Missing our first girl

Today marks Ava's 3rd birthday.  Jas and the boys made me some cards and the tears instantly came.  I'm so glad we're in this together.

Dearest Ava, we do all miss you and we do all love you.  We know you are exactly where you are supposed to be, we just don't like being apart.  Someday our family will all be together again like in this picture and it's going to be amazing!  We love you so very much and not a day goes by that we don't think about you and wonder what life would be like with you here...

She's 2!

I cannot believe how fast the past 2 years have flown.  I can, however, believe that Livi is 2.  She acts every bit of it- and has for several months!  She is all girl and we are loving that.  We had a wonderful day with her yesterday.  She brings such joy to our home!  We love you, Livi Lou, happy birthday!

Merry Christmas!

A little Christmas miracle from our family... a photo with everyone looking at the camera the first time!  It's been a great one here- we're so thankful for God's blessings in our life and look forward to 2012!

Happy Halloween!

 

 

I know that last picture is blurry, but I thought it was so cute.  The Little Miss figured out what trick-or-treating was all about real quick.  She wouldn't say "trick-or-treat," she'd just peer into the bowl of candy, choose one (or two, or three- by the end of the night when she was very comfortable) and say, "Dank Doo!"  The girlie Tigger stole some hearts- and got extra candy because of the cute factor. 

The boys loved trick-or-treating.  It was our first year- most years we've gone to our church's Trunk-or-Treat.  It was really fun to spend time in our neighborhood and get to meet some of the neighbors. 

Can't believe it's November!

What's new...

  This not-so-little one has been playing baseball...

 

  

And this little one is learning lots...

 Like how much she loves to go down a "whee,"

 ...how challenging it is to walk in high heels,

  

 and how cute and fun piggy tails are!

 

And this middle-little one is sporting some new glasses...

 

And enjoying seeing the world in a new way!

Happy Summer!

One

Our baby turned one on the 8th...

 The cake and cupcakes were so girlie... (yea! we love having a girl in the house)

 There were plenty of gifts...

 Lots of friends...

An ample amount of help opening gifts...

 There was the traditional singing of "Happy Birthday!"

 And a complete meltdown!

 I don't know if it was all the attention, but she did not want anything to do with her cake.  Even a little bit of icing wasn't encouraging her to dig in!

 So, after everyone else enjoyed their cupcakes, Livi decided she might give one a try...

 And she really liked it!

 Of course, everyone knows that cake is best with milk...

 Thanks for the kitchen, Mima and Papa- Livi and her brothers love it!

 

At one year, you are a dainty 19 lbs, but you are 31 inches tall!  The doctor tells us you are on your way to being a "tall, slender, girl!"  You have 3.5 teeth and you are using several signs (more, all finished, night-night) and you have learned to say "cracker," "thank you," "daddy," "hi," "bye-bye," "more," and "night-night."  Every morning when I walk into your room, you reach up from your crib and say, "hiiiiieeee!"  You love to sing and you adore your baby dolls.  You have a special bond with your brothers, and Noah (in particular) always makes you laugh and smile.  You are a momma's girl through and through, but you have so much fun with your daddy.   I cannot believe how fast this year has gone.  We are so happy to have you with us, sweet baby girl.  Happy Birthday, Olivia Marie!  We love you so much!

Tradition

 We started a Christmas tradition the year Noah was born... having the kids' picture taken with Santa.  Let's take a look back...

2004-It started out great.  Noah was so happy! What a great tradition we've begun!

2005- Jonah was content, but Noah wanted out of there!  The tears begin!

 

2006- Jonah is still content, and Noah is giving it a noble try, but the tears are right on the edge.

2007- They both cried...

And why did Santa think hugging them so tightly would make things better?

2008- They said they wanted to see Santa, but the tears still came by the time they were in his lap...

At this point, I realized that someday I'll most likely be paying for some counseling to help them get over the Santa trauma I have repeatedly caused!

 

2009- They wanted to see Santa again.  Noah went with his list ready, and although they were apprehensive, there were no tears!  Maybe this really is an ok tradition, after all!

So here we are, Christmas 2010, and the boys both were asking repeatedly to go see Santa.  They had their lists ready and I had my camera ready (you see, I had not paid the "Santa people" for the professional pictures since Noah was a baby-  I preferred to have my own digital copy without paying $30 for it).  So, last Monday we headed to the mall to see Santa...

Santa asked us to wait until the photographer was ready before we put Olivia on his lap.  Little did Santa know that I was not planning on paying the photographer.  I was just snapping my own photos (this year they limited you to only two photos from designated {aka far away} place if you were using your own camera).  Yes, it is a scam.

Olivia started our tradition all over again... the crying in Santa's lap tradition, that is...

Then, the professional photographer says, "Do you mind if I take a picture, as well?"  I laughed and said, "Of course."  I knew that I wasn't paying money for a photo of my baby screaming on Santa's lap.  The photographer immediately brought out a huge string of jingle bells, shook them and yelled, "Smile!"  He showed me the picture he got...

And yes, I paid $15 for one 5x7 photo of my baby girl not screaming in Santa's lap.  Jason says I'm a sucker... I say, yes, I am... a sucker for tradition!  Merry Christmas!