How can it be...Ella is growing so fast!

It is hard to believe that Ella is 15 weeks old already! Time goes so fast, but we do our best to take it ALL in and savor it! She is such an amazing little one, we are so blessed with our daughters! She is active, ready to roll over any day, talkative, and very responsive, her smile is so contagious and joyous! We love her and Tess is no different, she adores her and always wants her to be with us....it is awesome!

A Relaxation Weekend

It has been a week since we returned from our vacation. It always takes us a few days to get settled back in at home and to get back in the groove of things. We had a great week, we unpacked, got organized and continued to enjoy and savor the fact that I am home with the girls!! We were so happy that Kevin was able to spend some extra time at home this weekend and we certainly enjoyed it!

We had a fun evening with our dear friends on Friday night and the kiddos had fun playing after dinner. Indeed, we are brave taking four little ones aged 4-3 months out for dinner on a Friday night, however, the four of us adults are always up for an adventure, and it helps that we have four great munchkins. Saturday we hung around the house getting some things done and having some fun playtime. Tess loves to play make-believe and I find myself often driving a pretend "cool (school) bus" she makes sure we buckle up and then we practice stopping at red lights (I figure the sooner the better to practice driving safety, the next 14 years will go by too quickly) and then we arrive at school (cool in Tess terms) Tess usually gets to be the teacher, which certainly fits her personality and Ella and I are her students. The two of us usually behave :)

It was also enjoyable that our nephew Tony was able to join us for the evening Saturday and then for church on Sunday. We enjoyed him and we hope he had a good time. Tess kept him going, she loved having some one older around to play with. Her energy gives anyone a run for their money and the same was true for Tony, she just wanted him to go, go, go!

Weekends are great and when it is family time, it is wonderful!!

Our Cuties, Tess & Eva (Eba as Tess says) waiting for dinner time!

Ella enjoyed her snuggle time with Jamie!

Daddy's Girls getting some hug time!

Tony & Tess had fun in the playroom that Kevin built

Yummy, Banana Smoothies for Snack!

Daddy...Will You buy me a ring??

The quotes of our little Tess are always amusing, here is the latest... As we were sitting relaxing as a family this is what our dear came up with.... -Mommy where did you get yous rings? Well Tess, I got this one from Daddy and the other one was my Nana's ring. "Why did Daddy buy it for yous? (I look at Kevin for this answer) "Because he loves me...Right Daddy, Yes, because I Love Mommy"...Daddy will yous buy me a ring when I get taller?? (great rationale) "Of course I will"! (I wonder how tall she will have to be for this one and if Ella will catch on to the idea???) Now he has a great deal to live up to considering he is the daddy of two girls. I have no doubt that my Kevin will do just that, Always take good care of his girls. I think he would rather be the one buying the ring then some other boy... Oh and how the journey will continue!!

The Fingerprints of God

I had the joy of napping with our girls today. I like to do this from time to time to enjoy some snuggle time. As I was laying there with them, one in each arm, I had to say a special prayer of thanks for our beautiful girls...their health, their happiness, their gentle little hands that I was holding, the sweet smell of love that they carry, and most importantly that we have the opportunity to have them and raise them.

I often have music on during their nap time while I am doing things around that house and today was no different, except that it was a Mommy nap time as well. I had on the XM Station call The Message,(a great Christian music station) and the song "Fingerprints of God" by Stephen Curtis Chapman was on. I had to relate... I truly see the fingerprints of God when I look at our girls. We are so blessed for these moments of the journey and I make every effort the savor them, and thank God for our many blessings. I wished Kevin could have come home an took a picture of this special moment. I try to capture these moments in my mind and hold them tight!!

As the quote on Ella's bedroom wall reads... "Some people dream of angels, I hold one in my arms." I enjoyed holding my angels today and everyday!

Daddy's Little Helper

There are many blessings when it comes to marriage. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband, we are truly a team...and as Tess says "What's gonna work?, Teamwork" -wonderpets Through all the joys of marriage and of my wonderful husband Kevin is watching him with our two daughters. He is an Amazing Daddy! Our girls are so blessed to have him, and so am I. We love him! He makes certain to include Tess when he can and he will do the same for Ella as she gets older. Tonight he was doing some home fix-ups in the bathroom and Tess was invited to help, she got right in there with Daddy, and they both loved it...I loved watching it unfold. Tess asked "why" a lot and she wanted to know all the details. Then she asked, "Can we do it again sumtimes (sometime)" ..."I like to helps yous" we just love her talking right now. I have an amazing husband and Daddy to our girls...Life is good!!

Daddy's Girls...He is so good to us!! Tess & Daddy love their tools!

Applying some mud, Tess was confused why it was not like the mud outside.

Daddy & daughter plumbing company!

The 3 Musketeers plus one baby!

We are so blessed to have such dear friends as Matt & Jamie. We loved the special times we had with them "Pre-Kids" and we are enjoying the time with our little darlings just as much. It is so much fun when we can get the kiddos together to play! It was quite an eventful evening for the kids. They played, had dinner together, played some more, had a bath, and then...we had an injury. All the while Ella watched and learned what she gets to do when she is a big girl. Jaden kept her informed, like a good husband-to-be should do. Jamie and I have their wedding planned even though they are 2 years old and 3 months old! We will find a way to be related! He is so kind to her already...His "Ellyya" as he says. As they were preparing to head home the kiddos had to let out a burst of energy. So they were dancing around the house having a grand time when Tess had a run in with the counter top...OUCH! She cried for a short time and then showed how tough she is (she gets her pain tolerance from her Daddy, not me). Jamie and I were ready to head to the ER but after a couple phone calls to our nurse friends, we knew ice would do the trick. After all, it was a wonderful evening of friendship and fun!

