Eight is Great!

After several attempts, we finally made it out to dinner, just the 2 of us, for our anniversary. It was my very first time ever leaving Ivy for the night (of course she was just fine). And I brought our camera to take pictures at dinner and never did so we took some on the couch once we were home. Of course Jack Jack had to jump in!

My Kids

Before I had kids, not a day went by that my heart didn't hurt just a little because I wasn't able to have them yet.

On the opposite side, not a day goes by that I do not feel happiness and gratitude in my heart that I am a mom to these two precious kids.

Hunting Season

And so it begins...

Another season of hunting! The weather has turned a bit which is good news for the deer hunter (bad news for the deer). Daniel is taking full advantage. And we have a freezer full of meat again!

Jordan and Daniel with their bucks this morning.

The audience

Beauty!

Here is my beautiful baby girl at her 3 month photo shoot!!

Once again, Eva has done a spectacular job! My only complaint - sooo many good ones, it's hard to pick my favorite!!!

Thanks for these precious pictures of my little beauty

(and for teaching me how to enlarge them on my blog!)

Harmony's Fall Festival

We attended the Fall Festival in Harmony this afternoon and had a fabulous time! I don't know if Jack was more excited for the festival or to be with his beloved Aussie, Kitty and Charlotte. (Today was the first day his cough sounded normal and we were able to be around cousins again!) It was a little warm for a "fall" festival and the rides were running a tad bit late but with a little funnel cake to tide us over it ended up being a great little activity!

This princess was the perfect little dreamboat. She was perfectly content to tag along in the stroller and even took a little nap! She never fussed and is clearly feeling much better!

The Happenings...

What has been happening here? The update...

Sick kids. This is NO FUN!!! Jack has had a nasty cough for almost 2 weeks now. He had a rough couple days with a low fever but for the most part, he has been sleeping okay, just sounding really funky. Inevitably, Ivy developed the same sounding cough a few days ago. She has had a higher fever and has not been sleeping well. At all. As in, up 4-5 times a night, for 30-90 minutes at a time. We are talking serious sleep deprivation on my part (and hers!). Anyhow, we all went to the doctor yesterday and she has bronchiolitis and a double ear infection. So sad!! Poor girl!! Jack Jack had a chest x-ray which came back clear - doc said his cough may linger but the infection looks like it's on it's way out. Hopefully Ivy will be back to herself once the antibiotic does it's job. This is exhausting, and hard!! I'm ready to rejoin society again! I'd be completely insane if it weren't for daily Kubota rides and some nice weather that allows us to play outside! I've also realized how lucky I was with Jack as a baby. He was never sick. Ever. Still doesn't get sick very often (has never had an ear infection). I will be so happy when this passes. And they will too!

Happy Anniversary to us!! We celebrated 8 years on Tuesday!! Wow, 8 years, really? Seems so significant!! Time really does go by quickly! We had big plans to leave the kids (Ivy for the first time) and go to dinner but with their sick condition we decided we'd wait until later in the month and we went out together as a family. It was quite the perfect evening with the kids, I must say. They were so good, dinner was delicious and we got ice cream after!

The tag! My little boy loves his blankie and he especially loves the tag on his blankie. I've been awaiting the day it would come off and it finally happened. He was so so so sad but I reassured him I could sew it right back on and I did! Happy boy again!

And here are the two kiddos when we were outside the other evening.

Oh Ivy...

Can't get enough of this sweetest pea!! As I was making dinner tonight, she was rolling and scooting all over the floor, making all kinds of noises and being so cute. I smiled and thought how fun it is to have a baby in our house, how lucky we are!!

This little mama loves her baby food!!

And the exersaucer,

And being outside.

The story behind this one - Jack has been under the weather lately. He's had a pretty nasty cough the last few days and so last night, Daniel gave him a blessing. I had Ivy all ready for bed and set her down with her paci so I could hold Jack while the boys ministered to him. When all was said and done I came to get my perfect little princess and she was asleep. What a dear!!

My Chitlins...

We haven't been up to much lately. I've just been watching my kids grow and change before my very eyes! Jack Jack is saying new things everyday - it's fun to watch him learn and hear him talk. Ivy is growing like a weed! She is changing so fast - reaching/grabbing/rolling/eating and even getting her ears pierced! Here are a few pics from around the house. (I could really use your picture tricks right now Eva!!)