BOO!!!

Ella took her job as a cat very seriously.

Cutest pink bunny on the planet

Annual pumpkin carving at my parents' house with the cousins

See, we are alive!

Piper, cookin in her pink shades, just like mama.
Ella, posing with her "kissing hand" she made in Kindergarten.
Ella's apprentice, "I can pose with the curtains, too!"

Lake time!

Ella let Ms. Wanda pull out her first tooth! If you come within 20 feet of Ella, she will tell you all about it, she's a bit excited!
Piper and her cousin, Reed, digging a hole to China.
Yep, that's my mom on the ZIP Line!
Ella had a lot of firsts yesterday...1st time on a Zip Line, lost her first tooth, first time on a jet ski, first time on a go-cart...can you see how proud she is of her little self???
Ready for the parade

We had a great time at the lake yesterday, an annual 4th of July tradition. The kids played all day long, and I got to visit with friends I grew up with and be with my family. The only thing I would've changed about the day was the amount of time I spent sweating. Hunter got to ride behind the boat on a giant inner tube and a knee board. I love to watch him try new things and love them. He had a blast. All the kids did. They really loved sliding down the Zip Line off of the tree house platform. Ella thinks we should buy a lake house so we can have a Zip Line too. Why didn't I think of that?

I appreciated our time there more than ever, because we didn't get go last year. Part 2 of our Year story coming soon.

Piper says "HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR, Ya'll!"

Because I don't scrapbook...

Piper's big thing right now(21 months old) is dressing herself, or "dressing" herself. She is constantly on the lookout for that special something to complete her look, like this pajama top for her legs or Ella's boots.
or...someone's (whose could they be?) undergarments for her neck and socks for her hands...of course.
And Ella wanted me to take this picture and "put it on the blawg!", that's my girl.

Piper's language is exploding right now and is a constant source of entertainment for us all. She is a very good mimic and the kids to can get her to say almost anything. Ella conducts daily language lessons with her where they go through the entire ABC song, letter by letter, with Piper copying each thing Ella says. Piper has developed a very strong voice when she says things like "STOP!" or "NOOOOO!". This morning she wanted some cereal so I said, "can you get a bowl?" . She looked at me and said "Sure, MOMMEEE!". That cracked me up for some reason, I'm not used to her being able to answer me I guess.

I really hope to be back later, when Ella is at school today, and do some updating to this "blawg" of mine. I've been on a little self imposed vacation and am ready to get back to it!

Never ever give up....

I'm still trying to get a picture of those 3 little munchkins together, why is this such an impossible task?


Taking care of and loving 3 kids...no problem.
Getting them in a picture together, all eyes open, semi-still...impossible.

Thursday at the Park

While Hunter and Ella are away, mommy and Piper play!

Piper had so much fun leading me around the park today. She got to be the big girl, while Hunter and Ella were at school. Though she loves being the little sister, I think she enjoys having some time as the one and only too.

Last night at dinner, Hunter aptly stated: "Piper really has a sense of humor." It's so true. We can see her joining in the family jokes and trying to make us laugh, which she does all the time. I love this age, watching her grow before our eyes. She says new words and phrases each day, and just seems so pleased with herself. I love her little voice, and really just every little thing about her!

I know, enough already!

A little bit o randomness

Piper's new favorite friend, "Dog Dog".
Showing Dog Dog the lights.
I love the smiles where their eyes disappear.
I heard Piper saying "Light! light!", saw this, and ran to get my camera.
Ella says, "Have a good day, ya'll, and you can never really have too much pattern!"

Post Christmas nap, minus the sleep

"Close your eyes, Piper, and pretend you are asleep!"
I love this picture.
"Who needs new toys, pretending to sleep is so much more fun!"

I am way out numbered

We tried a "Chinese Christmas" photo first, but apparently having on these "silk-like" outfits was way too exciting. We've all heard of the toys from China containing lead, but it seems these outfits contained some substance which causes it's wearers to run around the house in circles screaming "HI - YAH!!!"
Ella was the only one in the mood for posing for a Christmas photo, I like this picture of her.
This picture of Diva Piper cracks me up. "I need a sippy cup break, people!!!"
At least Angel and Spotted Dog cooperated.
They came up with this pose and thought they were hilarious. By this point I had already given up.

Want to know what to get your 18 month old for Christmas?

Piper says forget about lead laden toys, how about a wee little cup/chair?

See, it keeps me busy for a long time...
and I feel so proud of myself!

That double chin will disapear once I learn how to photoshop, that is for sure!

Our little turkey

Ella and Mandy

Our weekend, in pictures (it's much quieter this way)

Our pretty pumpkin

neighborhood party, Ella ended up being the "Pass the Pumpkin" champion
Saturday at Grandma's b-day party, scooping out pumpkins with cousins