Then and now...

At 2:05 a.m. on this date last year, Kate joined our family. This year has FLOWN by more so than any other that I can recall.  It seems as if Kate's gone from infant to toddler overnight.  She has changed so much, and we love her to pieces!

Then:  This sleep wrap thing is cuddly.

 

Now:  Go ahead and try to confine me.  The joke will be on you.   

 

 Then:  I love to be held.  Your hand is like a comfy pillow, Daddy.

 Now:  Put me down!  I'm a girl on the move.

Then:  Daddy, PLEASE don't let them drop me.  I'm scared the loud girl with the bow is going to poke me in the eye.

 Now:  Come on, kids.  Right this way.  I'll show you where to go. 

 Then: Another lullaby, please.

Now:  Let's dance or read this book for the 15th time today.  Your choice!

Then:  Would you please stop taking pictures and just let me sleep?!

Now:  Sleep?  Who?  Me?  No time for that!

 

Then:  I love my mommy!

 

Now:  I love my mommy!

Awww...what a sweet girl!  Some things never change!:):)

Kiddos (Picture catch up)

Good morning!  Even Kate is now getting enough hair to have bed head.

Kate loved walking on the trails at the park and got the biggest kick out of walking the opposite direction as her family. 

We've been doing a fun preschool program with another family for the last couple of months.  Here are the kids leaf creations from "L week"...

 

Nature Scavenger Hunt...

On your mark, get set, go...

It's hard for me to keep a straight face when Natalie puts on this hat...

Scott was a bit too enthusiastic with the powdered sugar donuts one morning.  It's even funnier because he didn't know why I was taking his picture until I told him to go and check the mirror.  :)

Scott and Natalie were coloring together one afternoon.

Scott: Oops.  I just messed up and colored black where I didn't mean to.
Natalie:  That's okay, Scott.  Look at mine.  It's perfect.

(We will have to work on her encouragement skills/humility.)

Before feeling too sorry for Scott, however, he had his own proud moment the other week.  

Scott:  Some boys in my class were saying that they were the best kids in the class.
Me:  That wasn't very nice, was it?
Scott:  No, because I'm the best kid in the class.

Oooookkkkk!:)

Sister, Sister

It's fun opening a tub of clothes at the beginning of each new season and putting Kate in Natalie's old duds.  

Natalie...

Kate...

Natalie saw what I was doing and wanted to reenact the scene, as well. 

Natalie at almost 1 year...

 Kate at almost 1 year...

Natalie

Kate

 

The bathrooms still need cleaned and there is laundry to be folded, but oh, this is much more fun!:)  Priorities, you know.

Pumpkin Time!

 

Last year, I recall being very pregnant at the pumpkin patch.  We hurried to squeeze in all of our fall activities prior to Kate's upcoming birth.  How crazy is it that this year we were chasing our "baby" around and trying to keep her from eating the hay! 

She's been waking up a lot at night lately thanks to some teeth that our coming in.  I've been reminiscing and reflecting while I rock her on just how fast this past year has gone. 

 We are certainly blessed to have Kate in our family and are thankful for our three little pumpkins! 

Field Trips with the Grandparents

Scott and Natalie have been able to take some special outings lately with Grammy, Grandpa, and Great Grandma.  

Here are some of the pictures from their fun trips.  It is such a blessing to have two sets of caring grandparents (and great grandparents!) to love on our children.

 

 

Miss Kate stayed home during the outings to keep me company, lest I became bored.  :)  

 

Change of Plans

Today wasn't going to be a kitchen floor cleaning day...

Now it is.