This is why I haven't been taking many pictures lately...

When we got home from Pinehurst last Sunday, the girls and Aaron took a nap while I stopped by the annual church picnic. We've missed the last several years from being out of town or having a newborn, so it was fun for me to see what all the talk has been about. It was at the Cannon's house, which is one road over from us, and they had a baptism after everyone ate.

Chandler is one of Vivian's friends. She has gorgeous hair!!

You might have noticed from the other pictures, but V got a haircut last week. It was a last-minute decision, we didn't have much to do that day so we pulled in to the place where Aaron gets his hair cut, there was someone available to do it, and we were done in 10 minutes. I like it long, but I also like it short and bouncy like this!

She did well...very serious and still because it was a new experience and she was probably confused.

This weekend we have been in Pinehurst, NC, visiting my grandparents. Aaron was invited to go on a golf trip, and he played two rounds each day (Friday and Saturday), so we didn't see him much. But we got to spend a lot of time with Granddaddy and Grandma Carolyn! We stayed busy the whole time. Kate wasn't completely herself...she struggled with a bad cold, but everyone slept well and rode well in the car both ways and loved on their great-grandparents a lot.

Thanks for having us!

At breakfast this morning Vivian was staring out the window, so I asked her what she was seeing.

V: I see birds in the window.
Me: What else?
V: I see squirrels in the window.
Me: What else?
V: I see Bambi in the window.

Ha!!

Another funny thing from Vivian: the other night when Aaron was putting her to bed, he asked her what she was going to dream about. She said, "Strawberry ice cream (with) Papa." Sweet dreams, baby!

Vivian has always loved to look at books and be read to, but it seems lately it has intensified. She gets her hands on a book whenever possible when we're at home. She would do it for hours in her room at home if I let her. !!! On Sunday I peeked in on her in the nursery, and she was in the corner reading all the books one by one by herself.

And now it looks like we have one following in her footsteps:

In the last couple of weeks, Kate has become interested in playing with books. Right now it's just because she likes turning the pages. It keeps her entertained for a long time! We'll see if she will be as enamored as her sister in the future.

Here is Vivian pretending to get ready for a nap: she found this blanket to put over her and she's got her book...she's good to go!

There have been a couple of times when V has tried to get me to leave her alone so she could read more. The two I can remember: "Mommy give Kate milk, Vivian read books." and "Mommy go take shower, Vivian read books." :) Maybe this is just a phase!?

We had so much fun at our pool party on Saturday! We invited lots of friends to come celebrate Kate'e birthday with a fun swim day. There are so many pictures...it might take a few minutes to look at them all, and I will understand if only those whose kids were being photographed look at them all!
There are only a few pictures with captions. All other pictures are self-explanatory!
Kate is such a gift to us. It was a pleasure and privilege to celebrate her first year together. She is a joy to love!



There are some awesome pictures of the kids...if they are your kids, you have Carissa to thank! She used my camera and her lens to capture the party fun and sweet baby faces.

Last night we had a surprise dinner party for Stephen, who is leaving today to live in New Jersey for at least the next 3 years. He is going to Seton Hall Law School. We are very happy for him...good luck, Stephen! Everyone is listening to Aaron tell the story of how the cashier at Sam's insisted on giving him this cake for free because the writing on it was so unattractive.

Vivian asked Papa to keep writing words with chalk on the concrete. Her dress was taken off because we had BBQ chicken wings as an appetizer (Aaron grilled steaks for dinner...awesome).

August 2009
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January 2010

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March

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May

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August 5th 2010

These pictures aren't great, but here is the growth chart that I made for the girls. I wanted to do it for Vivian's birthday but didn't have time, so I made sure to finish it this week for Kate's birthday. It will go in V's room (which will be Kate's room next year, too). I am not creative or crafty by nature, so I need some advice about how to improve what I've done. There is extra space at the top where I stopped the vine too soon. Should I fill the space with more flowers (maybe yellow?) or should I try to write/stencil some cute "title" for the chart?

Okay, on how to measure the girls: my original idea is shown here...taping their picture at the time I've measured them at the mark where their height is. I don't think this is going to work. First of all, the pictures might be too big and take up too much space. Second, if I measure them each year, Kate's picture is probably always going to cover Vivian's previous year picture because she will be at that same height...does that make sense? So what's a good way to indicate where they measure? I also need an idea of how to make their age known. Stephen said I should make another chart so they have their own, but I don't know if I'm up to it :)

I'm not sure if I did the right thing by outlining the pot and vine with black paint pen, but now that I've done it, should I also make lines inside the leaves?

I am asking a lot of questions. If you think it's too much to answer in a blog comment, email me or talk to me about it next time you see me please!

Thanks to my super-hubby for sanding the board, priming it, and drilling the holes for the flowers :)