Clarinian Reunion

We had a lovely little reunion with some of the Lerias family with good food and music. Lucy called it a dance party the whole night. All she did was dance! 

Our Party Girl

Sophie loves her Godmother!

Them There Eyes

I fell in love with you the first time I looked into

Them There Eyes

And you have a certain lil cute way of flirtin'

With Them There Eyes

They make me feel so happy

They make me feel so blue

I'm fallin', No stallin'

In a great big way for you

My heart is jumpin', you've started something'

With Them There Eyes

You better look out lil brown eyes...if you're wise

They sparkle

They bubble

They're gonna get you in a whole lot of trouble

Oh baby

Them there eyes

As sung by Billie Holiday. 

I just can't get this song out of my head every time I watch this little video of my Sophie. Her eyes are the MOST expressive eyes I've ever seen...I can get lost in them.

A small trip to the park on a gorgeous early fall day. Sophie swung in a swing for the first time, and loved it!

Lucy's Haircut

At this age Baby, I think your beautiful hair lays nicely when it's short. But by all means, when you're old enough to care, you can wear it HOWEVER you want. I promise. And you have this is writing :)

Baby Chase

Welcome Baby Chase!

Sophie's newest friend, Chase William, arrived August 13th and we finally got to meet him...in September! He did a lot of sleeping that day, but we had our first play date and managed to have lunch together. As usually, Lucy loved Brendan's toys and Sophie is now rolling around on their floor.

You can tell Chase is Brendan's brother for sure. There are similarities, but they both definitely share their own unique characteristics too.

How lucky are we to have such precious, sweet kids?! It's nice to know so many great Moms that love their babies to pieces :) Cheers to another beautiful miracle Kim!

Hugs Are Fun

Lucy's been on a hugging kick lately. (Yay!)

Milwaukee

We'd had this weekend getaway to Milwaukee planned for quite some time, so we ventured up north to get out of town. We met Uncle Neil's Family and Uncle Greg's family for many visits to museums and food. Milwaukee was beautiful! Very clean, with great museums. We stayed overnight at the Marriott Residence Inn, and it was an awesome hotel on the river!

First stop was the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. It was deceivingly large, and Lucy loved it! So did Sophie. Sophie took it all in from up high in her baby bjorn.

Rub a dub dub...

Great Grandpa would be proud.

We ate lunch at a pretty cool cafe near the water called Alterra at the Lake. It's a coffee roaster cafe in a unique old building. The food was pretty yummy, and the coffee was great! That's saying a lot...we're tough judges.

Off to Discovery World on the Pier.

These pictures don't do it justice, but our room was awesome. It had a kitchenette complete with a full fridge, dishwasher, and electric stove top burners. And the highest ceilings of any hotel room I've ever stayed in. I felt like we were in a mini version of the Home Alone suite from the Plaza Hotel.

Off to dinner. Lucy insisted ALL weekend to be carried by Auntie Michelle. I still can't quite figure it out. I mean, she's a pretty neat lady, but Lucy always clings to Mommy or Daddy. I guess it's a good thing she wasn't shy...

We stopped at a park along the lake the next morning. It was so nice.

The Milwaukee Public Museum. Lucy loved this one too! She loved the dinosaurs and all of the animals. It was really well done. We even saw an IMAX movie there and a live butterfly exhibit.

Small, Smaller, Smallest

Grandma

You passed away as you lay sleeping, and I have never mourned so deeply until now. You are the sweetest person I have ever known. I hope I can grow up to be like you.

Every day gets a little easier I guess? But I want to remember some significant or happy moments I experienced that day:

The hug my husband gave me to comfort me. He let me sob on his shoulder that day.

Driving down to Kentucky and just talking with my brother to pass the time.

Walking in and seeing my sister for the first time, and just hugging her like I was little.

Sitting next to my Dad, watching the slideshow, with my sister on his other side.

My Grandma's sister, Aunt Larue sharing her story of Grandma's passing, and bringing me peace.

Hearing my Aunt Cindy recall a favorite memory of my Dad when they were little.

Standing in my Grandparent's backyard in the comfortable breeze, dancing with Lucy.

Eating peaches.

Grandpa sharing stories of Grandma, and showing us her wedding rings.

My Grandpa giving Sophie the sweetest little good-bye kiss.

My girls exist, in part, because of you Grandma. I love you always.

Rock Star

Cutest dance moves ever.

Pony Rides

We have a little local area that offers pony rides on the weekends. Sophie slept the whole time...and Lucy was in heaven! She loved riding the pony and did NOT want to get off. I wish I could let her do this all the time. She was so quietly happy.

4 Months Old!

Sophie's growing up.

Now that Sophie is 4 months old, Lucy is that much more interested in interacting with her. I usually try to get Lucy to be the entertainer to see if Sophie will smile or laugh...but Lucy made me laugh this time. She heard Sophie making some noises and randomly commented "She's squeaking!" So cute.

Papa's 60th!

Papa celebrated his 60th with family this year. Even Aunt Cindy and Uncle John were in town to celebrate with us! We all met in Saugatuck in hopes of having a relaxing afternoon and eating next to the water. With crazy, energetic grand kids and rain keeping us indoors, we still managed to have some sweet and sentimental moments amongst the chaos. Papa enjoyed a drink, got a laugh out of his chocolate birthday cake, sniffed at his card and family tree gift, got plenty of hugs, and was able to relax back at home afterwards. I unfortunately forgot my camera this trip! But Aunt Melissa took some wonderful photos thankfully.