Announcing

Our newest addition to the family...

Gotcha didn't I!

 Meet Bella 

And Jacob.

I promise I had nothing to do with the names. 

It's ridiculous and I tried to get Ellie to change her mind, but it didn't work. 

So we might be a tad bit obsessed with Twilight. 

But at least I didn't name my fish after them.

You'll have to talk to Ellie about that. 

She did want me to have twins and name them Bella and Jacob.

 I told her I wouldn't promise her anything, but I'd think about it. 

Hopefully Bella and Jacob the fishies will help that idea go on the back burner.

If there is any possible way to smother a fish, they have found it.  

I have already had to tell them:

Don't touch the fish, Don't spit on the fish,

 Don't eat the fish food, and Don't drink the fish water.

You know, just the normal fishy pet conundrums. 

But I'm sure glad they're excited about their new pets!

Ellie Says and Swings

Ellie fell off her swing for the first time.
It's wasn't at all as traumatic as I thought it would be.
Very grateful for that.
She was leaning to try to grab a leaf off the tree and
WAM! Thud, roll, squish.
Ouch!
Where was I? Right next to her.
Going back and forth swinging her then Tripp.
Things like that happen more quickly than you think.
But she's a trooper.
She cried a little, then got right back on...a different one.
That particular swing obviously doesn't work right.
Tripp didn't even notice anything.
Right out of the womb, Ellie was swinging higher than he's ever dared to swing in two years.

We've finally gotten him to swing more than an inch.
Way to be brave Tripperdoodle.
So thankfully, swinging will still be in our future.

Ellie is a diehard princess fan.
Forever and ever.
We find all the greatest princess movies on netflix, and it is her goal to find the best one ever.
Yesterday, we might have just found it.
What can top and princess in hiding who cares for a horse who becomes her best friend?
Nothing.
After it was over, she ran to me with such an earnest little gleam in her eye and said, 

"I FOUND IT! IT'S THE BEST MOVIE EVER!! 

I JUST FEEL LIKE A REAL PRINCESS. 

AND WATCH ME DANCE. 

THAT'S HOW A REAL PRINCESS DANCES! 

OH MOM! IT'S REALLY TRUE. 

THAT WAS THE MOST AMAZING PRINCESS MOVIE EVER! 

DID YOU KNOW YOU'RE A PRINCESS TOO? WELL, MAYBE A QUEEN. 

WOW! CAN I WATCH IT AGAIN?"

What a silly little girl.
So full of emotion and life!
It makes my heart so happy to see her love life so much.

picture project.

Did I ever show you what Matt made me for Valentine's Day?
I think I forgot to.
And I shouldn't have.
Because it's FANTASTIC.

I have this wall in our house that's awful.
It's really big and everything I think of to put there looks swallowed up.
And I don't want to spend oodles of money decorating a rental.
So it sat looking all forlorn and empty.
Until one day....
Drum roll please....enters the most talented husband to rescue the poor wall.

He knew exactly what I ever could have wanted without even asking.
And he hung them all by himself while I was off at a cousin valentine's party.
mushy huh!
There was a sweet little sign that said I love you, a matte cutter, and glass all neatly on the table.
He's a stud.
The frames are actually the outside frames of cabinets {because he has mad skills in woodworking} and they were all free.
Isn't he sweet?!
I got him a card.
To be fair, it was a very nice card.


So, since February, they've been on the wall exactly like they are in the picture.
We did go get some mattes to cut, but I got a little sheepish trying to figure out how to organize them all.
So now I've decided to tackle it.
Especially since Snapfish is offering 111 pictures for $1.11 right now.
Who can resist that?
Especially with so many frames to put them in!
So I've narrowed some of my choices down, drawn out a whole bunch of options for layouts, and stared at the wall for way too long.
I'm pretty sure it might be finished soon{ish}.

It's so fun to create.
Best valentine's gift ever.

The Sun

Are these not the most precious pictures ever?
I wish I could take credit for taking them, but I can't.
You can't ask for a better babysitter than one who takes amazingly wonderful pictures of your kiddos while you're gone.
Thanks so much Michele!
She's so creative and I love all the special moments she captured.
Frolicking in the pasture, climbing trees, giggling together...the things you never want to forget. 
They love her to pieces, and I think she's pretty fond of them too.
Sun pictures are some of my favorites.
They look so serene and extra special.
Like they're in slow motion smiling at each other and so happy to be together.
I'm sure there was absolutely no pushing or screaming involved.
Michele took the ones on the fence post too.
I can't take credit for those either.
Or any for the next few posts probably.
But the words are still mine.
That's all.
Hope your day is full of sunshiny moments.
Slow motion frolicking while smiling is optional.

Eya and Tripperton

He calls her Eya.

He yells it.

All the time.

She calls him Tripperton.

She yells it.

All the time. 

They are best of buds. 

Two peas in a pod.

Inseparable. 

And I love it.