Thanksgiving in Kentucky 2009

Lydia meeting her Papaw

and Aunt Donna

and Justin's Memaw

Where's the baby?

There she is!

(hanging out with Papaw and Great Papaw)

Singing Papaw a song

Hello sister

Trying to get Aubrie to cooperate for a photo

Lydia cooperated the best she could, but being little is exhausting

Another attempt at a family photo

Aubrie is 2!

Happy Birth Day!

2007

2008

Here she is.....my girl!
I can't believe she is 2 years old. It really does seem like just yesterday that I found out I was pregnant. Justin was so excited that he did the math in his head and shouted "we're having a baby by Christmas!" I had an emotional night before her first birthday. I kept remembering my oldest sister, Jennifer, saying when her kids had their first birthdays that she had kept them alive for a whole year. It always sounded sweet and a little bit silly, until I that night when I was putting her to bed. It was true. We had kept her alive for a whole year.

2009

And now look at her.....two years old. She is so smart, she amazes me more and more everyday. She sings many songs including her ABC's, Lady Gaga's Paparazzi, and songs she makes up on her own; she dances to music in the car, music she makes with her toys, and dances along to So You Think You Can Dance; She loves art including finger paints, stickers, drawing with crayons, chalk, or pens that mommy accidental leaves within her reach; she "reads" books to herself, reads to her sister by putting a book in her face and saying "look baby!" and helps read her bedtime story. Aubrie also loves talking about colors and shapes, the ABC's and can count up to number 17 (after 17 she goes back to 13). I can see that she is developing her little imagination as I watch her play with her baby dolls and listen to her create songs. The thing we are most proud of is her sweet little manners. She says please and thank you as most kids do, but she will shout "bless you mommy" from across the house and say "good night baby, sweet dreams"

to Lydia at bedtime. She is such a blessing and we love her more everyday.

Don't get me wrong.....she is two. So, she also tests our patience everyday.

Eating her birthday cupcake

Frank & his new friend Lydia

Aubrie's birthday cake

We had Tres Leches cake (which was interesting) and we sang
Ring Around the Rosie since she was not a fan of the Birthday song

Some friends at Aubrie's party!

Our attempts at a family picture

Lydia wasn't too happy, so Aubrie tried to console her

"oooooo......looook at thiiiiss!" ~ aubrie

Tutu!

Thanks Heidi & Emily!

My dad and cousin Katie

"Where did Elmo go?"

Happy 234th Birthday Marines

Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Wheeling , IL.

My date : )

The Flynns

So excited to be out with adults...past 9 pm!

Seesters!

The girls played with Sophie while we were at the ball and then we all had a sleepover!

Happy Halloween!

We celebrated Halloween at Corrine & Bryan Trtan's wedding!

The girls had a sleepover at Grandma & Papa's house

Lydia, before her morning coffee-

a little cross eyed, and I think she is flicking me off.

Trick or Treat!

My Aunt Cindy and cousin Katie picked out the most adorable costume for Aubrie this year. She was the cutest bumble bee! Lydia was supposed to be a flower, but a full day and night in the ER and the pediatrician's office prevented me from finishing her costume. Turns out she had a double ear infection. All is better now, and we were still able to put on her Halloween hat for a few cute pictures of the girls. Justin stood up in Bryan Trtan's wedding (which was the best man in our wedding) on Halloween night so the girls spent the night with grandma and papa.