Up up and away!!!

Audie said bye bye to her friends today. We sent away her "fier" (pacifier). After doing some internet research on the best way to wean kids from pacifiers, I decided it was easiest to go cold turkey. (and because I'm too much of a softie and I knew I would give in too much...) I came across a suggestion from someone to "send away" the pacifiers on a helium balloon. This person said that as the balloons were floating away with the pacifiers attached, she told her 2 year old that the pacifiers were going up to the babies in heaven.

I thought this was a cute idea. I don't like fibbing to my kids, so I left off the babies part. But I thought Audie would remember letting go of her balloons and it would be a good way to talk about them being gone.

So that's what we did today. We headed to the store and bought some pink and purple balloons. After bringing them home, we attached the 3 pacifiers that we had and went outside to send them away. I sent the first one to see Audie's reaction. She was fine. Corinne cried. Audie sent away the last 2 and waved good bye.

one last suck.

holding her balloons

"bye bye fier!"

and the results: so far, so good. She asked for her pacifier when I put her down for a nap, but I reminded her that they were up in the sky. She asked for a doll instead and I haven't heard a peep since! Fingers crossed, I hope this is an easy success!!

Florida/Sanibel 2010

We had a WONDERFUL time on our family vacation. It was excitement from the very start. Heading to the airport at 4:30am was fun only because Corinne was chatty in the backseat. Who would have thought someone could be so happy at such an early time?
It was a total new experience for everyone. Corinne and Audie's perspective on things made it fun and new for Matt and I. Running down the runway to get on the plane, putting our toes in the sand, and splashing in the water was all fun and new for all of us.

We did everything from a sunset dolphin watching cruise, to riding a kids train at a local park, to renting a 4 person bike to building sand castles on the beach. We got our fair share of wildlife...from lizards to dolphins...starfish to parrots.

I'm still working on editing some pictures, I will post some when I get more done. In the meantime, check out a few more on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=183613&id=610627065&l=e876b96087

Mothers Day

Mothers Day 2010

Thank you, Matthew for allowing me to be a mother. Thank you for helping me raise great kids and to be able to enjoy motherhood. I am a blessed mommy!

I love you Corinne and Audie. You two are everything to me!!

new dress

I was thrilled today at the selection of fabric choices Joann Fabrics had! Typically the florals are pretty "granny" and not very bright. When I came across this I couldn't get over how pretty it was! Corinne loved it too, so we bought a yard- and a few hours later, came up with this!

I love maxi dresses....I don't think I would wear one myself though. I am glad I have girls I can live vicariously through the clothes I like. :)

Jeeps, GPSs, and the UPS man

About a week ago some friends of ours made a switcheroo with some vehicles and we ended up having our pastor's Jeep parked outside our house for a few days.

Corinne asked "Why is Kent's JeePS (GPS) parked outside our house?"

I informed her that it was called a "jeep" and she was thinking of a "GPS"... the little machine that gives people directions.

Today we were talking about a package that would arrive soon at our house.

Corinne asked "Is the GPS (instead of UPS) man going to bring it?"

Corinne's romper

Wha??? Rompers are in?? I wore rompers when I was a young tot, and they seem to be making a comeback. I'm not sure I will ever try to pull it off again, but I thought Corinne would be cute in one. I really hadn't seen a pattern I liked, so I altered and put together a few different patterns I have. And the best part about this outfit? I only had to buy buttons for it! I already had all the fabric and materials in my leftovers from previous projects.

Weekend in Nebraska

Whoa! What a weekend. Good and bad things to blog about.
It all started last Friday...we headed up to Nebraska. I was driving the first half and we were noticing the car making some grinding noises. It worried us a bit, but we couldn't pin point where the noise was coming from so we ignored it for a while. We got to see my grandpa Friday night. I haven't seen him since my sisters wedding so it was good to see him again.

