Girl's Beach Trip

 At the beginning of April Denny had to be out of town for 3 weeks in a row. He came home for 1-2 days on the weekend, but that was it! It was a long 3 weeks:) When he told me that, I called my mom and asked her if she wanted to get away part of that time.....so we headed to the beach!

my arms are full and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Anytime you take these girlies anywhere, it's still a lot of work, but it was nice to have a break from the routine. It was a 7 hour road trip, but everyone did quite well! We left around 7am and drove to make it for late naps.

Kate's first time on the beach!

Macy Brooks was really fun! I swear she got braver by the MINUTE out in the ocean. At first she was running from the waves and the next she was wallering around in them.

Checking things out on the first day

We cooked for 2 nights and ate out 2 nights. Playing in the baby pool was our afternoon activity. I got in a lot of one on one time with MB, since mom enjoyed reading on the porch while Kate took her morning nap.

Kate likes to do her yoga on the beach while eating a teething biscuit. Love those thunder thighs!

after dinner on the front porch

 One fun thing we did on a cloudy morning was take a ferry and go to the aquarium. It was a fun experience. It was small, but perfect for our outing. Here's mom getting eaten by an alligator:)

my loves

oh yes friends, she can cry anywhere-even on the beach!

I love this baby so much!

she was trying not to smile and "be sad"

anything better than a ruffle butt under a pier on a gorgeous evening?

I love making these big memories with my family! I'm glad we made the effort and went on this trip. My mom was a huge help and we love spending quality time with her. This week at the beach made our time away from daddy much easier:) Thanks for working so hard, D!

Daily Life

Just trying to remember what daily life was like many years from now:) I have a horrible memory! Sometimes the days are long around here, but the weeks and months are flying by. We laugh, learn and love everyday. I love staying home with these two girlies. Thanks Denny for working extra hard to make it happen!

Kate has her first bottom tooth. It came in a few days before turning 9 months. This is the face I get alot. She likes to rub her tongue over her new tooth. The second one isn't far behind.

Lazy mornings, talking on her kitchen phone while wearing cowgirl boots

Posing for Momma

8 month photo shoot. Why is she growing so quickly??

Tears:( Not your most flattering look my dear!

Playroom giggles

Music show with her saxaphone. While wearing princess shoes

Smiles with daddy on the deck

Birthday parties. Watching Cinderella!

Finger painting

Tea parties with Gia

Sitting on the kitchen counter. Kate still lives in this bumbo, since she can't stand to be in the living room alone!

Our first family movie night on the living room floor. We spread out a blanket, put on pj's and ate popcorn. We love Tangled!


Daddy and his girls



Looking cute!



Kate at 9 months & Easter Photo Shoot

 Kate!! You're getting so big! It's happening so quickly-just slow down a little bit, okay? These pictures were taken right before you turned 9 months. The sunset was creating the prettiest light at Mimi and Papa's house so we had a quick photo shoot in your Easter dress. You are such cutie!

 What's new with you? You still eat and sleep well. Night time is 8-7/8 with a quick nursing session around 6am. You eat again around 8:30 and have cheerios and fruit while MB and I eat breakfast. About 9:30 you take a little nap for about an hour and then have oatmeal with fruit. You then nurse around 12:30 or 1 and eat some food at 2 before your longer afternoon nap. More milk about 5 and then dinner with the family. I usually put you to bed without milk, but bring you to our room for milk and snuggles before we go to bed at 10:30 or 11.

When you turned 8 months I had a 2 week sneak peek of you turning from your severe separation anxiety. You were content to play in the floor with toys or watching your sister. Mommy didn't have to be sight. It was a glorious 2 weeks:) But, the tears have returned when I leave the room. I would if I could sweet cheeks-but I just can't tote you EVERYWHERE! Sometimes I have to go to the bathroom!!!

 When we are out in public, strangers love to ooh and aaah over you and you charm them with your sweet smiles. They like to comment on what a happy baby you are! You're such a funny girl. I try not to tell everyone that you are happy because I'm holding you. Sometimes I just let them think you are this happy all the time. I think you are a true girly girl. When you are happy, you are SUPER happy. And when you're sad, you are SUPER sad. You can make huge crocodile tears faster than I've ever seen!

 Right before you turned 8 months you're first bottom tooth popped through. The 2nd one isn't far behind and your top gums feel a little puffy too. Sticking your tongue out and rubbing it over your new tooth is your latest funny face. I'm glad those teeth are coming in, because you really like to eat what we're eating.

 I love how snuggly you are! I constantly call you my cuddle bug! One of my favorite times of the day is when I come and get you at night for your last feeding. When you're done I lay you on my chest and you nuzzle your face right into my neck and sleep for a few minutes till I take you back. It's amazing! I've been showing you the crawling position, but you just aren't interested. You look at me like "Momma, why would I want to crawl when I can just sit on your hip?" Maybe one day you'll get it:) You LOVE your momma! You also LOVE your sister! She makes you laugh many times a day. Macy Brooks loves you too! She refuses to let you go to bed without kissing and hugging you. She wants to feed you and comfort you. You smile so easily! If someone speaks, waves or even glances your way, your whole face lights up!

I love you so much, I can't even express it! But, you know what? Jesus loves you even more! It's mind-blowing when you think about it! I pray for you every night and thank God you're here in our family. You may be a little challenging, but the joy you add to this family is so great! I love you Katie-Kate!

Mickey Mouse's House

On Monday of our trip we left Kate at home with Gigi and Papa and took our big girl to Mickey Mouse's house! It was one of the best days ever! It took her at least 2 hours to warm up to what was going on. She was a little overwhelmed for awhile. Once she got going, she really got going:) Ever since we got home from Disney World she has asked EVERY SINGLE DAY if we can go back. She really, really, loves it there! One day at Magic Kingdom was plenty for us. We arrived at 9 and lasted until about 4:30. Kate had a great day back at the house. She ate well and took good naps. I can't wait to take both of our girls back when they are a little older!

First ride was the carousel

Spanking the dwarf:)

This was her face for the first 2 HOURS of the day! I kept saying, "baby, are you having fun?" and she assured me 20 times that she was. Just didn't look like it! I guess she was just overwhelmed

 

We rode the teacups 3 times. Pretty fun!

 

Aladdin's magic carpet ride

 

Her best friends dancing on Cinderella's stage. I videoed this on my phone and she watches it all the time!

 

When did she get so grown up? Makes Momma a little sad!

 

On the ferry back to our car. Full hearts after a great day!

Kate's Baby Dedication

On January 29th, we dedicated Kate. This wasn't infant baptism, but a commitment from Denny and I to raise her to know Jesus. Our heart's desire is to show her Jesus loves her and how to live her life for Him. We laid out our top 5 values we plan on teaching her and 2 ways we will help her learn those values.



We shared those with our family members and they prayed over us. There was a speaker and slideshow of family pictures. Plus, food and cake:) It was short and sweet, but very meaningful to our family.

After the dedication we had friends and family back to our house for a chili dinner.

Denny and I feel so honored to have such supportive family and friends. We count on them to hold us accountable in raising these girls. When I sit and think about raising Jesus-loving women in this day, it sounds so hard! Makes me even more thankful for all these great friends. I'm glad we don't have to do it alone!

My friend Kate gave me this idea(& let me borrow the window) to decorate the mantle!

Great granny and Kate:)

Kate and her soon to be bff, Emily. They are exactly 6 months apart.

Kate had a hard time going to sleep that night so we got her up and let her open a picture frame from her Mimi. I think she liked it:)