can't get enough

I can not get enough of these two...oh having girls is so fun! The playing, the dressing up...heck I get to be a kid all over again with these two.
It's fun to see Lydia get attention from her big sister. She just lights up, and Isabelle really does a good job of sharing with her and trying to get Lydia to play with her. Of course there are times I have to intervene...
Even dad has to get in on the action, of 'posing' for a pic.

She is 3!

Isabelle just turned three and the girly toys keep piling up. Among all the great gifts she got, she now owns another tea set,7 pairs of high heels, and 3 more dolls! I believe we will be investing in more storage containers or bins, something along those lines. Her pretty little things all need a spot.
Isabelle is growing so fast. This birthday has been the best yet. Isabelle got a princess bouncy house yesterday for her birthday party and her candy land theme party was a success. She was surrounded by her girl friends, the day was fantastic.
The girls played dress up and bounced their hearts out.

Isabelle is growing like a weed. She is so smart and we are so proud of her. Words can't describe how neat it is to see her grow and mature. She is just a sponge soaking up life.
My heart is overflowing with love for my sweet girl. Her random hugs through out the day are bliss. Her bits of encouragement while tying her shoes, with her hand on my shoulder she says to me 'you're a good mom, your doing a good job.' How sweet is that? She is the best helper, although at times she really just makes a mess of things. But that's okay. Isabelle loves to mimic me and I take such pride in that. She 'cooks' us all types of meals for us as we sit patiently on the floor in her room. She is into anything and everything girly. From jewelry to lip 'loss' (gloss.)
Don't think she's afraid to get her hands dirty, she's right outside next to dad cleaning a car and next to me cleaning floor boards.
The things she talks about has us crying some days because we're laughing so hard.

It doesn't feel like 3 years have passed, I wish I could wrap you tightly in a blanket and cradle you so. Now I only get the chance to do it when you're sick. I'll take it though...

We love you Isabelle Olivia!

Love Him

I just love this man.

Good Reading

There are so many people praying for our little Lydia, and we thank everyone.
Jake and I are changing for the better because of our baby girl. It has been a real eye opener and a slap in the face to get back into the Christian life style that we were raised in. So I'd like to share this little bit with whoever actually read's this blog of mine.

(James 5:14-16) Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

This is what Jake and I truly believe, that God can and will heal Lydia. She will be a miracle and testimony. We are holding fast to this.

On a side note, the whole book of James has been convicting and encouraging for me. So if you are looking for a pick me up and something to read...read the book of James...it's just a handful of chapters!
:)

Turkey Balls and Pie

Doesn't sound too appetizing 'turkey balls,' but boy were they! I had the idea after watching 'The Chew.'
I had some left over turkey meat. In a bowl went the shredded turkey and broke up some garlic dill muenster cheese. I then added some salt and pepper, just a dash. A 1/2 cup of flour and one egg. I also had left over mashed potatoes and added that to the bowl. It helped stick it all together. In a sauce pan I put in canola oil; took an ice cream scooper and began scooping balls of my turkey goodness to plop into the hot oil. After just a few minutes each batch was finished.
Once cooled we added some honey mustard for dipping sauce...perfection!



It was a perfect blend of crunch, meat, and melted cheese. You could do this with any left over meat, add a cheese you like and some flavoring. Just be sure to add an egg and flour so you can fry them! Next time I would like to do it with mozzarella and some fresh basil and a side of marinara to dip!

With my left over turkey I also made a pot pie, oh was that good.A box of Betty Crocker crusts, a can of peas, left over gravy, some carrots, potatoes, celery, and onion. In a saucepan I sweated the carrots, onions, celery, and potatoes. Adding just a dash of salt and pepper. I then added my left over gravy and can of peas. Then turned the heat off. Once my two pie crusts were rolled out, one went in the bottom of my pan and then in went veggie mixture and gravy. I topped it with my shredded turkey, and layered on the top pie crust. Bunched up the edges, cut a slot in the crust with a knife for some air holes and cooked the turkey pot pie till the crust was golden brown at 350.




Have a good weekend ya'll!

playtime

Here is a picture of the girls from when we were in Wisconsin...I couldn't help myself with the thought of putting Lydia in Isabelle's buggy. My girlfriend's daughter managed to do it with her little sister, and I thought how funny it would be if my girls did it. Isabelle seemed to enjoy the short lived time of being able to push her sissy around.


I am relieved and proud to say Isabelle plays well with Lydia. However, I am sure a day will come when the tides will turn.
But until then, it's fun running for the camera to grab some snap shots of their play time.

So Big!

Can you believe this little nugget is going to be 3?



Oh she's getting so big! Here is a picture of her birthday invites I put together.




She is having a Candyland theme party, with her girlfriends. I am so excited, for her. We are also getting a princess bounce house. She is going to have a blast.

Have good Thursday!

~*~Stunna Shades~*~

Oh yea the girl's are rocking it this year!
Last Monday we hit up the mall and found sunglasses for 99 cents at Gymboree! 'Yeppers' as Isabelle says. Sweet deal. I purchased 8 glasses for Isabelle and 2 for Lydia.
So here is our fashion show, don't hate! Kidding!
Beware, these photos are obnoxious!
(On a side note, I found a 2 for 1 deal at Aldo's on shades so picked up 2 pair for 8 dollars and found a 3 rd pair for only $3.28 at New York and Co.)

Sunday Football

Football is coming to an end soon. Our Green Bay Packers play today. If we win then it's off to the NFC Championship! Gooo Packa's.




Our other Cheerleader is sleeping. She has had a nasty cold since Wednesday. Unbeknown to me, when I woke up with Lydia at 7 this morning Isabelle had all ready thrown up 3 times and had gone through 2 sets of pj's. The dirty clothes in the dryer all ready.
I am so thankful Jake took care of her and didn't need to wake me. I'm one lucky gal.
(Notice the dolly? :).)

2 Blue, a Green and Brown

What a fun mixture of eye color in this casa.


Can you believe it's about 65 out and later tonight we are supposed to get a snow storm? We'll see.
So during our longggg walk this am we saw all the homes going up in our neighborhood! Beautiful Santa Fe style homes. Jake and I were drooling and at one point figuring how we could sell this home and buy another...ha yea right! Seriously considering asking for some floor plans on a couple of homes to keep in a folder for down the road when we do build our dream home.

A few photos to show what we've been doing since being back from vacation, really we're just on a vacation from vacation. :) Have a good Sunday!