Harry Potter and Legos on a Saturday afternoon

While Paul was on a golf outing, the kids and I headed into the city to one of our favorite museums: The Museum of Science and Industry.  It was featuring a special Harry Potter exhibit that was closing on Monday, so we booked our tickets and had a great time.  Matt and I are now reading the 4th Harry Potter together and the kids have seen the first four movies, so it was extra fun to see the props, costumes, and sets from the movies and for the kids to recognize them.  We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but we did get one by the Flying Ford Anglia before we went into the exhibit.  Matt was also especially excited because there was a Lego Architecture exhibit as well--some of the largest buildings in the world made out of Legos!  It was a dream come true for our budding Lego Architect!

Nora at 6 months

Nora had her 6 month doctor visit

She's 28 inches--97th percentile

20 pounds--also 97th percentile

her head circumference is 97th percentile too

what can I say--she's in perfect proportion

The doctor declared her a perfect, lovely baby

We have to agree

She is my reward for going for #4-- a sweet and tender girl

who melts hearts with her beautiful smile and gentle spirit

Happy Happy!

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!

Ruth Ann's birthday is today and she and Ryan celebrated their anniversary yesterday!

We hope you have had double the happy celebrations!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Aunt Kelsey!

We hope you have a fantastic day-

We love you!

Peace

Does this picture look familiar?

Except that everyone is more comfortable and side-by-side now.

My new favorite activity is a morning walk with my little girls.

Today Halle was holding my phone and we were listening to Hannah Montana

as we brisked along in the beautiful day.

(I know brisked isn't a verb, but that's what we were doing)

An overwhelming feeling of rightness and peace came over me

How much I love being a stay-at-home mom

It's the best job ever!

It took a weekend away of just relaxing to realize what I was missing

and why my heart yearned to be near all of my babies

I came back with a grateful heart, a restful spirit, and a desire to be better

Off to the beach...

I am taking a much needed break

I'll be spending a long weekend here

with some of my favorite people

Alli, Cheryl, Kristen, and Grandma J.

Paul will be on his own with the little ones.

Send some good thoughts his way as he navigates full-time parenting!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to Nana and Pat today!

We haven't been to Washington in a few years to get a picture of them together--

You'll just have to visit their blog and wish them a happy day!

Fall Walk

We got the two big kids on the bus, had a snack of applesauce and then decided to enjoy the beautiful weather. I loaded the two little girls in the stroller and off we went. Halle was my big helper navigating where we should go and Nora was happy just to be outside. It was a lovely hour and I got some much needed exercise. I told Paul we need to invest in a double jogger--this little plan worked well for a little while, but by the end, both girls were getting a tad too squished for their liking!