June 30, 2012

Happy 80th birthday, Grandpa! 

We had our first trip out with all four of us to celebrate at a great party!

June 29, 2012

I can't get over Nora's beautiful face, especially her bright eyes! I could stare at her for hours.

June 28, 2012

After a long first whole day home and many meltdowns by Alena, the end of the day before Alena went to be included Veggietales and a some brownie pieces. So here are Reuben and his two little girls. :)

June 27, 2012

On the morning of our discharge from the hospital, the nurse brought Nora to me bundled up and fast asleep. With her peaceful, beautiful face and the early morning light shining in the room, I just felt so overwhelmed with God's rich blessings in my life, especially my amazing husband and two healthy, beautiful daughters. 

June 26, 2012

Our first picture together as a family of four! We had some treasured time with just our little family for Alena to meet her little sister. She was intrigued by her hands and feet and her crying (to which she said, "Awwww," very concerned). :) We are so blessed!

June 25, 2012

Well, today we had a baby! Labor went incredibly fast, so fast that I almost didn't make it to the hospital in time! The first picture is our last family picture as a family of three when we went out for a walk to the library at 5:06pm. The next picture was taken at 9:13pm, shortly after the 9:00 birth of our daughter, Nora Grace! She was 8 lbs and 21 inches. We praise God for her!

June 24, 2012

Yum... the simple pleasure of a fresh chocolate chip cookie at Grammie's house!

June 23, 2012

We had a great day lounging by the pool at Sam & Katie's house. Alena had a great time wth all of her cousins!

June 22, 2012

Perfect night for a Whitecaps game with my family! Alena had never been to one yet and loved it!

June 21, 2012

Reuben and Alena came to meet me for lunch at work! Definitely a joy of the day!

June 20, 2012

Ice cream in the air conditioning. :)

June 19. 2012

We had a simply perfect summer day with our great friends the Baers up at their family's cottage. From a ride on the pontoon, to lounging in the water, to eating ice cream, to catching turtles, and eating great food, we had a great day! Thanks Baers!

June 18, 2012

Hot afternoon in the backyard by the kiddy pool! Alena was extra-happy and just so precious today. She melts my heart. :)

June 17, 2012

Reuben, his Dad, and Alena: 3 generations on a beautiful Father's Day afternoon!

June 16, 2012

I had such a great afternoon with my mom looking for a dress for her to wear at my sister's wedding. We didn't find the perfect one yet, but had a great time! She also treated me to an iced mocha and a pedicure, which was simply amazing. Thanks Mom!

June 15, 2012

This was a big day! Alena moved into her new room today and her "big girl bed" which Reuben made himself over the past few weeks! We introduced the finished room to her when she woke up that morning, then went out to breakfast, and then to Target to pick out a new doll specifically for her big girl room and bed. :) She is absolutely in love with that doll! She and Reuben also had fun in the kiddy pool in the afternoon. It was a hard transition with lots of crying at nap and bedtime and somewhat emotional for me as my little girl is growing up. However, it was a great family day and I love how her room turned out!

June 14, 2012

Alena enjoying a Reuben-homemade smoothie popsicle on a "Daddy daycare day" while outside by the kiddy pool. :)

June 13, 2012

Some nights you just need to totally chill.... especially when you've worked all day, you are nine months pregnant, and your daughter is finally asleep on the first night without her "pipey."

June 12, 2012

Well I was spoiled by getting to go to The Green Well a second day in a row! Tonight my good friend Marguerite and I went out to finally celebrate the end of our school year. She had her second baby 2 days before our exams, so we had to postpone a bit. :) Now we're both taking a year off and loving it! It was a great night with a great friend!

June 11, 2012

Dinner out with Reuben's parents at The Green Well, thanking them for watching Alena so much the past 2 years! On top of an already great restaurant and delicious food, we were spoiled with the Green Space tonight- such a treat!

June 10, 2012

Homemade strawberry jam: one of the perfect treats to start the summer and freeze to enjoy all winter!

June 9, 2012

It was a simply perfect evening for dinner on the deck at Blue Water Grill with my parents, thanking them for helping us out by watching Alena so much the past 2 years!

June 8, 2012

Another great girls night with Kate, Val, Megan, and Jenni! They also gave me some great treats in celebration of Baby #2! Thanks friends!

June 7, 2012

Last day of school!

June 6, 2012

37 weeks = full term! Reality is setting in that we are going to be meeting this baby pretty soon!

June 5, 2012

What a great morning at home with my girl! We got out the tutu that my mother-in-law gave her for Christmas and she was dancing wholeheartedly for quite awhile. Seeing her dance so carefree brings me so much joy!

June 4, 2012

Alena and I spent a few hours this afternoon doing some wedding errands with Jenna, including seeing her try her dress on! My dear sister is going to be such a beautiful bride!

June 3, 2012

There's nothing like running barefoot in the park! Pure joy.

June 2, 2012

Happy 27th birthday to my brother Justin! We went to hang out with him and Shawnna at a cottage they're staying at this weekend. It was cold, but we had been talking to Alena about going to the beach all day. We got there, and the sky was insanely ominous! The above picture is when we decided it was time to head back. :)

June 1, 2012

Alena always loves to play with Grampie! Seriously, when he's around, no one else compares. :) My dad came over tonight for dinner and then to play with Alena while Reuben and I did some much-needed kid-free errands.

May 31, 2012

Okay, never mind that I look a bit like a pregnant giant in this picture- haha. It was a great night with the book club girls. We had a smaller group, but good discussion and lots of laughs as always! Love having these girls in my life!