Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 6:32:51 AM

Where have we been?

Hello!  It has been quite a long time!  Where have we been?  Well, as much as I love documenting and writing about my little girls, I found myself spending more time blogging about life than actually being a part of it.  In other words, I love that I have kept these moments in our lives alive on here.  But right now, I am too busy acutally making memories with my kids to take time out to write about them.  I want to be able to just "be" in the moment with them, not worrying about the camera or writing about it later.  I truly enjoy sharing and letting others glimpse the craziness and chaos of our family. But for the time being, I am not going to take the time out of life with my kids to document it.  Hopefully I will be able to get back into blogging in the future, but for now, we are doing well, busy as ever, and living life the best way that we can...together with love laughter, and each other. 

Our Family -- Abigail, Tim, Sophie, Geri, and Emma

Abigail, Sophie, and Emma

Sophie, Abigail, and Emma (acting very natural!)

Abigail and Emma, twins and friends

Emma and Abigail, four years old

Sophie, 18 months old

Emma

Abigail

Tim and Geri

Abigail

Emma

Sophie

Abigail

Emma

Sophie

Emma, Sophie, and Abigail

Emma giving Sophie a kiss as Abigail looks on

Abigail, Tim, Sophie, Geri, and Emma

Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 8:08:28 AM

And that’s it for June!

So June is now caught up in terms of blogs!  I will start working on July so we can get back to present day and try to stay more current! 

Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 8:07:43 AM

Happy Father’s Day!

For Father’s Day, the girls helped me make Daddy a big breakfast that we took up to him in bed after he got to sleep in a bit.  And we let him eat it while watching sports all by himself!  Then the girls wanted to give him his gifts in the morning, which, funny enough, he had bought for himself earlier in the month as he needed some new dress clothes for work.  We still wrapped them up and made him open them, plus he got to open the cards the girls colored for him.  (By the way, they did an excellent job coloring the cards this year!)  Abigail, Emma, and Sophie were great helpers with opening his gifts with him, pulling on the strings and ripping the paper for him.  Tucker even had his nose in there trying to "smell" and see what was going on!  After opening his gifts he had gotten for himself, we tried to surprise him with another gift, but Emma kind of let the cat out of the bag before he even opened it!  She said to him as he was getting the present, "Watch for you, Daddy!  New watch!"  Actually, Emma had spilled the beans a few days earlier but I told Tim she thought we were going to get him a watch, but that we didn’t because he already got himself some things.  He believed me, but I definitely couldn’t cover it up when we were holding the gift, and Emma was telling him it was a new watch!  I will admit that it was cute, though!  After gifts, we got to spend the day together as a family, which was probably the best part of all.  Overall, I think Tim’s Father’s Day was a success!

Tim with his kiddos as he open his cards (left) and as they help him open his gifts (right).

Abigail and Emma helping to rip the paper off (left) as Sophie checks out the wrapping paper up close (right).

Tim opening his "surprise" watch as everyone looks on (left).  Tim with his kids on Father’s Day: Abigail, Sophie, Tucker, and Emma.

Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 7:31:35 AM

Hanging Out at Home!

Most days that we are hanging out at home during the summer we have some sort of water activity going on, so we spend a lot of time in our swimsuits!  Check out how cute we are!

Sophie (left), Abigail (middle), and Emma (right) hanging out on our deck.

Sisters...Abigail and Emma (left) and Sophie (right) enjoying a snack in the shade at their picnic table.

Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 6:33:05 AM

A Preschool Playdate

In June, Abigail and Emma had a playdate at the preschool they will be attending in the fall.  It was held on the playground of the church/school, and the girls didn’t really hesitate too much in trying things out.  They climbed bars and tires, slid down slides and poles, swung on swings and handlebars, played in the sand table and with outdoor chalk, and basically had a great time!  It was nice for me, too, as I got a chance to begin meeting people I will be working with and that will be a part of their preschool experience.  Sophie did not come to the playdate with us as Tim was off from work so the two of them spent some quality time together.  Abigail and Emma did meet some of their fellow "Chickadees," but overall I think they were just getting a feel for the place.  And the verdict?  We are all excited for the next playdate and to start the school year! 

