Sisters!

Well, obviously since we had two girls we do a lot of clothes sharing! I happened to find an old picture of Brooke wearing the same shirt Hallie is today and thought I'd post. They were both about the same age. Brooke was 18 months (almost 19) and Hallie is just over 17 months. They have similarities...but mostly just the eyes.

Hallie today (ignore the food on her face!)

Brooke February 2008

Brooke - Self Portraits

These just crack me up. Brooke loves taking pictures of herself with my small camera. I always find random shots when I upload to the computer. She used to cut half her head off and cover the lens with her finger but she's getting better. As you can see below...she's even learning to "pose". Oh she is just such a joy!!

Party, Party, Party

We rented this bounce house for the party because Brooke had been talking about bouncing for a while... it was a hit. The best part was that the man was supposed to pick it up at 2:30 and we had it until 7!! So, we got bonus time and had a "2nd" party with some of our neighbor friends.

Hallie & Momo

Hudson enjoying the blow-up pool

Hallie having fun with me in the bounce house

Mommy, Daddy & the birthday girl

The big 3 year old!!

This year I made the cake myself instead of buying it like normal. Even the frosting was homemade -- I think it turned out pretty well for my first one! I had a bigger "better" idea - but it just didn't work out this time. I may try it for Hudson & Hallie's 2nd birthday next February.

Some of the girls using sidewalk chalk

Hallie trying to sneak some more cake... it was so funny to watch her

Brooke putting on her bike helmet & knee pads

Trying out her new bike

About to make a basket in the new goal

Happy Birthday, Brooke!!

Can't believe she's three already!!! Brooke is such a sweet little girl. She's so smart and funny and TALKATIVE (when she's not being shy...). Right now I'm listening her "play" on the piano singing "Happy Birthday" to herself. She's a little mommy to Hudson & Hallie and often repeats things I tell them ... "Hudson, we don't do that buddy!", "You're right Hallie...that IS a duck". We sure do love her! I'll put pictures of her super fun birthday party up later -- so many pictures to sort through!!

Just hours old

Sweet One-Year old girl

2 years

3 year old little lady

House update #2 ... kitchen

I've finally gotten the kitchen in a "picture perfect" clean state. Some people have been asking what it looks like after the remodel - so here's your peek! I posted the before pictures so you could see what all we did and where we started!! All the stuff in the before pictures were the guy's things left for us the day our remodel began! We are really enjoying the end result. We still have some touch ups to do. The crown moulding is missing up top, some chair moulding, a few of the holes in the cabinets were drilled crooked so they have to fix that before our pulls can go in and we have to have the nail holes patched. But, all in all it is a significant improvement! We replaced all the original cabinet doors and added about 12' of new cabinets and doors (including the desk area). New countertops, new sink, faucet, light fixtures, backsplash, flooring, back door & pantry door and appliances -- it was an undertaking but we are so glad we did it!!! George just installed the ceiling fan in the kitchen today. I've never been a fan of those, but this is an old house with poor air circulation and it was getting really stuffy and warm in the kitchen/dining area so we decided it was a must have. We are considering putting a matching fan in the kitchen where the pendant light is now... what are your thoughts? Sometimes function overrides the aesthetics, right?

BEFORE

BEFORE - view from our new dining area

AFTER

Haircut

While I was in The Woodlands for July 4th, we took Brooke to get her hair cut at a kiddie cut place in the mall. I was hoping to have it a bit more noticeable - but it ended up just being a trim with some layers around her face. Oh well... it was a cute experience for her and she looked so big sitting in the chair! At the end the lady asked her if she wanted her hair done like a princess... Brooke said "no". We don't really do "princess" in our house - so I asked her if she wanted it done like a big girl - again "no". So, instead of getting the full effect of having her hair done - she left with it straight down and still damp... (I have a feeling we paid for the "princess hair" which we didn't get!!!).

AFTER - you can sort of see the layers in the front
Getting her hair dried

July 4th

We spent the July 4th weekend in The Woodlands with my family while George was still in Uganda. We had a good time with my extended family too for the holiday and they came out and we swam, ate fried shrimp, catfish & dessert!

All 3 kids did SOO much better in the water this time. They went through a period where they seemed terrified to get wet! I'm hoping this lasts because it is no fun to be that mom at the pool w/ the screaming kid!!