Did Daddy Build that One?

I have to tell this story because I don't want to forget it. Today after the Y I thought we would go drive by Mark's worksite. I knew the house would be framed and sheeted so that Raleigh could tell it was being constructed and not just a finished house. When we drove up Raleigh did her standard, "Where we goin' mom?" that she asks a million times a day. I said, "We're going to see Daddy at work." I rolled down her window and said, "there he is-call him over." Raleigh started yelling, "Daddy, Daddy." He came over and Raleigh and Gracyn were delighted to chat with their dad for a few minutes. Raleigh said, "Ya buildin' that house dad?" The fun thing about watching the action was that there were several subcontractors on the job so it really did look like quite an operation (and it's a huge house he's building right now).

We said our good-byes and as we were driving down the street Raleigh said about several houses we passed, "Did Daddy build that one?" I answered 'no' to every question. Then we came to a big building in a similar phase as the one we just saw Mark building and she said, "Did Daddy build that one?" I thought that was pretty smart as she started to catch on when I told her no to all the ones that were finished. It was a sweet moment for me to observe. I wonder if Raleigh will remember the first time she understood what it was her Daddy did. I also wondered when we drove home how many houses we will be able to point out to our children and say, "See that house? Your Daddy built that house." It's much better than what Mark currently says (with too much pride in his voice)-- "See that satellite dish girls? Your daddy installed that MANY years ago and it's still standin'."

Princess Party Part II

Posting a few more pictures for the benefit of family that live far away


Gracy got a sucker from the pinata
After we went a round we let the 3 yr olds whack it without a blindfold. Draven, the oldest, finally beat it to the ground.
Gracyn was crawling around welcoming all the guests to her party.

The Noon Princesses

Gracy's first cake!

Present opening was pure chaos. I've never seen anything like it. It was like a pack of wild hyenas!! :)

We pulled off the princess party yesterday without a hitch. There were 14 kids and 16 adults! We decorated crowns, broke a pinata, and pinned the kiss on the prince frog. Mark cooked all the food and Gracyn ate her first birthday cake. As you will be able to see from the pictures-- It was busy but fun.

This morning Raleigh woke up and the first thing out of her mouth was, "Mom where's my birthday party?" I said, "It's over sweetheart. Everyone went home last night." She said, "Weellll, I want to do it again. I want to have another party." 'Ahhhh' I was thinking, 'of course you do.'

BIRTHDAY BUILDUP

I made Raleigh a "Princess Hat that she discovered the other day by accident. She has been asking to wear the 'prinnnzzzzhat' everyday now. I say, "No not until your princess birthday party". So, before I left for work Thurday Raleigh found these other birthday hats in my closet. She said, "A PRINZZZESS HAT MOMMY??" I let her have the bag of b-day hats to carry around. But then she wanted to put them on everyone that came in the room. Me, daddy, Gracie, Suzie, etc.
Tuesday little Gracyleigh turned one!!!! What a bitter-sweet day as I held my last baby and rocked her to sleep. I look forward to discovering her personality and little voice-- but she was such a snuggly baby. I will miss that. You all know how it is. She's off bottles, feeding herself. Wandering around getting into things.... Sniff, sniff.... She doesn't even need me anymore.


She is so incredibly fun and interactive. Today Mark was playing peek-a-boo with Raleigh and Gracyn as he loaded them in the suburban for me. Gracyn was laughing with all of her might! Mark said, "You are so stinkin' rewarding to play with." When we were in Billings last weekend we would hide behind furniture from Gracyn and she LOVED having to crawl around and find us. One time, she crouched down and looked under the couch for me, found me, and reached through and grabbed me. You know, you always think your child's the smartest......
But Gracy really is!! Haa-haa


This video is funny because the first few seconds of it Gracyn is singing into the microphone.
Then the babysitter got distracted getting Ral's stickers. But watch Gracie at the beginning of the clip.

Easter Egg Hunting

Gracyn got in on the action
Raleigh and her friend Audrey ready for the hunt.
Look behind us at the hundreds of people waiting for the hunt to begin.
University easter egg hunt.

We went to so many easter egg hunts this weekend. One was a free-for-all at the University in the oval. Today we joined friends for a celebration and the girls hunted for eggs. I think I might like easter more than christmas. Here it definitely signifies spring. Yesterday it was freezing-- today a beautiful, sunny, fifty-five degrees! Happy Easter!

He is Risen!

Sisters

I hope my girls get a long like this forever!