Growing up too fast!

We often wonder where the year has gone! Edyn is growing up so fast and it is such a joy watching her personality take shape as she fits into the mix with her sisters! She can often be found climbing...up the stairs, down the stairs, on chairs, on toys and even on her sisters! She LOVES to dance and it is so entertaining when the music comes on! She is trying so hard to walk and practices pushing her toys and is starting to let go. A few of her favorite things...toothbrushes and phones! And it melts our hearts, when we walk into the room and she bursts with, "ma ma" or "da da"...I wish these years were just a wee bit longer!

Deck the Halls!

The girls have been so anxious to decorate for Christmas and get the tree up. They finally talked me into decorating a gingerbread house. I think they ate half the candy. It's going to be a bare house by the time Christmas comes! They are so excited about Santa and they talk of gifts to give and get. Our prayer for their lives is that they will truly understand the ultimate gift of Jesus not just at Christmas, but every day. Directing our girls toward Christ is our number one responsibility and privilege as parents and we thank God, He is there for us, as we could never do this on our own strength! "And he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness".....For when I am weak, then I am strong." -2 Corinthians 9,10

Here Comes Santa Clause...

It was quite an experience seeing Santa this year! Emma was not going to go first and tried to push Ellie up to him! Edyn looked like she was going to fall asleep on his lap! And I had to join them in the picture, so we could get a picture with Santa! And, of course, we lost the "battle of the clothes" as Ellie is sporting her Shamrock t-shirt back from St. Patrick's Day! Oh, how I daily try to embrace her independence!! Love that child!

Baby, it's cold outside!

I am really treasuring the time I have left with Edyn where I can dress her and she won't disagree with what I put on her! She is all bundled up and ready to go for a walk while Emma and Ellie insist on wearing their T-shirts and no coats! We went to the play, "Bye-bye Birdie" tonight and Ellie insisted on wearing a Halter Top. I compromised and talked her into wearing a black shirt underneath! One of my neighbor's first memories of the girls was watching them run out the back door in the middle of winter with no coats (and short sleeves, of course!)

Funky Mama

The girls and I met their cousins at a Funky Mama "concert" and they had so much fun jamming out to her music! I think Ellie bounced the whole time! They took time out to hold their sweet new cousin, Jamison...and Avery took time out to hold Edyn! Oh, the memories with cousins...so priceless!

Bathtime and Bubbles!

We think Grandma Jan left the BIG bottle of bubbles at our house...and of course, the girls were eager to get them open! I didn't think I was going to be able to get them out of the tub this morning! What fun it was to watch them get creative with bubbles!

Florida Fun!

Jared & I were so blessed to be able to get away to Tampa for a long weekend! (thank you grandma's and papa for watching our girls so we could get away!!) We were able to visit my cousin Heather and her husband Darren and their adorable daughter Katelyn! She is a beauty and a true TRECEK! Every time someone had something to drink, she made sure we all did "Cheers!!"








We were able to enjoy dinner outside by the beach while watching the sunset! How beautiful it was! (Not only the sunset but my cute husband walking along the beach making sure he got just the right seashells for his little girls!) It brought to mind a verse I think of often these days as I treasure the wonder and blessings from Him...
"Everything God created is good...We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts." -1 Timothy 4:4

Exciting news!!

 

Early Sunday morning Mike and Sara welcomed Owen Thomas! Although 4 weeks early, he weighed 5 lbs, 8 oz, is doing just wonderful and is absolutely gorgeous!! The girls are excited to have "another baby boy cousin!!"

Halloween Fun!

 
 

Our beautiful butterflies had so much fun on Halloween! They ran nonstop w/ the other neighbor kids getting a TON of candy! They were so exhausted that Emma asked to go home and go to bed before we made it to all the houses!

Daddy's Little Sluggers!

 
 

Dad jumped at the chance when the girls were begging to play baseball! They hit the ball really well and had a ball!! (no pun intended!)