You Wouldn't Believe Me If I Told You . . .

. . . so here's a picture!

I had lain Madeline down for a nap and heard her talking to herself a few minutes later. So, I let a few more minutes elapse before I went to check on her-- napping was iffy anyway, because we had spent the afternoon at the Whirligig Festival down town, and she had napped off and on. Anyway, when I went in to check on her this is how I found her. Apparently, she was sitting up and playing or talking and just completely pooped out! Haha. So cute. Don't worry . . . I laid her down.

Lions & Princesses & Pumkins . . . Oh My!

Hannah and Madeline enjoyed dressing up on Wednesday. Hannah (of course) dressed as "Cinderbrella," and I squeezed Madeline into Hannah's old Lion costume (size 6-12 months-- Madeline wears mostly 12-18 or 18 month clothing). Oh what we make our children do for our enjoyment-- haha. We also had a lot of fun carving our pumpkins from the farm. Daddy did a great job of making Madeline's pumpkin look like her-- passy and all!


Our pumpkin aliases. After carving two pumpkins for the girls, Daddy let me have my way with his pumpkin-- hence the Dum Dum hair and goatee!

T-Shirts & Tea Parties

We are still having fun and experiencing some normalcy in the midst of our home improvements and "moving in work." I recently took some time out for a fun fall project with Hannah. She helped me make candy corn/first initial T-shirts for Madeline and herself. We are also enjoying our new deck and back yard. Hannah had a tea party with her baby dolls on Saturday. She served whole wheat goldfish and water. Quite healthy, but I prefer parties with chocolate and coffee!!!




Hannah, Rosie, and baby Chou Chou enjoy a tea party alfresco.

Hannah enjoyed two birthday celebrations. On Wednesday (her actual birthday), Mommy and Daddy took Hannah to Dick's Hot Dogs (per her request) for lunch. After lunch, Hannah and I decorated some very girly princess cupcakes. When Daddy returned home from work, Hannah received her birthday present-- a Disney princess bicycle with training wheels (which, we are still learning to ride). Our first birthday celebration concluded after our Wednesday night church service, when our family sang happy birthday to Hannah and enjoyed cupcakes.




Birthday celebration number two took place over the weekend. Jonathan's family came to visit, because Hannah really wanted her cousins to be at her "birthday party." It was also a nice time for our family to take a 36 hour respite from our "moving in" work and spend some time as a family. On Saturday, Grandma treated us all to hay rides and pumpkin picking at Dean's farm. Hannah had asked to go, and I thought it would be a fun birthday activity-- plus, I love any opportunity to dress everyone alike for pictures!!! After our very fun trip to Dean's Farm, the men watched football, the children slept, Kim and Ruth Ann did some yard work, and I decorated the infamous and highly anticipated "Cinderella's Castle" cake-- which was completely devoured a few hours later. The Childers joined us for Hannah's birthday party, as the party would not be complete without Hannah's "bestest friend" Karis present.




Jonathan and I enjoyed spending the week reflecting on the last three years. Of course we are amazed by how quickly they have come and gone, but we are even more overwhelmed by God's goodness. We are eternally grateful for the gift of our children and the joy, laughter, spiritual growth, and blessings that come with parenting.

Carolina Girls

While we affectionately call North Carolina home, we will always have immense pride for South Carolina-- especially when it comes to our Fighting Gamecocks!!! Our girls proudly sported their Gamecock gear, after Carolina (now ranked number 6!) beat UNC on Saturday. Sorry Tarheel friends . . . WE are Carolina!!!

Not so sure what is happening in this picture?!?!? Maybe they're trying to intimidate the Tarheels.

Does it get much cuter than this?

Sliding.

Enjoying our new backyard.

1,2, . . .3!!!!

First Birthday


Second Birthday


Third Birthday

Happy Birthday Hannah Banana!!! We love you so much! You are a blessing from God to us.