Fun Filled Week with Cousins

As mentioned, we have cousins in town visiting this week and wow, have we kept busy.   We have gone to the park to play together, we went to the Apple Orchard (I forgot my camera for this event), we had movie/smoothie night, we went to the Science Museum...

Little Man has been quite out numbered this week by girls.  He doesn't seem to mind though. 

We had a lot of help at the Science Museum, the Littlest got to enjoy some special time with her Great Aunt, who definitely seemed to have the touch.

We went to the Zoo. 

The Zoo had some tractors the kids could ride on.  It might seem by the picture below that the BIG kids were having the most fun on the tractors.

And then a race - Little Man verse Silly Aunt....

Of course Little Miss wanted to race too, so Grandma had to push her (she can't quite peddle yet).

And then it wasn't long, and Little Miss wanted to push Grandma (or maybe Grandma just needed a rest...not sure on that one)...

Finally, we all needed rest, so we went on the train ride.  As you can see by the train, we didn't have to stand in line long...It was a beautiful day, but you don't find too many people at the Zoo this time of the year.

The cousins leave for home tomorrow...but not until we have a fun Fall Costume party tonight.  So more pictures to come soon.

Visit with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa

We had a special visit this past week from Great Grandma and Great Grandpa.  It was so wonderful to see them.  Great Grandma seemed to enjoy holding our littlest...

Little Man enjoyed talking with his Great Grandparents and taking pictures with them.

Where was Little Miss?  Well, for those of you who know her well, you know she is not one to volunteer for pictures.  So, she was instead enjoying the animal masks her Aunt had brought.

As it turned out, Little Man and Great Grandma were enjoying them too.

Cousin's Visiting

The children have their cousins visiting this week.  They LOVE spending time together and we always look forward to their visits.  Since they live so far away, when they visit, they usually stay for a little while.  They are in town for a week and we have been able to do many fun things together.

We were able to get a nice group shot.

Little Man and the oldest are about one year apart exactly (Little Man is actually the oldest cousin on both sides of the family).  Then Little Miss and the next oldest in their family, are just one month apart.  And our littlest and their littlest are only one month apart as well.  So, it has been such a blessing and so much fun to have our children so close in age.

They were able to have lots of fun playing games together. 

Of course the two littlest can't participate yet, so they got to lay by one another and "play"

We all wake up different

All of the children seem to wake up differently from their naps.  Little Man usually needs a few moments to wake up and likes to lay in his bed for a little while before getting up.

Little Miss (if she wakes up on her own), wakes up ready to go...with lots of giggles and smiles.  The first thing I usually hear when I walk into her room is "I get out?"  This afternoon she was "hiding" from me....

And then she gave me a BIG *Little Miss* Smile

And our littlest....usually wakes up quite content - with wide eyes - ready to eat! 

The Heaven's Declare...

These pictures don't do justice to the amazing sunrise the children and I got to see the other morning.  I am sure we have all experienced more than one sunrise that takes our breath away.  It is a great time to rejoice and reflect on our AMAZING God and Creator!

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

It just got better as the minutes went on.....

Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵ It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Psalm 19:1-6

Taking Turns

Grammie had a new fun car for the kids to play in - actually, I think they both were a little too big for this, but they had fun.  Little Man started off by pushing Little Miss.

 However, it wasn't long and he wanted in the car and she wanted to push him "all by herself." 

They accomplished this mission, to which our Little Man said "Wow mom *Little Miss* is getting big muscles just like me."  They next found a decent size hill and enjoyed pushing one another down as fast as they could.

Fun Head Shots from Grammie's House

Important side note:  purple hat that Little Miss is wearing her Aunt Fell made for her - isn't it AWESOME!  Thanks Aunt KFell!  We love ya!

Little Man (as mentioned previously) is in the "make funny faces for the camera" mode.  So, in order to get a nice smile (as the one above), I tell him to think of chocolate or ice cream - this always brings a nice smile!

Visit To Grammie's

The kids and I took a weekend trip to visit Grammie's.  We were able to enjoy some beautiful Fall weather and Grammie's yard full of leaves (we don't get as many where we live, so this is exciting).

Little Miss was trying to make her own pile of leaves (I think maybe Grammie helped).

But, when Grammie headed inside with our littlest, the kids and I really got to work.

Here is our BIG pile of leaves.

Then mom buried them in the pile and got a picture.

We then got to kick them...

And throw them.

There is nothing better than a fun Fall day and playing in the leaves.  Isn't God's creation AWESOME!  He gives us so many simple joys in life.

Sick Little Girl

The picture below says it all - Little Miss woke up last Thursday morning with a fever. She was off and on not feeling well for the next few days.

Thankfully she is 100% back to feeling well again!

All bundled up

Last photo of the day - she is so adorable all bundled up for the cooler weather....

Three Months Old

Our little one weighed in at 15.8 lbs and 25 inches long at three months.  She is keeping right up with big brother, who weighed 15 lbs 9 oz and was 25 3/4 inches long at three months.  They do seem to have a lot of similarities already.  Below are a few 3 month photos of her - she is such a joy to take pictures of - all smiles and no crying.

Big Brother was great help while taking pictures.  He would encourage her to SMILE and enjoyed helping mom.  He then wanted to take a picture with her...he did a great job holding her.

And you may be wondering, where was Little Miss during all this picture taking. Well...we buckled her in....

Don't worry, we gave her a snack, but she finished that quickly.  So then we kept hearing..."I get down...Mommy, I get down."  To which I replied, "In just a minute sweetheart."  She was good - but for some reason, picture taking seems to go a little more smoothly when she is unable to move.

Who does she look like?

Our littlest turned 3 months today.  I enjoyed taking some pictures of her this morning, as she smiled away at the camera for me.  I thought I would go back and get a picture of her brother and sister at 3 months.  Who do you think she looks like?  I certainly have my opinion and she reminds me A LOT of him!

 This one above is of our Little Miss at 3 months!

This photo below might bring back some memories of her older brother at this age as well....it is still to be determined if we will relive the drooling with her.

Before Church Photos

Thought you might enjoy some "before church photos" of the children.

We try to encourage nice smiles, but you just never know what we might end up with. 

Little Miss Content makes it quite easy to take pictures of her right now :)

 Little Miss gave me this pose this morning - however, when I told her it was time to take pictures, she reminded me that she gets an M'n'M if she is good. 

 These two truly do love one another and have so much fun together.  It is such a blessing to watch them care for one another and enjoy helping one another.  One of our prayer as parents for them is that our children would grow up to be best friends.

And yes, they both LOVE little sister SO much.  She receives SO many kisses each and every day.