Happy 2nd Birthday Mia!

Today Mia turns 2!  I am just so in love with this little girl - she's amazing!  Dan and I are so blessed to have her in our lives.   We really enjoy watching her grow - she seems to change every day.  Lately she is really talking and learning new words.  It's very fun.  She is also quite a climber and has recently figured out how to stack blankets, pillows and toys just right to climb onto the top bunk of her sisters bed! (that gave mom a minor heart attack the first... and second... time she found her up there). 

Happy Birthday Mia!  Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

{love this love shirt?  you can make one too - head over to the finley and oliver blog to find out how}

Welcome Fall!

The weather has been so amazing lately, we love to spend a lot of time playing outside.  We enjoy walking to the park with the girls and letting them run around or even just playing outside in our backyard.  We gladly welcome the cooler weather!

Off for a walk - Mia got her monkey purse for her birthday and it seems to go with us wherever we go.

 Playing at the park - Hannah loves the slides

 "Look at me mom! Take my picture!" 

 It's Mia's turn... "weeehaaa"

 Playing at home and swinging seems to be the girls' favorite... their smiles and giggles are contagious

Mia's 2nd Birthday Party

Mia's 2nd birthday is not until the 21st, however with our busy schedules, we had to have her birthday party early this year. 

 We had an Ice Cream Party - everyone could make their own ice cream sundaes.

It was very tasty!

 Mia loves her ice cream and sweet treats :o)

 Time for a few gifts from our wonderful family and friends that were able to join us for the celebration

 And there is always time for a few snuggles with mommy

Hannah also enjoyed the sweet treats

 And an amazing surprise visit from my cousin, Stepfanie!  We were so excited she came to the party!

 It's so amazing how quickly time goes by.  My sweet baby girl is going to be 2!



My Birthday Weekend

Last week, on September 9th, was my birthday.  We enjoy making birthdays a pretty big deal in our home; we love to celebrate and have a great time together as a family! 
We started with the Wing Ding... we love going every year. And this year, the weather was perfect! 

 We always enjoy a lot of delicious food...

 Hannah had a great time - eating food and dancing to the music

 And we cooled it off with a little ice cream... yum!

 And I got a few gifts....

 My magazines from Hannah

 And Mia wrapped up her puppy

 Saturday morning we went to Farmer's Market at to Artapalooza on Main Street - Mia slept the entire time.  She looked so cute.

 Sunday morning was my dad's first day preaching at his new church in Urbandale, Olivet Baptist Church

 Then I got my free birthday burger at Red Robin - yum!

 It was huge - good thing I had Hannah and Mia to share it with :o)

 Hannah posing like the red robin...

 And a little shopping at probably one of my new favorite stores

 And to end the day with a little fishing for Dan and the girls before heading home...

 Needless to say, the girls had a great weekend celebrating my birthday. :o)

Hannah's first day of preschool

On September 7th, Hannah had her first day of preschool!

She goes 3 days a week, in the afternoons, to Farmstead.

Hannah loves it. As you may remember, she went for the 3 week summer program and couldn't wait to go back!

 Hannah and Mia before Hannah left for school

 Hannah and Mommy - so hard for me to believe she is old enough for preschool already!

 Daddy took Hannah to school and surprised mommy with some great pictures. (Yep, I was pretty sad I wasn't the one dropping her off and missing her first day photos)

 Did I mention she picked our her own clothes for the first day?  She did pretty great and looked super adorable!

 To celebrate, after school Hannah, Mia and I went out for ice cream. Yum!