McKayla

This is my sweet niece. I was messing around with my camera and took some of the prettiest pictures of her...it's not hard because she is incredibly photogenic. Talk about beautiful!

My Izzy B is almost 3

Isn't she beautiful?!
Look at those huge brown eyes. They are always aware of everything around her. Izzy has always been right in the action. She's never left out because she wouldn't stand for it. She's also a very imaginative little girl. Izzy spends alot of time with her dolls (and even Ethan's toys) playing pretend. I love to listen in on her conversations with her Barbies. They usually consist of Barbie #1 saying, "I'm so pretty." To which Barbie #2 responds, "No, I'm so pretty."
Look at that hair...somedays it looks really blond...other times it looks more red...either way it's gorgeous. Izzy is very good to let me do her hair. She sits at the sink and soaks her feet or brushes her teeth. Sometimes she sucks the water out of the spray bottle and says, "Aah, so good." Without fail however, whenever I get done she hopes down and says hunts for her Daddy. Looking very flirtatious, Izzy says, "How my look?" I hope she always thinks herself so beautiful.
And look at that mouth...those Spongebob teeth, those darling lips! Those teeth and lips may be little but let me tell you, some HUGE sounds come from those thing. She has a fabulous pair of lungs. Maybe all that crying from colic as an infant helped with that. Izzy makes her wants know. You never have to guess how she is feeling. It's not just that she can yell either. Her laugh is contagious. Especially when she is laughing at/with Ethan. Izzy likes to be happy, but she also likes her own way. If you are not playing "it" her way then she is NOT happy. As much as I complain or whine about Izzy's stubborn streak, I am grateful she has it. Believe it or not, I think it helped her survive birth and the NICU. I believe that determined little personality came down with her from our Heavenly Father. That stubborn streak will certainly help her be a follower and achieve her dreams. I speak from experience!

Isabella is an amazing little thing. I love her more than I can express here. I prayed for her for 4 years and, boy, was she worth the wait! Whatever the future holds for her I know it will be glorious because she wouldn't have it any other way!

Lessons Learned Before Noon Today

#1: Always do painting projects when Peaches is sleeping.
#2: Always do painting projects much higher than baby can climb.
#3: Never leave paint for said projects out while waiting to paint a second coat.
#4: Never take a bathroom break while waiting to paint second coat.
#5: Always laugh and take pictures when Peaches decides to help with painting project!

Tragic End of Piggy Princess

Izzy carried this Piggy Princess everywhere. I knew (and accepted) the fact that one day Piggy Princess would break. I wasn't too concerned though...I got it for free. SO...I am in the kitchen doing what I do when I heard a crash followed by "Oh Piggy Princess broke." Izzy didn't cry. I didn't get mad. We just looked at each other and the broken bank and money scattered on the floor and we smiled. Then we laughed. Then we cleaned up.
Good Times.

Family Wii Time

Ellie loves to "play the Wii" with her Daddy and Ethan. She moves the remote around and pushes the buttons as if she is really playing. She, of course, is encouraged by our laughter and keeps playing.

Ellie is at a really fun age right now. She is a master mimicker which constantly annoys Izzy.
I think they will be friends one day...like when one goes off to college. :)
Ellie is a Daddy's girl and Corey loves that! Every morning when he goes to work she cries and when he gets home Ellie runs to the door to meet him.
She is very easy going. As long as she is where her brother or sister is then she is happy.

"My Family" by Ethan

I am having this framed!!!

Family Home Evening by Ethan

This is a copy of Ethan's lesson for Family Home Evening. He created his lesson all on his own and ended it with a sweet, beautiful testimony about the things he knows are true. It was the best Family Home Evening ever.