Final Days of Pregnancy with Owen

As the final days of being pregnant are approaching, I decided I better get some pictures. I attempted to take them myself, a personal first for me! They aren't great, but they serve their purpose! Only a couple weeks left!....sigh!

37 + weeks

My first attempt at a belly shot!

This didn't turn out like I wanted it to, but impatient toddlers wouldn't let me mess with shadow settings so here ya go, a huge belly with a shadow! My 3 kids!

This is what happens when you let a 4 year old girl take your picture!...you get to be a princess!

Holy cow!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Happy Birthday Lauren! Today you turned 4 years old. You have grown up way too fast! I love how inquisitive you have become lately. With a new baby brother on his way, you have some pretty interesting questions. You play so well with the brother you already have that I know you will be an even better big sister to Owen. This year you are going to a 1/2 day of preschool 4 days a week. I will miss you, but you are so excited to ride the bus and meet new friends. You are so smart. You know your colors, number up to about 15, and you draw really well. Some things you like to draw are animals, houses, and people. We love it when you draw for us! You still enjoy playing dress up, dolls, store, librarian, office...ect. You ask me to sing you a song every night before you go to sleep. I love to sing to you. You are allllll girl! You love pink. I believe that is still your favorite color. You love to cook with mommy. Your favorite thing to help mommy cook is cookies! And something you love even better than making them, is eating them afterwards! You have such a sweet tooth! You don't need anymore sweets because you are already a really sweet girl! I love you so much and look forward to watching you throughout the next year! Happy Birthday sweetheart!

Our new 4 year old

August 21, 2009

Daddy got to wake up the birthday girl

Good morning princess!

A family tradition passed down is to make colored pancakes for birthday breakfasts

Another family tradition is to write on mirrors with lipstick and soap

A Barbie!

The lifeguard is too busy getting dressed that he doesnt realize the girls in the pool are drowning!

Why must they always be undressed?

Lauren helped make her own birthday cake

Lauren chose to make chocolate cake with pink icing and princesses on top!

Nolan had permission to get messy!...a rare occasion!

We rolled out our own dough to make personal pan pizzas

Lauren putting finishing touches on all the pizzas

Lauren enjoying her new Tinker Bell bedding she opened right before bed.

Missouri State Fair 2009

Last week we went to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. We had a good time. The weather was surprisingly perfect. Normally when you think about going to a fair you thing about being miserably hot, but not this year! The kids didn't go on many rides because they were too small for most of them. We did find a couple they were able to ride. Both Joe and I decided that the fair will be much more fun when our kids are all older. It would definitley make the money you pay more worth it! Fairs are so expensive...holy cow! We had some really good food and that's what really matters I guess! To me it is!...haha! I tag along for the greasy corndogs!

"What a Beautiful Mess"

As I walked into the living room a little bit ago this is the mess I came upon. I couldn't help but smile when I heard the music playing in the background on my computer. It was Diamond Rio's "What a Beautiful Mess!" I love that song, but how appropriate for this situation. I love my life...messes and all! I have heard from so many people that have raised children to leave the messes and just enjoy them as much as you can. This was one of those moments. Even with all my nesting tendencies lately, the mess still remains! We will get to it eventually!

Lauren and Nolan: Inseparable

I love how well Lauren and Nolan get along. They love playing with one another! As they get older I can see them treating each other like real siblings!...you know they love each other, then 5 minutes later they hate each other....then they love each other...then before you know it they are fighting again about something! Nolan can't really fight yet, but he sure is picking up some defense mechanisms from his sister! I keep telling her that she better be nice because pretty soon he is going to learn to fight back and he will not hold back! She will learn! I love each of these pictures. They are a few of many that I have of the two of them. I hope they will love Owen just as much as they love each other. This is the part that is so rewarding about raising children!

Lauren caught a fish...Nolan did too shortly after

Nolan helping Lauren out

At Mamaw and Papaw's petting Maddie

The house got quiet so I went to see why!...this is what I found

Walking into church

I love my two toddlers!

Independence Day 2009

Our 4th this year was fun! We went to the base lake like usual and watched fireworks. Our neighbors came over for a barbecue before and then we headed for the base lake for music/karaoke before the show. The kids enjoyed themselves running around and finding dirty things to play with. Since it had just rained, the frogs were out! Yuck! Nolan followed them around...he got pretty close to the road at times...we had to keep a close eye on him! The fireworks show was great, like it is every year. The rain almost ruined the night, but it left us a short slot so we could celebrate our country's independence!

Rusty (our neighbor) trying to get Lauren to kiss the frog!

Bleh! Petting frogs is gross!

Joe is always so good at taking pictures of fireworks

The kids passing the football

Me and my babies. Owen is under there somewhere too!