This picture just makes me laugh… all I have to say about Anna Kate is “Bless her heart!”  I love my fam!

Thank you Mrs. Peggy for making this such a special night!  Chick-fil-A had their Daddy/Daughter Date Night last weekend, and Mrs. Peggy went all out with a red carpet, a violinist playing Disney princess songs, roses for the girls, a goody bag with crafts and colors for the table, waiters with table ordering, free dessert, coupons, and to top it all off a special glass heart necklace with a silver chain for the girls as a keepsake from the night.  Anyone was invited to come, you just had to make reservations beforehand.  This was such a treat!

Someone’s turning 1 in 4 days!!!

The world is more colorful with Noelle in it!

Our Texas weather was awesome last week… 70s… we’ll take it!  We played outside every single day, and there were little girls (and a couple of really lucky boys) every where!!!  Some evenings on our street, everyone is outside: walking their dogs, checking their mail, riding their bikes… this night was one of those nights.  We all congregated and talked til the sun went down, and as we were heading inside Mike said, “Bye neighborhood!” because it felt like the everyone had been there.  We have something so special living this close to so many great kids (and families), and it feels so good to be home!

Mike’s Grandma, Mattie Ruth, made a peaceful journey to her heavenly home this morning.  We will all miss her very much! 

*This is Mike’s favorite picture of Grandma with baby Noelle on 3/08/07.

On the way home today, I asked Anna Kate who Jesus is.  She immediately began to go into story mode (she LOVES telling stories).  “Joseph and Mary took care of Jesus and he had blue covers.  They have beautiful hearts Mom, and we have beautiful hearts too.  Jesus is like a flower that’s not cut yet.”  I love the candidness of toddlers, how they just speak whatever they are feeling deep down.

Noelle overheard Mike and me talking about how we need to go on a date, so she made us this little set-up in the dining room on Saturday night.  Earlier in the night, she came in my room and asked me if she could trace my hand and I said, “Sure!” but didn’t know what she was doing.  Later on, she asked me what Daddy’s favorite kind of ice cream was.  I told her but didn’t think much of it.  And then she got Mike and me together and made us hold hands, close our eyes, and took us into the dining room where we found this waiting for us!  She is the most thoughtful little kid in the world!!!  Love you, Noelle bug!