My Andrea

For the past two weeks, My Andrea has been here with me. We were able to 'squeeze' in a week at the beach, a trip to Seattle, a week at home, 2 trips to Target, several trips to JoAnns, nightly crafts, movies, Starbucks runs (at least once a day, sometimes twice), & lots of quality time together with our families. We had an absolutely wonderful time. Thank you De'Atrenoff's for coming to visit - the house is just too quiet without you.

We have had several people comment on their length of stay - to which most of them wrinkle up their noses & say - 'Really? 18 days? And you don't get tired of each other?' To which we reply - 'Nope, not a chance.'

More on the nightly crafts later...

I feel so blessed (especially appropriate for this week) for my family & friends. Seriously - I couldn't be more happy or blessed. Happy Thanksgiving week!

Monday's Gratitude

Grateful Monday:

Today has been filled with

1. Homemade pancakes for 3 small kiddos around my breakfast table.

2. Delightful shouts as said 3 small kiddos played with the new Little People's zoo.

3. A reorganization project - Jessie & Andrea {1} Pantry {0}. Hello organized canned goods...

4. Nap time for the household

5. Delish dinner with friends surrounding our table

6. A Mama's trip out to the store without kiddos.

7. Craft time (which was quickly given up because of it's silly complexity & not a great end result in sight).

8. A new blog lay-out & tutorial from My Andrea

9. Lots of love & smiles filling my home all day

10. A comfy bed awaiting

Hope your Monday was as enjoyable as mine!

Wordless Wednesday

Gratitude

My thankful heart for today:

A warm house to stay in & warm car to ride in when it's raining, windy, & chilly outside. I'm also thankful for the delicious tea that I drank tonight that helped keep me warm. Yummm...

Beach Day 1:

Today my heart was filled with:

Grand-Daddy's & Toes

It's only Saturday night & this weekend has already been filled with lots of love. Yesterday afternoon, Mrs. Kent came over to play scrapbook (HOORAY!!) & we had a ball. She stayed & made dinner, & my parents joined in just at about that time. (They came over this weekend for Melia's 6th birthday party). We all enjoyed hanging out together & before bed, Grand-Daddy gave Miss E her bottle.

Love this picture.

Today after the party & fast forward 6 hours later, I have a toe painting buddy. Do you know who's toes these are??!? These toes are going to be hanging out at my house for several days & I can hardly wait. So happy that these toes are here:

Such a wonderful time of year for visits from family & friends. Two of the most important 'things' in this life...

Her Favorite

Eloise loves to color. Loves to color a lot. Because she loves to color so much...guess what I get to do? That's right - I get to color lots & lots too. And you know what? I love it too, mostly because my partner is so stinking adorable. :)

Sometimes she puts on pretty headbands to color:

And this is a picture just because. Isn't it sweet? I love it.

Today

Today I am thankful for our health.

Poor little E is struggling with a cold & it got me thinking, this is really only the 2nd time in her little life that she's been sick. Neither Tim nor I have caught it (hope it stays that way), but even if we do, it's just a cold. It will pass within a few days. Yes, it's uncomfortable & I feel really bad for my sweetie-pie as she coughs & breathes through her mouth, but it's just a cold. I have close friends that struggle with so much more on a daily basis health wise. I am so very thankful that our baby is happy, healthy, & strong. What better gift could a mother ask for?

Thankful Heart

Today was a day blessed with sunshine & 70+ degree temperatures! It was gorgeous out today & even this evening while taking a walk with friends, I only needed a sweatshirt - lovely.

I'm thankful for my husband & for good friends. Tonight Tim took me on a date to a movie. We haven't been on a date in months - so this was a fun surprise. Our awesome friends Adam & Katie came over to babysit for us on super short notice so that we could go on our little date.

And I'm thankful for my lovely (& clean!) home. Our new house is finally starting to feel like home now - I like this...a lot.

What are you thankful for today?

Cousins!!

A few weeks ago, my adorable sis-in-law & her 3 boys piled in their van & came to visit us for several days. We had an absolute ball. We were SO glad they came. Here are a few pics of the kiddos & our adventures together:

Eli & Silas after a long day of playing hard:

We took a trip to the carousel. These guys hadn't ridden one before, so we were thrilled to be with them for their first rides. (Notice that Eli is wearing his scooter helmet - so funny):

Moses wasn't too sure about it:

Silas ready to go:

Thank you Kim for coming to visit us!! We'll see you again soon!

Grateful Heart

I just saw today (I'm a day behind on my blog reading - gasp!) that these two lovelies are playing along with a gratitude game. What a great game to play! So I will try to play along too. I would however, like to make a disclaimer that I may not post daily - but I will make an effort.

Today I am thankful for many, many things.

I think I'd like to focus for today on my small group. We meet every Tuesday night & have for the past 3 years. Over the years, the group has gained & lost a few families - but for the most part, it's stayed intact. I love this group. We keep it real, have great leadership, & I know that I can trust all of the people in the group. That doesn't just happen very often. Thank you life group for all that you've taught me over these past 3 years - I look forward to learning more with you throughout the year!

More Pics

Here are a few more pictures from our Halloween adventures:

The cutest butterfly you ever did see:

My dear friend Amanda. Love this girl.

The Halloween Crew 2010. We visited several houses with these guys - so much fun!

Eloise's BFF, Miss Sophia (or Fia as Eloise calls her). Amanda made her costume, isn't it cute??

What A Difference

a year makes...

2009

2010

Like it or not, my baby is growing up.