strawberries and read heads

A few weeks ago Gretchen wore this adorable dress to church. All my girls have worn it, but I never got pictures of the other two in it. Why I don't know, but I wish I had. It may seem like just an adorable dress to you, but it is extra special to me. See my mom made it, She was an incredible seamstress. She loved to make dresses for little girls, and I know if she was here today she would be sewing up a storm for my girls. I am lucky that I do have my sister Lynelle that has made many beautiful dresses for my girls and some really cute gator stuff for Dallin, I don't want to sound ungrateful for all she has done for my kids, but I have moments when I really want my mom to be here enjoying my kids. I know she would just eat them up and spoil them like crazy. I know she is not hurting and is in a much better place and I know that I will see her again, but I just want to take a selfish moment and miss her terribly. The last week or so has been a tough one for me, I am not sure exactly why, I guess just the holidays, but man do I miss that wonderful person I called mom. She was such an example to me and influenced me to try to be a good, honest, faithful person. I know I fall short, but I hope to one day be as a great a mother as she was. She always wanted a red headed, and so I am sure she pulled some strings and was excited when Gretchen got to come meet us. I am quite sure she gave Gretchen a big kiss right before she let her go to come down to earth. I hope that my children will one day understand what a wonderful mother I had and I look forward to the day when I can show them off to her in heaven.

Leaves for Lunch Anyone?

Dallin has been really enjoying the chance to go outside and explore. These pictures were taken a few weeks ago. We were out picking up pecans and Gretchen was swinging on the tire swing, so Dallin decided to have a little snack. He wasn't real sure about the ground at first, but it didn't take him long to find the leaves to entertain himself.

Tire Swing

The girls have been having a blast on the tire swing. They will stay out on it for a good while, before they start fighting. Gretchen especially loves it. Every morning she says "I want wing". It is so cute and she would stay on there all day if someone would swing her all day.

S'mores anyone

sticky? not me.

A few weeks ago it was a bit chilly so we decided to have s'mores. I just love getting to spend time together. I don't know if Gretchen ever ate a cooked one, but she sure had her fill of marshmallows and Chocolate. Dallin couldn't get enough graham crackers.

Amelia The Vampire

Jed ????

Gretchen The Princess

Dallin and Daddy #1 gator fans

Estella The vampire

This year for Halloween, Estella and Amelia wanted to be vampires. I swear everyone is all about the vampires, thank alot twilight. Anyway, they had a good time. we went trick or treating downtown on Friday evening. Helen and her bunch went with us. they were an Indian family Very cute! Afterwards we all went to Los Compodres for dinner. Within about...oh ...maybe 2 minutes We realized that we were pretty out numbered by children and it made for a very crazy meal, but it was fun and something we sure don't do very often. Then on Halloween morning they had a trunk or treat at church. They had a haunted house, it seemed to be a big hit. Gretchen didn't waste any time eating her candy.

Disney here we come!

We got to go to Disney world while the kids were out of school for a break in October. We left on Thursday October 15th and stayed till October 20th. We had so much fun! Sarah, Travis, and Lindsea made it so great! we got to go see the hotel where Travis works, and walk around the boardwalk. It was so beautiful. It was very cold. the first day it was hot and then all the sudden a cold spell and we were freezing. I had to go buy jackets for the kids. But I would rather be a little cold than burning hot. We also got the grand tour of Epcot with Sarah. and we saw the show Fantasmic? I think that was the name of it. All I know was that it was an Awesome show! Lindsea let us crash at her place and she also hung out with us at the park. The girls had so much fun. We got to ride the rockin roller coaster several times. It is so fast! Amelia also braved the tower of Terror with David, me, and Hanga. Amelia was alot braver than Andrea! It was so much fun I could go on and on, but I won't, but I do want to thanks Sarah, Travis, and Lindsea for making our vacation A great one. We had alot of fun hanging out with y'all. Thanks for everything!

The the rumors are true. Jed broke his leg. I think he was trying to impress some cheerleaders, and something went terribly wrong, but any way, it is broken, but healing just fine.

pumpkin decorating

For Family home evening on October 12Th the girls got to decorate some pumpkins that Nana bought for them. A good time was had by all.

