Chicago

We had our first annual Graham Girls Get Away and headed to Chicago. We were sad Jen and Melinda couldn't make it, but there will be many more to come. Grandma, Nora and June, and Me and Abigail went to Chicago for 5 days and had a blast. David, Kenna, and Addie were so nice to host us and show us around the windy city.

The Botanical Gardens were beautiful even though it wasn't the "best" time of year to go. David showed us all around while Kenna was post call that day.

Friday morning we hit up the "Windy City" and stayed from 10am -11:30pm. It was fun taking the train there and back. I loved walking around and was impressed at how clean and well kept the city is. The "Bean" was so cool how it reflected all the buildings. Of course we had Chicago dogs and well as the best deep dish pizza ever. Leave it to Nora to find these cute coats at such a great price that we all 3 had to get one. The babies were troopers being pushed around in strollers all day, but didn't seem to mind one bit. All 3 of them were perfect!

Saturday we took a tour at the Jelly Belly factor then hit up some more shopping.

Thanks Grahams for letting us crash your place and showing us a fun time.

Who's the Mom?

Yesterday Gracie told me two phrases:

"Mom, look at me when I'm talking to you" and

"Please, don't talk to me like that" (of course she used this one when I asked her to do something she didn't want to do)

Oh my Gracie Girl, what are we going to do with you? ...She sure keeps me on my toes :)

Happy Halloween

This Halloween was so fun, especially now that Gracie really understands what it's all about. We went trick or treating with some friends and she was the leader of the pack. She would run from door to door, always first, and knew just what to say "trick or treat" followed by "thank you" followed by "I want more candy".

Ben was very happy to hear that his daughter won the doughnut eating contest at a friends Halloween party.


My sweet butterfly and ladybug

Gracie called the inside of the pumpkin the "cheese" and loved cleaning it out this year.
Abigail just had fun watching

Here's my manly man carving our pumpkin with his drill.
Of course Gracie had to be digging into her bag during trick or treating. When one sucker was finished a new one would appear in her mouth.

Daddy-Daughter Date

Ben has been gone a lot and getting home really late when the girls are already in bed. There were many days last week when they didn't even see him. So, Friday night Ben decided to take Gracie on a date so they could have some time together. They went to the movies to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs". Gracie was so exited to go on a date. She picked out her own outfit, needed a purse (with lots of candy inside), and wanted perfume as well as lipstick. I guess she's pretty observant watching me get ready. The movie was in 3D and the glasses were huge on Grace's little face. Since Ben picked up the tickets and glasses earlier that day we were able to come up with a little concoction with a hat and some glue to make the glasses work for her. It was cute seeing the two of them go on a little date, and we'll have to make it happen more often...but I must say, when is it my turn?

7 months

Time is flying. Abigail has mastered sitting up and plays with her toys which is keeping her really busy and entertained. She's done using her swing, mostly because she sits straight up and reaches over the side of it until she about falls out. She finally likes her baby food as well as little biscuits to naw on. Of course she still spits up a lot which is not fun especially now with all the colors of the baby food. She got her first cold this past month as well as her bottom two teeth and loves feeling them with her tongue. It's cute to see her get around by rolling were she wants to get. We really can't get over what a content little baby she is. If you give her any attention she lights up with a smile that just melts your heart. We're looking forward to all of her first holidays coming up. We love you Abigail

Dear Gracie

Dear Gracie Girl,

Today is not your birthday and it is not even a special occasion. I just wanted to write a little note to you letting you know how much I love you! These past couple of months you really have grown up so much and have turned into a "big girl". I love that you are so much more independent, but it has made me realize just how much I loved being the one you counted on so much for everything. I just look at you and feel so blessed to have you in my life. I truly couldn't have asked for a better "oldest child". You are so helpful and a wonderful example. Watching you grow up has been the most rewarding thing for me as your mom. Today as you were dancing around outside I started to cry at how perfect you are for me! You and I really do fit together and I love being your best friend! Thank you for keeping me laughing and grateful for all I have...especially you! I love you Gracie

Love, Mommy

Pumpkin Patch

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Silo Pumpkin Patch and enjoyed a tractor train ride, petting zoo, playing in hay, eating lunch, and picking pumpkins. It was very cold this year (58 degrees), but that didn't stop us from enjoying the Halloween festivities.

One night for "family home evening" we cut a small pumpkin Gracie picked out at the Salado "pumpkin patch story time" with her friends. Grace was fascinated with the seeds inside, but even more interested in eating them after they were baked. The pumpkin patch had a little story time and skit they put on. Of course Grace was more than happy to volunteer to help out.

Fire Truck Day

The city of Temple was having a fire day with a lot of different things going on. Ben had to work Saturday so I ventured out with the girls to do something fun. We enjoyed a free pancake breakfast, ride on an old fire truck, dressing up in fireman gear, and sliding down a big blowup slide. We had a great time, the girls were wonderful and now I feel like I can do more adventurous things with "just the girls".

