a great time with the Futterers this weekend.  I know God has a plan for their lives and I'm thankful that they are trusting Him to lead Joe to a great job.  If it happens to be up here we will be thrilled, but God knows where that perfect place for them will be.

KDO and BDAY!

September 1st was a big day for our girls.  It was their first day of 'school'!  We decided to put the girls in our church's KDO program this year.  They just go one day a week and I think it will be good for them and that they are going to enjoy it!  And even though I missed them and was so ready to pick them up that afternoon, I know it will be good for me too. 

The night before I got their lunches all packed and their backpacks ready to go.  I hope I can continue this the whole year so that I'm not rushing even more in the morning!  Davin decided he wanted to go with me to take the girls to their first day.  I was thankful b/c I wasn't sure how it was all going to work.  I'm so sad b/c I really wanted to document their first day well with lots of pictures.  But, of course I was feeling a little rushed and forgot my camera.  I hope this week I can get more pictures!

The girls went right on in to class and I headed out to get 1,000 things done before 1:45 ;)!  I felt myself getting a little sad as I drove out of the church parking lot.  I think I may always feel this way as each new year of school begins.
That afternoon I had so much to do.  I used to be really organized.  Of course at that time I only worked 3 days a week and no kids, so it was much easier to be organized.  Things have changed a little (for the better) and so I procrastinate too much. 
September 1st, is also Davin's birthday! I had ordered Davin's main bday gift, but of course it wasn't going to get here on his bday, so I wanted to have a few other things for him to open on his day.  We were also having  our 'fam night' that night to celebrate his birthday.  So I had to run around and get some gifts and then get home and clean my house and cook some brownies for dessert that night. 
I was able to get my list done and house clean by 1:40, just in time to go get the girls.  I was so excited to see them.  They did really well.  Parker only slept about 15min, and surprisingly Payton slept for 1 1/2 hrs.  At home they take one nap, from 1:30-4:30/5.  But at KDO they put them down at 11am, I don't get this?!  So I tried to put them down once we got home, but after 45 minutes they were just not going to sleep.  Parker was pretty fussy the rest of the day.  I'm hoping they get used to their KDO schedule or sleep when they get home! 
That night Mandy, Andrew, and Trish all came over, and Joe did too since he was in town.  We celebrated Davin's bday with Pioneer Woman's White Chicken Enchiladas (Oh so yummy!) and dessert.  I think Davin had a great 31st birthday.  He is a wonderful Husband to me and daddy to our girls.  They just adore and love him, and so do I! 

GNO!

Last weekend we had a fellowship with our small group!  I love that our small group gets together often.  We all have children around the same age and so it's fun to get together and let the kids play and adults visit!  This fellowship was a pool party and dinner.  The girls have really been enjoying the pools this summer.  After swimming we had a yummy dinner and then the kids were entertained by Lego's and Papa Wayne (Heather's dad) so the adults were able to sit around the table and visit. 

On Sunday night I attended GNO that our church put on.  Anita Renfroe and Mandisa put on a great performance.  I had seen Anita Renfroe on GMA once, but didn't know much else about her.  And I had watched Mandisa on American Idol and then have listened to her on the radio.  Most of the girls from our small group were able to attend.  We met up to eat at Five Guys and dessert at TCBY before the event.  It was such a fun night with some great friends!

Side note: So Payton and Parker have really been into shoes for a couple months now!  They love to put their shoes on before we leave the house or go outside.  They love to get in my closet and get my shoes to wear around the house.  It is so funny.  They even try to wear my high heels.  I have some flats that have a little heel and so they click when you walk and they just love to wear those around and hear the "click click click".  They have a few pair of their shoes that they can actually put on themselves and so they think they are so 'big' :)!