Eva, Tess & Jaden Hanging Around!

Love the Pink Shades Jaden!! He Loves them Too!

Splish Splash!! Three Cuties in the bath!

Eva helping her friend with some ice on her ouchy!

You have to love the drama!

Good Bye Marco Island...Until Next Time

It was a wonderful time had by all!!

All vacations must come to an end at some point, as we all know. It is hard not to miss the... sand between your toes, the warmth of the sun, the smell of the salty air and beauty of palm trees and flowers in bloom. It was tough to say goodbye to Marco Island. We had such an amazing time with our family and friends. The weather was great and we were able to enjoy so many fun things. Kevin and I had such a special time with our girls! They are changing and growing so quickly, we enjoyed the uninterrupted family time and the opportunity to spend it in such a wonderful place.

The island was full of beauty and color. Although when we returned home everything is not quite as in bloom as Florida... but spring is coming. We are so thankful for the vacation enjoyment and again, the fact that we were able to spend it with Our Family and Our Dear Friends, Ryan, Shelley, Rylie, Michelle and Rich, made it that much more enjoyable and memorable. We will be returning to Marco Island someday!

Our girls are amazing and we love them endlessly!

Boating to Naples!

Enjoying some lunch with our dear friends!

Tess loves people watching

A Little Young for Boating Lessons?

ZZZZZ!

Docking at Naples

Tip-Toes in the sand

Daddy's shoulder is very relaxing

We enjoyed our day, but we missed our Ella!

On Tuesday we rented a boat and journeyed to Naples. The day on the boat was wonderful! Tess loved the wind in her hair and watching the dolphins. Ella enjoyed staying home with her Grandparents! It was great looking at the wildlife and stopping at a quiet beach. There were crabs and many shells, Tess was not so sure about the crabs, they scared her. We stopped in Naples at an area called Bay Port. There were some amazing yachts to look at and we enjoyed lunch at a unique spot. On our way back to Marco Island Tess took a nap on the boat, she is such a good traveler! It was a great day had by all!

Splish Splash...Pool Time

Bubbles are everywhere!!

Swimming with Dad is Grand!!

We all thoroughly enjoyed the pool at the house we rented in Marco Island! It is so refreshing and enjoyable. Best of all Tess has become a much better swimmer since we have been here. Although, at times she is too brave we are teaching her to be smart and safe around the pool and we always watch her! She found out that jumping into to Dad is a lot of fun! We played Marco Polo in the pool with Rylie and Ryan... Tess kept saying "Marco Pull-ups", she thought that is what we were saying...ahhh the innocence!

Shopping in Marco Island

Marco Island has a great deal of shopping to offer. My Mom and I took Tess and Ella shopping with us and I was so sad that I did not bring the camera. Tess put on quite a display in the store. She is a clothes and shoes girl and she was loving the stores we went into. There were numerous types of shoes for her to try on...colorful ones...She kept saying "No Way...Look Mom, No Way" she was very excited!! I told her to slow down and my two year old says to me..."Calm down Mom, it's Okay" My Mom and I were hysterical. Then she spotted the ladies undies, she started to try them on, she said "I Love "dem" Mom...No Way" Ella slept the entire time, I can only imagine what it will be like when they are both walking around. The camera could have capture the true experience but I will forever remember this fun shopping trip!

Special Times with Grandma & Pa-Pa

Ella gave Pa-Pa many smiles! Ella had fun chatting with Grandma!

Snuggle time by the pool! How sweet it is...As we are vacationing in Florida, Grandma & Pa-Pa are also in Florida. They were so kind to come down to Marco Island to visit all of us. We were so glad to see them, especially since they are going to be traveling for a few more weeks. Our girls enjoyed the special visit and the cuddle time with them! We are so thankful to have such a wondeful and caring family to surround us! Thank you Grandma & Pa-Pa for driving to see us, we loved it!!

Sweet Sunsets...

Gulf Coast Sunsets are very Relaxing! Ella needed to snuggle Mommy!

Pops, Tess, Ella & Gamma with their toes in the sand!

Our Girls!

Tess thought the sunset was great, she said ..."Mommy where is it going?" Out of the mouths of babes, they certainly speak the truth. Their tiny toes look adorable in the sand!

Smiling through vacation!

" We Love you Daddy"

Daddy & his Girls ~ Tess & Ella This is a True Teeny Weeny Bikini Kicking Back in the Pool!

Little Tess Giggles~ Love IT!

We are so glad that Kevin, Rich & Michelle arrived safely to join us! We are all having a wonderful time soaking up the sun and taking in the time together. When we are able to take a vacation we are so thankful! Tess has become a beach bum and much to Mommy's enjoyment because Mommy loves the beach! She took a long shell walk with Daddy this morning! She wants to be Daddy's Girls since he arrived and he is LOVING IT! Ella is still loving her beach tent, in fact she enjoyed it for two hours today as she napped and kicked her feet around a bit!

Great times...Great times with Family and Friends!