2 1/2 year photos

Bree Hughes is an amazing photographer!  She's also an amazing person.  Last time we had photos taken it was last spring and every time I look at them I realize just how much the girls have changed.  We had her come out to our house last week and as always my goal is just for a few good "framers" that can go on the wall.  As usual there are more than a few that I love.

http://breehughes.zenfolio.com/p747904305

PASSWORD: 2010

Tykes

The last couple of Friday's I've taken the girls to the Nike drop in daycare center (Tykes) just for a change of pace. I was afraid they would be nervous about a new place with different teachers and kids but they've ended up loving it! One of the teachers who had been in Wally Waffle over the summer now works full time in Tykes so she's definitely eased the transition. Last week she took these super cute pics of the girls. I love seeing them having so much fun when mommy & daddy aren't around.

Emily

Emily & Ellery

Ellery (she looks so grown up!)

Ellery

Singer Sister Sandwich

Flower Girls

Emily & Ellery made their debut as flower girls at the beautiful wedding of Jeremy & Alyssa earlier this summer. The wedding was up at Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood and was so breathtakingly beautiful words can't even describe it. The bride & groom looked amazing and the wedding was so much fun. We are so honored to have been a part of such a special day.

Ellery & Emily getting ready for the wedding

Andy and Ellery and Heather and Emily getting ready to walk down the isle.
Throwing flowers

Wedding party

Uncle Joe and Andy with Ellery and Emily
Mommy & Emily

Jumping Beans

No children were injured in the production of these films.

Each of these three videos are similar but what they say in each one is so hilarious!!

I think I had my finger on the speaker so you can't hear this video well. It's a shame because you miss out on Emily saying "Good Job Ellery" and "Come On Sweetie" as she helps her sister up on the ottoman. If you turn the volume up you can just barely hear it.

Make sure to turn your volume down on this one because I am not covering the speaker. Here you will hear Emily say "lets jump together".

Again....volume down. In this video you hear "We did it!" ,"Ballet Jumps", "Whoo Hooo", "Polka dots", and "Skip to my Lou".

I think my kids are hilarious. ;)

Back to School

While the girls never had a break in school we're definitely feeling the back to school sentiments in our house. They've moved on from the Toddler class into Transition which means leaving the teachers we've had for the last two years. I think it's harder on the teachers and the parents but the girls have asked me a few times where their teachers are. The transition class will be where they spend their 3's. Next year they will be in Preschool for two years before moving onto kindergarten. GASP!!!

The transition class is going very well. The two days we've been so far have been amazingly easy drop offs. I think the change is proving to be very beneficial for the girls. These are not babies anymore...they are full fledged toddlers. Toddlers with responsibilities. They have a task chart and each day every child is assigned a job. On Tuesday Ellery was the fish feeder and Emily was in charge of calling the names of each child as they came in from outdoor activities. Some of the other jobs are circle helper, turning lights on and off, setting the table, setting the place cards at the table, and song chooser.

Here's to a fun, educational, and adventure filled year in the Trail Ranger classroom!!!

Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons are still going strong and I still don't have great photos. It's impossible to take pictures when you have to be in the pool yourself. The girls were doing great until we started making them go under water....then they got pissed! Each lesson is a little hot and cold and not nearly as exciting for the girls as it was when we first started. BUT we are going to stick it out through the end of the year. Last week we bought goggles to help with the eyes in the water issue (they hate!) and it seemed to help. Ellery would have a big smile on her face when she realized her eyes didn't bother her but Emily had a hard time keeping the goggles on. Hopefully we make more progress each week. I'm definitely a huge fan of our swim school. They are teaching wonderful techniques and safety procedures. We've even been able to test out all kinds of cool equipment. A few weeks ago it was flippers and floaties and this week it was life jackets and boats. E, E, and Avery were the only kids in class and while all were a little angry with the boat at first once we started pushing it back and forth they were much happier.