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We have a plethra of ourdoor pets. The girls favorite (much to John’s chagrin) may be our wood pile snakes…

What a perfect 4th of July we had this year…with some of our favorite people.

May be one of the best parties to date. Good friends, good food and good fun. I’m so lucky I had June babies so we can do all the fun outdoor activities I never got to do as a kid!

We decided to take them to the Big City to celebrate their birthdays. Who would have guessed that their first trip to Tiffany’s would result in charm bracelts that are probably WAY too fancy, and WAY too expensive for a 5 & 7 year old. But I trust they’ll appreciate it all someday. Not just the jewerly, but the fact that their dad is quite possibly the biggest and mushiest sucker of all time. Gosh do I love that man…

Holy flip. SEVEN?! Six didn’t seem bad…but seven????? Someone told John recently that at this age, they have already spent half the time they will spend at home with us. That made my armpits sweat…immediately. How is that even possible?? Just another reminder to soak up every moment they are with us…I fear it’ll be gone before we can blink.

Who would have thunk it. She flipping loves gymanstics.
(see what I did there?? Flipping?? hahahahaha. I crack myself up.)

Ok, well, not officially…since she wasn’t born until later this evening…but close enough ok?

Gosh has she grown into her own over the last year. No longer a baby…not quite a little girl. I sorta love this stage. It’s like the best storybook ever, unfolding before my eyes…watching all those little quirks she had as a baby develop into these amazing personality traits, and seeing her slowly become who she truly is.  A free spirited, art obsessed, chocolate loving bold, sarcastic and hysterically funny girl.  The tomboy I thought she’d once become has vanished…and in it’s place is a confident girly girl that is skirt and shoe obsessed.  A girl who knows exactly what she likes and what she doesn’t…who she likes and who she doesn’t…and rarely second guesses any of it.  If only we could all be so confident about who we are….

Happy Birthday baby girl.  Thanks for the best flipping five years ever.

I’m sorta obsessed with this day. Just me and my little Missy Lous on her 5th birthday, soaking up the sun, getting wet, riding rides and having the time of our lives. I wish it could have lasted forever…

One of the very best features of our yard…finding these little guys all summer long. :)

That day daddy came into her classroom as a mystery reader. I talked him into wearing the hat. I suppose I should have known she’d steal it. :)

Quite possibly my favorite day at school. It’s just so amazing to watch these kids come together, happy, smiling and giggling for hours and hours. Have I mentioned how very much I love it here???

Thanks for a great 4 years Brown School. Despite the long long long drives back and forth the last two of them, what a peace of mind it was knowing our children were so well cared for and loved during those oh-so-crutial pre-k years…and will be better Kindergartners for it. :)

First official “scare” with the allergy…which made for a frightening afternoon celebrating Fathers Day. As Kennedy was finishing up her dinner of spaghetti and meatballs at Forno (where we have eaten with her a half a dozen times before), she looked across the table at me and her eyes widened beyond her normal “goofy” face…and she immediately teared up and stated she was going to be sick. With some probing, she then admitted her throat was scratchy. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen John as terrified as he was at that moment. I mean, we checked everything with the waitstaff..twice in fact. We gave her benadyl and within seconds, she was back to her normal goofy self. We assume she ate too quickly..but good god, was that a terrifying few minutes while we started at her, epi pen in hand, ready to administer it for the first (and hopefully last) time. So lucky it didn’t come to that…and pray it never does. Just a good reminder I suppose that we can just never be too careful…or let our guard down. #stupidmeanterribleallergy

And just like that…the year has ended. What an amazing, amazing two years it’s been in our new (not so new anymore) town. Who knew that two years ago as we sat down across the table from a new face, who was to be trusted with Kennedy’s well being, that we would fall so completely and totally head over heals in love with Mrs. Nowik…and that we didn’t just gain an amazing teacher for Kennedy, but a life long friend. Life works in funny ways like that doesn’t it? I mean, we weren’t wedded to Voorheesville School Distrcit when we began our house search back in 2010…we just got lucky I guess. Or maybe someone was looking out for us. I can’t even believe that Kennedy will have to walk into a new classroom with a new teacher in a few months…and we have to start all over. I thank God each and every day for bringing us to this town…and for placing us with Mrs. Nowik. We are beyond blessed.

Annual June strawberry pickin’ day. Gosh are they gooooooooooood!

Ya know, that time when we were at a friends house without swimsuits…but it was hot….

Turns out swimming fully clothed is WAY more exciting than the old fashioned swimsuit way. :)

July is seriously my favorite month of the entire year. It’s warm, it’s summer…it’s the month we go to Martha’s Vineyard…and it’s the month for Swim Team. I LOVE swim meets. Like totally and completely love them. I love watching the kids, I love mingling with friends, I love a few One Irons (fresca, cranberry and just a teeny bit of vodka)…I love the smile on Kennedy’s face as she exits the pool…no matter whether she’s in first place or last. I love soaking up every happy moment the month offers.

