Halloween

I love seeing Lacey really discover holidays for the first time. Last year, I dressed her up and we did trunk-or-treating with our church, but she didn't remember or really know what fun she was in for this year.

Lacey dressed up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, and Amy I just put in the little fleece bear suit that we have since I didn't have anything else for her. Honestly, Halloween this year got overshadowed by other things, and I'm glad that I had these thing hanging around.

 Lacey had lots of fun trick-or-treating, and of course she still asks to go. "Put candy in bucket." Lol. I tagged along to a few houses with Amy, then the two of use headed home to man the fort for trick-or-treaters. I was so glad that we got a good number this year, since we never have before. So much fun!

My visiting teacher stopped by with her kids and dropped off a gift bag for Lacey. It had non-candy items in it, like these eyeball glasses that Lacey just loves. She calls them her "cricket glasses." I don't know what makes them her cricket glasses, but from the very first time she put them on, she said, "I'm a cricket!" And that sucker shes holding in her hand ended up on the floor one too many times and Daddy ended up finishing it for her.

Maybe this is zombie Dorothy... with the glasses and the teeth.

Amy's Blessing Day

We had the opportunity at the end of October to bless Amy in church. Afterward, we gathered in our home with friends and family to celebrate this beautiful baby who has blessed our lives so much  already. Here's some pictures:

Lacey's expressions when she saw both her grandpas together was priceless. "Two grandpas!!" 

Amy with her Aunt Em, who wasn't about to give her up to the grandparents when she found out they were staying until Thursday.

And Daddy where he likes it best--playing with the kids. And, yes, we have enough toys in our basement for a nursery school. I love it.

This is possibly my favorite picture of the whole bunch because of the expression on Amy's face. I see it on her father's face occasionally as well when he thinks I've said or done something ridiculous. Like, you know, take a picture.

Four generations. Amy, me, my mom, and her mom. One of the best kind of picture.

 Amy with Grandma Welker. I just love this picture.

Because I felt I had to--Amy and her parents. 

Amy with Grandpa Bobo and cousin Taylor. I love kids and babies.

And here is the only moment all day that Lacey would sit still enough for me to take a picture of her.

It was a fantastic day, and I'm glad for all of the people who came to share it with us. I was so glad to have so many people that I love in my home with me at once, and so glad they they all fit!

Moments from my life

I love those moments that you just have to capture on camera. Here's a few from my life that I was lucky lasted long enough to remember forever:

 One day, I decided to see what would happen if I let Lacey go without a nap. At about 4:00 that afternoon, I turned on some Sesame Street for her to watch so that I could close my eyes for a moment. I, of course, fell asleep, and when I woke up, I could hear snoring. She has never ever just crashed like this, so she was obviously very tired, but oh so sweet asleep on the floor. I couldn't resist a photo opportunity.

Another sleepy bug that I just couldn't resist. It was one of those moments when I looked at my baby and just couldn't believe how beautiful she was. We're so lucky to have cameras!

One afternoon when Daddy was home, Lacey decided that she wanted to play pirates. The hat she's wearing is her "pirate" hat, and the chest is her treasure chest. And, if you can't tell, the box is her box, and Daddy is her crew, rowing the boat  to find a place to bury their treasure. It was so cute watching them play, and seeing Lacey's imagination soar.

Can you imagine how delighted I was to find this? The black blobs over her eyes are mascara, and the lines are eye liner. The tube of mascara and the eyeliner pencil, however, had been neatly put back in my make up case. 

I was busy making dinner one night, so Phil was in charge of the girls, and he had a moment of "welcome to your wife's life" when he had to be holding the baby so she wouldn't cry, the 2-year-old wanted to play, and he was trying to get his homework done. Life is crazy. I love it.

My cutie patootie! She's so pretty. She rolled over the other day, too.  And, as of last Wednesday, she was 12 lbs 8 oz. She's my little chubs! I love those cheeks!

Lacey has a very sweet side to her regarding her little sister. Lacey is more of a rough-and-tumble sort of kid rather than a huggy, kissy kid, so I think that she doesn't always show much affection for Amy. Sometimes I think that Lacey just wishes Amy would go away, but then there's moments like this, when she shares her Perry the Platypus doll with her. Lacey loves her Perry, and the fact that she's willing to share him with Amy I think is her way of showing affection for her. She's quick to share her Perry when Amy is upset and Mommy can't pick her up right away. It's really very sweet.