Talk is cheap, but this stuff ain't for sale.

I realize nobody cares what your kids say BUT, Big but, this is my place to write what is important to me. With that being said... Oh how I love how Gab's mind works. This girl is a talker, detail oriented and fascinated by the world around her. My mom tells me almost daily to write down the things she says so I can always remember her budding personality. Lately she has really been throwing some good ones at me. So, I'm gonna try and go back and record my top faves and I will keep them coming for my sake and hers:

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I had just put the kids in the tub and was about to get in the shower myself while they played. Gabby looked at my (obviously scary naked) body and said, "mom! why do you have all that hair down there!?" I said, Well Gab, When you start to get older and your body changes you're gonna start growing hair there and other places too. Like your armpits and legs". She said, "it is so ugly mom. I'm not going to keep my hair, I'll just shave it everyday." And ps, It's not like I have a huge unkept bush my any means! She must have noticed my stubble... Wow, that's embarrassing.

Stella ripped a smelly fart out right next to Gab and she was so annoyed. Saying, "UGhhh! Stella! You're gonna make my breath stink!"

"mom, when is like a cleaning person gonna come work on our house?"

On our way to school a GINORMOUS dog had its head out the sunroof of the car in front of us.
Gab says, "mom! that dog is like saying, I'm the king of the world, not God anymore!"

That is all for now.

Back in this business...

It has been far too long since I've blogged because now when I look at these pictures I realize my children are almost a year older! This is crazy talk. When and how did life move at such an incredible speeding rate? I'm not down with it.So much has kept me busy but if I don't blog, I don't "scrapbook". I also have taken far too fewpictures of my gorgeous girlies.So I guess I'm gonna give this another try but please keep in mind it's all for my little family to have a nice web of memories so I'll just have to brag on them a little here and there.

This has been the happiest year of my life and I know their smiles and spirits are a huge part of why. They love me to no end and willingly accept me with such genuine love. Motherhood brings me such joy!

First Day of School

School has started and I am excited because Gab is SO thrilled about it! This is her second year at Barefoot. She loves it and tells me every day how much fun she has. She is always talking about the teachers, kids, and the fun things they do. This makes it easier for a mother to send off her young little first born for 2 and a half hours where I'm not huddled over her helping her do everything. It kinda makes me sad but I'm so excited for her to learn and grow. We talked about what to wear for 2 days. She was dead set on the "diamond" shoes for about a week in advance.

She cried when we had to leave gabby at school.

Grandpa Ken

Easter 2007

A picture for Grandpa

Gabby is a total "arts and crafts" nut! She asks to color or make a craft about a zillion times a day.

She loves to draw a picture and tell me every detail and what it all is.

This day she decided she was gonna make a 'valentime' for Gramps. She just loves my dad and always talks about him.

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She asked me one day as we left their house, "mom, why does my grandpa always kiss you on the lips?" I said because I'm his baby girl like you're mine. and she said, "oh, I think I'm gonna start to kiss him on the lips too". She is so not a lip kisser! She will kiss me or Stella on the lips and that is it. Rarely can Shaun get a kiss on the lips. So I thought that was pretty funny.

Another thing I want to remember her saying about him was last week when I was taking her to gymnastics in bloomington I told her I had to run to my moms really fast to get some allergy medicine then I'd be right back to watch her. She said, "is my grandpa gonna be home?" I don't know Gab, "well tell him I miss him but he doesn't have to worry about Gabby because I'm okay, I'm just at my gym class."

The day she colored the 'valentime' She said it was Grandpa riding his cow, chasing a pig at his ranch. I just love how many legs the cow has and that the pig has arms and hair.

Stella - 20 Months

...Lots of this...

1. Lots of tears and opinions have entered into your life... We are having a few meltdowns a week but nothing mom can't handle.

2. goes to the outside freezer for popcicles several times a day.

3. Loves eggs, yogurt, Quinoa, beans, corn, hotdogs, spaghettios, soy beans and juice

4. is starting to resist nap time on occasion but I don't let her win.

5. Misses Gabby when she is away for any period of time.

6. Had a case of COXSACKIE virus! It was awful!! Temp of 104 for 2 days and I could barely get it to lower. Ulcers in her mouth, would not eat much of anything for 4 days. Gogurts, popcicles, and dibs saved us.

7. Loves to play with Gabbys toys.

8. Loves her new puppy Max. Slaps her Knees and says here Max.

9. Is the best girl and growing up right before my eyes!

10. Is a climber! oh boy...

Stella needs to slow down! She is getting so big and it is breaking my heart. I used to get excited for new milestones. Now I don't. It means their childhood is in fast forward or something. It's going by too fast. I can't stand it!! Here Gabby is back in school and Stella is rounding the corner of 2 years old! Soon I'll be potty training her and getting her a big girl bed. I'm hoping it slows down a bit for my sake! I love this little girl. She is a joy.

Barefoot swimming lessons

Gabby has taken two sessions of swim lessons at Barefoot. I could not be happier with the outcome. She can pretty much swim but I don't encourage it because I can't take my eyes off Stella when I have them both at the pool. She has completed level 1 and 2 and is totally ready to take on level 3. Summer is winding down so I think we'll start back up next summer.

It was fun to watch her progress and get more comfortable in the water. She has gained a lot of confidence this summer and I really think the swimming helped for some reason.

...We love summer...

We have spent a good chunk of time outside in our fun backyard. The girls love it and so do I.

Stella could play outside alone all day if I'd let her. We've had plenty of popcicles, Capri Suns and watermelon.

Their favorite things this summer:

1. Sidewalk chalk

2. Bubbles

3. outdoor sink

4. jeep

5. bike, tricycle, plasma car

6. washing everything outside (like Cinderella)

7. and swimming at Grandmas and the BCC.

What a fun summer we have had!!!