My Girls

On our way out the door the other day, I turned around to find these sweethearts ready to go.  Bear and Kitty pretty much go everywhere with us.  They are awesome friends!  

   Katelyn took these of Elyse and me.  She got progressively better at lining up the shot.

  

Now one of the photographer.  What is that pose, crazy lady?  

The Tanner Girls.

These two are my favorite companions.  They are silly, feisty, loving and completely adorable.  They make me smile one minute, then make me want to pull my hair out the next.  But those frustrating moments make the happy days much more sweet, and I wouldn't trade them for anything!  

When I was a little girl, I followed my mom so closely that when she turned around, she'd often elbow me!  That is close! I wanted to be with her.  I wanted to be like her.  She treasured her role as a mother, basking in my triumph's and reassuring me when things weren't quite so triumphant.  I knew that she wanted and loved me more than anything. Because of her example, I was excited for the day that I could be a mom.

Now as I crawl around being a lion, pretend to be Flynn Rider, play Candyland, watch Backyardigans, snuggle them, sing with them for hours, dance in the living room, and hear what they learned in church I hope they know that they are wanted, that they are loved and that they are important.  Mostly, I hope they realize that being their mother is my priority. It is what I always wanted to be.  And it is sweeter than I than I ever could have imagined. 

Valentine's Day Hair

Happy Valentines Day!  

Christmas Trip Home

We visited Idaho for three weeks for the holidays. And as usual, I was sporadic at taking pictures, but I did capture a few memories.  

Katelyn with Devin's Grandma Cheryl.  She is such a sweet lady.  We are always glad to see the great grandparents!

 Katelyn bundled up to play in the snow. She only went sledding twice and came in both times coughing so hard.  Hopefully she grows out of her coughing fits.    

Elyse's first day with Blaine was rough.  She warmed up to him eventually, but initially she wasn't used to his teasing. He'd even walk in her direction, and she'd start crying. 

Going for rides in the Lego wagon. 

Singing you are my sunshine with Liz.  She is so sweet with the girls.  They love her. 

I love Katelyn's little hip bob and Elyse's occasional words.  This is one of our favorite songs.  

 Elyse played in Grandma Bonnies high chairs and bouncer the whole time we were there.  They both had straps she liked to buckle.  She see them and yell, "Wuckle, Wuckle, Wuckle!" And then spend the next while buckling them up and asking us to unbuckle them.

Elyse with her baby dolls' pacifier on Christmas morning. 

And Katelyn with one of her games.  We have played games a few time a week since we have been home.  She has gotten really good at Memory and wins every  time we play Chutes and Ladders.

Elyse reading a book to her baby doll.  I made the dolly blanket.  The polka dot fabric are some sheets I had as a little girl.  Katelyn has been using them one her bed, but the fitted sheet's elastic broke.  So I made a little blanky.  

Curly Sue.

And sweet Katelyn. 

The ball pit at Blast Off.

McKray and Elyse are 18 days apart.

Being buried. 

In the tunnel with Blyss. Right after I took this picture, she slipped and bloodied her lip.  It was so sad.  

It was a really fun trip.  We always love being back in Idaho to see our families.  Devin was able to go snowmobiling trip with his brothers and dad on a day that wasn't sub zero.  (there were plenty of days that were...burrrr) The girls get so excited to see their grandparents and play with their cousins.   The week after we came home, they were already wanting to go back to Idaho! What a Gem of a State!