Birthday Girl!

Someone has a birthday on Friday! And she seems to get it this year. However, we will have to wait and see whether she will actually blow out her candles this year. When she turned two, she had talked a big game for months before her party, but then the sight of the candles on her cake and all of her favorite people waiting for her to blow them out sent her into a fit of tears... well, here is the lead-up to this year's celebration. Actually, tomorrow is the warm up at school, and Saturday will be the real deal.

Tall Boot Tales

So we were at Lowe's yesterday, shopping for petunias and potting soil, when Abby asked if she could "look for something." Not really wanting to go home yet & not having anywhere else to be, I agreed to wander through the store with her. So, for once, Abby got to walk through a store without Mommy constantly urging her to hurry up as she stopped to inspect things. Here's a clip of her favorite stop.

No doubt this kid's got a personality as oversized as her boots. It's both inspiring... and exhausting!

I found myself wondering what Katie learns by watching, and whether she will have a taller than life personality someday too?

Lessons for a Little Rancher

Jake's parents (aka Buzzy & Pops) recently moved to San Marcos & settled into a beautiful area. All of the grandkids were thrilled to learn that Pops brought his horse (Pinky) & that their new house came fully loaded with two goats & a donkey. Even more exciting, the mommy goat gave birth to a few babies in March. During our trip up there to visit during Spring Break, Abby loved every minute of her little ranching adventure. Here's a peek...

Katie got to meet Jake's Grandma (Grandma Hoffman) for the first time. Katie was still going through a pretty shy stage, so it was extra special that she made friends with Grandma Hoffman very quickly.

Springtime Smiles

Little girls & fields of Texas wildflowers create moments to treasure, especially on the rare occasion that the camera happens to catch the little girls smiling at the same time! Daddy was the most patient man on the planet this morning and an awesome photographer. Thank you, honey. These photos mean so much to me!



Jake & I are in trouble... Katie is showing a mischevious side already. Here she was having fun putting wood chips in her mouth after I would tell her "no" & then waiting with a mischevious grin for me to brush it out again.

Katie seems to have a pretty respectable wave going now, and pretty good timing too.

Our precious, sweet little Abby seems to be back these days. Thank you, God!

Friday morning was our first photo shoot in the fields of flower. Cousin Piper made an apperance too! All three girls had matching Easter dresses, courtesy of Mimi.

Ahhh, sweet cousins. But, hold on, cuz the crying & pushing is just around the corner...

Katie wanted to show off her mouth full of teeth.

We discovered an hour before taking these photos that Katie had her first ear infection, so unfortunately her smiles were few and far between (which is sad because her hallmark is continuous smiles & giggles... her Daddy calls Katie "Smiles" and Abby is "Giggles". Abby, by the way, came up with her own nick-name for Katie -- "Bubba". It is so sweet to hear her say, "Are you ok, Bubba?").Our pediatrician assured us that Katie's ear & sinus infection was not contagious, but unfortunately, we can't say the same for the crying! Boy, does Piper know how to make a sad face!
What is that?
And where did it go? (It was an airplane)

OK, the distraction is over. Where did we leave off? Oh yeah, it was my turn to cry. In fact, I think I am going to steal this show entirely... come on, get off the stage. This is my scene. Don't make me push you out now...

Meanwhile, in happier, greener pastures...

Abby & her Mimi are going on an adventure just like Dora and Fancy Nancy Explorer Extraordinaire... Abby's current favorites...
Only at lunch did Katie's spunky, smily side show up!
And Piper got a chance to show off her teeth too!