Family Pics on Anna's Birthday

I always try to get some pictures on birthdays, holidays, etc.  Here are the ones I took on Anna's birthday before we went to church.  I fully expected to get a whole family picture that afternoon when we had someone else there to hold the camera, but I forgot by the time the afternoon rolled around :(  Of course!

*CHEEEEESE* faces:

I mean, if I've got one smiling and/or looking, the other is making some kind of silly face.  

Happy Birthday Annabel!!!

Oh, sweet Anna/Pickle.  Where to even begin.  You turn two today.  And I can already picture you as a teenager :)  I am so blessed to have you as my daughter.  You and your brother are my world, and I just can't get enough of you.  I still cuddle you before bedtime (and in the middle of the night when you wake up yelling Mommy!  Mommy!) and we rock and rock and you lay your head on my shoulder like you did when you were a little baby.  I won't ever get tired of that, although I know the day will come when you will.  I try to remember that this time is short and to enjoy it, even when I wish you'd just let me go to sleep.

This time is so special too because you and Dex can actually PLAY together.  You adore your brother.  I pick you up from your school and the first thing you say is "See Dex?"  Then we go to the car and he's there waiting for us, and you wave your little hands at him and say "Hey Dex!"  You cried in church just the other day because you wanted to go to Kids Crossing with him and you weren't old enough.  Breaks my heart when I have to separate you in times like that.  When Dex goes to play at the neighbors, you always see him go, and still always ask "Where Dex go?" and will lay your head against me and say "Okay" in your sad little voice.

You are such a light in our world.  You are hot and cold, which is such a difference from Dex at your age.  You are definitely your own person, and I'm learning how to deal with that, just like I am still learning how to deal with Dex :)  I feel like as you grow you will just continue to love more fiercely and passionately and I can't wait to see you take this world by the ... horns :)  It will be a challenge for me, surely, since this is not really my personality, but I will always be here to support you and help you and guide you the best way I know how.

Always remember how much you are loved and protected.  That brother of yours will fight for you in ways that your Daddy and I can't, I know it ;)  We love you forever and always and Dex loves you "all the way around the world, around the moon, and ALLLLLLLLL around space!"

We are excited to enjoy a day of celebrating YOU!  xoxoxoxoxo - Mommy

Sweaty Sweet P

Anna was "helping" water my plants this afternoon and looked so cute, I went inside and grabbed my camera.  Of course, the minute I got outside with it, she didn't want to water anymore.  She wanted to go for a walk and push her baby stroller.  So that's what we did.  I ended up just taking the camera along with us and I got some cute shots of my almost 2 year old (going on 16) :)

Trying to get her to smile :)  I wonder when that 4th bottom tooth is going to come in... 

Twirling in her absolute favorite dress.  Don't tell her, but she's getting a lot of Minnie Mouse shirts for her birthday because she wants to wear Minnie every. single. day.  I can't wash what she has fast enough.  

 Sweet little sweaty-head.  She can't step outside without her hair getting drenched.

Exploring Around Grapevine Lake

We are lucky enough to live within walking distance of Grapevine Lake.  Dex rides his bike and I run with Anna in the jogging stroller and we can be there in about 10 minutes.  We spend a lot of time exploring and just getting away from the cooped-up house.  Here are several iPhone pics I've taken over the past couple months while we were out exploring!

See dex WAAAAY off under that tree??

Water

I don't have much to say today, just thought I'd post a couple pictures of the boy in the pool :)  He's looking more grown up every time I take his picture...

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone had a great 4th!  We sure did.  We got to spend the weekend in the country with the whole family.  Yay!  Here are the kids being all patriotic ;)

I have to admit, we took about 7,000 pictures and this is the best thing we could get.  I know not to have grand ideas in my head because it rarely turns out like I imagine, but I didn't think this would be THAT hard!  haha!  Oh well.  They're still cute :)

Anna won't look at my camera for ANYTHING.  Not one single thing.  I have tried it all.

Dex on the other hand... 

We did a little playing around with sparklers.  That was fun!  Here are a couple that I think turned out pretty neat!  

Amanda & Jessica's heart:

Pop & Emi "in" love: