G = 18 months

Seriously, how did this sweet sleepy babe...

turn into this rambunctious 18 month old SO FAST?!!!!!

Miss Greichaly has added nothing but pure joy to this house over the past year and half.  Well, sure, we've had our moments, but one sweet smile and it's over... the joy is back!!

We love your fist pumps, your sweet little songs and those feisty curls.  We love the way you get excited when Dadda gets home or when Mamie comes over or when we facetime with Nana.  We love the way you wake up happy and how you are becoming such a social butterfly.  We love the way you jump right in when the boys are all wrestling and how you start dancing the minute you hear music play.   Most of all we love watching you become your own little person, a spunky little girl to be exact!

You are our little piece of sunshine!

Greichaly at 18 months:

Growing vocabulary:

• Bapple (for applesauce), Momma, Dadda, Mamie, Ner-ner (Turner), Pa-ba, boys, suit (swimsuit), side (outside), bye-bye, bagel, down, bow, hi, dog, dink (drink), my (mine), no, ya, bird, moo, baa, woof-woof, ear, nose, socks, shoes, more, peas (please), shirt, baby, bible, Ga (God), ball, book and I'm sure a few more, quite the little talker she is!

Favorite activities:

• Playing outside, bike rides, pushing babies in the stroller, climbing, running, singing, swimming, bathtime, reading books, coloring and getting into whatever her big brothers are playing with!  

Favorite foods:

• Applesauce, bagels, grapes, oranges, pineapple, graham crackers, oreos & ice cream! 

Can't imagine life without this little gal! 

Happy 18 months, Greichaly Mae, we love you to pieces!

"may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength... "

Judges 5:31

This is our prayer for you sweet girl, that one day you would grow to love the LORD and SHINE for Him!!

**Photos by Ashley Nicole!

The ((Kindergarten)) Graduate - 2012

It's hard to believe the school year has come and gone already and we now have a 1st grader in the house!!!  We are so proud of this kid.... he came a LONG way over the course of his Kindergarten year!  It was so much fun to see him make new friends, learn to read, navigate his way in and out of the school on his own, perfect his handwriting, run his first race, compete in soccer with his fellow kindergartners, create a ton of amazing pieces of artwork, and so much more!  We have so much love and appreciation for Mrs. Coler (his teacher) and the entire Lincoln Christian family!  What a blessing for him to able to attend this incredible school.  

Below are some pictures from the cutest graduation ceremony ever!

Carter with his buddy, Graham

Carter & Mrs. Coler

Way to go, Carter!!

We love you!

May's Question of the Month

Question:  Where did Greichaly get her tendency to participate in mischievous behavior from?

Answer: Guess it *might* be her mom.

Steph at age 1

Greichaly at age 1

I couldn't help but laugh when I stumbled upon Miss Greichaly and her dumped cereal today.  My mind immediately recalled the above photo of myself in the same predicament.  In fact, I had recently considered "staging" this.... guess I just needed to be patient!  ((special thanks to Mom for scouring the archives for the picture this afternoon!))

Annual Line 'em Up Photo

About this time every year during a visit from the Engel kids, I coerce the children into lining up for a photo.  This year they outgrew the red wall we had been using, so we chose a new spot.

This is a significant week to post this as it marks as last as "friends in the neighborhood".  We have been so blessed to have these dear friends within walking distance for the past FIVE years, it's hard to imagine what life is going to be like without them on the other side of the park.  BUT, no fear the line-up pictures will go on.... as long as I'm alive anyway!!!  AND, more importantly the friendships we made and cherish (and so many wonderful memories) will go on forever!!!

" A friend loves at all times."  Prov. 17:17

2012 

2012 

2011

2010

2009

Nothing but love for the Engel family!
xo,
Steph

April's Question of the Month

Question:  Where did Greichaly get her curls?

Answer: Definitely from her daddy!

Todd at 15 months

Greichaly at 15 months

Birthday #6

Hard to believe it's been six years since I first laid eyes on this sweet boy.  It was love in an instant.  Today, he's grown into a full-blown mini-me.  Sometimes this is a true joy, sometimes a little bit of torture (the non-stop talking part!).  

To my dear Carter, I love the way you explore the world around you and leave no stone unearthed.  I love your passion.  I love the way seize a task and give it your all.  I am trying to cherish the fact that you cannot stand to be alone in a room for more than 2 minutes.  I love seeing you interact with people, you are beginning to shine in such a unique way.  I love hearing you sing.  Even more, I love it when you laugh.  I am learning to appreciate the fact that you forget nothing.  I love that you are my biggest helper and often remind me of things I have forgotten.  I love watching you love on your little brother and your baby sister, you are indeed the best big brother ever.  I am settling into the role of referee and helping you boys learn to "play nice".  I love your smile.  I love it when you act tough even when I know you are hurting.  I love the way you love to make other people laugh.  I love that you think your daddy is the funniest guy in the whole world.  I love that your heart is softening and you are seeking to do the right thing.  I love the way you handle your allergies so matter-of-factly and don't let them slow you down.  

You, my son, have taught Daddy & I so much in your short six years of life and we can't wait to see God's plans for you.  Keep seeking Him and His Word daily and you will find much joy.

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." 

James 1:2-3

You are a true gift from God and we love you so much.

Love,
Mom

aka Steph 

A taste of paradise....

Thanks to our amazing parents who agreed to keep the kiddos for us, Todd & I were able to sneak off to  Cancun, Mexico with our dear friends, Tyler & Leslie, to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversaries (ours was 1/5/12, theirs was 8/4/11.  It was definitely a taste of paradise... no laundry, no cooking, no changing diapers, SUNSHINE, beaches, waves, friends, food, fun, laughs, adult conversation, adventure.... we feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to go!  

THANK YOU, THANK YOU Mom & Dad, Don & Jeannie for making it possible!!!

We are all ready to book another one.... who wants in?!
(also taking kid-keeping reservations for that trip!)
Steph