Ready for school!

We are enjoying our last few days of summer!!  School is just around the corner, and I'm actually ready for it to begin!  I never understood the moms who would say, in late August, "I am ready for school to start!"  I swore I would never feel that way, thinking I would never be ready to send them back.  But the thing is... they are ready.  They are ready for a routine again.  Addie is ready to be around friends.  And I am ready :)  I get excited for Addie as she will go full day this year.  I can't wait to watch Eli start preschool again with this new confidence he's developed over the summer.  I can't wait to see what the year holds for them. 
Lord, help us to soak up every last day of summer and enjoy being together, but then prepare these kids for their school year. 

Comparisons

 Addie at 17 months...

Isabelle at 17 months...

They look a lot alike, but yet are so so different.  Addie had 10 teeth at this age... Izzy has 8.  Izzy eats the tips off the markers and draws on the walls and floor... Addie didn't play with markers (but if we would've had some in the house when she was little, she would have only colored!).  Addie had a handful of words... Izzy has about a million!!  Addie was napping once a day... Izzy is hanging on to two most days.  Both of them are amazing.  I'm excited as they continue to grow, as they continue to love each other, and as they continue to experience what it's like to have a sister and be a sister. 

Brandt and I just got back from doing the Tough Mudder with some friends.  It was a hard race, but so much fun.  Honestly, one of my favorite memories with the hubby.  Loved it!! 

Illinois

 We just got back from a weekend in Galesburg, Illinois, where we shared in a memorial service that celebrated my great-grandpa's life.  The weekend was beautiful.  Fun to be together as a family for four days and fun to be with extended family.  Addie got glasses the night before we left :)  

 Lots of time in the hotel pool!

 A visit to the Galesburg Children's Museum!

 These two bonded this weekend :)  Izzy loves her daddy!

 Uncle Jeff!

Kylee and Phil :)

Summertime!

 We're having a fun summer! Swimming, sprinkler, playing outside with friends...

 Had some fun outings the last couple of weeks--

 Children's Museum

 MN Zoo

Summer is going fast, but we're loving every minute of it!!  

Thankful that all my kiddos are walking, two of them are potty trained, all of them love being outside, only one naps but will survive if napping happens in the car, and all of them get along (most of the time)!!  Loving our summer together :)

Hello Summer!

Our summer is off to a great start!  

We are loving just being able to hang out and play together.  The weather hasn't been perfect, but I have three kiddos who LOVE being outside whether it's 80 and sunny or 55 and rain :) 

Happy 6th birthday, Addie!

 6 years ago today, we celebrated YOU!  

You are a beautiful, amazing, smart, talented, fun, and compassionate little lady!  

We love everything about you.  

Thanks for bringing so much joy into the world and into our lives.  

Happy birthday, Addie!! 

My Eli finished his first year (half year) of preschool.  We are so proud of him!  He made friends, he became a little more confident in himself and he learned things!!  I'm excited to watch him grow more and more each year.  He's so different than Addie, but there's something so special about him.  I adore him to pieces.  Congrats, buddy!  Looking forward to the summer with you!!!

Blessed

Feeling blessed to be surrounded by these people every day of my life. 

Dear Papa...

 Missing Papa today.  He went to be with the Lord three years ago today.  There are so many things I wish he was a part of still.  I wish he knew our little Izzy.  I wish he could throw Eli up in the air.  I wish he could come watch Addie play soccer.  I wish he could be at our holiday get-togethers, stirring up trouble, making everyone laugh at the dinner table... But he's in a much better place, and for that I am thankful.  I would tell him lots of things if he were still here, but what I want to tell him most of all is how great of a job he did raising his son and what an incredible father Brandt has become :)

Dale, your son is an amazing, loving, compassionate man! 

 You would be so proud to see how he's raising these three kiddos in a godly home!

 And thanks for loving Lynn the way you did... setting a great example of what it means to be a husband.  Brandt is a fantastic one and I am so thankful you gave him to me :)

Miss you today, Papa!  We love you :)

Walking!

Well, she's not walking all over the house yet, but she's walking!!  And she's loving it :)  I think she'd prefer crawling, since she goes much faster that way, but she'll walk when we stand her up and tell her to walk.  Ha!  My baby is growing up... time for another!?  ;)

Spring Break and Easter

 I loved Spring Break as a kid, so since we weren't going anywhere warm this year, I wanted to make the week super special and super fun :)  And it was!

 New Bike!

 MN Zoo

 Painting!

 Mall of America!

 My little Easter bunny :)

 Too many goodies!

Best buddies :)

Now back to reality this week, but we are loving being back into a routine!  

Life is good :)

We are blessed :)

 We are in a stage right now where these two are like the best of friends one minute and the worst of enemies the next.  Fighting, yelling, dirty looks, and hitting--- yucka!  But then five minutes later (or after separation in their rooms), they are giggling, playing their own "sneak up on mom" game, or performing a fashion show for Izzy--- the best of friends!  I get that this is typical of siblings... I just enjoy the best of friends moments much better :)

My Iz is the messiest eater in the world!  She loves any and every kind of food, but I swear she gets most of it on her body or in her hair rather than in her mouth.  We do baths every day for this child, which she loves, so I think she probably puts food in her hair on purpose, knowing she'll get a bath if she does it enough!  The other fun fact about the Iz is that she's the one to constantly remind us to pray before meals.  She will fold her hands and make some loud noise to get our attention until we join her in prayer.  She will then remind us to pray multiple times during the course of the meal :)  Loving this girl!

A little comparison...

 Addison @ 1 year...

 Elias @ 1 year...

Isabelle @ 1 year...

As we looked through old pictures the other night, we are amazed at how similar the girls look, comparing Addie at one year and Izzy right now.  It's so crazy!  And our little Eli-- so different :)  

How quickly you forget.  This age is tough a lot of days, but it goes so quickly.  I can hardly remember the day-to-day when Addie or Eli were one years old.  I need to slow down, take in every day to the fullest, and not be anxious for them to grow older.