It was a wonderful spring week!

We soaked up time together and time outside.  The girls enjoyed time school (count down is on), swimming, a movie with Mommy and Mommy and Daddy having a date night.  I love that the girls really understand our time together and say things like "that is so romantic" (Gracie) and "its been awhile since you have been out on a date night".  

Gracie and Kenzie.  This will be a perfect picture for graduation years from now! 

This girl.... she knows her Mommy well that math in my head is not always my thing!  She has gotten more into texting too!  

Two peas in a pod! 

Sunday pic 

Sassy thing! 

Love this picture of Jimmy helping Maggie into church!  I had to think that this is what God is like for us each day, while we think we have it under control with our own umbrella he covering us with us....Himself!

Sheets of rain!   Sure made the grass green up quickly.  

A doodle look 

This big girl has grown 2 inches in the past 6 weeks.  No wonder she walked up with leg pain.  

Gracie loves to care for Bella.  She is also praying we get a second chocolate Golden Doodle!  ha

Maggie taking swim lessons with Ms. Allysa.  Maggie swam the whole length of the pool on her own this week!  Swim team here we come! 

This is how Bella sleeps at night in our room.  She is always up right against the pillows. 

We had lunch by candlelight this week.   The girls made these candles during Spring Break with Gjyhs and KK.  

At the movie "Touch the Wall" about a 14 year old Olympic swimmer!   

This week we relished the activity and memories that did not overwhelm the week feel busy, but felt full of love and time as a family.

Happy 9th Birthday Gracie!

This week was birthday week for Gracie!    Sunday we enjoyed church and time home before diner at Rossellie's, our favorite pizza place.  Uncle Gabe and Ellie met up with us too.   Monday was Gracie's actual birthday which she was so excited to spend it at school.  We made yummy chocolate cupcakes and Daddy went to have lunch at school and pass them out with Gracie.  

Sunday picture, allergy season is here!   

Sometimes capturing a good sister picture is easier than others!  

One day away from 9 years old! 

Birthday dinner with the family.   

Clubs from Mommy and Daddy 

Having fun in the back yard with Daddy and Sis. 

The week was rainy but allowed for some wonderful time together.   Gracie due to activities and friends schedules go to have two friends spend the night, one Friday night and one tonight.   Lucy is a sweet friend from school who stayed Friday.

Lucy Bug and Gracie Bug 

Maggie had a sleep over in our room!  

Today we celebrated her birthday with a cooking party with her friends.  She would choose to watch cooking over anything on TV and asked for a cooking party.  It was a big hit!     Kenzie is spending tonight.  Gracie and Kenzie have been friends since Kindergarten.  This is the first year they are in different classes and have been eager to spend some extra time together.    We are so blessed by the friendships the girls each have and their families too!   God is so good when he knew we needed to be at CCS and where the girls were going to thrive.  

Its party time... a few snacks. 

We did this for a special birthday birthday gift last week and I just loved how it turned out so I made it part of Gracie's party too! 

Birthday girl. 

This simple with the sign behind really speaks to who Maggie is.  She enjoys every moment of life and teaches me to do so more! 

Love this girl.  She is my mini me often!  Love you Bug.

Ellie!   She loves to be in the action with the girls (and her Auntie Rach). 

Bella loves to have company over to show off. 

Cooking time

The little Chefs

Yummy Chocolate Cake 

Gracie, it is such a privilege to watch you bloom into such a sweet young lady.   We are so proud of how you love Jesus, your family and your friends.   We know you have worked and will continue to work very hard in school.  Its been so fun to watch you continue to perfect your swim technique!   We are half way as one Blog put it and it makes me sad and happy!  Sad that our time to have you under our roof and teach will change but happy that you are who you are and we have embraced each moment with you!  Here's to the next 9!  Love you Bug!  Mommy and Daddy

Resurrection Sunday!

Easter is by far my favorite holiday.   Yes i do love the girls dressed up but even this year we went a little more casual with maxi skirts (partially because our church is more casual and because Gracie has outgrown the smocking!).   The most important to Easter is the foundation of our faith, the resurrection of Jesus!    We had a wonderful day as a family and friends that really are family!    The girls enjoyed an Easter egg hunt.  Ellie really got into it this year which was really fun to watch!   

Easter Morning Bed Heads (ready to find their hidden baskets)

G Bug 

Bella was eager to have new toys! 

Maggie Doodle! 

Hot stuff! 

Jimmy and his 3 girls! 

Easter Sunday Picture 

Sweet Sisters!

Maggie Easter Picture 

Mommy with my girls! 

I have the best husband, Daddy and friend!  I am so blessed by his leadership and care for our family! 

Silly Picture!  Jimmy is my balance to serious with his encouragement of the silly! 

These girls!  They love each other so much and get so excited to see each other.  

Ellie wanted to stay in the picture with her Auntie Rach! 

I love Ellie's face!  This is a face my brother makes! 

The girls! 

Family picture! 

The girls all enjoyed the sunshine! 

Egg hunt! 

Ellie would shake them.  She was more interested in the ones with candy than the ones with money (dollar coins and $2 bills) 

The older they get the harder they have to hunt. 

ahhh.. described our family so well.  Half vanilla and half chocolate to go with our grilled pineapple for dessert. 

The week was fun as I spent Monday home with the girls before they went back to school Tuesday.  I did not make it a work from home day, but truly a day off.   It was great!   Tuesday I picked the girls up early and we snagged a frozen hot chocolate before I headed to Nashville for a training and meeting.   

Since Sunday night was not a school night the girls begged to have a sleepover in Maggie's room   So sweet!  I love that they do enjoy time together most days! 

We love Bella! 

Snuggles Monday just enjoying being together.  

Hot Chocolatier frozen chocolate! 

We enjoyed a great weekend home with such wonderful sunshine.   We decided to hit the Greenway for a walk before hosting friends for lunch.  We then enjoyed celebrating Cally’s birthday.   

We loved the walk 

My family.  

Gracie and Maggie with the birthday girl!