Birthday Party

The "Official Birthday Day" came around and we threw together a party for Carolyn with a big group of our IL friends. Carolyn had a fantastic time and loved playing with all of the kids who were tehre. She was also spoiled silly.



Opening presents.



Blowing out the candles.



Eating Cake.

I'm still amazed that she is two. She's just a ball of fire and changes more every day. I love being able to carry on actual conversations with her now--mostly about "Nemo," but that's ok too. Her vibrance and enthusiasm for life challenge me, and her innate compassion and care for others are incredible--as well as her honestly-come-by stubborness. What a special, special little girl my Carolyn is!

*My* favorite part of the evening was having a good group of my high school friends together. We caught up, we reminisced, we laughed til we peed our pants just like we always used to... It was fantastic!

Here are all of us girls with our respective urchins. (Don't worry Lauren, we'll gather again when you're ready for an urchin photo, too! But take your time. :))

A Visit with Great-Grandma and Just Hanging Around

We had a good time while back in IL and got to show Carolyn some of Mama's old haunts. More importantly, we got to spend a little time with my Grandma H.--Carolyn's Great-Grandma.



Great-Grandma and us.




Watching the cows.



Walking up the lane.



Sitting on the tires.

The Wedding

Dad and Shari's wedding and reception all went off fabulously. The ceremony was beautiful (and short and sweet. I was thankful for this as I am after all, pregnant, and I was standing up on the altar which has no rails and... well... fainting would have been bad ;)), and the reception was fun for all. Here are the few photos I managed to snap amidst all of the busyness.



Carolyn and Pa-pa Duck.



Walking out to the church bells ringing.



The mandatory crossing of the threshold shot.



Post-wedding nap.



Cutting the cake



Stealing a Kiss.



Carolyn guzzling a drink from the bar--a pineapple juice straight-up.

The 'Sibling Visit.'

After all the wedding festivities on Saturday, we headed over to Andy's sister's house for a get together with his brothers and sister and their families.



Carolyn and Wes getting into trouble together.



More trouble



Carolyn met Baby Gracie for the first time ever.... And was of course in love (As am I!)



Andy Tinkering



Brock Tinkering... A technical mind runs in the family... but it doesn't always manifest itself in the same ways. ;)



Brock and Quincy



Connect 4 Toddler Style



Crystal--AKA: Julia Childs



Gracie



Ok--So this is how we Sister-in-laws bond in our family.... Familial ultrasounds--you don't get better than that!



All the girls



The siblings

(Special Thank Yous to Brad for sharing his fabulous photos with us!).

Early Birthday and Big Girl Bed

Well, I'm not sure how this happened, but Carolyn will turn 2 on Wednesday. We'll be in IL, and we're planning a celebration there, but we just had to spoil her a little on our own.

As such we went to Dairy Queen today. Andy and I split french fries and watched Carolyn down a chocolate shake. She REALLY likes chocolate shakes. And she REALLY likes it when people sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Then we came home, and Carolyn opened a few presents. She got an Eric Carle Very Hungry Caterpillar comforter, and of course, the book too.

On top of that, I must report that Carolyn has made a full transition to a big girl bed.... In fact, once she saw it in the room and understood that it was hers the crib was a thing to be avoided. Good thing since she can crawl out, now.....

Here are the photos:



She got to this point and said, "Oh! A book!!!!"



Rip!



More ripping!



Taking a good look at the new comforter.



Brand new bedding on... The big girl bed!



Where'd she go???



Reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar in The Very Hungry Caterpillar bed!