First Word

I'm very happy to announce that Abigails first words are Mama. (Gracie's were "Dada") She's been saying "ma, ma, ma" for about a month, but finally understands it's me now and clearly says "Mama". She also says "Hi" super clear when someone walks in the room (we'll have to catch it on video) which is very cute!

Tub Time

Thank goodness for bath time. Not only do I love the fact that it entertains the girls for a long period of time, but the smell of a fresh clean little girl right out of the tub is delicious (espcially on Abby who always smells like spit up). It's fun now that the girls bathe together and surprisingly Abigail is crazier in the tub then Gracie is. She loves to splash around with a big smile on her face. I'm even impressed because Grace is to the point where she can wash herself, shampoo and all.

Halloween Time

We're Ready!!!

6 Months

Our sweet little Abigail is 6 months old. She weighs in at 14 lbs. and is 25 inches long. We started her on rice cereal and she hates it. We've also tried bananas and squash and she's not a big fan of those either. Hopefully this girl will get the hang of eating soon so we can plump her up. She sits up on her own for a few minutes before toppling over. I can't believe how old she's getting. I'm even convinced that she's been saying "Mama". Abby had her first cold a couple of weeks ago and was a trooper through it. She continues to be our sweet little girl. Happy 1/2 Birthday Abigail!

Happy Birthday Benny Boo

You can now say you're in your late 20's. Happy 26th Birthday. We love you.

Love, Your Girls,

Gracie, Abigail, and Emily

Sea World

We had such a fun time at Sea World this past weekend. Ben was in between rotations and we thought it was the perfect time to go. The weather was wonderful (mid 70's thanks to all the rain the day before) and it was not crowded at all. Friday night we walked the river walk in San Antonio and ate dinner at a little Mexican Restaurant outside.

I think this was one of our favorite parts...feeding the dolphins. It was so neat to be so close to them and touch them.

Gracie loved the rides (the 2 that she was tall enough to go on). Since there was hardly anyone there we got to just stay on the ride and ride it as many times as we wanted. This girl is seriously going to love the roller coasters when she gets bigger.

Gracie was very interested in all of the animals enjoyed just watching them. She thought it was pretty cool to stay the night at the hotel which she kept calling "the mall" (I wouldn't mind spending the night at the mall) and enjoyed the free breakfast in the morning. Of course she got waffles, so she smelled like syrup all day, chocolate milk, a cinnamon roll, 3 cups of orange juice, and frosted flakes...and yes she ate all of it. What can I say but she takes after her Dad.

And of course Abby was there too. She was a sweet little angel and was happy coming along for the ride.

Labor Day

We had a wonderful labor day together and decided to go to the zoo. Grace woke up in such a happy mood and was so cute all day. (These videos are mostly for Grandparent enjoyment)

She sang this song for about 15 minutes straight. Getting one word wrong on the song can lead you back to the beginning and sing it all over again.

She was so excited to see the spiders (I'm not sure why since we see them everyday in our house). She got a little distracted with her toenails.

Preschool

Gracie had her first day of preschool yesterday. I debated back and forth all summer on weather or not to put her in and finally decided to do it. It's Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12 which is the perfect amount of time. She had a wonderful first day and looked so big to me. I think it is going to be really good for all of us. I'm looking forward to having some alone time with Abigail and be able to run errands with only one kid. Gracie is going to do so well with the structure of preschool and the interaction with the other kids. Gracie thinks its pretty cool that "Daddy's at school, and Gracie's at preschool."

Balls

We inherited this ball pit from a friend and it has become the girls new favorite toy. I do have to hide it in the closet and only pull it out every now and then or else I have balls all over my house.

This is what Gracie likes to do with it. (sorry it's sideways)

5 months

Another month has come and gone way to fast. This month Abigail moved up to a size 2 diaper and is starting to put on a little weight... she is still pretty tiny though. Abby giggles all day and thumps her feet down in her crib all night. She has perfected rolling over and is starting to learn to sit up. Gracie is trying to teach Abigail to scoot which is pretty entertaining to watch. We once thought that Abby would be our calm girl, but I think she is learning a lot from her sister and trying to keep up with her. She is very active and wants to be a part of all the action. We love her contagious smile all day.

Allergies

This is what he gets for being a good guy and helping a friend who has cats move...

Poor guy. His eye is still swollen today.

Swim Lessons and Fire Station

Gracie loved swimming lessons. I put her in a class that was a little too advanced for her because it was the only one available. She was the youngest one be far, but still enjoyed it. She mostly just played on the stairs the whole time. She has been a little fish in the water though and has no problem putting her face in and going under. Maybe next summer we can teach her to swim.


Last week we went on a little field trip with some of Gracie's friends to the Fire Station. She thought the big Red Trucks were really cool, but was nervous when the fire man put on his gear. Little Abby was the only one brave enough to sit on his lap.