Millstone Creek Orchard

How can you not love this picture.  Even without words it communicates so much.  This boy loves his pooch.  I don't think a better dog has ever walked than planet than our dear Bobo.  The only thing we could do without is his gassiness.

What a fun beginning of the year field trip we had to the apple orchard.  We got to taste different varieties of apples, make and taste apple cider, go on a hayride, pick apples, and enjoy lunch together. 

Here are the sweet girls, trying apple slices.  Madeline had the most delightful time with girl friends on this trip.  She is sitting next to Madeline and Sydney.  Sweet, sweet girls.

I can never get enough of Ryan's expressions.  I love them. . .they say so much!!!

Look at my sweet children, cranking it.  We were making apple cider, old school.  They had such much fun, turning the wheel, and watching the juice of the apples squirt out!

Carowinds 2011

This year we said "bye-bye" to Kings Dominion and "hello" to Carowinds.  They are essentially the same parks, but it was fun to stay in NC.  Here are little MOW and Ry with Charlie Brown.  I love Ry's sweet, shy expression, and Madeline's joy.  Precious, precious, precious.

Madeline and Marissa get ready to ride the "hot air balloon" for the zillionth time.  Having Marissa there was such a treat.  It made for an extra special and fun day.

Up, up and away. . .

Hey look. . .it's the Mattdaddy and RyRy. 

Marissa and Madeline.  Mommy is, of course, sitting under a tree with Lilly Grace.

Check out those serious faces.  I think they are scared they might veer the wrong direction and fall from the tracks!!!

Okay. . .these boating faces are too funny!

It was an awesome, full day.  Though we have no pictures of it, we spent a large part of the day at the water park.  Everyone had so much fun riding water slides, floating in wave pools, relaxing on the lazy river.  Mommy was camped out under a huge umbrella with a sleeping Lilly Grace.  Love spending time as a family!

Ry Ry Lost His First Tooth!

Our sweet boy is getting so big.  My heart sunk and rejoiced when he lost his first tooth.  He has been our baby for so long!!!  This tooth has a story.  A few days before losing it, while brushing his teeth, Mommy noticed that a fully formed tooth had grown in behind his first loose tooth. . .how it took so long for us to notice, I have NO idea. . .I'm sure it just popped up overnight.  Matt and I knew this was a sure sign of braces in his future, though neither him nor I had them.  Since he's our tough guy, Daddy offered to help loosen it.  Ry was all for it.  Daddy would gently wiggle it, and without notice abruptly and forcefully push it.  After about the third time doing this, the tooth fell out.  It was awesome.  He was stoic, though blood dripped from his mouth.  We think he was proud of himself for being so brave and courageous.  So. . .here's our sweet boy, with one less reminder of his baby and toddler days.

Whoa. . .this boy is CUTE!

LOVE this smile. . .could eat it!

We'll Miss You Marissa!

The Faces of Lilly Grace-Aug. 2011

Our youngest continues to be a great joy and delight.  None of us can get enough of her.  Love these pictures of the guys with her.  One of the greatest shocks and joys is seeing how much Ryan delights and loves his baby sister.  He lavishes her with attention and always wants to hold her.

I love this picture so much, it makes me wan to cry!

Can you tell that someone loves to put EVERYTHING in her mouth?!

Saying goodbye to Marissa was a sad, sad day.  She was truly part of our family.

Daddy loves feeding his baby girl.  One of the awesome things about not nursing is that Matt can participate in feeding Lilly Grace.  If he's home, and does not have something important to do, he ALWAYS wants to feed her.  And he gives this sweet pea, her 11pm feeding EVERY night (unless traveling).  They have such a sweet bond.  Even at this young age, Lilly Grace knows her daddy and loves him.

Our Cutie Pie

Hello. . .this is the smile that melts hearts. 

Oh my goodness, this face is angelic!

Here we are at Carowinds, standing on the North/South Carolina border.

My sleep girl.

There is nothing better than having your sweet baby fall asleep on you.  While the kids and Daddy had fun splashing around in the waterpark at Carowinds, Mommy and Lilly Grace lounged around under an umbrella.

Our little thumb sucker.

Love this little face.

Life. . .

The addition of a 3rd has definitely made life fuller.  Though there is not much recreation time for Mommy and Daddy, the joy surpasses that need.  Lilly Grace is God's gift to us, just like Madeline and Ryan.  Her addition has been a family affair.  Because of the age difference between the kids, Madeline and Ryan delight in her and enjoy her.  She has brought out a beautiful maternal side of Madeline and an unbelievable tenderness in Ryan. 

Madeline and Ryan are busy in school.  Ryan is actually halfway through kindergarten and doing incredibly well.  He is actually turning into a strong reader, which I love.  One of my favorite things is to watch him sound out a hard word.  He puts so much effort into it, and I love to watch the concentration.  Madeline is as diligent as ever, so focused and responsible.  This week, after a summer of science and history, we begin her core classes.  Both of them start soccer practice this week.  It should be an interesting season since they will be practicing and having games on different fields.

They both also have a love for friends.  We love to see their little hearts care so much about people.  Of course, Ry loving playing sports and being active with friends.  Madeline loves playing American Girl Doll and drawing pictures with her friends.  Such joys and blessings.

Lilly Grace is as active and aware as ever.  The sweet thing has learned to roll onto her tummy, but not back over, so there has been much screaming from her crib this week, as she finds herself "trapped".  And again, we have a thumb sucker.  It is so fun to watch her try to get it. . .she's still working on coordination.  She also loves to "talk" and smile.  We cannot get enough of it!  Off to feed the little bundle of joy.