Lately...

Lately we've been busy.  It's quite a change from the lazy days of Summer and I think after months of taking it easy we're all enjoying the plethora of activity.  I do try to be careful that we aren't doing too much but so far so good.  The girls always seem to be happy to head out the door to whatever we've got on the afternoon agenda...

On this particular day they were sporting (and posing) in their new shades that Aunt Kim brought back from her visit to Spain...

I think it's safe to say they were a hit...

Oh Emerson.  I love that kid.  And she's no longer happy to just hang at home...

Or ride along to all of Carter's practices and games...

Nope, she needed her very own place to perform.  So every Wednesday we load up just the two of us and head to Jazzy Beasts...

It's her very own happy place. She's free to imitate all those gymnasts she loved watching for weeks this Summer on the bars...

And beam...

And she never forgets to stick her landing...

It's pretty darn impressive if I do say so myself (I'm biased and I'm her mom but we're all allowed to think our munchkin's are amazing right?!)... 



(sorry it's sideways I don't know what happened and I'm too lazy to figure in out :)




We're finding our way and doing our best to strike a balance between allowing both of them to feel important and spend time with things they like doing.  But I love the moments when I find them sharing in something they can both enjoy...

Like a morning makeover with Roxi (who I think was imparting some lifelong wisdom of "pretty is as pretty does" in this pic)...

Or performing in the band...

I'm hoping that as they grow they will find other things they have in common or at the very least Carter will be able to encourage and teach Emerson about the things she has already experienced.  One thing is for sure neither one of them are falling short in the attitude category...

Speaking of striking a balance Nate and I are finding one too.  This whole working from home thing is a pretty good gig.  It means we sometimes manage to squeeze in lunch or a workout together...

But his new job also equals travel so we're adjusting to that as well.  It means plenty of "girl time".  On this particular night Carter suggested that Emerson wear her shirt, she would wear my shirt and I would wear Nate's shirt so that we'd all be connected since Nate was away...

We also squeeze in an occasional date night to Chick Fil A to cheer ourselves up...

We're getting the hang of things (even though Saturday morning Soccer mom-ing it solo is not for the faint of heart)...

Saturday morning soccer however is a blast!  

These little girls can play and it's actually really fun to watch this year...

Emerson totally agrees...

Someone was pretty proud of the three goals they scored.  Can't wait to for Nate to catch the action this Saturday...

It's true.  We're kind of busy (even if it's just busy getting an after school sno cone with friends)...

And sometimes that means we're tired...

But we're also really happy!  And did I mention I'm pretty sure we're potty training?  Yep, apparently Emerson decided she's going for it full speed ahead so we're knee deep in panties and popsicles around here...

Oh, and last but not least it's Wednesday!  Survivor is back people.  And while it definitely doesn't have the same pomp and circumstance as last season (Nate and I wore our shirts last week for old time's sake)...

We're still fans.  And there's not many people who can say that the former winner made them dinner on premiere night (I spy Kim being snarky)...

Yep, the perks of sisterhood mean you get to eat and critique with the one and only Kimpossible...

I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss seeing her on the small screen...

Tune in tonight and see if you agree.  Happy Wednesday!  

Going for Gold

One thing our whole family agrees upon is that birthday's are a reason to celebrate...

This past weekend it was Carter's turn!  In lieu of the recent Olympic Games (and the fact that my girls were glued to the TV every time gymnastics was on) she decided that combining those two things was her "dream come true" party this year.  After "wiping out" last year I was up for the challenge.  No problemo one Olympics themed Gymnastics party coming right up...

I'm usually a big fan of doing our parties at home (it gives me plenty of time to set up) but we opted for a great gym where she takes classes once a week instead.  The only downside was needing to be able to pull it all together quickly.  Lucky for me my Mom was up for a challenge and we managed to pull it off...

I knew the kiddo's would be pretty busy playing for most of the party and decided not to go overboard on the food since we also planned on serving Pizza.  We did have a few of Carter's favorite things Funyuns (which actually passed quite nicely as gold medals) and watermelon.  Of course there was also plenty of cake...

The built in entertainment was awesome and there were plenty of smiles to go around...

By the end of the party they had all worked up quite an appetite...

Then it was time to make a wish...

I seriously cannot believe she is 7...

If I've said it once I've said it a hundred times...stop growing up already!!

It was a great party thanks to all of her sweet friends and our family that shared the day.  We thanked them with lollipop ribbon wands that Carter helped me make...

It's no secret that throwing a party is one of my favorite things so the girls birthdays are always something I look forward to...

Thank goodness Nate indulges me and doesn't complain about the fact that I get kind of into it...

I think he gets that for me if there's anything worth celebrating it's the two little people that mean the most to us...

Happy Birthday sweet Carter!  I hope the year ahead is full of fun, laughter, adventure and learning.  I think you're awesome...

SEVEN

Seven years ago today we were just getting started...

We were totally crazy about this tiny person that our world suddenly revolved around...

And we didn't have a fat clue what we were doing...

It was impossible to imagine then...

That it would someday be now...

I can remember being so tired I couldn't think 7 days in advance...

Much less 7 years...

It's obvious that we've reached a milestone.  You're no longer a baby, no longer a toddler, let's face it you're a full blown kid...

You were beautiful then...

And you are beautiful now...

I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see who you are becoming...

To watch you turn into the person I know you are meant to be...

And you know what I love most? Your heart.  It's a good one baby girl and I want to encourage you to follow it...

In some weird way I feel almost like we are starting over again.  I can only imagine that I will look back 7 years from now at this moment in time.  I can imagine what it might be like to someday, in the not so distant future, be saying goodbye to your childhood...

Lord knows I'm not ready for that but if there's one thing I've learned over the past 7 years it's to enjoy everyday.  I'm so grateful that I'm not sitting here in this moment feeling like I missed out on you...feeling like I let this phase of life slip through my fingers.  Time is time and there will always be something a little hard about it marching on but we've had a great first leg of this adventure...

In the same way that I can see you now in the you then...

I can imagine 7 years from now looking back at this moment and seeing glimpses of who you would someday be...

So many gifts, talents and experiences just waiting to be seen...

7 years ago I had no idea the potential that was hidden inside of you...

And I have a feeling I'll be saying the exact same thing a little further down the road...

I can't think of anything funner than getting to be your Mom Carter...

You're one of my favorite people on the planet...

Today we are so happy to be celebrating who you've been...

Who you are...

And who you will become (the possibilities are endless sweet girl)...

Getting to be your parents was like winning the lottery baby...

We're crazy about you...  

Happy Birthday dear Carter...Happy Birthday to you.