Tuesday, February 8, 2011

My Summer List

It always seems to happen right around this time of year for me. The snow is piled high outside my window, I haven't seen green trees, grass, or flowers in months, it is so cold that I have to wear socks ;), and I just can't take it anymore. I start counting the days until summer. I start planning out what my garden will look like and what new flowers I want to try this year. I start to look back at old pictures of summer. Yes, I have extreme spring/summer fever, and I want the winter to end. I hear that we are supposed to reach a high temperature of 39 degrees this weekend, and I hope it melts the snow in vast quantities. While my husband is wishing for one more big snowfall so he can ride the snowmobile again, I am dreaming of sandy beaches and long days spent outside with the kids.

I realize that some of you are thinking that I should not wish time away. It passes too quickly, I know, and my babies are growing faster than I could have ever imagined. I suppose that is why I decided to make my summer list. I am going to try my hardest to enjoy the last few weeks of winter while dreaming about how I will enjoy my summer to the fullest. So here it is, my list of things I hope to do this summer.

1. Play outside with my kids every chance possible and enjoy every second with them to the fullest. I want to take them on picnics, camping, swimming, and lots of exploring.

2. Go to the beach. I'm hoping to take the kids on several day trips to St. Joseph where we can enjoy the sand and sun and a ride on the carousel. Maybe we will even get a chance to watch the sailboats.

3. Wake up early and enjoy the sunrise.



4. Take the time to really enjoy God's beautiful creation and take a lot of pictures.



5. Spend time watching the local farmers plant, grow, and harvest.


6. Expand my garden a bit from last year and spend a lot of time in it.


7. Run outside in the mornings and relish the fact that my kids are still small enough to take along in the jogging stroller, instead of wishing for the days when I used to be able to run alone.



8. Spend time with friends and family that I don't see often enough during the winter.
9. Plan a weekend away with my husband to celebrate our seventh anniversary. It has been years since we have actually celebrated, and I want this to be the year that we make/take the time to get away.
10. Have bonfires in the back yard and spend time stargazing.




Friday, February 4, 2011

A Few More New Pictures

Here are a few more pictures from our latest little photo shoot. I just love it when I get both kids smiling and looking. I am hoping to post again soon to let you know what we have been up to during January. Until then, have a great weekend :).


Thursday, February 3, 2011

Maggie is Eighteen Months

Guess who is eighteen months old already! Can you believe it? I know I can't. How has my tiny baby gotten so big already? It is almost impossible for me to believe that a year and a half has passed since we brought Maggie home. She has become quite the sweet little darling, and we LOVE her so much.
She is getting so big and smart. Recently she has started to name almost all of her shapes, she knows two colors now (red and blue), she knows two of her letters (O and M), and she is talking in phrases. She isn't quite using full sentences yet, but she has started to put three and four word phrases together. It is adorable how she loves to do everything her big brother is doing. She loves taking care of and loving her babies. She also loves to pretend read.
My favorite thing is that she uses her manners all the time. She says thank you, excuse me, and please. I am convinced that this must just be a girl thing, but I am loving it. Here are a few fun shots of her in her tutu. :)