Weekend fun

I am bring lazy and posting from my phone. We had tons of fun in San Angelo this weekend. We had had play time at the mall playground which both girls enjoyed followed by mini merry go round rides that now cost a dollar instead of a quarter-geeez. Then ice cream for all. The next day we had a picnic at the park with Leelee and Paw. Lena Kate had a blast. Then Paw got his new golf cart delivered and they were off and riding. She just asked me if we could go back to San Angelo on Sunday. I think she loves visiting her grandparents and I know they love both the girls! Ainslee even showed off her walking skills for them. Sunday we headed to the ranch to catch up with Daddy who had been working cattle all weekend. We got to see lots of family and baby Cinco:)

Peek a Boo

I'm awake!

Get me outta here!

Busy Week Before

We had a busy Holy Week. We started off bright and early Tuesday with breakfast adn service at church, like 6:30am early. I had these cinnamon rolls ready to warm and frost and deliver. I somehow managed to have the girls up and dressed too!

Ready, or not, for the Easter Bunny. Ainslee was NOT having anything to do with the ears.


Big Sister loves them, backwards and all.

We dyed eggs with Koolaid, as well as our fingers-look closely at LK's fingertips:)

Lena Kate wrote her name on the lower right egg. Can you see the "L E N A"?

Hot Cross Buns....minus the cross. They just got a glaze because was out of time and wanted to share with my friends!

Marshmallow bunnies were made as well!

John Lee checking out the Easter chicks.

Dean was having a ball holding a chick.

Cookie decorating with friends! Dean and Elle chose to eat as many as they were decorating. I don't blame them.

These two were serious about their decorating.

Mimi and Papa brought a surprise! What's in the bag? Back when we were kids they were pink and purple!

They chicks now reside in a laundry basket in our washhouse. I'm hoping to give them to some friends that have chickens...SOON!

We had a super fun and busy week baking and making Easter memories, all the while, trying to keep in mind the true meaning of Holy Week.

Easter Sunday

Easter day was especially fun this year. After being awake for over 1/2 an hour I had to prompt Lena Kate to see if the Easter bunny came to visit. She didn't even remember it was Easter. She had such a build up and was asking every day if it was Easter yet and the just didn't remember! She was even watching Easter shows on Nick Jr. I thought it was kind of funny that she hadn't asked yet. When she did finally check the door after I hinted, she was all kinds of excited!

She found her first egg and proceeded to open it and the candy inside. She could care less about any more eggs or surprises. She loves chocolate!

She managed to not use her basket for this part of the hunt. Lil Spot was helping.

The Easter bunny found the doggie guitar she has been wanting for quite awhile on sale for 19.99 at Target. I gotta admit, it is such a cute toy and Lena Kate absolutely loves it.

Ainslee wanted to eat the eggs-whole.

Getting ready for church. I'm so thankful that Lena Kate loves going to church.

Sister in her matching outfit.

A good picture together-yea right?! There was an Easter miracle-Jesus rose from the dead- but there were not two, and that is ok. Maybe in the next 10 years I'll get a good picture of them together:)

Each year we have this beautiful cross covered with flowers. It is such a lovely reminder of what a beautiful thing God did when sacrificing his Son for our sins, and what a beautiful miracle it is that he rose from the dead.

A hug for Papa.

I had nursery Sunday and a few crafts ready for the gang. I knew it would be larger than usual. We had Easter cookies, 2 crafts-a crayola cross and paper plate bunny, and mini pinatas for each kiddo. Lena Kate said she couldn't wait for the Easter Bunny pinata on the way to church. Unfortunately for her there wasn't one this year, but she didn't seem to care one bit. I was just impressed with her memory. She remembered that pinata from an entire year ago at age 2-I wish my mind was 1/2 that good!

After a wonderful morning at church we headed to Mimi and Papas for lunch. Red snapper, deviled eggs (of course), rice, brownies, corn on the cob and salad. It was nice to be with family on such a special day. For some reason the true meaning of Easter really hit home this year. I LOVE singing "He Arose" and other traditional Easter hymns. In children's time Pastor Patti has been using resurrection eggs for the last few weeks and they were empty this week to represent the empty tomb. Lena Kate wondered what happened to the "Jesus stuff".

I pray that while enjoying all the fun traditions of holidays that they truly learn and remember what is true and holy and why we really celebrate. He is Risen!!!!

