Gingerbread Houses

Mia gets some help from Aunt Peggy with her house.

Hailee did her whole house all by herself. She had a vision in her mind and had to make sure it was just right.

Mia wanted to be decorated like Rudolph.

Hailee wasn't as excited to be Rudolph as her sister. She especially didn't want her picture taken with her red nose. I don't know when she decided to be concerned about her picture being taken but I'm not so sure I'm ready for it!

Terri and Amy show Hailee how to have fun!

We all join in on the fun.

Taa-daa!

Hailee was proud of her finished house!

One on my favorite holiday traditions is decorating Gingerbread Houses. I have fond memories doing this with my grandma, my mom and now my girls. In years past I have bought one of those kits and assembled it then let the girls have a go at decorating with me hovering over their shoulder. This year I decided to have a different approach with graham crackers, royal icing and lots of beautiful candy. The girls helped me assemble the houses then I let use their own creative abilities to decorate their own houses. It was so much fun to see their own interpretation of home decorating. Hailee had a color scheme where Mia had a bit more linear in her approach. That really sums up their approach to most things, Hailee is all about matching and coordinating and Mia is more concerned about patterns and structure. I love how their personalities are so different! We had a wonderful morning with our family and I look forward to many more years of continuing this family tradition.

Thankful!

I'm thankful for...

*My beautiful, healthy girls that keep me laughing and smiling!

*My family for their constant and continual love and support!

*My friends near and far who lift me up and always know exactly what to say!

*My faith in God!
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart. I will be found by you declares the Lord." - Jeremiah 29:14

*Hope!

*My job which I enjoy going to each and every day!

*Wonderful teachers who give my children love and knowledge that will last a lifetime!

*Funny things my kids say!
"I can't wait for CHICKEN DAY!" (Mia, 4)
"It's so hard being a big sister, she just always needs me!" (Hailee, 8)

*A safe vehicle to get through all the snow!

*Angels watching from above!

In loving memory...

Robin Lynn Lovejoy
December 16, 1955-November 20, 2009

A year ago today I said goodbye to my mom for the last time. I miss her more and more each day! I really can't believe she isn't here anymore. I wish she could have seen all the accomplishments the girls have made this year and how they are growing into beautiful, caring young ladies. She would have been so proud of them like she always was! I wish she could have been here to hold me and tell me everything would be okay. I do feel comfort in knowing that we have an amazing angel looking after us and that I will see her again some day. I hope she is proud of me and knows that I loved so much!

Eight!

Eight years ago I was blessed meeting my baby girl for the very first time. From the time our eyes met I knew my life would never be the same. Her eyes have always been the window into her soul. She has always been so inquisitive, intuitive and observant. You can't get much past her! She can read what I'm thinking and feeling by just a quick glance. I love that about her and it reminds me so much of my mom. Those little eyes have experienced so much this year! Probably more than most adults could handle but she has walked through each experience with grace and courage. I'm so proud of the young lady Hailee is becoming. I have been honored to be called her "mommy"! This is something she wrote on the first day of school and I think it sums her up in a nut shell.

"Hailee"

Honorable
Artistic
Intelligent
Laughter
Excellent
Enjoyable

Being born near Halloween I knew the day would come that she would want a costume birthday party and this was the year. She loves anything with a peace sign on it so of course she wanted to dress up as a "Peace Out Girl". All the girls that came looked so cute in their costumes! We made caramel apples, decorated headbands, had mummy races and ate edible eyeballs, monster fingers and mummy hot dogs. We topped her birthday off with getting her ears pierced. She was a little nervous and scared but when it was all finished she couldn't stop smiling! It was a good birthday enjoyed by us all!

Peace Out!

The girls at the party. (Where's the birthday girl?)

Mummy Races!

The birthday could not be complete without a peace sign birthday cake!

A few tears were shed but she loves her new earrings!

Catch Up!

Labor Day in CDA

I don't know who is having more fun?

I can't wait until we can go to beach again!

Such a ham! Mia's first day of Pre-Kindergarten.

Hailee's first day of 2nd grade. She is having a great year. We have been blessed to have an amazing teacher, Mr. Elmore. She is striving academically, is a wonderful friend and has become an amazing soccer player. She is really coming into her own!

The future Mia Hamm! Mia's first day of soccer. (Seems I was so busy cheering her sister on at games that I forgot to take pictures).

Hay ride at Harvest House at Greebluff.

My cousin Amy joined us for the day.

You can't go to the Harvest House without have a pumpkin doughnut or two. Yummy!

Amy helps the girls carve their pumpkins.

Tick-or-Treating with their friend Koryn.

So it's now past Hailee's birthday(pictures to come) and I realized that I haven't posted since Mia's birthday three months ago. I guess life has been a little busy around here and I have neglected to keep up with the blog. After looking at the pictures I think I haven't been much better with taking pictures. Anyway, we are doing well and here is just a little bit of what we have been up to since August.

It's Fun To Be 4!!!

Mia finds a ladybug.

Bathing Beauties!

Mia's "Fancy" Cake

I can't believe 4 years have passed since my baby girl entered the world. She has filled our days with laughter, silliness, cuddles and kisses. Mia is very determined, smart and vivacious! Her bright blue eyes and smile melt my heart every time I look at her. She reminds me so much of my mom! I love her to pieces!

We celebrated her birthday with a few friends and family at a local splash park. The kids had so much fun splashing through the water! Mia wanted a "Fancy" cake, so I tried my best to please her :) It was a great day of fun!

Summer Fun

Hailee's looking rather grown up on the horse. She was so excited because she can now reach the rings!!!!

Mia has fun going down the Red Wagon slide in Riverfront Park.

Riverfront Park

So cute! I can't believe she is almost 4!

The perfect strawberry!

Mia found one too!

Hailee was a great picker and was ready to make jam!

Mia's strawberry face showed she ate more than she picked!!!

Off to the raspberries.

We had to wait awhile for the berries to be ready here but they were definitely worth the wait! We make tons of jam that will last the year through!

Thought I would post some shots of some of summer fun! There will be lots more to come. . .