The Fighter's

So I sent in Ava's preschool forms today. I am so excited for her to begin this new little adventure of hers...school! I know she will absolutely love it. She's ready and truthfully I think she's starting to become a little bored with me some days at home. The artwork, watching her learn new things, meet new friends and school programs will all be so much fun. But I have to be honest...there is a small part of me that is a little...sad (sniff, sniff)! Where did the past 3 years go? Everyone always says "enjoy them while they're young...time flies". And I always used to just kind of think..."whatever". But it is so true. Seems like just yesterday it was Thanksgiving day 2005 and Doug and I were at the hospital holding our "bean" for the first time. The past three years have been such a growing experience for me...I've learned how absolutely wonderful it is to be a mom (even with the challenging times) and how amazing it is to watch your ...

The girls and I drove up to Ann Arbor for the morning to see one of my good friends from high school, Janet, and her family. They have a little girl, Kate's age, who is as adorable as could be. We had a great morning catching up...walked around Ann Arbor a bit, went to the Cottage Inn for pizza and then strolled around the art fair. The girls had a blast, and for me...it was so heartwarming to catch up with Janet. We had a lot of fun memories together and I'm thankful that I'm blessed to be able to stay connected with friends from all walks of my life. And...Janet and I are once again pregnant at the same time and...both just happend to dress the same that day which added some humor to the day. Here are a few shots from our fun day (my favorite is Ava's zoned out cupcake face!)...

The girls love anything that has to do with coloring, painting, beads (Ava), play dough, etc. Kate's favorite lately...Aqua doodle. Uncle Pat and Lindsday got it as a birthday present for Ava last year, and I love this thing as it uses water which = no mess! Kate has been so cute lately...pulls it out every day, I fill the pen with water and she spends a good 20 minutes making her little marks on the aqua doodle pad. So intent on what she's doing (which is a rarity for Kate as she's full of energy and usually constantly on the go!). We have taken advantage of the great classes at our local Y this summer. Mainly swim lessons for the girls (which both have so enjoyed...especially Ava). And...I enrolled Ava in a "summer camp" for preschoolers. The theme was "Under the Sea" and they spent a few mornings a week learning all about the ocean with games, stories, activities, and art. Ava absolutely loved the camp and was so excited to go each Tuesday and Thursda...

We have had a great weekend. One of those that has been busy, but full and good. After a day a the pool with the girls, we got a babysitter Friday night so Doug and I could join friends at Venturas! We love our Mexican food. Saturday included a relaxing AM, grocery store, mall, cleaning and then while the girls napped...I broke out my never used sewing machine. I've decided to sew curtains for Ava & Kate's rooms. I can't find curtains anywhere that I like...and how hard can curtains be...right? So I spent some time today figuring out the machine, and went to the fabric store to buy material for Kate's room. I'm gladly taking tips from my mom & our friend Jamie...we'll see how they turn out (I'll post pics when done!). Sunday we went to church, then came home, had lunch and went to the pool. Later that day we played with Ava's Little Mermaid & Kate's Sleeping Beauty (they love these dolls), and the girls did mommy's hair:-) You can als...

I have great pancake making helpers...even the one on the left who seemed to need a cup of coffee this morning. We made pancakes with what else...sprinkles! Happy Saturday! 7 months with baby Fighter #3...

Born on the 4th of July... Happy Birthday Mom & Uncle Bill! Traveled down to Aunt Shelle & Uncle Bill's for the 4th. The guys were like little kids...one competition after another. Spent the day playing golf, pool, basketball & topping it off with a potato gun and wedding ring spin off (not one of my favorites). The girls spent the day relaxing!

Our 4th of July celebration with Uncle Rob & Aunt Carly. We had a great time! It involved lots of fun had by the girls... Balloon animals and fake 4th of July tattoos... Lots of dancing (mommy's favorite!)... New friends, popcorn & suckers Red, White & Blue all around...and great fireworks... 2 tuckered out girls at the end of a fun night...

We ventured down to Columbus this weekend to catch up with family and friends and had a blast! Friday night we arrived at Grammy's , had a nice dinner, relaxed, played with bubbles and ate watermelon. Saturday we woke up, had breakfast and headed over to Easton to the Cheesecake factory to eat lunch with some of our favorite people ( Tancredi's & Santell's ) and to shop a bit. After this...naps all around back at Grammy's ! That night we drove over to our old neighborhood for a cookout with our neighbors. The kids had a blast playing in the backyard, jumping on the trampoline and running around the playroom. They all played so well and were up way past their bed time! We saw our old house...it was kind of strange. We felt like we should be able to just walk right in, but if we did that...we would have probably been arrested. I was sort of sad...doesn't look like they've been running the sprinklers...and no flowers. I hope they take care of it...that house...

When you have packing peanuts!

Hard to believe that just 6 years ago today Doug and I were walking down the aisle. In some ways it seems like just yesterday...in other ways...6 years seems about right! We've survived buying our first home, locking ourselves out of that home the first week we lived there, selling it then buying another one; a full fledged move; 2 kids with 1 on the way; 4 career moves between the 2 of us; a 1 year stint of nursing school for me; numerous home improvement projects; traveling (mostly for work, some for pleasure); mass family get togethers (which we actually both enjoy!) and a golden doodle named millhouse. We have a lot more ahead of us...but I am so thankful I will get to share all of life's ups and downs with the guy I married 6 years ago today! "We love, because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)

One of my absolute things about Kate is her hair. No matter how nicely or smoothly I brush it after her bath or in the morning, 5 minutes later it's full of crazy and free curls. Love it! Ava actually pointed her hair out today and I had to take a pic...it was extra crazy. I especially like the middle picture. She's like...come on mom...seriously? Sorry Kate...your mom just thinks you're just too cute.