Haunted House

One weekend in October, Estella had her friend Erin over to play they were having a great time playing outside and I was washing dishes in the window and I decided to knock and hide. Well with it being so close to Halloween I then decided to dress up like a ghost and stand in the window. It was so fun to watch them try to figure out who the ghost was.

Princess Day at chick fil a.

We took the girls to the princess party. I think it was October 11.They got their hair and make up done and got to do a craft and make their own sunday. It was alot of fun for them, and alot of waiting in a very long line for mommy and Andrea. David got to stay home and do some male bonding with Dallin.

New teeth and the tootless

Dallin has 4 teeth now. Two on the top and two on the bottom. He has bitten me 3 times so far nursing, so if this keeps up he may get skinny really fast. Amelia lost he first tooth Friday September 25. She was very upset about it. I ended up just pulling it really fast, because it was just hanging on by a thread and it was ready to come out. She was complaining yesterday about something scratchy on her gum, so I took a peek and sure enough. It was her new tooth coming in already. So it must have been moving the old one out of the way. I am going to try to get a picture, but so far she hasn't let me take one. She looks so cute.

Boo- Boo's

Gretchen has become obsessed with boo boos. She invents boo boos, just so she can put a band aid on. As you can see in the pictures, she has them everywhere. Who know what people think when we are out and about. I just know that it is hard to entertain a 2 year old for long and if a $2.14 box of band aids keeps her happy for a few days, I think that is pretty cheap entertainment. I mean have you been to the movies lately? I took Estella, Amelia , Andrea, and myself to see cloudy with a chance of meatballs Friday. My word I was out almost $40.00 and that was just to get in the door. So I will happily pay $2.14 and hope that she sticks with the band aids for quite a while.

ADORABLE

Can You say ADORABLE! I know I may be showing a little favortism and all being that he is mine, but seriously you really can't get cuter than this! He is so sweet and happy. I am so glad that he is here and part of our Family! Andrea and I love the movie newsies. These pictures remind me of the movie.

Real Food... well sort of

Dallin has started eating cereal. You can't really tell it from these pictures, but he really likes it. These were taken the first time we fed him. He wasn't real sure what to do with the spoon. Grandmom gave him his first few bites. I thought that was only fair, since she has him most of the time. Amelia was so excited to feed him too. She was a big help. If only the excitement lasted longer than a day. I sure could use the help....Who am I kidding. Everyone know I have Hanga and she does everything! I am so spoiled.

Gretchen turns 2

Gretchen Turned two on August 28th. She had a great time. We had cake and ice cream, and opened presents. I was too tired to plan a party and invite people over, so I took advantage of the fact that she won't remember it and went the easy route. We just had Grandmom and granddad come join us, priceless. She got princess dress up shoes, and a cute little fairy tent thing. She loved the shoes of course.She was just a little excited about her cake as you can tell from the pictures.

Lemonade Anyone?

Estella has been wanting to have a Lemonade stand ever since we moved down here. so a few weeks ago she did it. She set up a stand and was determined to sale her lemonade. she actually made over 5 dollars.

She's Back

Hanga is Back! Andrea came back from college on July 27th. We are so happy to have her here. I am getting so spoiled I don't know if I will be able to let her go back. She has been such a huge help. She took David fake leg and painted the toes. HILARIOUS! It has been great and I am glad that she will be here till December.

First Day of School

School started back on August 6Th. Estella is in 2ND grade now. She scored very high on her CRCT test last year so she got placed in what they call a gate class. It is a class for the kids that score higher, so they are more challenged and don't have as many problems with behavior. She is doing good.

Amelia started Kindergarten. She has a really nice teacher. There is a boy in her class that was in her preschool class last year. She seems to enjoy it. It is a huge undertaking every morning to get her ready, but once she gets there she loves it.

Gretchen seems to be loving them being gone. She thinks she runs the house and she just wonders around and does whatever she want. She want to go with them every morning. Nana started letting her stand at the kitchen window and wave to them when they leave, so now every time any one leaves she has to wave bye. It is too cute. She definitely has her Miss America wave down.

getting crowded

Thank goodness no one else is pregnant!