Have I mentioned I really really love July???

It’s so fun. Trust me, it is.

Despite the bleak forecast we chanced it and headed to the Great Escape for the morning. We got a solid two hours in before the rain drive our wet butts back home. I’d say it was well worth it. Haven’t seen them smile like that since last summer. :)

I guess we shouldn’t bother trying to separate the. #momanddadsuck #technicallyintheirrooms #goodlisteners #mckennedy

Last year we abandoned old school coloring in favor of watercolors.  Much less waiting around and a lot more fun if I do say so myself.  I think the girls would agree.  :)

to many many more!

Yep, she actually fell asleep like this.

And with that….it’s officially s’more season.  :)  nom nom nom nommity nom.

Finally!  First year ever we have two very happy, very not scared babes!

Is there anything better than a playdate on top of mom’s car?  Certainly for for a group of 5 and 7 years olds.  :)

I fear the day they are too cool to bathe together…

Sometimes, she falls asleep in the car.

Someone’s tooth finally fell out today! Hope the tooth fairy finds us ok at the Great Wolf Lodge. And hope no one steps on said tooth at the bottom of the tidal pool. ????

Mckennas first time up the lift and down the mountain without her “reigns” attached. A wee bit scared by dang were we impressed.

After receiving her first book (last Ivy and Bean from the series) from her new book fairy, Kennedy decided McKenna deserved one as well and asked me to transcribe a sweet little note for her. All her words, together with her very first Ivy & Bean book. That kid has one good heart.

I just wanted to snuggle right up with them last night.  It makes me tear up when I see them like this and remember how very very much they love each other.  And how blessed John and I are to have them both…

It’s really too bad he can’t use this for his professional headshot…handsome as he may be, he looks even better with these two beauties attached to him.

What an awesome and relaxing few weeks we had around here.  It was hard to get back into the school mindset today, but starting a new book last night sure seemed to help at least one of us.

I just love the random places she chooses to read…

Gosh it goes by so fast. Months of planning, buying, wrapping….and it’s all over within a day. Worth it to see their beautiful faces light up over and over and over again. It’s fun that they are at ages they can make their own lists and watch their anticipation with each present they open. I am so thankful they still see such magic in Christmas. I know we only have a few years left before the doubt begins creeping in so I will savor each and every moment until then…

I love this little Christmas Eve tradition. I love watching them seriously think about what to buy each other for Christmas and the look of pure joy on their faces as they open their gifts. Someday perhaps we can move away from the stuffed animal theme, but it is pretty darn adorable.

She’s turning into such a little adult….

On a day that doesn’t surpass 7 degrees and is a week before Christmas…is there anything better thing to do than decorate cookies with some of the very best people we know?!

I love the way they watch tv. They’d stay like this for hours.

Glad someone in the family enjoys the Winter snow. Glad someone else has a lens that doesn’t require her to go outside in order to get these pics. :)

No tears for Santa this year! I think McKenna is finally understanding who brings her the toys and realizes she better be nice. Hehe. Love this event every year…and love THEM!

Gotta love the big fake smiles plastered on their face in the santa pic…hahahahahaha

Dad – “Would you like a salad McKenna?”

McKenna- “Yes, no lettuce. Just cheese.”

This years tree may be our very best yet. 11 feet tall is just tall enough to fit all of the ornaments we’ve collected throughout our 12 years together. I could just stare at them forever reliving all the amazing trips and amazing things that have happened to us in those years. I feel so incredibly blessed…

Perhaps we were a little crazy heading to Lake Placid in 19 degree weather without bundling the ladies up a little bit more…but nonetheless, we braved the temps and were determined to have a great time. God way to start off this lovely holiday season!

So proud of her. She read for 90 minutes straight tonight. May she always love books as much as she does today.

Awesome surprise weekend to the big apple as an early bday present to me. Girls first time and they are in total awe!! Lovin’ life. :)

Never have I ever seen 4 girls THIS excited for a movie night!

A little pumpkin carving…a few fun school events and great…no AMAZING friends make a perfect halloween this year. I’m sorta hoping this becomes a yearly tradition!

I have a feeling this Halloween may go down in the books as one of our best ever.

Thank god for these girls…no way would “boring” soccer been so much fun wihtout them. :)

I think it’s possible she loves this song…

Just a little nature walk with my bubby this warm October afternoon. What am I gonna do without her next year??

When sessions get cancelled and you have a found day…to the movies we go!

I’m not sure there is any room she could possibly be happier in.

All gussied up for picture day!

And sending emails….where did my baby go???

I so love that goofy little smile when she tucks her bottom lip under her two front teeth. I just wanna squeeeeeeeze her!

We definitely got good use out of our season pass tickets this year!

Love seeing McKenna make such great friends while Kennedy kicks some butt on the soccer field….praying they end up in the same kindergarten class next fall!