Happy Halloween Y'all

 The big girls were Fancy Rainbow Butterflies per Eloise's request. Margot started with a ladybug costume and a bumble bee for Laurel, but Margot wanted to be the same as her big sister and I though the bee was too cold. And yes, Alan was named the Bug Catcher by Eloise too. We had so much fun and were totally pooped by the end of 1/3 mile circle. After every single house, Margot would turn around after receiving her candy and say, "Can we go to another house?" She thought it was the greatest thing ever!

 Their cute tops and skirts were made by my wonderful sister-in-law who is going to start and etsy shop soon. 

Fancy Nancy (my mom) and her dog "Frenchie" 

For those of you that aren't familiar with them....they are from a children's book that the girls adore.

one last hurrah in the sun

We have been meaning to get the girls' pictures taken by a professional all summer but didn't get around to it. So, we went to a nearby park after church a few weekends ago and got some really adorable pictures. I ordered a bunch of prints and will get them in the mail to all y'all in the family soon. 

 In college, I used to babysit a dear friend's girls, Morgan and Mary Bishop as babies and young toddlers. Laurel is wearing one of their outfits and sitting on a beautifully crochet blanket that Morgan (who is now in high school!!) made her. Thank you MJ, Mary Bishop and Morgan!

Laurel kicking

Everyday we notice more and more similarities between Laurel and Eloise as a baby. It baffles me that they can be so similar as little babies and nothing like Margot at all! Click here to see Eloise doing the same leg kicking.

Like a diamond ring...

we miss you grandpa

Happy 4th Birthday Eloise

  Really, is she already 4? only 4? It's weird how time passes. Here, I think she looks like a teenager. Her Daddy made her birthday pancakes to start the many many sugar highs that we had for the day.

Eloise had a great birthday gift of having "la la Grandpa" come visit for a long weekend. The girls call Alan's parents, "la la GraMoM and la la Grandpa" because of a song that Lisa made up to the tune of Fur Elise that starts "la la la la la la El-o-ise, oh El-o-ise, oh El-o-ise"

I think GraMoM tried to fight it, but now she embraces it and even signed a card that way!

 After breakfast we opened presents with GraMoM (via skype) and Grandpa. She loves her new bus and coloring book from London!

To celebrate the big event we met up with my family for our monthly concert in the park/picnic. The venue has a big open lawn and stage as well as 2 playgrounds and a sprayground. So much fun for all of us. We celebrated my niece, Madeline's, birthday too. She will become an official teenager later this month!

 Again, the girls are all dressed in coordinating, handmade dresses that Dawn made. So cute!

Yum!!

We love you so much, Eloise! 

We are captivated everyday by your beauty, love (for your sisters, God, puzzles and at the moment fancy horses), and your laughter. You are a blessing from God and our cup runneth over! 

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Happy Birthday Grandma!

 Most of our pictures lately are at family gatherings because my brother, Brian, takes great pictures and then uploads them. So, thanks Brian and Dawn! My mom, Dawn and my mom's best friend, Amanda and I spent the day strolling around historic Roswell shopping and eating for my mom's birthday. We met up with rest of the gang for dinner.....a great time was had by all-except Jeff who was working =(.

digging in to the queso dip

 beautiful ladies....

and happy early birthday to this beautiful TEENAGER!!!!