Hiking

We choose one fall afternoon in October to head to a nearby state park for some hiking and exploring. It was after church so we were a little nervous how that was going to go without naps, but they loved every minute of it.

Selah getting ready to head out with her cousins Addy and Brooks.

Finn had about a 20 minute nap on the way there so you either found him like this, checking things out, or...

Snuggling next to daddy. Tadd did great. This kid was not light :) I took him for a short while and that was about all I could last.

It was a fun day though. Selah was loving getting to climb along fallen trees, hike up the trail, and hide in every crevous they could find. She is lucky she had two aunts and grandma along to help too!

Mom G with the kids (minus Finn who we refused to unstrap for every picture, mostly because he would have not wanted to return to his backpack)


My little guy - what a cheese!

We did let Finn out once when we were taking a break. Of course, he took of running and squealing with delight! It should be quite the adventure when this little man is hiking on his own next year.

The kiddos love their Aunt Ti Ti

It was a great day spent enjoying nature and soaking in the warmth from the sun!

Selah is 3!!

Another year has past and Selah is now 3!! I still remember the day we met her birthmom at the resturant to talk. Hearing that we were now chosen to raise this miracle, priceless. Blessed, is all I can say. God truly has blessed us over the last 3 years. She is fiesty, passionate, loving, talkative, loves to sing, dance, and perform in general.

We celebrated her birthday on Saturday, the day before. She was so excited for her birthday party I could barely get her to take her nap. I could hear her playing in the monitor, but didn't go down to assess the damage until after she had fallen asleep. I went down to wake her up because it was time to leave. We were going out to eat first and then back to our house for cake. I looked at her bed, but this is what I found... No one :) After searching around I found her all snuggled against the wall in a "bed" she had made out of the contents of two drawers in her dresser full of blankets and sheets. She woke up and said, "I make a mess?" Yes Selah, you made a mess. But, it is your party so let's go celebrate!


After much debating this year, I decided on a candyland theme. I told myself that I was going to go small this year. Take it easy. No fondant or intricate cakes. No major decorations or food. And overall I think I did really good. We had cake, ice cream, and popcorn to eat. And the cake I got done in one evening. Super easy. After frosting, just cover in GOBS of candy and you are set!




I think the kids had a pretty good sugar-high by the time the night was over. To Selah a birthday party is all about the balloons and party hats. When it was Tadd's birthday she was looking all around for the balloons and kept asking where our hats were. So, I made sure we had a big balloon for her and she got her own special party hat to wear.


On to blowing out the candles. Selah did her "cheesy" smile for pictures. And yes, I kept this one the second one below because it will be great to show her in her scrapbook when she is older! What a cheese!



Thanks to everyone for the gifts! Selah got some things for her dolls (crib, carrier, backpack,etc), book, pj's, memory game, dora ballet doll, trampoline, music player, devotional book, and more :) We missed Uncle Adam, Aunt K, and Colt because they weren't feeling good! Once again we had another great year and party with family. Love you all!

Pumpkin Festival 2011

Most of you from this area know the hysteria that goes along with the Pumpkin Festival in Morton. This year was a first for us. Selah was big enough to go on the rides (that is, with us of course!).

Displaying her tickets

Can you see and feel the excitement!

First was the giant slide

And then the wiggle worm ride (or some variety like that, lol!)
I LOVE this picture - just makes me happy looking at it. Seeing true joy in your child's face - priceless! You know the kind you don't have to ask them for when taking a picture, but the kind you just happen to capture by off chance.


And my little buddy! He loved all the lights and attractions too, from his stroller view. Please excuse the creepy shadows. He is still pretty cute though isn't he?

We intruded on the Mueller/Kruse family night :) and they let us tag along so Selah had some friends to go on rides with. Tim is a favorite with the girls.

What a good lookin' bunch (minus a few who were probably chasing after kids, buying tickets, or whatever other fun was in the nearby area)

And a quick picture to remember the night, yep Selah's smile is truly genuine. Ha!

Then Saturday it was on to the parade. The longest in history I think. Selah and Colt gettting ready.

A fun filled day!



After the parade was over we went to a park for a picnic with my mom's side of the family. It was great spending time with everyone! Happy fall to you all :)

Fall is officially here!

Last week also brought the first weiner roast of the season for us. It ended up even being a little warm while the sun was out, but the second the sun went down, it was perfection!

Wagon rides.

And don't forget the smores!

Selah's newest thing to do, finger paint. Which I try to get out often enough when I am ready to tackle the clean up when she is done :)

Gymanstics

The first week of September brought on gymnastics! I heard that Christy was doing lessons and thought, hey this would be something Selah could do during the winter, burn off some energy, and be a little social with. And so far it has been great! Selah kept asking to go back and do more the second we left. It helped that Jessica (a girl she already knows) was there as a helper and two more girls were in her class that were familiar, Kinley & Aubrey.

Time to warm up girls.

Watching intently as they were given directions. These are the days we will remember girls :)

The whole time I was watching Selah I was conflicted. This is the first time Selah did not hesitate to leave me, no whining, no tears. She just went straight to the class and that was that. Don't get me wrong, I loved that she was confident. But, I did get a little sentimental. She is growing up so fast, trying new things. My heart yearns for her to try new things and become more of a big girl all the while trying to hold on to the "baby" in her.

There was running, summersaults, stretching...



critiquing :)

handstands, trampolines, and back bends!



Who could ask for more fun! We have been practicing Christy and Selah can't wait for class next week! This is serious work people.