Christmas is almost here!!!

Around our house we are getting pretty excited about the holidays. 

I JUST started shopping last night.  Sheesh, nothing like waiting until the last minute.  Today I took Katie's Christmas pictures.  It took a little mommy persuasion.  I did her hair, put some sparkle on her eyelids, and pink lip gloss.  Once she felt like a princess I was able to get some pretty pictures! 

Now I can mail out Christmas cards and enjoy time with friends and family. 

Remember Jesus is the reason for this season. 

Pumpkin Festival and My Little Pumpkin!

This past weekend we went to the Hunsader Pumpkin Festival .  It is quite a bit south and takes about 45 minutes to an hour for us to get there.  We went last year with my parents for the first time.  We had such a great time we wanted to go back this year.  Grammy and Pop Pop (my parents) also like the festival. 

Katie always has the best seat! It is a lot of walking for little ones.

This year was fun too.  We had planned on cooler weather, but it was still quite warm.  Okay,..... it was HOT. We ate lunch while watching different dance groups and live music.  I know Katie would have loved to dance with the kids, but she wouldn't do it.  She has been known to have stagefright....ballet recital?  I hope she outgrows that.  We walked through the vendor area and saw a lot of crafts.  It brought back memories of those sewing days with Blue Eyed Baby.  I got some great ideas too! 

The pumpkin patch....or "pile of pumpkins surrounded by screaming kids and parents with cameras" was pure chaos.  We had 4 adults with cameras and one kiddo trying to pick out a pumpkin in a sea of orange.  Katie was so cute as she stacked the pumpkins and carried them around.  We actually got some really cute shots.  This place was swarming with kids.  In one picture I took a kid is literally stepping over Katie!

So crazy, but so worth it!

Enjoy...

Now to pick one of those to print for our fall Katie picture.  No matter how hot or chaotic some moments felt I really enjoy going.  It's a fun day for Katie.  I just hope it is cooler next year. 

Blessing Baby Leah Christy

Born on September 30, 2010

7lbs 15oz

Leah is wearing her christening dress made by her grandmother.  It is gorgeous!

The new family of four.

Big brother and little sister

Today was Leah's dedication.  It was a perfect day; from the beautiful weather to the relaxing time with family.  We all went to church together and went back to baby Leah's house.  We ate a yummy dinner and then yummy cake.  Then we sat around and talked (some slept). I got to hold Leah and so did Katie.  She was thrilled.  She wants a baby to play with so bad (so do I).  After Leah was born Katie asked me if Eli could come over and play.  I told her yes and her response was, "good, then I can play with Leah".  I am so thankful that Katie will have her cousins to play with and grow up with throughout the years. 

God Bless Leah Christy.....

Cousins!

Hugs.....

more hugs...

kisses.....

tickles....

smiles....

giggles....

Need I say more?

Happy Birthday Katie!

On September 21, 2006 our lives were changed forever when God gave us an angel.

Hello Kitty birthday cake

Pretty flower cupcakes

Hello Kitty cookies

Making a wish!

Opening presents

Loving her new puppy. 

Katie had such an amazing 4th birthday party.  Katie LOVES her friends.  She prays for them every night.  It was so special to have all of her friends together for her birthday party! Thank you to everyone who came!

Our Trip to the Aquarium

We went to the aquarium for the first time as a family.  Katie and I had been there many times, but this was Elliot's first trip.  We saw many pretty fish.  We spent a lot of time learning and reading about the animals.  

Katie and mommy

We saw the penguin show too. 

See the turtle?

That is a type of seahorse! So neat to see. 

It was a fun family day!

Rochel's Baby Shower

It's a girl!!!

Sweet cake

Sweet mama

Sweet couple

Sweet family and friends!

We had such a great night of "showering" Rochel with pink stuff for baby girl. 

What Have I Been up to?

Well, I have been a busy lady this summer. And summer is supposed to be relaxing!  Ha! 

I had a party for Willow House and made this!  I had lots of other food too, but this is one of my favorite desserts.  Fruit Pizza.  Mmmm.  Sugar cookie crust, cream cheese frosting (cream cheese and sugar), and fresh fruit!  Easy and delicious! Always a crowd pleaser!

Katie got this fabulous four wheeler that she drives in the house.  Truly, its a little small for her, but she really likes it and it was free!  So, I guess she can keep it until she can't squeeze in it anymore. 

Here's Isaac.  This is my nephew.  He is about 8 months old now.  Pretty cute huh?

I love this pic.  Cute and very expressive. 

Katie truly dodges the camera.  I pick it up and she finds a way to get away.  One day that may change, but for now I'll just take what I can get.  On this day at Rochel's (my SIL) I was taking pictures of the kiddos and she decided she wanted her own moment.  It was a moment, but I got a few pictures.  I think she looks like she is 5 in this picture. 

Eli had such a cute expression I couldn't resist posting this one. Katie (almost 4) and Eli (21 months) play together SO well.  Really they can play for an hour or two and never fight, cry, whine, or fuss.  I am amazed.  I thought it would take another year or so for that to happen.  Katie has continually told me that when she grows up she is going to get married and then have a baby (glad she has the order on that one figured out at the age of 3).  Usually she says she doesn't want to marry anyone, but her daddy (we will sort that out later).  But the other day she said that she would marry Eli.  That's pretty cute, but she can't marry her cousin!

Abuela and her grandkids.  She was able to come by and spend a few hours with the kids. 

It was a good day for everyone. 

Soon, summer will be over.  Katie and I already started PreK4.  She is doing great!  She loves learning and I am so grateful to be home teaching her.  Last week we were working on words that have "ee" in them.  ALL week she showed me words with "ee" in books, on boxes, on signs, and in magazines. She was so disappointed that we don't do school on Saturday and Sunday. Hmmmm. 

Next month Katie turns 4....my baby 4? I am busy planning her Hello Kitty birthday party.  My sister-in-law is having a baby on 9-30 and I am planning her baby shower.  We have lots of birthdays in September including my mom, grandma, and 2 of Katie's good friends.  

Then I start Bible Study Fellowship too!  

WoW!  If you don't see any blog posts in September....you now know why! :)