Isabelle is 6!!!!

Her kitty cake.

Happy birthday isabelle!!!

Pretty thing.

Isabelle turned six today! She mentioned that she does feel older, and that indeed that being six is much different then being five. She went to kindergarten in the morning where they do a birthday song with a crown and they get a pencil. Then she was off to Interactive where she did a showcase of her year at the end of class. She has really enjoyed it and she has really learned some new skills too. She was able to bring a cookie cake there (they don't allow treats at all in school), so she was happy to share that with friends. Tonight we celebrated her birthday with presents, pizza and cake with our neighbors.

She is really maturing and loves playdates with friends and playing with her sister, Allie (when little sister decides to be nice). She likes her American Girl doll, Barbies, movies and TV (like the Wild Kratts), books and writing. She loves playing outdoors, looking for shiny rocks and riding her bike. Her favorite number is 6 and color is purple.

Foxy has twins! Here is one of them peeking out of their den.

Apricot tulips

I am 10 months old!

On 4/25/2011

Finally got home at 10 pm! The girls were thrilled to find that the Easter Bunny came!


Kendall

We went for a very quick trip to Iowa and surprised Grandma and Grandpa Koss for Easter. When I say quick...I mean we got there at 9 pm on Saturday night and left by 1 pm the following day. Alot of driving, but so worth it to spend the holiday with family!

Juliette and Kendall fight it out over the puffs.

Hayster

Isabelle adores her cousin, Danielle!

Easter egg hunt

Being resourceful.

Cuteness

The crew with their eggs in the bags!

Quick jaunt to Iowa for Easter!

Giving "Wiener" a quick pet. As I typed that...I realize how that sounds.

And they're off.

Found one!

Happy Easter!!!!!

party cont...

4 Kids Books and Toys

Isabelle and Allie had a joint party for a few of their friends at a local book and toy store. A great time was had by all, complete with painting, hula hoops, games, limbo and cupcakes.

The beginning

of the flowers on dogwood trees.

Allie loves her make-up! I better watch out in 10 years.

2 wheels!!!!

After a few days and determination, Isabelle finally was able to ride her bicycle!!!! No training wheels!!! I have to admit, I was willing to pay top dollar to anyone who would teach her. Our neighbor, Cam was up for the challenge, but I soon realized that when Isabelle put her mind to it, she didn't give up and kept trying. I am so proud of her and kept saying, "I am just so grown up now."

technology

tastes so good.

Juliette is 9 1/2 months old!

The nurse actually said..."Juliette really doesn't look like EITHER of her sisters..." Seriously?


Really...she will be 10 months next week, but she did have her check-up (no vaccines...yea!) and I want to mention her stats...29 1/4 inches (95th%) and 19 lbs 6 oz (50-75th%). She is such a dolly! She loves the mama and her big sisters, balls, snacks, keys, cell phones, paci, pink blanket and being outside. I took her on her first bicycle ride in the trailer today (Isabelle finally learned to ride on 2 wheels!) and she loved it. She claps when you say, YEA. She enjoys books and especially the touch and feel ones. She rolls and rolls and rolls but hasn't quite got the hang of being on her knees with her tummy off the floor. I think I have mentioned that I am in no hurry for this milestone. I know she will be there before I know it. When I get a glimpse of me holding her, I just can hardly believe that she is so big! So fast! In two short months we will be singing "Happy birthday".

Composing pictures is about as tricky as the settings. I am so busy thinking about lighting and the camera that I sometimes forget about composure...but it is important and I sometimes get lucky.

Practice with aperture

Isabelle is a very patient model...and it helps that she is so photogenic. I found that the sun was just too bright and harsh and I would have had better consistency with my photos if it was a different time of day. We just finished our 2nd photography lesson and I am realizing that practice really helps. We focused on aperture and I had my 50 mm lens on.

This weekend was just beautiful and the girls and I had fun being outside all day long!

Evidence of Spring!

A blooming Magnolia tree!

I'm the little sister

with cute pigtails!

Lizzy

Finally, Lizzy the cat shows some signs of intelligence.

A little Cardinals fan. Someone has to cheer for them during their dismal start to the season.

Only at Costco,

do you find blocks of cheese bigger than Allie's head.

not a wig

This is a ruffled up version of how Juliette's hair looks after you take her "sprig" down for the day.