Joseph Matthew

The girls have a new cousin, their first BOY cousin! Eric and Cathy had their little boy on January 7th, and they named him Joseph Matthew. He's a little cutie and Chris and I were super excited to have a chance to meet and hold him early in March, when we visited Michigan with Elizabeth for Joseph's baptism.

Proud Uncle Chris

Peaceful sleeping babe

Proud Uncle Mike

He's already smiling!

Elizabeth loved meeting her little cousin

All dressed up for the baptism

Joseph Matthew

Proud Papa

We can't wait to see you again this summer, Joey!

Spring Snow and Cuddles

Snow's the best (in my opinion) when there's sun to go with it.

On a sunny snowy day in March, Addie decided to try out the awesome Rice hand-me-down galoshes, while Emily snacked on some snow.

Elizabeth has started really enjoying books, and it's so fun to cuddle and rock with her and a book before bed.

This is such a classic sleepy Elizabeth look: left thumb in mouth, right fingers twisting her hair

Elmo Meets Tinkerbell

Emily wanted an Elmo party for her third birthday, and Addie wanted a Tinkerbell party, so we did both!
The night before their party, we started putting up decorations. The girls were so excited!

The next morning, with party outfits on and decorations up, there was nothing left to do but smile wide and dance!

The cake turned out pretty cute and the girls spent some time drooling over it...

After friends started showing up, it was time to eat lunch.

And after lunch, of course, comes cake!

Happy Birthday Dear Addison and Emily!

The cake was delicious, and after everyone had had their fill, the kids got crafty with crowns and wands.

Lyndi brought her little brother Miles, who is Elizabeth's age, and Elizabeth seemed very excited to have a friend there!

 

 Time for presents!

Hooray for friends!

Thanks, DeeDee, for helping make the party a success!

We love you, Addison and Emily, our sweet, smart, funny, and unique little girls!

Two Turn Three

The realization that our babies have turned three has taken a while to sink in. But here they are, our two three year olds.

On the eve of their third birthday, I took some pictures of my little sleeping angels while they were still two....

The morning of their birthday, the girls came downstairs to decorations and birthday morning presents.

After a breakfast of french toast and a little playtime while Elizabeth napped, it was off to the Orchards for a trip to the beauty salon and Monkey Bizness.

Here are the proud big sisters posing with their brand new three year old haircuts...

Monkey Bizness is probably one of the girls' favorite places on earth right now. It's a place where all three of them can just let loose and focus on nothing but FUN.

There is a huge inflatable slide that is probably the favorite thing to do in this favorite place. The ladder up to the top is tricky and slippy, but Emily and Addie have both mastered it, and they love to climb up and slide down over and over again.

It's a tricky climb to the top

But this is the excitement that comes at the top

ZOOM! (Blue Airheads really leave their mark)

Down to the bottom and ready to head back up!

Elizabeth had a blast in the crawlers' section

 For dinner that night, we headed to Red Robbin with Dad. Emily and Addie were super excited to CELEBRATE!

Chocolate milk with dinner and ice cream sundaes for dessert...a whole lotta YUM

Elizabeth flirted with everyone at the tables around us and had a great time

 When we got home it was time for presents!

Tutus and T-Ball

Happy Birthday to my two favorite three year olds in the entire world!