Pictures

We attempted to line up some family pictures since we would all be together, but as life happens, we struggled to get everyone together, rested and pleasant children and a photographer at the same time. We were able to get some taken, though, and Megan did an amazing job. We will now be her advertisement because she just did an amazing job. Our girls were so past their bedtimes, but managed to get smiles out of them. She really captured the girls' personalities.


Kara has just blossomed in the last few weeks. She just hit that point where her little personality really came out. She is such a crack up.

I had to pick and choose the pictures to post, but I LOVE this series! Here are the many faces of Kara Mae.







The girls wore these outfits to their pictures last weekend, but we weren't able to get any good ones of them together. Jana doesn't want to sit still and Kara always seems to reach the end of her rope by the time we want to do pictures of them together. But, I guess that's the struggle with a two year old and a one year old.





She managed to get some fabulous pictures with Grandma and Grandpa.


Jana didn't want to sit still, so pictures of her were interesting to say the least.


And once again, Arianna stole the show. She is such a gorgeous baby.

Memorial Day Weekend Pics

We had such lovely company over the three day weekend. It was so great to spend time with everyone, but with three kids two and under, and 15 adults, it was busy.


Arianna definitely stole the show with those beautiful brown eyes.
And there were always many pairs of willing hands to give Sarah a rest.

But Jana worked very hard to keep everyone's attention.



Jana especially loved the accessibility of things that are not normally around the house like:

a swing
(Jelly) "Beans"

A baby to snuggle.

And the swing again. (Man she loved that thing.)


Kara was a tad more mellow than Jana, but had her moments of attention grabbing. Who wouldn't with this many adults to dote over you, though?

"Are you watching me?"

Uncle Patrick was determined to help her work on her crawling.

"Here's how it's done, Kara." "Why? I can just yell and someone will move me!"

"Oh, all right. Just for you, but I'm not so sure about this funny carpet."

Jana discovered some of Grandpa's flowers and had to have some in her hair.


Kara getting love from Daddy between picture sessions. She was a good sport despite missing bed time.

Kara's First Birthday Parties

Two down - one to go.

On Kara's birthday, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Dave, and Jenny came over for dinner and cake.

Since she hasn't shown any allergies to food, we let her go at the cake. And boy did she!



In the end she ate most of the cake. What she didn't eat was rubbed into her hair! You can see some of the crumbs behind her ear and smooshed all over her face. She enjoyed it!

But then we headed straight for the bath. Forgetting that she's mobile, she crawled her way out of the bathroom while the bath was filling.

A little snuggle time while we waited.

On Saturday, while we had Dada's whole family together, we did dinner and cake- round 2. We were lucky to have "Grampa Ray" (as Jana calls him instead of Great Grandpa), Gramps, Glenna, (Great)Uncle Brian and (Great)Aunt Boo, Uncle Patrick, Auntie Sarah, "Baby Cousin Arianna" (I think she will always be called this by Jana), Uncle David, Jenny, and Auntie Meghan (poor Uncle-to-be Sean had to work) to celebrate with.

You can see that Jana helped to decorate the cake and had fun with sprinkles.


While she appears to be blowing out the candle, it's more of a coincidence than an intention. Great timing though!

And then to the opening of the presents. Jana was a great helper.

She was a great helper, until we had to finish unwrapping the present. Apparently Kara's birthday gift was in the car when Grandma had her accident and as Jana unwrapped it, we found some pieces of glass, so we had to do a bit of clean up.
Here's Kara enjoying her first Cabbage Patch Doll. She really likes it and had a wonderful time checking her out. (Thanks Aunt Boo!)

And when we got home, we found another present for Kara. She got the cutest wall hanging growth chart. Now we don't have to mark up a wall that will eventually be painted over. (Thanks Auntie Laura, Uncle Ryan, Tyler, and Justin!)


While it was a chaotic weekend with everyone in town, it was a wonderful birthday weekend for Kara and she got doted upon by many! Thanks everyone for such a wonderful weekend.