One year photos

For some reason, it has been nearly impossible to get a decent shot of Micah for his one-year photos. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have a two-year-old "helper" close at hand most of the time, or maybe it is because his skin has been acting up a bit, or maybe my timing is just plain off. Whatever the case, he has the most precious smile but it is hard to capture it at just the right moment. The following are the result of many MANY attempts and over several days. Which one do you like best?

The Birthday Boy

My baby is one. That happened WAY too fast!

Oh goodness how I love this sweet boy. He blesses us fresh every single day with his quick smile and loving personality. He loves to snuggle with mommy, play up with his daddy (I recently found them watching Top Gear together), keeps quite entertained by his big sister, and is a ferocious crawler (he can get some speed, that boy!).

We had a little birthday party for him with the cousins. We played games, listened to lively bluegrass and had an all around rousing good time.


I made a cake, with fear and trembling since I had yet to have one actually turn out. Poor Mariah's one year old cake could have doubled as a rubber bouncy toy. But this one actually worked! I was relieved and so thankful.

But I guess Micah isn't a cake person. His first real taste of sugar and he basically just ignored it choosing to flirt with the camera instead.

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" ~Micah 6:8

Photo shoot with a 2 year old

"Somethin' in my toe"...

Disappearing act...

I can still see you...

And she's back!...

Tripod ownership disagreement...

Toes again...

who knows...

Kisses!!!...

YooHoo, over here...

Ahhhhh, that's better...

Mariah turns TWO!

2 years old!
on September 9th, 2011

My little baby girl is not so little any more!

We had a little Teapot themed birthday party for her since her very favorite song was "I'm a Little Teapot" and would make us sing it for her every single night before bed. :)

We played, Pin the Top on the Teapot...

Pass the Parcel...

Opened presents...

Served cake...

Listened (intently) to everyone singing Happy Birthday...

And blew out the candles...!
We thank the Lord for blessing our lives with this sweet little girl. She is so precious to us and brings our home so much joy!

We love you Mariah Grace!

Mariah's Birthday Party

I have been a VERY BAD GIRL and neglected this poor little blog for months now. I sort of feel guilty and sort of don't. I have been doing other things like being a mommy and trying to get at least one load of dishes done every day. You would think it wouldn't be that hard, but I seem to struggle at it somedays. David also insists that I take a nap every day when Mariah does, and I don't protest too much. He is so good to me! This pregnancy is going great and I feel really good. I will post a belly picture one of these days, but for now here is a little "catch-up on a few older photos...

I was attempting to load a little birthday video clip, but, alas, it won't work, so here are a few more pictures instead.

An attempt at a "kids picture"!

Rhiannon and Reuben put on a little play for us all after our dinner. It was adorable!

Mariah got a gigantic card from her Nanna and Grandad, which she played with for ages afterwards.

And to finish off, Mariah had her very first sleepover with her cousins! They are such great kids and I am so glad Mariah has them for cousins...she is a blessed little girl!

Mariah turns ONE!

One year ago today, a sweet little blessing was placed into our arms and we began the amazing journey of parenthood. Every day, I thank the Lord for our beautiful little girl and the joy that she bring to our lives.

Here are a few of the results from our little "photo shoot" in honor of this special day...

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:

they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

Psalm 127:3-5

Happy Birthday, sweet Mariah! We love you!

A Pirate Princess

My nephew, Reuben, celebrated his birthday a week ago with a costume party (or as they say here "fancy dress" party). Sarah and I went as a cowgirls and Mariah went as a pirate princess. Turns out, the adults weren't supposed to dress up. Oops...(cricket's chirping, awkwardness, etc) But oh well, the kids thought that we were hilarious, so that's good, I guess.

We decided sort of last minute to go, so I was desperately scrounging up this outfit for Mariah. I have to admit, though, that it was rather fun to do. I started with the stripy tights and the red head scarf and went from there. The white jaggy under skirt was from an old tank top that I was going to throw away. I cut up the bottom to make it look pirate-y and ragged. They belt is an old broken one of mine that I had saved (thank you grandma for teaching me to save everything in case I "might need it someday" and yes, I wash plastic "CoolWhip" containers). Anyway, back to the belt...I poked a new hole in it and cut it to fit her pudgy little middle.
The vest is cut from some scrap material and ironed to look like it has a collar. The whole thing required no sewing at all. It's amazing what you can throw together from stuff around the house. I totally thought this was fun...Mariah was wonderfully tolerant of it all.

Such a darling pirate princess. Love her to pieces!

Argh!

Happy Half Birthday!

Six months old today!

Six months...that's half a YEAR!! I think I am in denial. Just the other day David was looking at her and said that he didn't know how he would ever be able to walk her down the aisle, she is just too precious to give away! I think that day will come way too fast, so I am taking loads of pictures of these wonderful days that we have right now. They are each one such a blessing!

It reminds me of that song...

Hold tight to the sound of the music of living,

Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;

Hold my hand as we run

through the sweet fragrant meadows,

Making mem'ries of what was today.

We have this moment to hold in our hands

And to touch as it slips

through our fingers like sand;

Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come,

But we have this moment today.

(Gaither)

Okay, I got all weepy just typing that! Oh goodness, the things motherhood does to you!

(Please pardon the creepy looking stuffed bee that she is holding in the above picture! It made her happy so I went with it.)

BIG birthday party!

This weekend we celebrated David's birthday with a BIG party! There were around 35 people here at our house (a record for us so far) and we had so much fun! We ate fajitas, had lots of yummy desserts, played outside (it wasn't raining...can you believe it?!), and did a lot of visiting. It was nice for me to have the chance to get to know some of David's friends a little better. They are all wonderful families. We are blessed to have such great friends like these! Here are a few pictures from the evening...

Check out that fire! There were a LOT of candles on that tiny cake! :)

You know how when you get married, there is a lot of blending that takes place with traditions and such? Well, come to find out, blowing out candles was never a tradition in David's family. So he told me later that this is the first time he has ever blown out candles on a birthday cake! I couldn't believe it! 

The kids had a great time weeding out the grass around our oil tank and having grass wars! It's funny how kids can find things to do no matter what. Plus, now our oil tank looks nice and tidy! Thanks kids!

Aren't they little cutie pies?!

It was a wild, busy house but such fun!