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to the Zoo in Omaha. (A fantastic zoo, go if you ever get the chance) We heard the grinding noises again, so Matt ended up going to get it fixed instead of joining us there :(. With $500 smackaroos and a new wheel bearing, we were good as new! Here is Corinne on a vine swing in the jungle, and various pictures of our day!

On Saturday, my Uncle John got my grandpa out of the care home to join us for dinner. Isn't he just the cutest little old man you have ever seen? He has lived an incredible life... 7 kids, years in the military, years as a missionary in Africa, years as a doctor. He has seen it all. His memory is still very sharp and he has amazing stories.

My uncle John and I share the same passion for cooking. He smoked an incredible brisket for dinner and for dessert- creme brulee. I actually had never had it before. It was awesome! I hope Corinne picks up the same love for cooking. She told John- "I love to cook, can I help you cook?" and stood by him faithfully while he fired the desserts.

And when we came home, Matt decided to wash the car. Our outside spigot was stuck a little bit....Matt forced it and we went downstairs later to find it flooded. A pipe burst and left a huge mess! So now we are in the process of having everything dried, filing insurance claims, and cleaning up the mess!

Happy Easter!!

Sorry.
There are no good Easter pictures of Corinne to share with you.

She was in a bad mood.

Didn't want to smile.

Only wanted me to take a picture of her back.

I had cute matching hats for the girls to wear...
Audie wore hers.
But it is amazing how one bad attitude can rub off on another.
It wasn't too long before Audie followed suit and didn't want her picture taken either.

Happy Easter everyone!!
He is Risen!!

Today

We met Brenda for lunch today at the river. Corinne wanted her picture taken, so we took the camera along. Here are a few pictures from our walk to the bridge.

Spring/Easter pictures coming soon!!

I came home tonight from meeting with a friend and was greeted with hugs and kisses and laughter from Audie and Corinne. My 2 baby girls were in the sweetest mood tonight. About an hour later, I started to pick up the toys in the basement while Matt gave Audie a bath. I came upstairs to find Corinne picking up her toys in the living room...without being asked!!!! I ran to her and told her how proud I was of her and thanked her for doing that. I really reiterated how sweet she had been this evening and I was thankful for her good attitude. Then it was her bathtime, and she hopped in the bath with no complaining or excuses. (much out of the norm). I wanted to reward her further for her good behavior...


me: "Corinne, you have been so good this evening. You can stay up past your bed time if you want to"
Corinne: "No thank you, I'm fine."

***
maybe I should leave more often!!?

Trick or Treat!!

Halloween was so much fun this year. I decided last minute to dress up with the girls, and we had a blast. Late in the afternoon we stopped by our favorite chocolate shop....what better place to go trick or treating than at an artisan chocolate store??!!

We turned a lot of heads as we walked in with our costumes on- (who wouldn't stop to stare at 3 pretty butterflies) and took a photo with our favorite chocolatiers! Luckily, all of the ladies working today had on costumes, so we didn't feel so much out of place. The girl on the far right is Amber. She has become buddies with Corinne. We have really enjoyed getting to know her as she has such a sweet and genuine personality.

We got back home and our friends Kevin and Crystal arrived for dinner. Their son Austin was Cat in the Hat (and boy was it a cute costume!!)

Corinne's butterfly- Audie's Dragonfly

Corinne really got the hang of trick or treating. She led the way through the neighborhood and marched right up to each door and confidently said "Trick or Treat". I was surprised as I thought she would be more timid. But she did great.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Audie

I took these pictures of Audie last night- she was in a great mood. Corinne spent the night with Grandma, and I went out with a friend, so Audie got some good alone play time with Dad. When I came home she was stomping her feet and giggling with excitement, and she opened her arms to give me a hug.

It feels so good to be the girls' mommy. However, I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. When I talk to Corinne on the phone I get a lump in my throat because I just cannot believe that my daughter is holding a conversation over the phone! She sounds so little, but talks like an adult. Audie brought me her shoes this morning because she wanted to go outside. Both of the girls are doing things for themselves, and they are not babies anymore! I wish it were possible to capture time.