A Few Other Things We've Been Up To

This weekend we had a family affair in the kitchen. There's nothing like helping out with homemade pizza! The girls have so much fun helping, and Dad even does too! Every time we've made pizza, Daniel always asks me if its cheaper to make it at home (He's way of hoping to save a buck), but unfortunately, my answer is always no. I can't ever get it cheaper than Dominoes $5 pizza. Maybe some of you out there has figured it out. You'll have to let me know your secret. For now, its still a fun family affair!

My parents were here a couple days ago to help out with watching the girls while I was at work. The girls always look forward to Grandma and Grandpa coming. It had been since Christmas since they saw them, so this time they were pretty excited. Rayna kept running to the door yelling "Grandma's here!" anytime the doorbell rang. It was pretty cute. During their stay, the girls got some good dress up time with Grandma. Taylin compared their dressing up with decorating the Christmas tree (honestly, thats probably a good comparison). Never have they felt more beautiful! Here's their glamor shots!

Blue!

I haven't really bought anything or done anything for this baby yet until now! Its funny what finding out the gender does for my nesting syndrome! So, needless to say I have the itch to start getting ready! Yesterday the girls and I went shopping! Bought a few cute little outfits and some material to make him some blankets! I was thrilled with all the blues, reds, and greens! I'm so used to all the pinks and purples, so it made it quite the new experience! The girls were not as excited about all the blues, especially Taylin. She definitely was thinking it didn't look pretty enough! I've explained several times now, boys aren't pretty, but we're still working on it. Anyways, here is my first blue blanket that I've made! Simple but fun! (Dinosaurs too, no hearts and flowers!)

Boy or Girl? That Is the Question!

Today was the big day at the doctor's office. So, here is the oven, what do you think is inside?

A Baby! A healthy one, too!
And here's the namesake!

Tender Hearted

A couple of days ago we were all in the car on our way to some friends house for dinner. Daniel and I were talking and often the girls end up feeling left out, and will continually try to add to the conversation or try to start their own. After telling Taylin several times she needs to wait until Daddy and I are done talking before she can talk to me, I finally told her it was her turn. With that she proceeded to tell me this story.

Taylin, "We prayed for Jaden today at school."

Me, "You did." In a little shock to her statement.

Taylin, "Yeah."

Me, "Did you pray for him at lunch time?"

Taylin, "No, it was before lunch."

Me, "At your story time?" Trying to figure out more of the details.

Taylin, "Yeah, at our story time."

Me, "Why did you pray for Jaden?"

Taylin, "Because I miss him, and I was sad."

Me, "Oh,"

There was a pause of silence because I really didn't know what to say to her. I was a little shocked at her feelings. Although she never ceases to amaze me at how often she reminds others of her brother. She is not one to ever leave him out.

Me, "Did it make you feel better to pray for him?"

Taylin with a big grin on her face, "Yeah, Mom, it really did!"

Me, "Well, I'm glad."

And with that, our conversation was over. Daniel and I looked at each other and Taylin's sadness seemed to reach us. Although, I have to say, I love how much Jaden is so real to her, even though she never got to meet him. It seems to be a nice wonderful embrace that God sends to me.

Singing Girls

This weekend, while working on crafts in the morning, I caught the girls singing together this lovely made up song, although its really not made up. Can you guess where they adapted it from? Its there own personal version of Deck the Halls! Song writers already, making it their own!

Snow Castles

Today, instead of making sand castles, we made snow castles! The snow here is mostly ice, so it compacts pretty well. Its been nice 50 degree weather so the snow has been melting. The kids had fun playing with their sand toys in the snow. Its nice when toys play double duty.

Baby Names

Taylin has been spending a lot of time lately on thinking of baby names for our little one that is that is on the way. She has taken it upon herself to make it her job. Here are some of her latest names:

Rachel

Dianne

Julienne

Angelina

Ben

Can you tell which sex she is hoping for?

Big Girl

We finally got Rayna a new carseat today, a booster seat! She is very excited and has been wanting one like sissies' for a long time. We had told she could get one after Christmas and she definetly remembered that promise! The thing is, I think I'm just as excited as she is! The idea of the ease of taking the carseat in and out, and the less room it takes up, just thrills me! Although, eventually that extra room will be gone by the third carseat that will soon be there. Oh well, for now I'm excited!

ICE CREAM!!!

It's amazing at how a big scoop of ice cream can put smiles on faces! Not to mention the power it has over finishing dinner! Another fact Daniel and I are puzzled about, how is it that it can take Taylin an hour, and sometimes longer, to finish her dinner, but when it comes to ice cream its gone in a matter of minutes! As Taylin told us tonight, "It makes my body feel yummy all over!" Well, there you have it.

Best Buds

The other day I was watching my friends' children, Hannah and Isaac. It just so happens that sometimes this can make my day easier because everyone is more entertained. Today I rarely saw Rayna and Isaac unless they were running by playing make believe animals of some sort. They really are the best of buds, and even by the end of the night they were still the best of buds.

All Decked Out!

Here's Taylin with some of her new Dora attire. The hat not only stayed on for this picture, but the whole day and then some. She was very proud strutting her stuff!