U.S.A!!!

These are my favorite pictures so far of the girls together. Daddy really really likes soccer, and since we really really like daddy we got dressed up to support team USA in the world cup game today! We had some friends over and had such a fun party.

The kiddos were all playing in the play room when the US scored our goal in the game today- GO TEAM!!

And the sun came out with clear blue skies, so what else is a mom to do, but turn on the sprinkler and let them all get soaked!?

We're sad that our team lost, but it was a good run, and we had the best summer day yet!

Go Eagles!

Sometimes, emaphasis on the sometimes, I feel like I could have a dozen children. That's definitely not all the time, but every so often I have a rockstar mom moment. Yesterday morning I felt like a rockstar. I really wanted to support the LCA cheerleaders, so I packed up both girls, left the house by 8am, and drove to Seattle (1 hour) in the rain to a place I didn't know how to find. I found it, parked, strapped Belle on my front, grabbed Raegan's hand, and we walked in to the cheer competition.

Guess who loved it!?

Reagan was very well-behaved and Anabelle just sat on my lap, nursed when it was time and smiled at our friends when they walked by. I'm so in love with my daughters. After the cheerleaders performed we got to talk to them- here's Raegan with Danni, one of our favorite friends~

What a sweet day!

Oh, and it was so funny... we were practicing cheering on the way up- "LCA! Go Eagles!" and when we got there Raegan couldn't find any birds. Try explaining a mascot to a 2 year old. "No there aren't really any animals here today honey, the girls are just nicknamed the 'Eagles'..." Confusing any way you approach it. Funny though!

little fingers

Anabelle officially found her hands this week!

It's one of the funnier accomplishments if you ask me.

I'm still so proud of my little munchkin though!

She's now grasping toys, reaching for things, and of course, putting everything in her mouth! And let me tell you, she's got lots of drool to show for it:)

"What Not to Wear"

YES, I took these pictures of Stacy and Clinton from "What Not To Wear" on TLC. Here's the story...

Some of the students from LCA (where I taught choir) nominated my ex-colleague, Sue, to appear on the show. And she WON! So, we all got sent an official email Friday night regarding her surprise filming in Seattle Monday morning. So I totally went, and it was quite a day! Sue thought she was tagging along with her hubby to record the cheerleaders, but when she met up with the girls she was immediately surrounded by a "flash mob" of dancers. (Google "Seattle Glee Flash Mob" and you'll see the same group do the same dance in Seattle earlier this year. It's my latest bucket list entry.) Near the end of the dance, Stacy and Clinton surprised her just like I've seen on t.v. a hundred times, "I'm Stacy, and I'm Clinton, and we're from What Not to Wear!" We all got to be part of the taping of the surprise, so sometime in November look for an episode about a choir teacher with "tone deaf" style!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Raegan's wearing a USA National Jersey and shorts. We got her an outfit so she can cheer for daddy's team with him, "U! S! A!!!"

And we got daddy a Sounders ball to complete his set of favorites- Manchester United, Seattle Sounders, and USA! We are loving the World Cup games at our house.

We had a fun morning as a family, and then my parents came over for an awesome steak BBQ and a fun after-dinner swim at their hotel. Anabelle even suited up for her first chlorine pool experience. Raegan loves to shout "Canon Baaaall!!" and then jump into Pop pop's arms in the big pool. Dad, you're the best grandpa to my kids and the best dad a girl could ask for. Thanks for showing me the world, and teaching me to cook. Love you.

Anabelle's first zoo trip!

My parents got us a family zoo pass for the year for my birthday- awesome gift!! I had been waiting for semi-decent weather to use it, so last Monday when the sun was peaking out here and there, I decided it was time! I strapped Anabelle onto my front and carried a small backpack with our necessities on my back so that I could walk with Raegan and not be bogged down by a clunky stroller. It worked great! (If you'd like to donate to my "Ergo" fund please send checks to my home. It's like a Baby Bjorn, but it saves your back~ the weight rests on your hips, not your back. anyhoo...) We caught the Wild Wonders animal show, and it was excellent. In fact, it was so good I wanted to write a letter to the zoo thanking them for being so relatable and informative, yet fun. (no letter yet, I've kinda got my hands full these days) Here's Anabelle being so patient before the show started... Oh, and these photos were simply snapped with my trusty iphone.

