Addison Jo Is Five (**gulp, tear)

The day after our Addi was born Dylan and I brought her home. We walked into our kitchen with her tiny self all bundled up and asleep, Dylan set the car seat on the table. We stood there looking at our baby daughter. Several minutes of silence went by, then I uttered, "Now what?!" It was so surreal for many days. We were parents. We had a perfect, little daughter who depended on us completely.  Did we know what we were doing? Heck no. But we loved her, she was ours and we would figure it out together. She made the transition into parenthood so easy on us. She was a quiet, happy, easy-to-please baby and after a few short days she was sleeping through the night. We knew she was made exactly for us! 

Our Addison Jo was a dream come true and everyday is better because of her.

Addi, 1 day old. Wrapped in the same pink blanket I was brought home in.

Our chunky bundle of giggle turned into a a spunky, bright, happy girl. Everyday she makes us laugh, teaches us something new and continues to challenge us to be better people. I know I say this every year and with each passing year I will say it, but I cannot believe she is already five. Where has the time gone? She is a beautiful child with a big heart. She cares for every person and living thing in her life with so much energy it is contagious. She is so emotionally mature. She understand things with the maturity of a much, much older person. She is so full of joy and compassion. She is always positive and sees the beauty in everything. She wakes up with the same smile she goes to sleep with. Even though it can be challenging now, I really admire how hard-headed and stubborn she is. She knows herself and what she wants and has several arguments to back herself up. Be prepared for a thoughtful debate if you try and tell her differently! She needs order, structure and a full explanation of what to expect. If she isn't surprised, she remains the same easy-to-please little baby we brought home. 

Dear Addison, 

Happy 5th Birthday my sweet love. I love you so, so much. You will never know how my heart melts every time you hug me and ask to cuddle with me. No matter how many birthdays you have (since you will not allow me to cancel them!) you will always be my baby girl.  You make me so happy. Your beauty and compassion is soul deep and I am so proud of you. Always remain confident in your self, it is a special quality. Please continue to respectfully fight to protect what is important to you. I love you honey. 

All my love,

Your Mama

Two Mermaids and A Pumpkin

Our house was full of Halloween spirit. It was extra special because our Sara, Ellie and Papa were there.  Every meal for two days was full of ghoulish character. A large spider and her babies took up residence in our stairwell and black and orange streamers set the mood in the kitchen. Many pumpkin faces and pumpkin Ariel sat outside our door inviting ghouls and goblins of all sizes to a bowl of candy.

Ghosts for breakfast!

We started our day at Addi’s preschool. Addi’s teacher invited Ellie back on Halloween to participate in their party. We all dressed up! Sara of course was a vampire and I dressed up as Papa. It was so funny. My dad said, “You know I am a person, not a character to dress up as!” Well, the girls appreciated it and even called me 'the other Papa' all day! We helped the kids with themed crafts and projects and then walked with them to the nursing home where the kids had prepared Halloween songs to sing to the residents.

Since I hung Landon’s costume in his closet two weeks ago he has wanted to wear it every day. When I finally got it out and put him in it he was so, so proud. When I would ask him where my little pumpkin was he would pat on his round pumpkin belly and smile.

After school we carved our pumpkins that we picked out at the pumpkin patch earlier in the week.

Trick-or-treating was a blast. The girls walked to a couple of our neighbor’s houses all by themselves. They were so proud skipping along holding hands. After dinner we went all went trick-or-treating. An old lady gave the girls a package of Top Ramen. Instantly Addi ran to Papa, slammed the ramen against his chest and said, “Papa’s favorite soup!” Ellie eventually forgave me for running behind a dark bush and scarring her and Addi just as they got up their brave to walk along the spooky, dark path. With a big hug, I apologized and she said, “I forgive you Auntie. It was just a trick.” Uncle Dylan tracked down the special house that was rumored to hand out cotton candy. It was the last house, the icing on the cake. Instead of saying trick-or-treat, with great excitement Ellie yelled to the man, “cotton candy!” The girls had a blast and quickly filled their candy bags. They literally ran to each house careful not to trip on their mermaid tails. Ellie, being less reluctant than Addi, rang the doorbells and pounded on the door until someone answered. She yelled, “Hello. Is anybody home?” She wasn’t leaving until someone gave her some candy! At one house where no one answered Addi snuck behind Ellie and dropped some candy on the stair and said, “Look Ellie, there is some candy for you. “ She is always looking after her best little cousin.

Checking out the loot.

The kids mixing up a pumpkin potion!

First Steps

Landon is walking ... if you make him! Landon will take up to five steps in a row if properly bribed.  He has been standing and walking along the furniture for a few months now, but has shown no interest in walking on his own. Then Auntie Sara came to town and she motivated him with her cell phone and M&Ms. He will confidently take two or three steps in a row and has taken five big steps! He knows what we want him to do and is so silly on purpose when he falls to the floor giggling.

When he stands he puts his hands up above his head and waits for you to notice and say, "Soooo big!" Then he laughs and falls to the ground!

{ will insert video once corrupted QuickTime is fixed :( }

Ellie is FOUR!

Today our sweet niece, Ellie Marie, turned four.  She is such a joy to be around. Her smile lights up my world and the day she was born was one of the most special days of my life. Her sweet and sassy personality is hilarious. She is so funny and without knowing it makes everyone around her belly laugh.

It was Ellie's day and she told us what she wanted to do. We went to the pumpkin patch and the carousel.  We went out to lunch and played in Papa's leaves. We had a spaghetti dinner with Granny. Ellie blew out her candles on tiny, little birthday cupcakes, opened her presents and played in a pile of balloons while singing songs to Papa's guitar.

The trick candles kept re-lighting! Even Landon was helping to blow out the candles!

Kisses from her horse-head-on-a-stick that Addi got her!

At The Pumpkin Patch

As part of Ellie's birthday celebration we visited the pumpkin patch.  It was cold and wet but the kids and Papa had a great time choosing their pumpkins!

I am still not allowing myself to use auto mode. I am struggling with being able to change my camera settings fast enough to keep up with the kids. Because Landon isn't running around yet, I find it easier to photograph him!

{Landon Wayne, 15 months old}

"This." 

{Addison Jo, 4 years, 11 months, 22 days old, that's right she turns 5 in a week!}

{Ellie Marie, 4th Birthday!}

So I had to kindly steal some of sister's pictures!

In Papa's Leaves

When Papa cleans up his yard he always leaves a huge pile of leaves for the girls to play in. With giant smiles on their faces and with handfuls of snow soaked leaves Addi and Ellie chased us around the yard. What is more fun than a giant leaf fight?

Ellie getting me! Sara's Picture

Sara's Picture

Sara's Picture