The Birthday That Would Never End...

My mom took Mackenzie for her first birthday special time the weekend of her birthday. She got to go over to Memom's for an over night and Memom gave her a special sleeping bag and a birthday crown. Memom and Poppop took her to her favorite "Chick-cha-chlay" for her birthday dinner and then they celebrated with cupcakes at a park the following day with some friends.

On her actual birthday I wanted to start the tradition of breakfast in bed that we always did at our house, but I figured getting a 3 year old to stay in bed for breakfast would offend her and be a huge mess... so instead I just let her pick anything out of the fridge that she wanted... and she ended up with a whole wheat torilla... weirdo!

We were supposed to go to Chuck E. Cheese that night for her birthday, nothing went according to plan! Our sewer was bagged up and exploding all over the front yard and Jake worked on it until dark getting no where. It was very frustrating and discouraging to have that happen at all, but especially on Kenzie's birthday! At 8 p.m. Jake finally came in so we could have cake... and he did a great job putting everything aside so he could focus on our little birthday princess!

It was an exciting night... more details to follow...

Big News Here!

On Kenzie's 3rd birthday I found out I was pregnant with baby #3! Very shocking... didn't expect this, wasn't planning on this, but very excited to see God's plans unfold for this baby's life!




We kept it a secret all week, waiting for Kenzie's family party to tell the news...

We had Aubrey in a shirt that said, "Big Sister"... and Stephen goes, "Julie, are you pregnant?" I said, "Yes, but keep it quiet, I want Mom and Dad to figure it out!"

Look at my mom's face! At this point my dad was still clueless!

Very excited grandparents!

The siblings figured it out a little bit later...

Very excited to share this pregnancy with my dear sister-in-law Angie!

There are the two big sisters!!

Everyone lavished Mackenzie! Uncle Jeff and Tia got her this DVD of Dora that included a picture of Mackenzie and said her name was said throughout... she LOVED it!

And yes, our entire family watched the entire Dora DVD... what you'll do for the first born grand child... honestly!

Dora asks, "Who's birthday is it?" and our little girl raised her hand... she was so adorable!

We had fun telling my sister through an email that said, "Aubrey tried to call you to tell you the big news, but she couldn't get through! Hurry home so we can tell you!"

And we had Kenzie call Jake's mom and dad to tell them and she did a great job saying, "Mommy's pregnant! She's gonna have a baby in her tummy!" She said it clear as a bell and Nana knew what she said right away! They are very excited for us too!

God has already used this new little life in a lot of neat ways... I have to make dinner... and I just posted like 4 things so I really need to go... but I am so excited to see how He is already teaching us about his sovereignty and goodness through the expression of this new life! We are excited!

Let Summer Never End... PLEASE!!

We had our wonderful friends over two weeks ago and I'm just now getting the pictures up...

So grateful for the friendship our kids share and the friendship we have as mama's together! I wish summer days would never end!

First Day of "School"

Feeling so amazingly blessed as I look at this picture... it's a future youth group and they'll remember being in preschool classes together! What a privilege to raise children along side these families!

Thank You Nana and Poppop!!!

After waking up from a nap with lots of grumpy tears, a birthday present in the mail from Nana and Poppop sure helped to change the mood in the house!

Pop Rocks?? What are these??

Kenzie, let me take a picture of your pretty hair with all the new clips in it that Nana sent...

What a funny three-year-old...

Daddy explaining to Kenzie what Pop Rocks are and her first experience with this exciting candy courtesy of Nana and Poppop!

Thanks for the books and bows and candy... she felt very grown up with her big girl candy, princess bows, and new books!

Summer Memories

Aubrey enjoyed some non-toxic pink chalk for lunch today... she looked like she was wearing lipstick and it made Kenzie very jealous and she kept trying to put on "lipstick" like Aubrey!Liv and Jamie hung out with us after playgroup and Aubrey and Liv were very affectionate with one another...

They love each other just like their mama's do!

Some pictures that have been on my phone for a while:

Going "grocery shopping" together

Their first coffee house... how cute are they!!?

Loving Mommy's new trash pick... Daddy said they wouldn't even care, but I knew they would love a little chair like this!

Playing at the ocean!

We love our "Miss Juls"... she is such a servant and babysits for us frequently! Kenzie used to cry when she came... now she cries when I come home! Here she is reading to Aubrey... notice Aubrey's special touch with her headband.... something she doesn't like to leave home without lately! Honestly, she is such a GIRL!