Sophie, with her blankie, got to stay home with Daddy (left).  Emma (middle) and Abigail (right) were like little monkeys climbing on everything at the playground!

Abigail and Emma liked to swing on these handlebars (left), and spent a lot of time at the sand table (right).

Can’t wait for the next summer playdate!

Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 6:32:28 AM

Even More Lakehouse Fun!

The next day some of Tim’s extended family came to the lakehouse, so we headed there for yet another day of sun and fun!  The girls did more jet skiing, had more sandbox time, and even got to play with some second cousins that are close in age to Abigail and Emma.  Sophie enjoyed her little chair again, and also liked all of the attention she got from family members that had not seen her in a while.  At the end of the day, we got some great photos of the three girls just playing together in the grass with their swimsuit cover-ups on.  Super cute!  Don’t you just love summertime?!?

Tim and Emma on the jet ski (left), and Sophie enjoying the view from her little seat (right).

Abigail having a great time on the jet ski with Daddy.

Both girls paddling in a little boat with Daddy’s help.

Sophie getting in some sun time as a bathing beauty (left)!  And Emma in her cute swimsuit (right).

Emma tried out an "older" bike and really liked it!

Abigail being silly, as usual (left), and enjoying some sandbox time (right).

Emma, Sophie, and Abigail playing together.

Our three cutie pies:  Emma, Sophie and Abigail!

Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 7:40:56 AM

A Day for Some Lakehouse Fun!

During our visit to Ohio. we took the girls to Tim’s family’s lakehouse.  And joining us there for the day was my sister and her kids, as well as my mom.  It was so much fun to have them all there!  And even Uncle Dan happened to be in town during that weekend so he was able to spend time with all of us, too.  The girls had a blast doing all sorts of things: swimming in the lake, playing in a blow up pool, going jet skiing, playing in a sandbox, riding on and "driving" the boat, and just being together with family for some summer fun!  I think all of my pictures below show just how much we did...and how much fun it all was!

The girls showing Tim things they see in the water (left).   Sophie playing with some stuffed animals inside (right).

Sophie checking things out and hanging out in the grass on a beautiful summer day.

Tucker loves swimming with Tim in the lake!

I am happy to have my family there with me (left)!  Emma and Abigail watch as Tucker and Daddy swim together (right).

Baby Quinn had her first trip to the lakehouse with us (left).  Abigail swimming with her Daddy (right)!

Both girls enjoying the water time with Daddy!

Ethan and Austin supervise the set-up of the pool as they fill it with water (left).  And Sophie tries out the pool, which she liked, but she kept trying to crawl around in it and out of it (right).

Abigail and Emma enjoying some sandbox time (left), as Sophie just enjoys the grass and Nature (right).

Abigail out on a jet ski with Tim (left), as Ethan takes a turn out with Dan (right).

Emma taking a ride with Tim on a jet ski (left), while Abigail heads out with Uncle Dan (left).

The girls both really enjoyed the jet skis and going fast, as seen here with Tim and Emma (left)!  Austin found a job filling up another baby pool (right).

Meanwhile, Quinn enjoyed the summer fun by relaxing on her mommy and in the shade (left).  Emma checks her to make sure she is okay as she sleeps outside (right).

Ethan (left) and Austin (right) both took rides with Uncle Timmy on the jet skis.

Austin seemed to enjoy the ride, even though he was originally hesitant to go (left).  Sophie found a chair that was just her size and LOVED sitting in it (middle and right)!

Boat time!  The girls help Grandpa Dave drive the boats and handle the controls (left), as Sophie enjoys a bottle with her Mommy (right).

Sophie liked to watch the bubbles over the side of the boat (left).  And the girls enjoyed watching out the front of the boat.  Here is Abigail with Uncle Dan (right).

Emma enjoying the boatride (left), and Sophie having a good time with Aunt Mimi on the boat (right).

A view of the back of the boat shows Ethan helping Dave drive as Abigail, Gramma, Emma, and Austin talk and hang out together.

Abigail wearing my sunglasses (left) and looking so stylish as she puts them on top of her head (right)!

