Matching Outfits

Matching outfits, oh how I love thee.

This may be one of the last times I get to do this. . . Carter's still has clothes in all 3 sizes . . . but soon Emily will size out on me.

Woe is me.

I will miss these days of dressing my girls alike.

They are kinda cute, huh?

Serious Bed Head

My in laws watched the girls one night so we could attend a wedding. When they got Kate up from her nap, she had some serious crazy hair going on. My father in law took these pictures to document it!!! Hilarious!

Happy Birthday Madeline

Madeline turned 4. Sigh. I begged her to let us have her turn 3 again, but alas we went ahead and let her age another year. . . She decided she wanted a make up party. She woke up to find a caboodle full of nail polish and lip gloss. Soon her friends arrived for a make up party. We did several stations. . . you could put make up on a sketch of Maddie, make a necklace, have your own make up done, get your nails painted, and be sprayed with fairy dust. The little girls had a wonderful time. We also opened presents and had cake!

The day after Maddie's birthday was Sunday - so we went to church. Then we let Maddie choose where to eat. . . she chose Red Robin. They sang to her and brought her a sundae. Then she chose for us to have a family movie night later that evening; complete with popcorn and m & m's.

A day of remembering

We recently attended Nicki's Celebration Service. Boy was it sad.

While in Brian's hometown we stopped by his childhood home. . . and took a couple of pictures.

New Experiences

I told you she's a big big girl. Drinking from her first juice box. . .

Soooo proud sitting in a big kid chair!

Oktoberfest

We got to go down to my home town's Oktoberfest for Friday evening. I like to go whenever I can. It is good memories, good food, and fun to see old friends. My mom and dad met us there and ate with us, let the kids ride rides, etc. We had a great evening.

Hair Wrap

Grandma paid for the girls to get a hair wrap at the Oktoberfest - the best part was picking 3 beads and 3 colors of thread!

Baby Artist

It is never too soon to start exploring the artist within!

Though it is easier to just dump the water on the "paint with water" painting!

I asked Kate if she wanted to paint - she nodded her head and made a sound that sounded like "Deah."

Big Big Girl

What happened to my baby?

You are a walking maniac. . . you rush everywhere you want to go.

You think you own my cell phone, our home phone, and the remote. You whine when I have any of these!

You know what toys are yours and assert yourself if a sister has one!

You are so sweet and loveable and we are so glad you're ours!

These aren't amazing pix - but they show how she is getting around!

A day on the Farm

Tuesday Madeline had a field trip to a creamery. It was fun. The best part to me were the amazing barns. They had them moved to this farm from other places in our state. The barns had character and charm. I love old barns!! Emily got to come along on the field trip, while some dear neighbors watched Kate. We got to see cows and chickens. We also got to see where the cows are milked. We ended our time on the farm with some ice cream! Mmmmm.

Family Photo Shoot

Brian showed me an awesome canopy road. . . and I said - we are coming back here in the Fall to take pictures!!! And we did!

I am really excited about the results. We bribed the girls with the promise of ice cream. For the most part, it worked.

Here are Emily and Madeline doing a silly session.

Sweet, Sassy, Strong

Nicki was a friend of Brian's growing up. . . She was so excited about this baby girl. . .

This collage is all about a Mother's Love. . . Nicki and her mom. Nicki and her precious Madelyn - and Nicki's mom holding Madelyn.

Sweet new baby.

Nicki seeing and holding her baby.

Brian and his brother grew up with Nicki and her familly. (especially sister, Katie) I always heard about "the Baker girls." Brian had a crush on Nicki at one point in high school . . . and his brother dated her. Not a great brotherly situation!!! In 1996 Brian and Chris were involved in a serious car accident. Brian and Chris were life-lined to Methodist Hospital. Brian had a broken neck.

Brian's parents had to make the choice to pull the plug on their son.

They also chose to donate his organs. (Which has led to an awesome story and relationship with the heart recipient - a HUGE good out of a HUGE bad.)

Chris was 17.

Nicki was there.

At the hospital.

Mourning.

Now, years later Nicki and I are facebook friends. We chat online about her upcoming baby. About all she has overcome in her life. About her excitement and peace about the future and her choice to mother this baby alone. Nicki got a bad cough - went to the doctor and was admitted to the hospital in Bloomington with "pneumonia." They then determined she had HELLP syndrome. They took the baby by c-section immediately (a month early). Nicki got to hold her baby - pefect healthy, Madelyn Isabel. She soon deteriorated and develped ARDS (acute respitory syndrome). She was put on a ventilator. 3 chest tubes were inserted to drain her lungs. She was on sedation drugs. Her lungs just did not get better.

They moved her by ambulance to Methodist Hospital.She was 3 doors down from where Chris was in the same pediatric ICU. (There are SIX critical care units at Methodist)

Her family had to decide to "pull the plug"

Her family decided to give the gift of her organs.

Brian was there.

At the hospital.

Mourning.

Sometimes life comes full circle.

Please pray for all involved.

I believe Nicki's mother will seek to adopt Madelyn.

Pray that is an easy transition and process.