Cuddle Bugs

 
Truth be told, I was never really much of a cuddle bug when I was younger.  Ryan, however, is the complete opposite.  Whether you're getting a big bear hug, or he's draping his big legs over you, or just sitting as close as can be, he is the epitome of a cuddle bug.  Now I am a true convert, which was partially by choice and partially forced due to the fact that EVERY being in our house - dog, cats, babies, husband - are the most cuddly things on the planet.  I really think we could break a Guinness World Record.

Exhibit A: these photos of my two cuddle bug girls.  Lyla is such a little lover of Evie.  Most of the time you can find them both on my lap, and Lyla frequently and proudly proclaims "We're sisters!"  I know this constant love for each other won't last forever and before long it'll be fights and tattling, so I think I better document the cuteness now. 

Also, please notice that there's rarely a picture where Lyla isn't playing with Evie's hair.  I can't help but wonder if Evie will always be OK with it because that's just the way it's always been, or if she'll eventually start throwing fits and want Lyla to back off.  Only time will tell.  :) 

- K

Matchy - Matchy

My grandma got these adorable matching dresses for our girls.  They didn't get to wear them on the 4th of July because they were both so sick, but we got them all dolled up this weekend and oh my gosh, they looked too cute.

Two thoughts from these pictures:

1) When I asked Lyla to pick a book to read to her sis, she chose one of her half dozen bibles she has laying around.  She loves reading her bibles, and has always been particularly crazy about the nativity scene.  It's so cute to see her little wheels spinning when we talk about Jesus being in Heaven with his daddy, God.  She talks about how much He loves her, and on this day told me that He loves her guys sooooo much.  (Her guys are what we call her hundreds of blankies and stuffed animals that she loves sooooo much). 

Her faith reminds me of that bible verse in Matthew where Jesus says "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven."  Her willingness to believe and simple view of His love is just so precious to me.

2) Just look at the way that Evie sis is looking at Lyla in the second picture.  That is how she gazes at Lyla all day every day and it melts my heart.  She is already so obsessed with her big sis, and I love everything about it.

- K

Some Visitors and Farm Island Lake

Last week I took Thursday and Friday off work to spend some time with my aunt and her husband who had made a road trip up to Minnesota.  We didn't do much besides putz around at home, but it was great to have them visit, show them our house and just catch up.  Lyla always loves having visitors in town and kept calling them my friends..."mama, where you friends go?"  Her, Kevvy and Evie kept everyone pretty entertained.

Friday we took off to our friends' (and next door neighbors) cabin on Farm Island Lake, about 2 1/2 hours North.  In the summer pretty much everyone heads up North to their cabin, so we finally got a taste of what it's like to be a true Minnesotan...and it was pretty darn good.  Lyla loves our neighbors and their dogs so she couldn't contain herself on Friday when we were getting ready.  Every room we went into she had to "pack all things Lyla need" - which was mostly just every item from her play kitchen.

The cabin was great, and the lake was beautiful.  It was really a nice, relaxing weekend considering there were 3 dogs and 2 babies running around like crazy.  Not to mention Evie slept like a dream the whole time, so we might just move there.  Against our neighbors' wishes, of course.

Lyla provided nonstop entertainment, as always.  Her bedhead and Kardashian booty she had when we neglected to put on a swimming diaper in the lake were pretty much the highlights.  We also got to do a little fishing off the dock (Lyla caught her first fish and I caught the biggest, thank you very much), and Ryan did some water skiing. 

Such a good long weekend!  Completely made up for our very sad

 

4th of July.  ;)

- K

Four Months of Evie Sis

Miss Everly turned 4 months on Tuesday, and I know it's cliché, but I just can't believe how time is flying even faster this time around. 

My sister, Jo, wrote her a letter before she was born and every word is so beautiful, but it starts out with "I pray that all of the days of your life you would be set apart by your joy.  May all who come in contact with you be refreshed by your spirit..." 

She just couldn't have gotten it more right.  My little Evie is just something else.  She is absolutely stunning in every conventional way, but she has this sweet little spirit that just speaks to my soul.  Before I had her I had the typical thoughts of wondering how I could love another as much as my first, but as soon as she popped out it was over for me.  This girl's a life changer, and our family just wouldn't be complete without her.

I love you little girl, with every ounce of my being.

xoxo
mama