Our Inaugural Church Fair

Our amazing church had their annual fair this weekend.

It was our 1st time going.

Alexander could hardly sit still in the car ride over.

His whole Kindergarten class had been talking about it all week.

They had been out to recess the past two days watching the crews set up the rides & games booths.

It was soooo exciting.

I have to admit I was pretty pumped, too.

What kid doesn't remember his times at the carnivals as a kid.

The bright lights twinkling from all the rides.

The signature carnival music playing from loud speakers.

The food. The music.

THE COTTON CANDY!!

It was a trip to see the looks on the kids' faces when they realized they were going on the ride by themselves. Priceless.

Alexander took the Sisters' hands & led them through the line like he had been chaperoning them for years. My heart skipped a beat.

Of course, some of the rides were not for the "shortest of our group" so they required an adult.

Chris lost won the toss up.
Nice.

The bumper cars were Sophie's favorite.

Imagine that....

Bubb & Izzy doubled up against Chris & Sophie.
You can tell Izzy was having fun!

We went back on Saturday morning so the kids could enjoy the games since we only rode the rides on Friday night.

Aunt Crystal & Clayton & Tiffany came to hang out with us. Clayton schooled Alexander on the fishing game:-)

They all won a prize.

Alexander's parting words on the way to the car:

"This was awesome!! I can't wait for next year!!"

Maggie Came to Play

Our Girls love, love, LOVE to have buddies come over & play! I think they sometimes get sick of each other & need a fresh face in the mix.

They all wanted me to help them draw fruit with the chalk. I drew a pretty good pineapple, I must say....

Sweet Maggie asked, "Can you draw my name?" 

Oh, I could have her sweetness over everyday.

Izzy got on board with the name thing, too.

Sophie didn't want to take a picture.....Imagine that...

Then they remembered that they hadn't dressed up in the last five minutes a while so we went in to change into their alter-ego Princess costumes.

Sophie came to me & said, "Mom, Maggie wants a popsicle. I think I better get me, uh I mean her, one." ha ha!! Nice try!! Momma's got your number, Girly!!

Happy Birthday, Babe

Birthdays are always special in our house.

We really love celebrating each other & really making that person

feel special 

and loved 

and important

on their very own day.

Today has been a special day because it is Chris' Birthday.

We love you, Babe!

You make my heart go pitter-patter.

.

.

You make Izzy & Sophie giggle.

.

.

You make Bubb a Jedi knight

.

.

You make our world go 'round.

The best part of our day is when you come home.

We love you, Babe!

Happy Birthday!

A Boy & His Dad

It all starts with a bit of instruction.

How to's,

This & That's

What nots...

 Let the Wind-Up begin.....

 A Little Gratifying, huh Bubb?

 All because a Dad took the time with his Boy.

One Year Ago Today

Cousins Go To The Zoo...Take Six

Okay Guys, gather 'round....

let's get this picture taken so we can get in the gate & see the animals....

ALEXANDER!!

SOPHIA!!

Everyone is looking but you two!!

Great!!

Landry, can you look away so that NO ONE is looking at me?!?

Good Caleb, I know that the sun is in your eyes,

But thank you for at least looking my way:-)

Seriously, D?

I know the sun is bright, but come onnnnn, man....

Landry, thanks for reining in Sophie...

Okay, maybe 6 outta 7 ain't too bad...

let's go in...

Stelly photo opp...

Kleinpeter photo opp...

oh, Andrew, NOW you're gonna look at the camera  :-)

Mary, it gets funner as you get older, I promise baby girl!!!

I let Caleb have my little camera today.

We didn't bring the double stroller so that meant that

I had to keep an even more watchful eye on the

Two Miss Independents.

Less pictures, more following.

He did pretty good.

We can work on cropping in photoshop.

Composition wasn't too bad for a 1st timer.

Once I explained the focusing thing, he was good to go.

Good Job, Padjo!!

Once we got to the petting zoo, I took back over to shoot the kids playing with the

nastiest,

smelliest,

most broke-down,

poor animals ever

placed in a petting zoo area.

I feel sorry for these poor nags every time we come to the zoo.

However, they are the

kindest,

sweetest,

slow moving,

stinky animals you want your

rambunctious 3 year olds to pet.

Good Day, Kleinpeters.

It was a Good Day!!!

The Sisters Turn Three

...Sigh...

I thought it would have taken longer.

I thought we'd have more time.

I thought they'd let us do the thinking for them.

Just a few more years.....

...Sigh...

Not...so...much...

This year, The Sisters decided to go out on their own.

Separate Birthday Themes.

That may not be huge to some.

But it's gigantic to me.

It's a sign of independence.

It's a sign of individuality.

It's a sign of growth.

It's a sign of time passing ever too quickly.

And they're only Three...Years...Old.

Since they were born I've always acknowledged that

I would let them think separately

when they were ready.

Little did I know

they would be ready before

I would be ready.

So, in true independent Three Year Old Fashion,

They were ready for opposite ends of the spectrum:

Sophie chose Princes & The Frog....Izzy chose Scooby~Doo.

Seriously, they could not be more different yet the same.....

In true "MeMe Fashion" my Mother-In-Law created master pieces worthy of a bakery.

The Girls were so excited.

They each had "Mines own Cake!!"

It's the simple things to a Three Year Old:
Blowing out your own candles on your own cake

{{{Thanks to Samantha for taking pictures for me since Nanny Liz had to work}}}