Favored & Blessed

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

All Dressed up...

May 31st we went to my cousin Jesse's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and we all had a great time - minus a close call with some bad weather! There were several friends and family members that came from out-of-state and it was nice to see all of them too. Since we left the children with a sitter, we actually had at least 4 solid hours of purely adult conversation! I know! It was such a rare high that I didn't even care that it was open bar! ;)

'The Girls' Jeanne, Deanna, Kate & Jessica

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Grace's Kindergarten Program

It's hard to believe that we're already at the end of Grace's first year of school! Wow! That went by so fast. They had the Kindergarten Program last week and it was fun, entertaining and bittersweet. They started the program like they start the school day with the 3 pledges (American flag, Christian flag and Bible), Grace was happy that she got to hold the American flag for the program.

Grace telling us about "Mr. G" during the Letter People Play

Grace and her teacher Mrs. Keenan - what a blessing it is to have such

a wonderful and loving teacher!

Grace's Dance Recital

Grace had her dance recital May 16 & 17th. This year she's been taking a ballet/tap class at Colleen's School of Dance. The recital was beautiful and well done and of course Grace was our favorite star! She did great! They performed tap to "I Enjoy Being a Girl" and ballet to "I Feel Pretty". Perfectly appropriate, I cannot think of any better choices for our 'princess'!

Grandma and Jessica were able to come for the show. What a nice treat!

"I Enjoy Being a Girl" (Grace is 2nd from the right)

(Grace is 3rd from the right)

"I Feel Pretty" (in front on left)

Anna's new Bed

The day after Mother's Day we moved Anna from her crib into a toddler bed. She's been totally loving her new "big girl bed" and the added freedom that it allows her. We're still adjusting to the change. It's a bit strange for Mom and Dad since we've had the crib set up pretty much non-stop for the past 6 and a half years. But, if we've learned anything being parents it's that each new stage brings with it new joys and challenges along with a few tears.

The little bookworm fell asleep under the covers of a good read!

Grandpa's Birthday & Spring Fun

Grandpa Steve's birthday is May 1st so we had a little party to celebrate, and then we had some outdoor fun (since the weather was warm-ish) with some of Grandpa's big-boy toys! They had a great time, and the kids had a lot of fun too! ;)

Grace giving Grandpa his birthday picture she made for him.

Grandpa, Daddy & Micah putting together cousin Alayna's new wagon. Micah loves to help Daddy and especially if it involves tools and/or wheels!

After it was all put together Anna and Alayna took a spin with Uncle Jeremy.

But, wheels are so much more fun when they have some power!

Grace & Micah even got to drive Grandpa's tractor!

Anna was content to watch from her favorite perch!

Grandparent's Day & CCS Operetta

April 25th was Grandparent's Day at Grace's school and also the school Operetta. The Kindergarten classes recited the 23rd Psalm and sang a few songs including "You are my Sunshine" which is our 'lullabye' song so Grace was really excited about it! My parents were able to come for that as well as Ryan's Mom and Great-Grandpa and Grandma Lindgren. Grace was thrilled of course and she proudly told us about how she had the most Grandparent's there out of anyone in her class - what a blessing to have so much of our family close by!

Psalm 23 ..."He makes me lie down in green pastures"

You are my Sunshine

With Grandma Barb

With Grandpa Guy

With Great-Grandpa & Grandma Lindgren

Later that day was the annual Community Christian School Operetta. Again Grace's class sang a few songs with the bulk of the performance being the 1-5 graders. Grace had her own fan club there with all four grandparents, Graunty Becky and Gruncle Larry, aunt, uncles, cousin Alayna, Mom, Dad, Micah and Anna too! It was a cute show!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Easter fun

We spent the morning before Easter coloring Easter eggs for what ended up being an indoor egg hunt since this is what it looked like outside... (yuck!)

Grace observed: "I think that Spring's running a little bit late this year." At this point, it still is!

Regardless of the weather, we still had fun! The kids look forward to coloring eggs every year.

We had Easter for the Lindgren side at our home this year. It was a long, but very fun day for everyone. Here are the kids (with cousin Ella) winding down with popcorn and a VeggieTale! Sounds like a good idea to me! ;)

I Love Bubbles!

Clowning Around

Silly Grandpa!

Anna loves her Grandpa (even if he is a little weird!) Here are the two sillies...

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie...

March 15th Grace went to go see "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" at the Children's Theatre with Graunty Kathy and Aunties Kate & Jessica. This was Grace's first time to the Children's Theatre and she had such a wonderful time! She talked about for quite a while after and will still mention it from time to time. We are so blessed by the love, time and opportunities that are shared by our extended family! Here's Grace and Graunty Kathy...

My beautiful girl is looking so much older all the time (sniff, sniff!)

Grace and the Aunties enjoyed a meal out after the play...

... and then topped it off with an ice cream treat!

What a big ice cream cone!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Grace and Uncle Caleb

Anna's 2nd Birthday

Anna Joy turned two January 31st. I can't believe that my baby's getting so big (sniff!) We had a fun time celebrating the event with everyone. Mommy's camara was out of order so Auntie Jessica was our photographer for the day. Anna is really coming into her own little personality now - wait, let me rephrase that... she has a big personality in a cute little body! She is fun, adventurous, energetic, she is quite a climber and she loves babies!

(And she's still a Daddy's girl!)