Sweet Sisters

"She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future"

Proverbs 31:25

 "Sometimes being a sister is even better than being a princess."

 "We laugh, we cry, we make time fly.  Best friends are we, my sisters me."

 Big Sister

"My little eyes are watching all you say and do and when I grow up big and tall, I want to be like you!  My little ears are listening to everything you say, I am learning how to grow up to be like you someday.

 So be careful how you teach me to be the person that you are.  You're the best friend that I could have; you're my brightest shining star."

~Patsy Gout

"How do people make it through life without a sister?" ~ Sara Corpening 

 Oh these girls!  These precious girls.  

 How our lives have changed for the better because of each of you!

 Each day you bring us joy and laughter.....

 and sometimes even bring us to our knees as we learn the ins and outs of raising baby girls!

 Each of you offer your own flavor to our world....

 and a little spice to our lives!

 We would not have it any other way!  

Always remember you are loved and cherished from the tips of your sweet little heads all the way down to the tips of your itty bitty toes!.

Eight looks great on Mason-Kate!  She started her "birthday week" with a gymnastics birthday celebration with all of her favorite friends!

 The girls all gathered for a bit of instructions....

 and then they were off and enjoying the different stations in the gym....

 this pic is so blurry but it had to be shared since it was MK's favorite activity of the day!

 The whole time, the gym was blaring Highschool Musical music - both of our girls have memorized the songs from watching the movies numerous times:0!

 After a bit of play, it was time for a bit of cake and ice cream!

 Presents were a hit too!

 I love seeing MK's expressions as she revealed each gift!  

 And the birthday cake....MK is not a cake fan....so, cookie cake it was and she was one happy girl!

A big day was had by all! 

Happy 8th Birthday, MK!

Today is a day that you have looked forward to for a very, very long time.....

 each morning this week, you have awakened to tell me "only 2 more days until I am 8!" and so on....

 So, today baby girl, we celebrate you and we give thanks for your life.  

"May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;  may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

Kicking off 2015

Happy New Year!

 We rang in the new year with our traditional fireworks display....low-key but fun all the same.  

 Sometimes the noise is still a wee bit much for some but, noise and all, you better believe this little one isn't going to miss out on any type of excitement!  

 This is likely one of my favorite shots....everyone is focused on whatever just made its way into the sky!  Classic!  

 Due to wet wood and the lack of a fire starter, we went for oven-cooked smoores....yummo!

 New Year's day we had a few of our favorites pay us a visit for a bit.  Brooklyn and Maddox are in our co-op together as well as church on Sundays and Wednesdays.  They refer to each other as "sister friends" and we think they are the cutest buddies ever!  They may or may have gotten into a bit of make-up during their time together;)  Brooklyn's family is in the adoption process and hoping to bring home a baby girl from Maryn's orphanage!  How exciting!

 Our new neighborhood is a great area to ride bikes and walk.  The girls and I have spent quite a few chilly afternoons making our way to the park for some fresh air.

 Our first week back to school....new schedules, new opportunities + math with M&Ms = all is well in the homeschool world.  Though it can be overwhelming having all 5 kiddos home and schooling, the time that I spend with them is irreplaceable.  This year has been one for the books....I have a toddler, a pre-schooler, an elementary kiddo, a middle school kiddo and a high school kiddo. 

Another moment to share, was the father-child camping adventure this crew went on the day before New Year's Eve.  Ryan, the boys, and our two big girls took off with a tent in the trunk to a local campground by the lake for the evening.  Our neighbors took off right along with them!  So, two men, seven children, a whole lotta food, firewood, a couple of tents, bikes, and sleeping bags, all off for the night.  Being that the temps were in the mid-thirties that night, and they were camping on "primitive" sites aka "no electricity," I was thankful to be home in my warm bed and Maryn was thankful too!