Annie's Birthday Pics

Despite waking up with a 103 degree temp and a quick trip to the Urgent Care, or rather, the ER because I didn't realize that Urgent Care had been cut 6 weeks ago, Annie had a nice little party with the grandparents and the four of us on Saturday. Annie was absolutely darling, and as our house isn't exactly roomy, we don't entertain very much, so the girls are just thrilled any time someone comes to our house!

Her birthday gift from us was a cute little pink Radio Flyer trike, which incidentally, Grace has not stopped riding around the dining room table.

And of course, Dora was present thanks to our resident artist, Clint.

Grace did pretty well being the observant, yet oh so wanting to help tear off wrapping paper, big sister. It just blows my mind that I have a 2 and 4 year old now. My little blue-eyed and brown-eyed girls!

Annemarie Violet Young

Is turning TWO today. How is that possible?

2008 was a rough year for our family, undoubtedly. But one sweet gift came out of that year: my sweet Annie. It seems hardly possible that two years have passed and she is turning from my baby to my toddler.

Annie V gets so many comments on what a happy baby she is! And they are right, she has a sunny personality, a smile that will cheer up even the grayest sky and this girl is FUNNY. She is going to be our comedian, I can tell. She will be cracking us up at the dinner table with her stories and her facial expressions. I know, because she is doing it even now!

I love Annie's cuddliness, the feel of her little cheeky against mine at night when getting ready for bed. I love when she unexpectedly says "I yuv oo, Mama! I YUV OO!" I love how big her brown eyes get when she sees something she likes ("PACI!") and how is a complete female replica of her Daddy.

Annie is going to grow up to be a strong woman and a persistent one, one with a sense of humor and a big heart of love. I know, I've seen it all – in the past two years.

Happy Birthday, Annie Bannie! I sure do love you.

Waiting for Spring...

Could winter get any longer??? Seriously! Six more inches yesterday. Although, I must say I am particularly pleased that the Lord keeps melting most of the old snow before replacing it with the new inches. At least we aren't completely buried.

These winter doldrums definitely bog down the old mindset. Everything seems blah in the bleakness of winter and I find us drudging through the weekly routine always reaching for Fridays and the weekend. We've had some little bouts of sickness, but on the whole, we continue in good health.

I need some ideas to spice and jazz our daily routine up. We are fairly active on the weekend, but our weekdays are same old, same old. Kids thrive on routine but I need the change and variety. Otherwise, my mind turns to mush.

I think I actually just need spring! We had such a wonderful summer last year, I don't think I ever really adjusted to the fact that it was over...

Christmas Pics

Could they be any cuter? Seems like this Christmas EVERYBODY got them matching outfits. I'm sure they won't love it when they're older, so we're milking it now! Annie is turning out to be an even bigger ham than Grace! She cheeses it up for everyone, but the camera definitely needs to be QUICK!

Been a while...

Yep, it's been a while! And here we are, with a New Year upon us - 2010, who would have thought? And I have no resolutions firmly in tact! I have a few that I've contemplated, but nothing mapped out in place...other than, the inevitable Weight Watchers!

So, this will not be a resolution post, although it's my first for the year.

We had a fabulous Christmas this year. The girls were adorably cute through the December season. We decorated, we baked, we made candy, the only thing we didn't really do is go outside and make snowmen, etc...but there is plenty of snow still around. We'll get to it!

Annie has been consistently progressing in her speech. Every day it seems we get a newer, more complete thought out of her and she's not even 2 yet! Last week was marked by her "pinching" my *patootie* and saying "I got your biscuits!" This week was marked by, "I want a cheestick, too!" and "I don't want it" (after she took two miniscule bites of the cheesestick).

It's very fun to hear Grace and Annie talk with each other. I have full confidence that Annie is understanding everything now, as she responds appropriately. Next up for her will by potty-training! Woohoo :)

Grace is consistently surprising us with her speech, too. She constantly asks what new words mean and then tries to incorporate them into her speech as soon as she can. She has picked up "left" and "right" from somewhere and will be the kind of student in elementary who "gets" her teachers jokes - I can just tell! I always loved those kiddos! :) It's weird to be thinking about Kindergarten for her, but we are!

Clint has almost reached his 2 year anniversary at MPI. It will be 2 years in March. He is still enjoying it and we are so thankful for the Lord's provision for us in this job, while many are laid off in our area, we are both gainfully employed with excellent benefits. Although our house is small and the bills are many, we have so much to be thankful for!

So - that should catch us up to January 2010. I really didn't intend for a 2 month break from Blogland, but it happened, thanks to busy work, holiday, November doldrums and a crappy case of carpal tunnel! I like having a blog to chart things and times with the girls, so I plan to keep it up and if I could just get myself to the store and remember to buy a new memory card, lots more pictures of two of the cutest girls on the planet!

Gracie's Birthday Pics

What a crazy, busy weekend! Two birthday parties - one on Saturday, with Clint's mom, sister and the cousins (4 & 9 years old -two girls! :) and we headed over to Chuck E. Cheese, which is the absolute craziest place to go on a Saturday afternoon! But, well, every kid has to have at least one C.E.Cheese birthday party, right? (Hopefully, I'll get better at this birthday party thing and it will be the last!)

The girls (& Clint) had a blast playing all the games and we brought a princess cake with us to go with our pizza. Meijers does a very nice job of making cakes. I was pleased. It tasted yummy (can you really go wrong with cake? Unless I make it, of course) and Grace was very happy about the princesses!

The Cinderella was lit up

Blowing out the candles

Opening up the cards, check out that inflatable crown. She just loved that thing! Wore it the whole time we were there!


I think this is an absolutely DARLING picture of Annie!

Got the Magic Ariel Doll - her hair changes colors in water. Grace has been talking about it for weeks!

For the Gilson party, we had a great meal after church at Mom & Dad's house, we had a small ladybug theme, because ever since we found out we were going to have Grace, Daddy has been calling her "Ladybug" - that's his nickname for her and he made this adorable (yes, I said "he") Ladybug cake for her. Didn't it turn out well!? So nice to have an artist for a hubby!

Way tastier than Meijers any day!

Daddy & his Ladybug

Yep, still got the crown on!

She's four now. We have arrived, folks. We have arrived!

Annie did awesome these two days. She was sunshine the whole time!

Phew. We made it, but I tell you what - that little 4 year old was in bed early last night! She was pooped all yesterday from her Birthday Extravaganza! Here's hoping for a fabulous year! Next year, she'll be taking cupcakes to Kindergarten! *Sniff!*

Lugie Vs. Boogie

Actual conversation this morning in the car.

Grace: *Hack! Hack!*

Grace: Momma, a booger came out my MOUTH!

Me: When a booger comes out your mouth, it's called a LUGIE (sp??)! Way to go!

Grace: Lugie! *cracks up*

What a great way to start a week!