9.5 Months

Dearest sweet baby girl Ainslee,

9.5 months-how can it be? You are still my little baby. I wish you could stay that way forever, or it seems I do, and on another note I can't wait to see what the world holds for you.

At your 9 month appointment you were off the charts-the bottom of it, that is. You are officially below 1% in weight and head size. So you are really my little girl:) You weighed in at 14 lbs and 12 oz and were 27.5 inches long. I believe this was around 30%, so sorta long and very lean. You have hit all the milestones just fine. We think you are just a wee thing genetically. I love that you are little because I can be in denial that this year has flown by and you are almost 1. What you lack in size you make up for in love.

This past week you have started to take a few steps and can stand up on your own in the middle of the floor without assistance. One day soon you will just take off! Lena Kate thinks it is great and will tell you how proud of you she is. She always asks me if I saw what you just did?! I too, and so very proud of you and everything you do. I know you are not yet one, but I want the world to know you are mine and can't express the love and pride I have for my baby girl.

As for food, you still like baby food and will eat a bowl for 3 times a day as well as nursing 6-8 times a day still. You will then raid my plate when I'm eating. You seem to like lots (of what you have been offered, anyway) of table food as well, so I hope that continues.

As for sleep, well, you still are the difficult one. You will lay down for a nap just fine, but at night you are sure fighting it this past week. I can rock you to sleep and as soon as I put you in your bed you start screaming. Prior to this past week I didn't have to rock, nor did you fuss. I'm not sure what your deal is....let's hope that it goes away soon. I can't keep you in my arms all night and I don't like to hear you cry. It hurts a mama's heart. I'm praying it is just a short phase.

You still have no teeth and I don't show any real signs of a tooth showing up soon.

Thankfully you still like to snuggle with me in the mornings and sometimes throughout the day. I can still get sweet hugs from you. They are priceless. You even share some. I know Papa got a special on after church Easter Sunday and Pastor Patti got one after baptising you. You will wiggle out of my arms if I am sitting in order to get on the floor and chase your sister or play with your Little People or other toys. You and sister play in your playhouse together. Lena Kate is the only one that really gets you to giggling. You are usually a content baby but not one that smiles all the time. When Daddy is home you will make faces at him and try to get his attention if you are sitting with me. You will even make funny sounds sometimes. It is like a game for you and I think it is so darn cute. I love watching your sweet personality emerge each day. You are a thinker and possibly a bit mischievous. You have discovered it is funny for me to tell you no and if I come after you, you crawl away as fast as possible, grinning all the way. It is cute, for now:)

You were baptised on March 25th and surrounded by your family, except poor Leelee was too sick to make the trip. We sure missed her. Uncle Chili drove in from Midland to be there as your Godfather. Unfortunately, Aunt Carla and Cinco couldn't make the long drive. You are so loved by your family and friends. Mimi and Papa had a nice lunch after church and went out of their way to make it a special day for you and all of us. We are blessed to call your ours and to be entrusted to raise you by God.

You enjoyed discovering your Easter basket and playing with eggs this past Sunday. I think you had almost as much fun as your 3 yr old sister, although she wasn't a fan of you stealing eggs from her.

Ainslee, you are taking after your sister in liking the outdoors. If she is outside, you still stand at he door and holler at her wanting to go outside too. I like to sit on the porch swing with you in my lap watching Lena Kate play. You seem to enjoy it too, unless you want down to attack the cat, and growl at him on occasion:)

Little Bug, I can't help but smile every time I look at you. I never dreamed I'd have a blond baby, much less a blue-eyed blond. God is full of surprises. I treasure you and think you are just precious.

Love you with all my heart!

Mommy

Sisterly Love

These two girls just love each other and play together often. I can't wait to watch them grow up together-I hope the love carries on! I know I love them both more than I could possibly begin to describe. Words could never do it justice.

The girls' Aunt Nancy got these precious dresses for them. She and Uncle Trent are so sweet to think of them often and keep them in cute clothes:) We all know shopping for little girls is fun!

We had a super fun and busy week last week....Easter cookies, Easter chicks, early morning church, play dates galore. I will hopefully have post up soon on this amazing week just doing what we do.

He is risen!!! Easter has such a profound meaning that for some reason has really hit home this year. Jesus' death and ressurection is just amazing.

These are the ones that crack me up. Nothing like trying to get two littles to be sweet and smile for a nice sister picture!

Sleepy girls snugglin