Date Morning with my girl

We hit up the early Despicable Me movie while Mollie was waterski schooling with Nana.  

What a treat to have time with my little!

Celebrating Seven!

This angel has been in our lives for SEVEN years!

And I was so lucky to be able to celebrate the almost teen-ager's birthday with a girls weekend getaway to Fort Worth!  So we put on some lip gloss, jumped in to the car and headed West to the COOLEST city we never knew was next door :)

The highlight of our adventure for me may have been having girl chat at her birthday lunch.  It was like hanging out with a girlfriend.... so grown up.  Mollie, you are such a lovely thinker, you are hilarious, you are kind, and you are a card shark.  I LOVED having lunch with you, chatting, playing uno, sharing a steamed artichoke, sipping NA bellinis and watching you blow out your birthday candle!

Of course the rest of the weekend was fun too... finding MOLLY THE TROLLEY, jumping on for a ride, exploring Sundance Square, swimming at the hotel, shopping, stocking up on chocolates for movie snacks, then capping it off with room service, cuddles and a movie in bed (her fav part)!

Mollie, what a gift to spend this time one-on-one with you.  I cannot believe you have been in our lives for seven years.  I can barely remember life without you.  You add so much happiness to our lives.  You keep us on our toes, you make us laugh.  You have the very best sense of humor, you never stop thinking, you love to read and imagine and play!  You dance, put on performances, tell jokes and cuddle.  You are going into first grade and are a truly amazing young woman.  We love you and are so very proud of who you have become.  Can't wait to see what you teach us next!

Day two of adventure was a new thing for us... water park! 

We had a blast swimming in the wave pool, laughing, going on water rides and water slides!

And here is Mollie's collage from the weekend...

Ice cream date

to celebrate Mollie's prayer buddy's birthday.  What a fun summer treat!

Thanks for goofing with me!

Our Baby is 4!!!!

No longer our little baby, but a tall, smart, funny, glowing little girl who loves dressing up, doing ballet, dance parties, playing with her sister, swimming, reading, and cuddling.  Kendall never stops talking or making us laugh, and her smile lights up a room.  Truly a bundle of joy!   

We celebrated this girl with a donut cake, bounce house, bubbles and water balloons with all of her buddies in the back yard.  Big smiles all around!!

I have had teary moments as my baby approaches 4, but then she finds me, jumps on my lap and says “Mama, I’ll always be your baby”, which just warms my heart. So, KK, as you look more like a little girl then a baby every day, I am comforted that you will always be MY baby, that we have endless memories of cuddling little KK as she grew up, and also that we have many memories to be made exploring with my BIG beautiful, loving, hilarious, energetic, sweet girl!

The Rockbridge Cottage... AKA Paradise!

 One of Grandma's dreams came true the day they both this cottage, and now both Grandpa and Grandma can't help but smile when they talk about this special place.  We were so excited to do our first real "camp out" and check out what this little piece of Heaven nestled in the bluffs of Western Wisconsin.  We roasted hot dogs, s'mores, ran through the sprinkler, explored the trails, spotted deer, picked flowers in the huge fields, did sparklers in the dark, roasted more marshmallows, and saw stars like we've never seen before! Oh, and of course there were the tractor rides!

 And we're out.  

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for wiping us out while giving us the best memories! 

We love you so much!

Birthdays, Wisconsin Style

Grandma and Grandpa hosted a great birthday celebration for both girls! 

CHEERS to continuing birthday festivals :)