Christmas Is Around the Corner!

Sometimes I forget we have a blog! It's been a while since I posted anything - we've been busy with the holidays and school. But here is a sneak peek at Christmas card photos. I took the girls outside today to snap some shots in their festive, coordinating little dresses. At first they were cranky about the cold, but a few candy canes solved that problem. Always looking out for their nutrition . . . Hope tore into hers, while Haley - clueless as to what it was - just wagged it around in the air yelling at all the cars that drove by.

Portraits

Hope has loved her new-found talent in creating portraits this year in kindergarten. I get 3 - 5 of these a day! I thought these were adorable and hilarious - so Hope!

Portrait of Mommy

Translation: "I Love You This Much Mommy, From Hope"

Hanging Out With Mimi & Papa

What does a little peanut do all night at Mimi and Papa's (besides eat all the sweets she wants)?

This fur ball loves me . . . I know she does. She just doesn't know it yet. Maybe if I grab and yell at her some more, she'll come around.

Want to play with me?

Papa and I having a heart to heart conversation over Cheerios.

And big sister just likes to get into Mimi's costume jewelry . . .

"More"? This is my favorite sign language. Somehow it always results in food in my mouth!

Happy Birthday Crockpot!

Our little Crockpot turned one last week. What a difference a year makes! Haley keeps us on our toes, and we love her like mad. She has grown leaps and bounds in both weight and development. Each day we discover more and more of her personality. She is so much her father's daughter: while David may be outnumbered in gender, I am outnumbered with a house full of extroverts. I'll give peek-a-boo a try. They always love this trick.

My (only) friend, Kiah, came over to play with me on my big day! I didn't care if he used all my toys, as long as I could scream and chase him around the house.

I got a fun outfit and matching shoes from my grandparents! (Though I'm not sure I like anything on my feet . . . a true beach girl am I).

Waiting outside for my party guests!

I put up with so much around here!

That's my big sis - she gets to go to a football game. I'm about to go to bed!

Look Who's Walking!

First Day of Kindergarten

"Mom, I had the best day EVER!"

So I'm trying not to think of the other 1,825 days that we've spent together when my daughter tells me this upon being picked up from her first day of kindergarten. Nonetheless, today she apparently had the best day ever of her long 5 years of existence. She loved kindergarten and chatted about it all afternoon! Today was a half day, though, so I imagine tomorrow - the first full day - will wipe her out.

What a milestone for our munchkin!

Who doesn't love a little Grape Nuts to start the day off right?

Laugh at me you may for taking a picture of her French braid. But I have been trying to perfect this thing for two years now! Not too bad. You try to braid pure silk and see what you come up with!

Haley dressed in her best pair of pajamas for the occasion.

Future student scoping it out.

Come on in, Hope!
"What?! She's going to be gone all morning? Now what? I'll see what trouble I can get into on the stove before she comes home!"

CCC Annual Beach Day

Each year our church holds a sand castle contest out at Wrightsville Beach. While Hope labored to build a credible castle, Haley ate all the leftover sand. We're so fortunate to have two girls who LOVE the beach and the water!

Haley's Baptism

And the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call . . . Acts 2:39

What a sweet day for our family! Haley was baptized on Sunday. She and her sister, Hopey, both wore Ethiopian dresses to celebrate.

As our pastor baptized her, she responded with peek-a-boo. Naturally!

What better way to celebrate than by diving into the donuts!

I love that face!

Peek-a-boo little bean!

Crazy grandparents!