for my father in law

Since it's your birthday week...and you always do so much for others...I decided to carve out some time today to sift through the hundreds of photos of all 7 of your grandchildren to find the very best one I could...and even though it isn't the greatest (you know how hard it is to get all 7 doing the same thing!) I wanted to edit it for you and post it here along with a thank you for just being you. You are very special to me because you (and Sue, of course) raised the man of my dreams. Each time he carries my suitcase, opens my door, helps me with the kids, empties the dishwasher, runs my bath, etc....I am reminded of what a wonderful father you are to have taught him all of these things. I don't tell you often enough that I am thankful for all that you have done...and for all that you continue to do. And I hope this photo suffices for the time being...in a couple of years when they are all old enough to bribe with candy...we'll get an excellent one. Until then, this one will have to do. I also ordered you an enlargement for your office. Love you!grandbabies, July 09

Here are some very subpar, indoor Halloween photos for some inquiring family members (unky&aunt lib).
Though I had envisioned us pulling the kids in a wagon down our beautiful tree lined street...it just didn't pan out. Naptime ran over into the neighborhood party and the temperatures fell rapidly. We decided, instead, to go to our family party early where Isabella could at least play with her cousins. She did go to a few houses with the crew and Tommy said she really liked it (I stayed back with Jack) and we found out that, just as we expected, she was petrified of masks and face paint. It was fun to make her costume and then see her in it. If they weren't the custest little princess and monkey, I don't know who was!
Hope yours was fun and filled with sweet treats!

trick or treat

Sweet baby Jack is going to be a monkey this year. I hope people give him a lot of reeses cups. He really wants to share those with his mom.

A year ago doesn't seem that long until you look at photos like these. We met up today at Huber's to take photos of the girls on the same pumpkin wagon that we put them on last year. If you can get past the horrible direct sunlight....it's crazy to see how much Isabella and Ansleigh have changed.
They were babies last year.
This year, they are little girls...with heads full of curls, sparkling eyes, shoes that are actually dirty on the bottom from walking everywhere they go....
Bell-bu and Ansee. They squeal each other's names as soon as they catch a glimpse of one another.
They are lucky to have each other.
Our families have shared some good times over the past year and we look forward to many more.

last year
this year
last year
this year

Oh and last year, these two were nice and warm in our bellies. Now they are 6 months old and lighting up our lives.
Truth be known, Isabella is quite smitten with Landon and Ansleigh is infatuated with Jack. Should be interesting as they grow!

"Cool" is what she calls school. She knows when we get in the car that we are headed to cool. Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Karin (pronounced Car-in) from Sweden...because she sings "if you're happy and you know it..." like an angel from heaven. Her favorite things in the classroom are the baby dolls. She carries them around all day and is always reluctant to leave them at cool when I pick her up.
We couldn't be more pleased or proud that she's being brave and growing up and learning and enjoying herself.

Here are some photos from the first day (3 weeks ago.)

The requisite front door picture (even if it did make us late.)

Breakfast of Champions...a Panera bagel and a "box" delivered just for her in the wee hours by daddy.
First day breakfast decor by mommy.

First day bath...we thought about going with this "do" but alas, decided on the regular old teacher's pet, bow-head look.

Jack...
You are double this size now.
So handsome with such an easy smile.
You are good for my soul.

Please tell me how it is possible that daddy and I went to a Parent's Night for your school this week?
Oh it's such a great big world...and you seem so very small.
Tell me you'll be ok.
Tell me I'll be ok.

You're going to have so much fun. I'm so proud that you're mine.
Noon.
That's when I'll be there to get you.