Daddy-Daughter Date

Spending one-on-one quality time with our kiddies is something that is so important to me and that I want to make a priority throughout my children's lives. Some of my favorite memories when I was younger was spending time with just my mom, or just my dad. I think being the only girl allowed me to have more of those moments which I am so grateful for. 

As jealous as I am that my little girl got to go out with her daddy, I cherish these pictures of them building memories and their oh-so important relationship. I can't wait till Stewart gets a little older and Paul and I will split up, each taking one to go out on a date. I hope that Lily learns through these times with her daddy the kind of man that she should look for one day. Because he really is the greatest and I want her to feel as special and loved as I do her whole life. 

Dear Daddy - We Carved a Pumpkin!

"I miss you! I love you! I carved pumpkins today. I play with Gunner today at the spooky adventure. I drew a picture and then I did another one by myself and then it was really fun to carve it and draw it. Stewart's been naughty today? I been good today. Um, I miss you really really really much! Um, one more thing..do you miss mommy? I love wearing my costume and I love when you wear your costume and Stewart. Hope we have fun at trick-or-treating!" -- Lily

Daddy-Daughter Date

Paul took Lily on her first daddy-daughter date last week. Lily said to him, "I never been on a date before!" I was a little jealous :) but so glad that they got to spend some precious time together. Paul took her to Station Park to see a movie...

When they got home Lily was soo tired, it was way past bed-time. Paul said he had to cover her eyes a couple of times, so hopefully she doesn't get nightmares! I know that the Wizard of Oz gave me some sleepless nights back in my day.

This is just the first of many daddy-daughter dates my sweet little girl will get to cherish her whole life! She is one lucky girl to have such an amazing daddy that loves her so much.

Dear Paul, we have a FOUR year old!

We miss you! While you are out working and traveling the world, our little girl turned FOUR!! I of course knew this day was coming, but I can't believe our little red-headed "monkey-bean" of a baby is now a little person. I can't help but think of that night at the hospital exactly four years ago holding that sweet, perfect little babe and wondering what kind of a person she would grow into. And looking at the pictures from our day today, she is perfect! A little more quirky than I thought, but I guess she gets that from you :)

So glad we could celebrate as a family by doing one of her favorites - swimming at the "bubble-gum". Even though work can sometimes put a damper on things, I am grateful for times like this when you can spend a Friday afternoon hangin' out with us!

So since you've been gone, we've been up to movie nights, popcorn, and kissy action. You did miss out this night, it was pretty fun, there were kisses all around!

This whole week has been leading up to this - the actual birth date! I am glad that she got to open her presents in front of you, although it was slightly depressing, but better than nothing! I know that she was glad you got to be a part of it.

Although it's a Sunday, I wanted her to feel like it was her birthday today (or at least as much as the days leading up to it). So we had the cousins over for a birthday breakfast bash! Stew downed 3 entire pieces of French Toast!! That's my little boy!

We love you and miss you like crazy! Your going to come home to a whole new little person...a four year old!   LOVE - Larz

Another Year Older...

and hopefully getting wiser :) Paul turned 27! We love our husband and daddy and couldn't ask for anyone better.  It's a Sunday so we spent the day at home, going to church, and had a nice dinner at the Heslop's. We one giant celebration for Nic coming home, Annie turning two yesterday, and Paul's birthday today. Paul was the lucky one who got to pick the meal menu, so to no ones surprise, he wanted Mexican: sweet pork tacos topped with garden tomatoes, cabbage, and "grinch ranch", mexican rice, sweet corn cakes, black beans, and no birthday of his would be complete without an ice-cream cake! Sara made a sweet TinkerBell cake for Annie too. It was a great day and I hope that Paul has a great year!!

Dear Daddy,

since you've been gone on an airplane me and Stewar' and Mommy are trying to keep busy...

 making soap clouds to use in the tub every night to make us squeaky clean after a dirty day of playing,

playing hide-and-go-seek,

shopping at City Creek, with a stop at the dinosaurs,

a walk to share a yummy smoothie at the park,

multiple movie nights watching second-hand turtle and kitty stars - complete with popcorn and a visit from Grandma & Grandpa Stewart,

nummy homemade french bread french toast with "tella" and raspberries,

a stop at 'Get Air', our new favorite energy-releasing place full of foam pits and trampoline slides,

 lots of milk to keep us happy, and that sad ouchy on Stew's hand (we don't even know how that happened poor baby),

and last a fun cousin breakfast with german pancakes, blue milk (apparently from a cow that turned blue after he jumped over the moon) and banana treat. 

"we had fun and cousins over, umm, be good to Stew, play with him, play with cousins. I love him hap, umm, that he wears his hat safe, that Stewart bleed his hand. I love you Daddy!" We've had fun but we are sooooo excited you are coming home today!!       LOVE LILY