I took this picture because I had Anabelle's head peaking out of my baby pack, and this cute monkey seemed to have the same idea!

And Raegan's absolute favorite part was the Carousel! We rode twice; she chose the "Pretty Horse" first, and then the Pig.

What a wonderful girls day at the zoo! We'll be back soon for sure:)

Weekend home.

I took the girls home to Ellensburg for a really fun weekend to kick off to the SUMMER!

We got dressed up to go to our family friend Amber's graduation party. We walked up the street- some of us in heels!

Congrats Amby!

Swingin' at the party...

Look at that happy baby!

The next day, we hit the park, the farmer's market, and even filled up the little pool in the yard.

Anabelle's first time in a pool! She was really content in and out of the water.

We're so thankful that the sun is shining! This is more like it!

Bonding

"Mommy, I love Anabelle so much." Music to my ears! These girls are going to be such great friends. Anabelle isn't four months old yet, but she's not a fragile newborn anymore either! And her sweet personality is starting to come forth. This has been a joy to watch for us as parents, and the more Anabelle smiles and reacts, the more Raegan is interested in talking to her and having her sister "play" with her. (aka, watch whatever she's doing!)

I'm so thankful to be raising such beautiful sisters!

School's out for summer!

Last Wednesday we celebrated a successful year of our home school co-op with "Open My Eyes!" Raegan and her friends performed songs and we held an art/bake sale afterward to earn money for two charities. The kids learned that they truly can make an impact for Jesus in this world, even at a young age!

(We mixed fruit loops into the rice krispie treats, formed them into a buttered cupcake tin, mounded up the mixture, and stuck a popsicle stick in- less mess and more fun!)

Our friends, getting ready for the performance!

"Jesus Loves Me"

"Hallelujah, Praise Ye the Lord!"

And Raegan sang this time! Christmas was kind of hilarious, because she was just so young, but this time she knew what to do, and she followed her teacher's directions and shone like a super star! "Mommy, I like singing on stage." That's my girl.

Pop pop came for the show, fresh off the flight from Thailand! Thanks for all the support!

So proud of my girl~ both ready for bed:)

3 months!

It's been 3 months already since our family grew from three to four!

3 months of watching my bundle grow up way too fast!

3 months of nursing, rocking, and sleepless nights.

3 months of sharing mommy and learning how to be a big sister.

3 months of my arms and lap always full of love.

3 months of survival mode,

and 3 months of pure joy!

Daddy is outnumbered 3 to 1 now, and with every plastic earring, pink fork, and Princess _____ (fill in the blank- dress, show, song, shoe, toy, etc) it is becoming more apparent by the day!

Happy 3 month birthday sweet Anabelle~ you have changed our lives for the better.

Say what!?

Raegan has been speaking in full, clear sentences for almost a year now, so it doesn't surprise me when she says things like, "Exactly, mom!" or "Aimee is coming over for dinner on Saturday." But my favorite is when she is learning a new word that's tricky, like "Ethiopia." She'll say, "What mom?" and then she'll give the new word a good try. For example, "E-PEE-opia." Not bad at all! Adorable really. I often feel as though I'm speaking with an adult, and then she'll say something like, "Poop" just to get a reaction from me... Oh how I'm looking forward to her next birthday. No, I don't think magically she'll wake up on her third birthday and stop testing boundaries and taking toys from others, but at least the "terrible twos" will be behind us. How could I say such a thing? I mean look at this face!

Her sweet moments have been extra sugary lately:) This morning it was "I like your beautiful earrings, mama. I like your pretty sweater. I like all the things you put on today." Wow. Thank you honey! One day we'll share clothes, make up, jewelry and shoes! But I can wait. For now I'll accept your amazing compliments and direct you toward the dress up closet!

Sidenote: She's wearing a balloon hat in these photos that I MADE! I know, I know, it's exquisite and you want one. But seriously, you can do it, and probably better than me! Get a little kit and go for it. Balloons have a toddler-captivation guarantee. Says so right on the box:)