Grace's Christmas Pictures

Grace was really good for Christmas pictures this year, also! She normally doesn't like her picture taken, but she was super cooperative this time.

And - we got some cute shots!

I just love all of her silly expressions!

Isn't this look adorable?

Grace at the Pumpkin Patch

Look at this BIG SMILE!

Grace does not like having her picture taken - so getting big smiles like these are not easy!

I think she had to be bribed! *LOL*

But... smiles come naturally any time she's swinging! This girl loves a swing!

Anyway, we had a great time with all three girls at the pumpkin patch!

The World's Cutest Strawberry

This is the World's Cutest Strawberry!Don't you agree?She looks a little bit like a Pumpkin Head here, though!

It's going to be a super fun Halloween!

B Is For Butterfly

B is for Butterfly and there have been some very pretty butterflies in my butterfly garden.

But one stands out as the most beautiful butterfly of all!Which butterfly could it be? Is this the most beautiful butterfly???

No.... this isn't the most beautiful butterfly in the garden!Is this the most beautiful butterfly?

No.... this isn't the most beautiful butterfly in the garden!Is this the most beautiful butterfly?

YES! That's it! This is the most beautiful butterfly in the butterfly garden!It's GRACE!

And she is looking for butterflies in the garden!

Deer Hunting

Grace spent the night so we woke up early and did a little deer hunting.

This photo was actually taken by Grace! Her first deer!

I hunt vegetarian style.... using a camera, not a gun!I love the way the morning light sneaks through the trees here.And here a little buck is keeping a close eye on Grace - who is still in her pajama's. You have to get up with the sun to see wildlife.... getting dressed and combing you hair can wait!

July Birthdays - Part 1

We celebrate birthday's with a monthy party. For July, we celebrated Heather & Deuce's birthdays. Heather's birthday is the 20th and Deuce's is the 26th and they are a year and six days apart.... which made life interesting when they were small.

Grace helped each of them open their presents!Here she is helping Heather, who got an old fashioned ice cream freezer. Only - this ice cream freezer can be modern, also. It has an electric motor AND a hand crank. You just attach whichever one you prefer to use. I liked that because you can mix the ice cream with the motor for the majority of the time - yet, let the kids have the experience of the hand crank, too!I think Olivia liked it! She didn't get any ice cream... but maybe next time?The ice cream freezer - which we were quick to try out!And while we were scooping the ice cream, Grace licked the paddle clean!We also got to swim!Grace is getting pretty good at swimming!

Gracie

We had planned on doing 4th of July pictures with Grace holding Olivia outdoors, but it was hot and Gracie wasn't in the mood. So, I just snapped a few pictures of each of the girls.Grace would rather tend to the flower bed than have her picture made. Or.... swim! But, she's not dressed for that!But... she's super cute! Don't you just love that gorgeous smile?

Grace

Grace actually WANTED to have her picture taken.So - we took a few! She had just gotten out of the pool and she has sunblock slathered on her face and in her hair - but she WANTED her picture made. By the time we had given her a bath and gotten her ready she might have changed her mind.

So - we stuck a bow and a tutu on her and took pictures!

The Greatest Show On Earth!

Last Sunday, we went to the circus!And since our area is in a burn ban and fireworks (even public displays) have been banned as a precaution, this is about the closest we will get to seeing fireworks this year.Grace LOVES the circus. Especially, the jugglers. We went to a small circus not too long ago and she is still talking about the man that juggled, and telling us what all he juggled. And Barney's Circus DVD is her favorite!She really REALLY likes the character on Barney who has the Mighty Muscles. So, at the All Access Pre-Show we introduced her to the Strong Man and she suddenly became a bit shy!

I thought it was cute!

And - there's a lesson to be learned here!

When confronted by any sort of stronghold, we should all snuggle up to our heavenly Father for safety - just as Gracie is snuggled up to her Daddy in this picture.
But - that's a lesson for another day!

These are Human Firecrackers!

So - we got to see fireworks after all!And the elephants - which we learned are pachyderms! Grace like elephants and chose an elephant as her souveneer.

The lion tamer!

Why do they call the man who works with TIGERS a LION TAMER?And Gracie on the elephant's perch during the pre-show. She's pretending to be an elephant. See-she's even sticking out her trunk!This elephant is Kelly Ann. Kelly Ann is very talented. Here, she is painting a picture of the audience!A friendly clown! The tall man giving Grace a high five!A funny looking wheel!These reminded me of the Shishi Dogs we used to see in Japan!And after it was all over Grace got to spend the night with me - Grandma! Here she is after her bath with her favorite blanket, her clown hat and her own little Kelly Ann watching the circus again on DVD! This girl can't seem to get enough of the circus!

Summer Fun!

It's summer and I have just about finished my sports teams. So, I am planning to spend a lot of time hanging out with these three and relaxing in the pool!

Brilyn

(5 Months)Olivia

(4 Months)And Grace

(2 1/2 Years)

I'll be doing occasional portraits - but July and August are normally my slow months, so I take advantage of being slow and enjoy myself.... and my three favorite girls! Hopefully, we'll have lots of play time!