Ready . . Set . . GO!

It won't be long now . . .look at our little girl, watch out world here she comes!

A fine end to a busy June!

This past Friday we met Grandma in North Carolina to pick up Katie and continue traveling on to South Carolina.  She was SO excited to see us, just screamed with delight . . . never underestimate the power of your children's love.  

For the reminder of the drive, Caroline chattered, laughed and kept looking over at Katie . . .she missed her.  If you ever told me that an eight month old baby was capable of missing her sibling, I would never have believed it, but I'm certain that Caroline was as thrilled as us to have her back.

Although quick, it was a fun weekend and it was great to get together with everyone!

Papa and Nana Mary's six grandchildren (all have blue eyes)

Daddy and Caroline checking out the tractor

Go-cart riding!



Walking the farm, showing Katie around

Katie's first time looking at cotton

Caroline playing with Cousin Rhiannon



Visit to Grandma and Grandpa's

After watching the girls while we were out of town, Grandma took Katie back to North Carolina so they could have some special time with her, while we got to have some wonderful one on one time with Caroline.

Katie had a blast at "Grandma's House" and very much enjoyed her week with them!  Well, who wouldn't have?  Swimming in the pool every day, Duncan Donuts for snacks, playing in the park daily, going to the river to watch the ducks, time at the beach and unlimited books, dancing and songs! 

As I've said before, I'm grateful for any time my children get to spend with my parents, especially as they're older then the other two sets. Amazing memories made with every visit!  I look forward to when Caroline can join in :).

K & C Eight Month Comparison

Katie (above) and Caroline (below)

Caroline Mackenzie at Eight Months

What I've noticed about you lately:

• Besides "ma ma mama ma" you've added "ra ra" and "da da" to list of sounds.
• You've perfected sitting and now like to dive forward, landing on your tummy if there's something you want that's out of reach.  Wigglebottom, that's what you are, always reaching to get something.  I have to sneak in your room during the middle of the night so that I can hold you while you're sleeping and get a little cuddle time with my baby.
• You can work yourself around a room quite nicely, rolling, pushing and squirming . . .you're not there yet, but you very much want to crawl!
• Puffs and Mum Mums are now part of your diet and you've gotten the hang of how to eat them.
• You love everything - walks, splashing in the pool, the exersaucer, you're so easy and it continues to amaze us.

Aloha is . . .

The point of this blog is to keep track of things that are going on in our lives so that my girls can enjoy reading them when they're much older .  This post is a perfect example!

Upon traveling to Hawaii in May of 2010, David and I bought home Katie a book entitled "Aloha is . .", a year later it's still one of her favorites and we have to read it at least once daily.  Since the book has already been taped together a dozen or so times, I'm pretty sure it's not going to survive our girls childhood (or be an easy book to find), so I want to make I note of it now . . .just in case they want to read it one day to their children.

And for the record, whenever Katie sees one of the taped together pages, she goes "Oh no!!! - Sissy did it!"  So I explain, I don't think it was Sissy that ripped the pages Katie.  To which she replies, "No, No Pup-py."  Sigh :)

 

C H I C A G O

I had my quarterly meetings in Indianapolis at the end of this week, so I decided to drive back to Chicago with Lisa and spend an extra night, flying back early on Father's Day.  We definitely made the most of our day and I had a wonderful time in perfect weather . . brunch, pedicures, Cubs Game, a little shopping on Michigan Avenue (Disney and American Girl stores) and a fabulous steak dinner at Smith and Wollensky's

Cubs versus the Yankees

Thank goodness I was able to crop most of our shots together as people in Chicago aren't the best picture takers.

Dinner right on the river - perfect setting!



Father's Day

Spending time with his girls!

Our first attempt at pigtails - adorable of course!

Daddin's Day

Today I spent some time getting ready for Daddin's Day by being crafty.  I saw these decorations off a blog and knew I had to make use of their free printable for some celebrating of our own!

I was once told that the most important decision you make in life is who you have children with.  It's something that can never be undone.   David is a wonderful father, I always knew he would be, which is one of the many reasons why I love him.   He loves are little girls with all his heart and they absolutely adore him!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!  We love you!

The girls card to their father, you probably can't tell but they're wearing necktie t-shirts that I made.



A closer picture of the necktie t-shirt!

Ready for when David arrives home from Dallas on Saturday (I won't get home from Chicago till Sunday a.m., hence why we decorated early).

Daddin's version of "a cold one"  :)

Dave's been craving a cake from the "Cake Lady" so for Father's Day, we had a special one made for him!

Our Dues to Good Use

When Dave and I moved to Richmond, we made sure to pick a community with a neighborhood pool - down the line we hoped that we'd have a family to enjoy it with.  Well that time is here and as you can see we were all smiles at the Collington Pool!

Friday - Would only sit by the edge of the pool . . .
Saturday - Would put her feet in the water and show some interest . . .
Sunday - I'm in my tube, swimming with mom and dad in the middle of the pool and jumping off the edge!

Why so tired?

Well that happens when your parents spend the morning looking all over the community for you . . . AND finally find you next door hidden under the neighbors smoker licking bits of grease off the patio!  If that wasn't enough, you then climbed on top of their patio wall and proceeded to eat bits of meat that had adheared to the grill.  Always an adventure puppy :)

Chick-fil-a

The other night I decided that Katie and I would have Chick-fil-a for dinner.  An advantage to Katie being older is that after obtaining my order, I can simply hand back her nuggets, fries and drink.  She has no problem juggling all three and eating her dinner in her car seat.   The first time I realized this could be done I felt like yelling from the roof top - victory is mine!!!  Ahh, the simple things that can make life so much easier.

So I start pulling around to the drive thru when I realize that the Chick-fil-a Cow is out front greeting people.  A disadvantage to Katie being older is that she's not a fan of people dressed in costume - of course the cow walks straight to our car, goes right up against the glass and waves at Katie . .who starts screaming in complete terror, Raleigh then proceeds to jump halfway into Caroline's car seat barking - ready to attack the poor cow, Caroline who was soundly sleeping is now hysterically crying as she awoke to a screaming sister and a barking dog in her lap.    And all I wanted was to get a number five, eight pack, value sized with a coke . . . . .



Beautiful Girls

From the time Katie was four to twelve months old, it seemed like I was at the portrait studio every month (probably because I was).  For Caroline I decided to do photographs in six month increments, but instead of going to a studio have a professional photographer come to our home and take the pictures.  The cost of doing this was definetly more, but I'm assuming it's evened out in the end.

So below are Caroline's six month (really 6 1/2)  pictures.  Our photographer actually forgot about our session which led to a lot of tears on my end, a two hour delay, but in the end all was forgiven when I saw the amazing pictures she captured of my girls!  We had lined it up right after coming back from Disney so that Grandma could also take part.

I will treasure this one forever, and amazingly enough, we're all smiling!

Caroline Mackenzie - Six Months





Katheryn Claire - Two Years