Summertime, when the living is easy . . .

A few pictures of what we have been up to lately (that has been keeping us mostly outdoors and away from the computer!). . .




Playing on the beach (this time down in the Outer Banks)


Building sand castles


Watching waves crash and dolphins swim off-shore


Relaxing in the sun (or in the shade of the umbrella in this case)


Smiling and being happy


Playing in the fountains at the Botanical Gardens

(We didn't bring Ella's swimsuit this time, but still managed to have fun and get wet!)


Visiting the butterfly house


Ella was actually surprisingly good at spotting all of them

But it was hard not to touch


Spending time on the potty


There's a little glimpse into our recent happenings. We expect a change next week when Brad will start a more difficult rotation and it will be the girls and I without Daddy more often, but we are doing our best enjoying his company while we can!

What have you been up to?

Ella is TWO!!

We celebrated Ella's 2nd birthday a couple of days early (on the 4th) since our family was all in town then. We had a birthday party for her with the family where she got to open loads and loads of presents, all of which she LOVED! It was so fun to celebrate with family and we especially appreciate those who sent presents even though they weren't able to make the trip out here! Thanks guys. . . Ella loved it all and enjoyed the extra attention she got!


Opening up presents

Saying thank you


When I asked Ella what kind of cake she wanted for her birthday she said she wanted a strawberry cake. So I made her a strawberry ice cream cake and she seemed to enjoy it. I think she got my tastes in treats. . .if she had her dad's she would have said chocolate for sure!



On the morning of Ella's real birthday her Dad and I had a special surprise present for her. We took out the table and benches in our breakfast nook (which we never use anymore)and turned it into a little playroom for Ella. She went crazy over it and is now constantly asking us to come play with her in there. It will also come in really handy for us as we try to start moving Maggie over into Ella's room and out of ours! It was so fun to give her a present that she appreciates so much!



She also got a "ELLA" book to read. . .


We love our little Ella so much. . .it is amazing to think she is 2 years old. She is so smart and has so much personality. She constantly amazes us with the things she figures out and always makes us laugh with the funny things she says.

She loves doing anything that Mommy does: taking care of babies, cleaning, gardening and cooking seem to be at the top of her list. (Let's hope she still enjoys these things when she is big enough to really help out!) But she is also into trains and trucks, so she is not too girly yet. Oh, and did I mention she LOVES Elmo!

She loves being the center of attention at home and shows off and acts so silly, but when she is around strangers she can be SO shy! It is so funny, if anyone talks to her that she doesn't know she will just stare them down and not say a word. What a silly girl!

We love her so much and just can't imagine our life without her. Happy Birthday Ella, we cannot wait to see what the next year brings!

Maggie's Blessing

We blessed Maggie on Sunday. We were so lucky to have both of our parents as well as two of Brad's siblings out to celebrate this special day with us. We always feel so blessed to have families that are always so supportive of us and the "big events" in our little family.

I enjoyed having the chance to reflect on how much our family has grown since Maggie's arrival, and not just in number. We are so blessed to have two healthy little girls to call our own. I am so grateful for the blessing of having families and the depth of love we are able to feel by having one another.