Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Best Day


 You know those days that are just perfect, and you'd live them over and over again if you could? The girls and I met my parents at the Monroe fair on my last day off of my summer break, and it ended up being one of those days. I'll go ahead and give the heads up that this post is mostly about Kaitlyn. Austen was there, and she had a good time, too, but Kaityln being at the age she is allowed her to not just have fun, but to have an absolute blast. Oh, and her mama loves fairs and rides, which may have had something to do with it.

I can honestly say that there is nothing in the whole entire world better than watching your kids in a state of pure joy. Kaitlyn was in heaven, and could not wipe the smile off of her face on those rides. Squeals of delight, laughing as she threw her hands in the air like the big kids in front of us on the rollercoaster...heaven. And she probably thought that she was having the most fun...didn't know that her mama's joy tripled hers, to see her in such a state of pure happiness. You know it's been a great day when your cheeks hurt from smiling.

I think Grammie had fun, too. :)


I love this one of Austen pondering.

These next ones are Kaitlyn's dancing sequence. :) These two girls LOVE to dance to anything.



They both wanted to walk (current story of our lives), and held the stroller like this for a long time.



Sweet 2 week old piglet


Sunday, October 23, 2011

Friends

Jeff and I feel extremely fortunate that so many of our close friends have kids around the same age as Kaitlyn and Austen. Some we see more often than others, but any time we get together, the kids have a blast and it's like no time has passed. Being parents is the greatest blessing, and being parents alongside some of our favorite people is just lucky.

In September, I took the girls (Jeff was at his Alta trip with the boys) up to Mollie and Jayson's house in Marysville for a get together. We got to see their new, hard-earned back yard...it was almost enough inspiration to weed our small front garden. Almost. Really, though, their yard is absolutely beautiful, with a nice, big patio and a fire pit. The kids all had a great time together. It's nice that, even though this group doesn't see each other often, they can still play together like they do. :)
Back: Carter, Blake, Patyon, Paige
Front: Ainsley, Kaitlyn, Austen

Kaitlyn is still wary of fires from her summer experience, but she was much better and actually played around it a bit without getting scared. Progress!

We got to roast marshmallows!

The kids all snuggled up for a movie toward the end of the evening. I think it was inspired by Kaitlyn having had enough fire bravery for one night. :)

Why not add in an August play date. Kara and I took the girls up to Forest Park in Everett one morning, and it was freezing (in August). We decided to head back to my house, and by the time we got there the sun was out. Gotta love the $9.99 Fred Meyer kiddie pool.

A day trip to the Underwood's cabin:

We are nearing the end of the Collins family blog marathon. I think I'm in the home stretch!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Kaitlyn is 3!

Can't believe this little girl is 3 years old already. She woke up this morning to balloons and a new pillow pet (she's been requesting one forever - what better time to break down?) and came in for birthday snuggles, which were gladly accepted.

Here's to our amazing first-born.


A loving big sister

Silly

Dress-up is a favorite right now. This is how we found her when waking her up from a nap last week. Tinkerbell was tired.

Teaching an excited sister ring around the rosy.

Three years later, and still rubbing her lip whenever she's tired.

Makes us laugh every day!

Happy 3rd birthday, sweet Kaitlyn girl.