Mommy enjoying her time with Abigail and Emma on the boat.

Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 6:26:40 AM

Baby Quinn & A Four-Wheeler!

During a visit home to Lima in June, the girls finally got to meet Baby Quinn!  They didn’t get to see her in the hospital in May since she was in the Special Care Unit, so we made sure to get them back to Aunt Mimi’s as soon as we could so they could meet their new cousin.  Abigail and Emma were super cute with Quinn, wanting to watch what she was doing and even "helping" to change her diaper.  Sophie was pretty funny with her as she would crawl over to Quinn and start laughing and giggling.  It was like she was so happy to see someone her size!  Sophie would also try to touch her so we had to make sure to watch her closely.  Overall, it was a great first meeting!  During that same visit, Abigail and Emma got to try out cousin Austin’s new electric four-wheeler.  At first, we let them ride on it with Austin and Ethan.  Then, after they got the hang of it, they wanted to try it on their own, so we walked beside them as they tried it out.  Finally, they were off and running by themselves in the front yard, and having an awesome time!  They LOVED it!  And it was so funny to watch Abigail and Emma on a four-wheeler!  Now, every time we go to visit, the girls can’t hardly wait to drive it!  Check them out below!

Emma (left) and Abigail (right) as they meet Baby Quinn with me. 

Abby and Emma enjoying some ring pops and outside time (left),  and Sophie trying to snatch Quinn’s blankie (right)!

MawMaw holding Sophie up next to me and Baby Quinn!  Too cute! 

Emma trying out the four-wheeler with Austin (left), and Abigail trying it out with Ethan (right).

Time to drive on their own!  Emma (left) and Abigail (right) with MawMaw close beside them.

Emma loving her time on the four-wheeler!

Abigail looking as cute as can be on the four-wheeler!

Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 6:09:06 AM

Ponies!

One fun day in June, we took the girls to a state park that is near here so that they could ride ponies.  Basically they rode on a pony up and down a trail as Tim held on to the pony, guiding it.  They both went up and down the trail about six times, switching off after three times each.  They really enjoyed it, and Sophie liked snacking in her stroller and playing in the grass while she waited for them. And since it was at an equestrian part of the park, there were a lot of bigger horses there for the girls to check out and watch.  They saw the bigger horses eating, walking around, and even getting saddled up for riding lessons that take place there.  Abigail and Emma were not scared at all to ride the pony, and I am pretty sure we will be returning in the future for more rides!  Overall, a very fun time!

The girls holding hands as they point out the ponies and horses to us (left).  Abigail waving as she rides the pony (right).

Abigail riding the pony with Tim leading them (left).  Emma checking out the other big horses as she waits her turn to ride the pony (right).

Time to switch!  Emma’s turn as Abigail looks on (left), and Emma on the pony (right).

Abigail (left) and Emma (right) riding a pony.

Sophie enjoying herself in the grass as she waits for her big sisters.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 6:14:44 AM

Mashed Potatoes and Ice Cream!

Sophie has been enjoying "real food" this month, and of course it was awesome to watch as she shoveled in things like broccoli, cheese, and mashed potatoes!  No going back to "baby food" for her!  And it seems like it is definitely a rite of passage or tradition for a kid to end up with a messy face and food all over themselves.  Our Sophie is getting to be such a biggie girl!  See our messy Sophie Lion below!

Sophie with mashed potatoes all over her face (including her eyelids)!

One thing our neighborhood does each summer is have an ice cream social where you can chat with other neighbors and enjoy free treats.  They have it right across from the playground, and usually there is a great turn out.  It is fun to see people you have not seen in a long time, plus the ice cream is really yummy! The girls got to play on the playground first and then order from a real ice cream truck, and Sophie even enjoyed a few spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream.  Abigail and Emma were great big sisters in helping her enjoy it, too, as they helped to feed it to her.  It was definitely a messy experience as the girls ended up with chocolate and ice cream all over themselves, but at least we were outside for all of the dripping!  Overall, it was a lot of fun and definitely made it feel like summer is here!

Emma (left) and Abigail (right) enjoying a summer treat of ice cream.

Sophie really liked trying out some ice cream, too!

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