Update and lots of pictures

 In March Taylor went to Portland for March Madness with his stepdad and brothers. They had a blast! And since he was going to be gone, I drove out to Iowa to spend a week with Karen and family!!! That week conveniently turned into 2 1/2 weeks, and I was still sad to leave. We had so much fun! We stayed up way too late talking, we ran, went to the zoo, played at the park, went to the St. Patrick's Day parade and made the most amazing green breakfast. Ever. It was so fun to have our kids play and get to know each other better. I LOVE MY SISTER! Oh yeah, and we completely repainted a room in her house, including doors, baseboards, ceiling...and made a sweet frame for her wall...and it all looks so awesome.

Pepper, Ash, and Tate making soup. And macaroni and cheese.

My girls

On a fun walk at a cool park! 

Karen demonstrating perfect ceiling painting form

 

This doesn't due justice to the awesomeness of this room and frame. 

I also made a frame a few months ago. Found these old window frames with glass still in them on the tree lawn. Fun easy project. And I made the wreath to go on it. Too bad Karen's is way cooler than mine. haha Just kidding. But it really is...it's just not too bad. :)

Story smiling - cuter than the frame I was taking the picture of

Another tree lawn find! (Thank you Jasmine!!) Pepper helped me clean it. For an hour. 

She (and friends) have loved having a sandbox in our backyard.

"Don't get me, Elliot!!!"

Cheeeeeeeeese!

Dr. Daddy teaching Pepper how to hear heart murmurs

All holidays are more fun when your kids are a little older and really enjoy them. Painting easter eggs was so fun with Pepper! And finding the Easter baskets! We went to a dinner and easter egg hunt at our friends Holly and Mark's house and had a blast. Pepper loved finding Easter eggs. We loved having good friends to spend the holiday with.

Story examining the grass while everyone else enjoyed the hunt

Pepper running for an egg!

Our little family

Life has been fun this summer! We spend lots and lots of time outside enjoying the sunshine and the heat! We frequent different parks each week, hit up the swimming pool, and go on lots of walks to any place within walking distance. We also still like story time and playing with friends in the backyard.

Max, Pepper, and Elliot playing in our backyard during our "Story's First Birthday/YAY Exams are Over" Bash! We had all the first years over for a weenie roast on our fire pit and had fun swinging on the tire swing, talking, and eating delicious food! And the world's best s'mores.

After crying hysterically when her fingers were covered with frosting, Story decided she liked her cake after all. 

Pepper liked it too. Obviously.

Thomas, Will, Pepper, Abbie, and Story shwimmin!

"ooh!" A classic Story face. She loves her swimming pool from Grandma.

Pepper loves to push Story on the swing. And Story loves it too! This was when we went to Chagrin Falls - a cute waterfall and little town. It was pretty and the ice cream was yummy.

Pepper driving Story in the tractor. This was at Patterson's Farm. Right after we drove 30 minutes out there to pick strawberries and found out that they were all picked out for the day! We still had fun and ate delicious homemade donuts.

Story in the tractor wheel

Grandma likes to periodically remind the girls of their Canadian heritage. They proudly waved their flags on our walk.

Pepper could swing all day if I'd let her. And I love that she loves wearing her sunglasses.

Pepper at the beach! 

We had a fun day with friends at the beach and I only got a little sunburned. 

Story had fun at the beach too. See?

Story sleeping with Joshua on our walk. Little rascals. Ahh, young love. Jasmine and Joshua hung out with us while our husbands were at a conference in Orlando. It was so fun to have her around and so nice to not be alone! I'm so grateful for good friends. Seriously.