December Events 2013

Kathryn at church with the poinsettia tree - this is a classic Kathryn face

Audrey at church

Ready to see Santa at GUMP

hugging at church

Making a gingerbread house with Daddy

Kathryn with Nativity at church

Our mantle with FIVE stockings this year!

a little crafting on Santa

Audrey loved Santa this year...no fear!

Listening to the Nativity story

December Christmas Play

Kathryn is the second of the right

 The girls have enjoyed coming to Bible study with me each week and participating in the kids' program. The teachers are incredible, and they get to do crafts, have a snack and hear a Bible story each week. Apparently, in September, when we started, the teachers started talking about having a Christmas play and Audrey immediately volunteered to be Mary. It has been one of the highlights of her year!

At one point, the teachers were concerned because she looked sad that her costume wasn't as flashy as the angels. They really talked up the importance of Mary's role. A few days later, when we were talking to Mimi and Pops on the phone, they asked about her role. She lifted her hands upward and said, "I am the Mother of God." Clearly, their point was heard!

Audrey as Mary behind the manger

Kathryn as the angel

Mother Mary

Thanksgiving 2013

 We have had a quiet Thanksgiving this year, given that baby boy is only a few short weeks away. He has been a bit of challenge towards the end, so we weren't too comfortable traveling far away. Thankfully, things have gotten a bit easier over the past week or so, making us able to make a few last minute preparations before he arrives! Many thanks for Grandmother and Granddaddy who took the girls to AL for several days while I was mostly on bedrest and to Mimi and Pops for coming to help out the next weekend while David traveled.

 One constant chore is leaf raking, of course, which the girls love "helping" with.

 Pops spent several hours in the yard, raking up the end of our front yard tree leaves.

We had a Thanksgiving banquet, as Audrey describes it, and the girls mostly ate cranberry sauce and peas.

Kathryn was thrilled with her fancy plate and the cloth napkins.

On Thanksgiving evening, we put up the Christmas tree which the girls thoroughly enjoyed. Audrey and Kathryn loved hanging up the ornaments.

Kathryn getting a lift from Daddy.

And, just to prove to baby boy, that we did take some pictures of him in the womb, here we are at 37 weeks. Almost there!! The girls are so excited.

Girl Time!

 My sweet friend, Amy, came to visit last weekend with her little girl, Claire, while David was out of town. Claire is turning four soon, so she, Audrey, and Kathryn had a great time running around together. Amy and I stood outside the bedroom listening to their conversations, and cracked up laughing. These girls are pretty humorous!

 Lots of fun running around outside

 Tag!

It was a purple day tea party! We had a great time. Thanks for coming to see us, Amy and Claire!

Fall Festival

 The girls were very excited about the Halloween festival at church this year. Audrey talked about the pink fire truck, snow cones and hot dogs that would be there for many days prior. Luckily, Mimi was in town for the weekend as well, so she joined in on the fun. Audrey wanted to be the tooth fairy.

 Kathryn wanted to be a princess, so she was Cinderella. And, she insisted that she was a "big Cinderella" not a "little Cinderella", like Audrey kept calling her.

 Audrey was having a very serious conversation with Pastor Stephen (his boys Jonathan and Benjamin are in the background). They tend to have profound things to say to each other on Sunday mornings. :)

 Kathryn checked out her loot several times throughout the event.

 See?

 They quickly got the hang of getting candy from each car.

 The motorcycle was fascinating.

 Kathryn loved this little tongue with candy under it.

 Very happy with their stash

Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Fun

 These girls are just hilarious. This is the best we can get at a picture together. Audrey usually tries to shy away from the camera lately, but Kathryn is still willing to ham it up. I love how Kathryn is just cracking herself up in this picture.

 Since our church has a pumpkin patch, it is difficult to get the girls away from church without buying a pumpkin. Kathryn is convinced that going to church equals getting a pumpkin.

 This girl loves a cookie. They were both excited because David worked from home last Friday, and we all had a picnic outside for lunch. Any day with Daddy at home is an exciting one.

 Audrey striking a pose.

 She looks so old to me here! She tells us right now that she can't wait to be 10. Apparently, that is the age of ultimate freedom.

And, this is how most of our picture sessions wind up these days...

B is for Butterfly

 We are plugging along with school at home these days. Some activities that I think should take at least 30 minutes take about five, but we are learning. These were a few of our B week highlights. The girls love these plastic letter tiles.

 Some of our books and rhymes

 Matching upper and lower case letters (and colors for Kathryn)

Caterpillar to butterfly crafting