So, at our church, we always eat dinner together.  It’s no secret that I don’t like to cook, and since it’s potluck, sometimes, let’s just say, I get shown up.  Those of you who go to our church, know exactly what I’m talking about.  Long story short, one week I bring cheesecake with strawberry topping (from Costco) and Nick brings homemade cheesecake (giving him the nickname “Homemade Nick,” sorry Nick, it’s stickin’).  The next week, I bring brownies and even sprinkle them with powdered sugar but oh no!  AK brings brownies with a layer of oreos and a layer of cookie dough… what are the odds someone would bring the EXACT same dessert (only better) the last two times!  Trust me, it’s way funnier if you were there when I was being shown up… pretty hysterical.

Anyway, this week we were supposed to bring a food that started with the first letter of our name.  So, Mike got all fancy with the double “M”s… if we weren’t going to win the fancy shmancy food award, we at least got the double initial award (which counts for something).  Top that Betty Crocker Kitchens! (I just said that because Noelle and Anna Kate watch that EVERY day and are obsessed with how-to cooking videos… I guess I need to be too, oh snap!)

*What makes these cookies Homestyle anyway?  We were cracking up when we read that on the label.  And the rest of the story is… our store bought “Homestyle” cookies were SO good!

Bailey had his tonsils and adenoids removed last week, and although the day was so difficult, he handled the surgery like a champ!

Noelle sent him a pencil box, stickers, and a get well card that looks like it did the trick (put a sweet smile on his face)!  Please keep praying for Bailey as he recovers.  His throat is still very sore, and it is hard for him to talk!  And oh my goodness, do we ever miss Sadie bug!!!  She sent this picture to Anna Kate, and Anna Kate has been tickled about her bumble bee buddy all night and keeps asking to see it over and over!!! *Love you guys!

Baby Rose (11 months) and Anna Kate (2 years 10 months)

Baby Anna Kate (8 months) and Noelle (3 years 8 months)

I love comparing the girls in matching outfits… I can really see how their personalities are different too because I remember their demeanor when taking these pictures.  Baby Anna Kate was content to just sit there and smile and baby Rose was on the go!  Big sister Noelle was not really interested in taking pictures and was doing it for a bribe, and big sister Anna Kate was just standing there smiling just like she did when she was a baby.  Noelle and Rose’s personalities seem to be the most similar, but of course, they are all unique in their own little ways!

Noelle did an awesome job learning all about penguins for her first school project!  Mike and I had fun helping her and actually learned a lot about penguins too!  The footage from the video above was taken on our trip to Sea World in 2010.  Noelle is so proud of her penguin project!!!

“I wish that the world would just keep spinning and no one would ever die. Wouldn’t that be cool?”  ~Noelle

This is what a girl dad does with his daughters to appease the little boy within!

Hope you are enjoying your day of rest!

                               She can’t help it!  God love her.