Farewell Summer!

How can this summer be over already? It is suppose to be in the 80's-90's for the next couple of days, but after that, there is nothing but low 70's predicted for the next week! We have noticed a chill in the mornings and evenings, and there are already leaves piling in our front yard! Here's a quick recap of some fun summer stuff we are saying goodbye to...

Sun hat Beauties

 We didn't make it to the shore very often this summer, so at least my sun hats got some wear by the girls!

Pretty Girl after church one morning... I taught Sunday school this summer and the girls were my helpers after class organizing my lessons :)

 There were lots of trips to the park... I think I should have bought stock in mosquito repellent! I am so not going to miss the mosquitoes.



"Cheese!"

 Visited a neighborhood lemonade stand...

 Also checked the Camden Aquarium, and I don't know who had more fun, J or the girls. Every year our DVR is filled to the brim with shark shows from Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. Is it a coincidence J happen to suggest a visit to the aquarium right after? LOL.

 We wanted to picnic on Labor Day, but instead got rained out. We made due with a carpet picnic in the playroom, with the girls favorites: hot dogs and chips n' dip!

 Daddy made Smores for Lulu and Maddie one evening...

 Daddy had some visitors at work while it was slow this summer... 

 

I am thrilled for autumn, mostly because it is my favorite season. Here's why:
1. Fall Foliage
2. Pumpkin Spice Lattes/ Salted Carmel Mocha/ Dunkin's Pumpkin Coffee.
3. Boot and sweater weather

Last year we tried our best to enjoy fall, but after living in a warehouse and closing/moving into on our first home took over. I didn't even decorate last year (shocking). So this year we are doing it right... pumpkin patches, apple picking, harvest festivals, and enjoying long walks through the changing trees... and yes, as of Sept. 2nd my decorations are up. Hello Fall, bring on the pumpkin!!!

Eighteen Months

Little Miss is 18 months old...

Peek a boo!

 

Found my bellybutton! Wanna see it?! LOL

 

 

Playing in Big Sis's room... is there anything more fun?!

 Stats:
* 17 lbs, 14 oz (such a tiny tot!)
* 30.5 inches tall

Favorites
*Food: Blueberries, Mac n' Cheese, chicken, pancakes, scrambled eggs, beans, spaghetti, strawberries, cheese, French fries, chips n' dip, hot dogs, pizza.
*Words: "No", "Sssh she" (sissy), "Mama", "Dada", "cheese", "all done", "turkey", "bebe" (baby), "Shish She" (goldfish crackers), "Boo Boo", "Hot" (can mean cold or hot), "Ball", "Bear", "Cat", "Pup Pup", "Book", "Car Car", "Go Go", "Hi", "Uh O", "Nigh Nigh" (good night), "Milk", many body part (slightly embarrassing at the grocery store) and all the grandparents names, plus some animal sounds! She has began to combine words, like "No Mommy!" and "All Gone" or "What's That?", "More _". Her vocabulary is expanding daily... today I heard "Bak Pak" (backpack).
*She can say "Pee Pee" and "Poo Poo" and will tell us when she goes, which means we better change her diaper pronto or she will try to take it off... we might be potty training earlier than expected!
*Will give hugs and kisses when asked (of course if she feels like it :)
*Will gladly point to pictures when prompted: Sesame Street characters, animals and beginning to recognize shapes. Yesterday she pointed at said, "Star!" and it was indeed a star!
*Loves music and dancing... especially with big sister.
*Reading.... Her favorite thing to do is sit on your lap and read. I think I probably read 20 books a day... and it is never enough for her! Her favorites books are "I'm a Big Sister" (sorry Maddie, you'll have to stay our little sis) and any book with puppies or Elmo. She loves going to the library where we check out board books, and has so much fun sitting on the carpet at home looking through them.



"Look Mama! I'm swimming!"

*Water Baby... Oh this girl just adores the water. We went over to visit a neighbor with a pool and Madison wanted to put her face in the water, refused to wear floaties or a vest/raft and wanted to jump off the side into my arms. Yikes! Thank goodness we don't have a pool in our backyard. At bath time she will lay on her tummy in the water and "swim". She puts her face in, and will look up at me and give the biggest grin.
*She is taking 1-2 naps per day, and goes to bed around 7:30-8pm, and wakes up around 6:30am.
*Hair... Gorgeous golden brown hair, and Hazel eyes. They look more brown to me, and I like to sing her, "Brown Eyed Girl" song. Has four new molars.. only teeth we are missing are the canines and 2 yr. molars!
*Just discovered her first freckle, on her leg! She told me it was a "Boo Boo"...
*Madison is such a little love. She loves to cuddle, and has a sensitive heart. She often gets jealous of Big Sis when she is with Mama, and squeals with joy as soon as she hears the door open when Daddy is home. She will clasp her hands when we say our prayers at night and say, "Aaa-mn" (amen!).
*Dislikes... whenever Big Sis gets something she doesn't, cleaning up toys, when Mama can't hold/pick her up, having to go inside after playing outside, not being able to climb the stairs.
We love you our sweet brown-eyed girl!! xoxo

Christmas in August

On Saturday we drove into Lancaster County, PA for a little Christmas fun.... yes, we realize it is still August. For awhile now we have been wanting to check out the National Christmas Center, since we saw it a couple of years ago when we first visited PA. We had lunch at Dienners, a fantastic Amish smorgasbord buffet before we headed over to get our Christmas spirit on!

