Happy Birthday, Katie!

Today is Katie's 2nd Birthday! My sister, Leanne, drove in from PA last night to surprise her and we've been having a fun day together. We opened up many amazing gifts this morning, including a tea set, plastic food for our picnics, a new doll, clothes, boots, a broom and more. Thank you everyone!

Katie has been and continues to be such a joy and light in our family. She can say many words and can put together two or three of them to get her point across ("Mommy, hold me" is a popular one). She's slowly learning her letters, numbers and colors and loves to read. She also has a great memory. We delight in her and love watching her develop into a sweet, thoughtful little girl. We are grateful to the Lord every single day for giving her to us. Happy Birthday, dear Katie! We love you so very much!

Halloween

This was our first year trick or treating with the kiddies and we had so much fun! We went with our friends the Colemans who have children about the same age as ours and live in our neighborhood. Katie loved going up to the houses, saying trick or treat and, of course, eating the candy! Can't wait for next year when Ben can join in on the fun!

Smiles

Fun Family Weekend

This weekend my parents and sister, Leanne, came to visit from Bethlehem, PA. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather and we had a great time! They just love being with Katie and Ben and the feeling is mutual...Katie is always talking about Pop-Pop, Gram and Lee. Thanks for coming fam! We love you!

Aunt Leanne and Ben

Ben's first football game. Go JMU!

Gluten-free cupcakes for my birthday (thanks mom!)

Ready for a walk in the gorgeous fall weather

Before church in her new dress

Cousins

Last week Andrew's brother and his family came to visit all the way from Houlton, Maine. We had a great time! Katie quickly learned all of their names and was so excited for her cousins to visit. We walked around JMU, saw the construction machines and band, went to the park, had some good meals, went to a fair and just hung out. Thanks for making the trip to see us, Tim, Amy, Malachi and Logan!

Katie's language skills are improving with each passing day so I wanted to get a video of her saying some of the sweet things she says before she learns the real words :) For instance, before a few days ago she couldn't pronounce "Daddy" and instead said "Daddabe." It was so cute! But now she can say "Daddy" and can't go back. I'm glad I caught a few of these on camera.

Malachi, Logan, Katie, and Ben

4 Months

Benjamin is 4 months old today! He is such a happy, smiley baby. Just by smiling at him we can get him to give us huge, open- mouthed grins. He is growing well and really loves his sister. He is a joy. I am loving having a little boy!

Here are some recent pictures and (finally!) a video of him rolling over!

Cuties