~ We'll miss you Natalie ~

The girls best friend and our babysitter Natalie just got married. Thursday was my last day of work and Friday just happened to be her wedding day. We couldn't have planned it any better. The girls have been so excited to go to her wedding. They have been playing "wedding" for weeks now. They were so excited to see her that they didn't want to wait in the line or walk up to see her. Of course they went sprinting through the grass and cut in line to get to her. She looked so beautiful and everything turned out so pretty. I wasn't prepared for how heart broken Rylee would be when she left. Ella tells me on a regular basis that Natalie is her best friend and she doesn't want her to leave but Rylee has been asking how many days until I get to be home with them. So imagine my surprise to hear that she hid in a closet on Natalies last day so she couldn't see her cry. Telling Natalie she didn't want it to be her last day. Did I mention she cried after we went through the line, all the way home from the wedding, and cried her self to sleep? I finally got smart and promised to print this picture off and give it to her so she can hang it on her wall. She's worried Natalie will forget about her and that she'll forget Natalie. I told her she can look at the picture when ever she's sad and that we will see her again. Natalie was really great with the girls and we couldn't have asked for any better. She taught us some great tricks like; Using a glue gun to make your ginger bread house look perfect, how to use a straighting iron to curl your hair, and taught the girls some fun games. She also taught Ella the phrase "you little stinker" it's really cute in her "New Jersey" accent. We're grateful she was able to work for us and we will miss her. We hope she married her prince and lives happily ever after!

36 Weeks looks like.....

~ The count down is on ~

It's hard to believe but in less than 4 weeks we'll have a new addition to our home. I'll be more than happy if it's more like 2 cause this mommas done being prego! As excited as I am to meet her I'm a little panicked about having a new little one. We just have a few last minute things we need to get done before she comes. Like her room would be nice. I only have one more week of work left which is super exciting. This pregnancy has been very different this time around. Don't get my wrong I'm grateful to be pregnant and not to be on bed rest but it's a whole new ball game. I've learned a lot like;

Why do pregnant women waddle?

Now that I have a morning and night waddle I get it.

My feet and hands really are capable of swelling up like marshmallows.

Just when I thought my boobs couldn't possibly get any bigger, they can.

I've never understood why women say they get up multiple times during the night to pee.

Now that I do 3 times a night I do.

I've never experienced wanting to be done and feeling done but I get it.

~ Locks of Love ~

Today was a big day we finally cut Rylee's hair! We had been growing it out for fun but also so we could donate to locks of love. We haven't cut her hair since she was three. Rylee and her best friend Katelynn both went to get their hair cut they were so brave. Katleynn was super excited but Rylee was kind of on the fence. She wanted to and has been asking but was nervous about doing it. While the girl was cutting her hair she started to get upset. Her head was down while she was cutting the back and I could hear her sniffling. When she lifted her head and saw what she looked like in the mirror she started to cry. I was already having a hard time cutting it so I tried my best not to cry as well. Once she got it styled and cut she was a happy girl and decided she looked cute after all. She decided it's okay because she knows it will grow back. Ella is super excited to now have the longest hair. I miss her long hair but it looks much healthier now. Knowing that it's going to such a great cause makes it easier. We're glad that Katelynn could come with us this will be a great memory to have.

Before

After

Running for a reason

A few weeks ago we were able to participate in a 5k to help support a great cause. It was for a cause that was a little too close to home. My best friend Sarah's dad was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The treatments he is receiving are very costly. Sarah decided to organize a 5k in an effort to help ease the financial burden. She put a ton of work into and it turned out to be a great success. The weather was horrible that day and really that week, but just as the race started the snow stopped and didn't return until the race was over. What a relief that was considering the amount of work she had put into it. It was great to see so many people come out despite the weather. My mom and Chris's family were very supportive and they all came including his uncles family. By the way he's uncle was the second person to finish the race at almost 25 minutes. Chris and I had a bet that he couldn't complete the 5K in less than 30 minutes and he ran it in 28 minutes! Not too bad for someone who isn't a runner and never runs. I wish I had been able to participate. Better luck next year. We are grateful to our families for coming out to support us. Hopefully this is an annual event and we can celebrate a victory next year!

Sarah and her parents

Chris finishing the race

The Lange men and Facklers


Old man crossing the finish line


John beating all the other runners

~ Easter 2011 ~
Look how grown up these girls are not to mention cute! Easter is always something we look forward to, getting a new dress is just one of the highlights. I also look forward to all the fun questions like; how did the Easter bunny know where you keep our baskets, how does he get in the house, and does he poop m&m's? I'm guessing the trail of m&m's that he leaves each year to help the girls find their baskets brought up that last question. We can't wait to see what Easter has in store next year.