Fall 2015

Agh!! I have fallen so far behind with my blog. seriously, can't believe it's been close to a year since my last post. I definitely want to keep it up though, as a way to document these precious years at home with the girls, so I am quickly going to do a few posts to recap this past year and bring us up to date!

Last fall was such an exciting time for us! Payton started Pre-k, mommy had her 30th birthday, we took a little vacation with some of our closest friends, and Miss Elin celebrated her 2nd birthday! We were busy, but oh so blessed!

Pre-K was such a great year for Payton. She met some new friends in her class this year and got a new teacher, Ms. Debbie. She has absolutely loved school from the start and had no issues transitioning after the summer! (We have been so blessed in that area with her!) School was a little more focused on curriculum this year, rather than just getting used to being way from home and adjusting to the school routine. Payton has learned all her letter sounds and is sounding out words and learning sight words. We are so proud of her!

Our next big event after starting school, was our trip to Destin with some of our closest friends, the Grabers. We've made it an annual tradition to vacation with them every year, and it is something we so look forward to! We stayed on the beach, enjoyed the sun, swam everyday, and went to dinner of an evening. We love, love, love our time these dear friends!

Shortly after returning from Destin, I celebrated my 30th birthday. Thanks to my closest friends, Lindsay, and Laurna, I was thrown a little surprise party at my parents! This was SO fun, and I felt so blessed and humbled that friends and family of mine would put so much time and effort into making me feel so special! Daddy kept the secret too, so that was a plus!

And last, but certainly not least, our little Elin celebrated her second birthday! Time is passing way too quickly with her. She is seriously the funniest kid, and her laughter and bold personality bring so much joy to our lives. She's definitely got some spunk and keeps us on our toes, but I'm so thankful for her big personality! Just praying for wisdom to steer it in the right direction. We celebrated Elin by throwing another "fall" themed birthday with pumpkin painting, hayrides, hot chocolate, hotdogs, and chili! We have been super lucky with the weather the past 2 years on her party day, which makes things so nice!

This highlights all the main events for our family this past fall. We are still enjoying our new house and meeting new neighbors and church family. Ryan is still in his same position at work and I am more than loving being at home with the girls. So excited for many fun days ahead!

Our big girl on her first day of Pre-K!

 

 

Trip to Destin, FL- Sept. 2015

 

 

Surprise dinner for mommy on her 30th birthday!

 

 SURPRISE!

The 2 greatest friends who planned the whole surprise!

Sisters!

Miss Elin, the morning of her 2nd birthday. Breakfast of choice- chocolate donut with sprinkles!

Happy Birthday, Miss Elin!  You have so many friends and family who love to celebrate you!

 

 Hayride with Papa!

Pumpkin Painting

 

 Enjoying her new rocking chair from Great-grandma Dorothy.

 

 

 

Summer 2015

Its hard to believe that summer 2015 is already in the books. What a great one we had! The girls and I were able to spend many days down at the pool, and we all enjoyed evening walks together and lots of meals outside. Elin was old enough to really enjoy the summer! She loved going swimming and playing at the park.  Payton got a new bike this year and really got good at learning how to ride it.  She also learned how to swim some without her puddle jumper, so that was super exciting!

Ryan and I decided that the girls could each choose one extra activity to do this summer.  Elin enrolled in her first Kimdermusik class. She seemed to really enjoy it! It took her a little bit to warm up to the instructor and the kids, but we definitely saw improvement from week to week. Payton decided that she wanted to do swimming lessons.  I'm glad that she chose this, because she seemed to really benefit from them this time!

In addition to all of this summer fun, we spend a week down at Grandma and Papa's cabin, with them, Aunt Kyla, Uncle Kenny, and Ezra.  We all enjoyed riding the boat and spending time with each other.  Payton was a little fish in the water! Elin still wasn't so sure. She really wanted to get in, because that's what Big Sis was doing, but once in the water, she soon wanted out. So indecisive! Poor girl comes by it honestly. Lol! We started the trip off in St. Louis helping Aunt Kyla move and were able to visit the zoo and the Magic House, which the girls loved!

Shortly after this trip, we celebrated the 4th of July.  Our neighborhood has a parade every year, so the girls enjoyed being a part of that.  We decorated the wagon in fun holiday décor, and enjoyed refreshments with everyone down at the clubhouse.  After the parade, the girls and I did some fun crafts at home, made a flag fruit pizza, and watched the fireworks from our back patio.  It turns out we had a pretty good firework show!  Payton and daddy set off some small fireworks, and Payton really enjoyed the sparklers. 

Payton is now 4 years old and growing up so fast. She is the smartest and sweetest girl, and I hope she always holds on to her kindhearted spirit. She is getting really good at writing her name and can count to 100. Crazy that we are in pre-k this year! Miss Elin is now 22 months. She is really trying to talk. She's starting to say a few small sentences, and it is just so cute! We are starting to enter the strong willed/trouble sharing stage, but I'm thinking having a big sister will help with that some.

Ryan is digging deep into his career. He is now working as the engineering coordination manager, and works SO much! We are definitely proud of what he's doing; however, the late work days can be hard. He does a really good job balancing it all though, and these two little girls definitely adore their daddy!

We are excited for the fall and the cooler weather. Payton has started pre-k, and Elin is in her second music class. There is nothing else I'd rather do than staying busy with the girls and being so involved in their lives. We are blessed!

Family Swim in Kentucky Lake

Elin and Papa Driving the Boat

Payton and Grandma Enjoying a Boat Ride

Mommy and Pay

Enjoying a Week at the Cabin

Miss E and Mommy Enjoying the Boat

Ice cream at the Zoo

St. Louis Zoo Trip

Breakfast at Aunt Kyla's

4th of July Painting

4th of July Baking

Enjoying Snacks after the 4th of July Parade

Watching the Fireworks

 My Little Bakers Making Chocolate Chip Cookies

Making Lemon Muffins for Breakfast

Bike Ride

Miss Pay Showing off her new Bike

Summer Days at the Pool

Picnicking at the Park

We loved having Aunt Kyla Visit

Family Trip to Holiday World

 

Easter 2015

Easter is one of our family's favorite holidays!  We celebrate God's most important gift...a risen Savior!  I feel like as I grow more in my own spiritual walk, the gift of God's love, mercy, and grace seem so great that it's almost impossible to comprehend. As I continue to parent, I am SO thankful for the wisdom He gives as well as the grace he extends in ALL moments!  God has graciously taught me in the moments when I'm feeling like I'm not enough, that it's ok, because even though I"M  not enough,  HE IS ENOUGH. period. What a good feeling that is!!  How blessed we are that God sees us through the eyes of Jesus, his perfect creation!

Easter was so fun this year.  Elin was old enough to enjoy some of the activities.  We colored eggs, and had an egg hunt at Grandma Kelly's and Papa John's.  With Payton being 4 this year, she is understanding more about the Easter story.  In addition to what we have taught at home and what she has learned at church, her preschool really puts the true meaning of Easter as the heart of their curriculum during the spring.  We were excited to attend her Easter party at school, and Elin enjoyed being with sissy and her friends at school for the day!  Holidays are such a fun time for our family, and how blessed we are to have celebrated another Easter together!