Sweet Sisters

The National Christmas Center is a museum, gift shop and life-size nativity all rolled into one. I wasn't sure if Lindsay was going to remember the nativity story, but in big sister fashion, when Maddie pointed to say, "Bebe! Bebe!" Lindsay told her matter-of-fact, "That is Baby Jesus Maddie."

As we wandered through the rooms, I was a little overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff in that place. It was a little over the top, and my head was swimming with all the things to look at.

 

Santa figurine anyone? There were literally thousands.

Daddy and his girls behind the reindeer. They made Lulu a little nervous, and we tried to tell her they weren't real, but wasn't about to pet them. LOL

Daddy and Maddie in "Santa's Workshop"

Tried out my flash..lol

 Calling all train fans... there was a huge, multi-train Christmas village display...

 Maddie saw the trains and squealed her best, "Choo Choo!"

Little girls and a big boy got a kick out of watching the trains...

 Replica of a Gimbel's department store circa 1945...

My absolute favorite part of the museum was the nativity display. They had collected hundreds  throughout the world, and it was humbling to see the gospel so many countries, languages and cultures. It was interesting to discover that nativities were created to tell the story of Jesus's birth, before literacy was commonplace. Each culture had utilized their own materials and artistic style, from the elaborately painted Russian Dolls to the beautifully hand carved wood nativities from Africa and brightly colored figurines from Peru.

 

Nativity from Wales

 

I thought the wax figures were a little creepy, but loved that the girls got to see the story "live".

 

Frankincense or Myrrh anyone?

 What a fun day to get excited about Christmas and the wonderful reason we celebrate it: Jesus!  

Dinner at the King's Crown

On Friday evening Daddy came home from work and said to his Fancy Girls... "How about Dinner at the King's Crown?!"


Of course, Lindsay helped us get "fancy". Madison chose to wear a tutu and her rhinestone shoes, and Lindsay wanted her dress with lots of "bows & ribbons!"

FYI... Lindsay and Madison's favorite books are Fancy Nancy, by Jane O'Connell. The sisters in the book frequent the "King's Crown" neighborhood pizzeria. Jarrett had the fun idea to re-create a Fancy Nancy moment for the girls... isn't that too cute?! Love that man.

We arrived at the King's Crown aka. TJ's Pizza in Lawrenceville in style. The parents didn't have time to get really fancy, but I don't think the girls minded ;)

 

Fancy Madison...Tutu cute!

Pizza and French fries... how chic!

 

Silly sweet face

 After their pizza in the story, they eat fancy "parfaits". We walked down the street to the Purple Cow Creamery for our parfaits...ooo la la!

Our Fancy Lindsay eating her parfait!

Our resident bookworm, Madison, was thrilled when she saw a basket of children's books to read in the back.

We walked back in our car as it sprinkled, and went home for baths and bed.

Guess what book Lindsay wanted to read before bed?

Fancy Nancy, of course!

 

 

Thank you Daddy for the fantastic idea and yummy dinner! We love you! Love, Your Girls xo

Morris Family NJ Visit

The Morris Family came for a quick summertime visit last weekend! It was Sarah (Jarrett's sister) and the kids 2nd time visiting us in NJ (last time was at New Year's with Nonna), but it was Peter's first time. The cousins had a blast playing together, although we missed Aunt Katie Diane & Cousin Katarina in California :) The Morris family drove 13 hours from Gastonia, NC through Washington DC traffic on a Friday... they must sure love us..lol. After they got in late Friday night we all went to sleep and woke up ready to hang out! 

Nate and his shadow, Lindsay

There was a ton of delicious food, thanks in part to Peter's culinary training and bravery to cook for a vegan and gluten-free crowd! He made us all dinner, and Jarrett introduced him to Halo Pub Ice cream. Megan, Sarah's friend from college who lives in Hoboken, NJ drove down for the day to hang out with us old married w/children folks. We ordered pizza and let the kiddos play outside!


Crazy Girls!! Madison (18 mo) Lindsay (3.5 yr) Amelia (19 mo)

One crowded playhouse... not sure how much longer all our littles will be able to fit all together inside!

When you visit the Fishers, you know there will be ice cream. Most Definitely.

 

Family Style Dinners

After ice cream and dinner, the kiddos had fun playing in the bath tub. I am not sure how clean they actually got, but it made for fun memories.

 

We got a few comments about how these two looked like siblings :) Lindsay will sometimes tell me Nate is her brother..lol.

 Uncle Peter read "Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet" to the kiddos before bed time.

 

 On Sunday we went into Princeton and had lunch and walked around Princeton University. Jarrett gave Peter a private tour and Sarah, the kids and I all went to the children's library and window shopping.

Cousin Love!

Monday we drove to the shore to walk the boardwalk and eat lunch. It was super busy, and I still cannot get over that you have to pay to get on the beach... in addition to parking. Crazy! I guess I am a spoiled California girl!

 

We had so much fun with the Morris Family, we will miss the impromptu dance parties, yummy dinners and fun cousin times! Looking forward to hanging out again soon!! Love you! xo