Gingerbread

Karin and I made gingerbread cookies earlier this week. She is such a big help!

Lauren's first birthday

I have been negligent in posting pictures from Lauren's birthday parties, so here you go!

Just woke up.

a card from Karin

balloons!

Homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner. Rachel and Forest were able to be there. They stopped by on their way to Greenville.

the cake--blocks since she loves to stack blocks

no help needed there! :)

birthday party in Greenville at my mom's

bear from Popop and Nana

moose from Uncle Brad and Aunt Heidi

with Daddy

playing

cake #2

yeah, she devoured this one too! :)

Christmas dresses

I finished the girls' Christmas dresses this afternoon! I'm pleased with how they turned out.

Karin's dress

top of Karin's

top of Lauren's

back

12 month checkup

Lauren had her 12 month checkup yesterday. She tops the scales at 22 lbs. 10 oz--jumping from the 50th percentile to the 75 percentile for weight in 3 months! :) She is 29" long and her head measures at 18.25". She did really well with her shots.

Happy First Birthday, Lauren!

Happy Birthday, our sweet Lauren. You are such a joy to our family with your ready smile and giggles.

You are so content and love playing by yourself.

You also love playing with Karin. In fact, you sometimes get on her nerves a little bit by following her around everywhere she goes. She is a wonderful big sister to you.

We love watching you girls become best friends. We rejoice in your love for each other.

We pray that you will always have a tender heart toward the things of the Lord and that you will see your need of a Savior at an early age. We love you!

Crescent rolls

Karin and I were making crescent rolls this morning. I asked her if she knew why they were called 'crescent rolls'. She said, "Yes." I asked, "Why?" She paused and then replied, "Because we eat them." When I asked her what the word 'crescent' meant, she said, "People." :)

My sweet girls

They sort of matched and Karin wanted a picture. I love putting Lauren's hair in pigtails now--I guess they are more like antennas, though. :)

Karin wanted to sleep on the couch. She didn't do any sleeping, she just laid there for a few minutes.

just playing

sweet girl

Mommy's big helper--just a note about the outfit--she dressed herself that day. :)

Karin's first braids

purple bathrobe--"just like Mommy's"

two cups are always better than one!

Karin's drawing

Karin brought this to Jon the other day and said, "Look, Daddy! It's me!" She did not have any help from either of us.

Edventure

I took the girls up to Edventure again the other day. They really had a great time!

Lauren loved the water--they were both soaked!

driving the car

shopping

signing for the credit card

"I wish"

Karin has wished several things over the past few weeks:

"I wish I was a monkey. Then I could eat bananas. I love bananas!"

"I wish I was a duck. Then I could swim in the water."

"I wish I was a mommy. Then I could have red hair."

State Fair

We went to the fair last Friday. The girls had a lot of fun.

feeding the goats

drinking their strawberry milk

on the tractor

Karin riding the helicopter ride

Karin on the Jeep ride. The girl next to her really didn't fit up front, but the dumb mexican guy running the ride made her sit up there...not really sure why...she fit fine in the back.

Karin loved the rides and had no qualms about riding them alone. :)

Boo at the Zoo

We went to Boo at the Zoo on Saturday night. It was cold, but the girls had fun.

Karin was Tinkerbell. She was flying towards me in this picture.

Lauren was an elephant.

Lauren playing with Karin's candy while we waited for them to ride the train.

showing off her monkey mask

Lauren loved being up there!

there was another elephant there as well.

Jon and Karin on the train.