Look what Audrey got...

We put it together while she slept and had to take her out in her pj's to check it out. Then we could barely get her out of it. :) The Cottage has a working doorbell and phone and her very own flowerbox. Goes perfect with her own Little Tykes car that we can never get her out of. :)
Thanks Danielle and Nick and James for such an Awesome "Big Girl" gift!!

Something to Smile At

Guess how much Audrey loves Smoothies...

Sisters

One of the my favorite examples of how God has blessed my life is by giving me a sister. (Even when it didn't always feel that way...sorry lu) We are 4 1/2 years apart and shared a room until I moved out to college. We didn't necessarily get along for all of those years, but somehow, it all worked out. She is so amazing in so many ways and she is one of my most favorite people in the world. She is about to become a new Mom and I am so excited. One - to have a niece and two - just so excited for her and the journey she is about to embark on. I also have to say..  I could not have imagined a better partner for her in all of this and am so thankful that life brought them together. Here we are (cousins and all) last weekend at her shower.

I have been reflecting a bit on the many joys of sisterhood because of my own sister and having babies so close to each other and also that Audrey is about to become a big sister. It is going to be so fun having two girls so close and watching them grow (and fight) and (hopefully) become best friends too.

Cheese!

a very rare moment actually catching a smile on camera...but so worth all the other shots. :)

The Views

Finally...

Pictures! A few anyway.

Here is the view out of our front door.

 And to the backyard. (Which Jason has been hard at work on and it's looking great!)

out back door

And I couldn't pass up these mini chairs the other day. Audrey loves them, but can't pick one favorite! She just climbs back and forth and back and forth and back.....

If only it would stop raining...we could actually enjoy them a little more. :-/ It has been fun watching all the trees and such blooming. (We bought the house without ever seeing it without snow!!) Some are so pretty...some need a little love. The word on the street is the previous owner didn't get around to mowing too often, so the yard is getting some much needed love from Jason and I have been completely impressed with him so hard at work out there.  It is going to be so nice this summer!

 .

Waving at Daddy hard at work out back

Here we are done with dinner, loving our new kitchen and all our space.

(Also notice how much baby sister is growing. She is also incredibly busy at this very moment. I don't remember Audrey being quite as busy, but this one is strong too! She actually even kicked our Dr last week when she was trying to listen in. :-))