Anna Kate is always in for a game of peek-a-boo!

We had so much fun at Sydney’s 5th birthday party on Saturday!  Noelle had a blast making new friends.  The girls were all so sweet!

Noelle and Sydney!

Anna Kate had fun playing in the back yard!  She’s sort of in la-la land – there was so much going on… she was trying to take it all in!

Noelle had a blast overcoming her fears and going down the big slide in the bounce house!  I was so proud of her!

The girls looked so cute in their matching outfits… hence another attempt at a sister picture… I promise you I won’t give up!  Not yet anyway… 🙂

We met some neighbors at the fountain for a picnic Saturday night.  I didn’t take my camera, but it was so relaxing and fun.  Loving summer!

We love you, Mikey!!!  You’re the best Daddy in the whole wide world!  Noelle and I have talked about Father’s Day all week and have been planning a special day for Mike.  When we woke up, I asked Noelle, "What do you say to Daddy?"  And instead of the rehearsed, "Happy Father’s Day!" she said, "Thank you, Daddy!"  We both thought that was the best way to say it!  🙂

Also, Happy Father’s Day to Poppa and Grandpapa!  We love you both very much!

We love you friends and had a blast, as usual, playing with you one last time before your big move to San Marcos this weekend.  We’re praying for you!!!

*LOVE* Anna Kate’s heart swimsuit!

Noelle’s face makes me laugh in this picture.  The tiny amount of water coming out from her water gun at the splash park is comical.  Lol…

Seriously, the only time Anna Kate cries is when she has to pose for a picture with Noelle… just one sister picture, please, please, ever?  (shrugging shoulders)

The Hicks boys with the Pond girls.  I’ll treasure this picture for the rest of my life!

Okay, I’m officially sad.  We’re going to miss you guys so much!  God speed!

Playtime and the golden arches! 

Hokey Pokey and can’t get enough of Malia’s dimples!

Noelle took it upon herself to "paint" her nails with markers.  Pretty creative, I’ll give her that!  She was thrilled, to say the least!

Our baby is 15 months old today!  Where has the time gone!?! 

Here’s a picture of Anna Kate with Dr. Fikkert.  Noelle told her when she walked in today that she was the most amazing doctor in the whole wide world!  And she is!

WE LOVE SUCKERS!

Anna Kate was so proud to have her first big girl sucker.  She loved it!

 

Playing peek-a-boo with me right after her appointment.

Our sweet baby is ready for her nap after shots!

And here’s a copy of her 15 month word list.  Just like Noelle, she’s saying around 35 words.  The average for her age is 3-6.  What can I say?  Our girls are vocal!!!

15 Month Word List!

Mike and I have had so much fun making a list of all of Anna Kate’s words.  Our requirements were that she has to have said the word in front of us at least twice and in context.

Mama	Dada	More	Mine
Hi!	Bye	Uh huh	No
Hello	I love you!	Eye	Uh oh!
Noelle	Thank you!	Go go!	Diaper
There ya go!	Night night	Papa	Bubble
Ball	Bow	My (Mike)	All done
Peek boo	Rara	Milk	Wow!
Cheese	Meow	Dry	Fly (Butterfly)

This weekend we went to a Luau party at the Peter’s house in Glen Rose…                   I never knew Central Texas was so beautiful… we felt like we were on a mini-vacation! This is a picture of Noelle and her friend Anna.

 

The boat was our first main attraction!  The girls loved cruising around on the grass.

 

 

The food was incredible!  Justus made amazing Hawaiian ribs and brewed his own beer.  Everything was so festive! 

The music is what transported us to Hawaii.  The steel drum band was so amazing!

This is my boat, don’t rock it, this is my boat, don’t knock it, gotta keep it afloat, gotta keep it afloat, this is my boat… lol, that was for you, Mike!  🙂

 

 

 

Sorry Anna Kate, it’s Sissy’s turn!

 

That didn’t take long!  Anna Kate hung out in the boat most of the night, until the dancing started!

                         

 

 

Home sweet home!

 

This is Anna’s cousin, Gloria.  She is the most fascinating 9 year old I’ve ever met!

Noelle took this picture of Anna.  I’m pretty impressed with her photography skills. 

 

 

 

Let the dancing begin!

 

  

 

Requesting songs from the band… starting early!  🙂

  

                   

The sunset on top of the hill was breath-taking.  We were so thankful to have had this time together.  We danced into the night with our girls and inhaled the fresh Texas breeze.  It was beautiful!

  

God is so good!

http://dooce.com/2010/06/14/newsletter-marlo-turns-one

I love Heather’s one year post about her little girl, Marlo.  I feel so many of the same things about Anna Kate (and Noelle as a big sister), but she is able to put it into words in ways I only wish I could.

Last week, when Noelle was doing her "homework" she got a little sidetracked and drew her very first "alien."  I came over to check on her work and saw this drawing and said, "Noelle, what is that?"  She looked at me like how could I not know… and said, "It’s an alien, Mom!"  And so it is.  🙂

Also, I asked her how she knew what an alien was and she just giggled, so I asked, "What is an alien?" and she said, "It’s someone who lives in space!"  Oh my!

 

We went to 3 special event story times this week.  Some were fun, some were duds.  Noelle said the pajama story time (we went to on Tues.) was boring because the books didn’t have good endings.  Oh… okay.  (she was kind of right)  🙂

              

We get creative running errands.  I had to grab one more thing out of the car and this buggy was right beside the car, so I just plopped Anna Kate in it and she got so excited that she had her very own little hide out.  Of course, once we got inside, I traded it in for the kid-friendly cart, much to both girls dismay.  Who knew? 

One day this week, we had a Hello Kitty day, and got out everything we owned that is Hello Kitty.  Noelle loves when we have themes for our pj days (more mundanely known as Mommy chore days).  Another favorite theme is when we all wear rainbows and have a rainbow day.  

Usually our routine is one day out, one day in, but this week was crazy!

Barnes and Noble had the orchestra at their story time this week.  Noelle got to help out on stage, and she was so proud.  The only bad thing was it was SO crowded that we had to view the story time in between the book shelves.

                 

Three cheers to the best husband in the whole wide world.  He babysat Noelle, Anna Kate, and Malia last night while we were at Bunco.  Mike, you are seriously so cool and amazing!  What an honor and privilege it is to be your best friend.  Thanks for our fun ladies night out!!!

Noelle’s first picture with our big camera all by herself!  (I’m ready for bed, but that’s okay because I’m so proud of her that I can’t help but sharing).  She’s getting really good at taking pictures and is wishing for her own camera now!  

Oh, our sweet baby girls!  There are so many of these pics, but I just love all of their expressions so much… and hey, that’s what this blog is for!  🙂

Oh Noelle, is it really that hard to smile!?!  🙂

Noelle and Anna Kate are totally playing together and entertaining each other these days.  Anna Kate can say Noelle now… it’s the sweetest thing.

Noelle takes pride in being the big sister and helping Mommy.  She’s a little Mommy herself.

A little too little, little sis!

…and we’re done!  Which is okay, because I am too! 

Have a great weekend, y’all!!!