O-N-E!

Atley Jane is one.  Our sweet, little baby girl turned 1 today!  She is an absolute joy.  I'm quite sure she knew today was her birthday.  She was a happy little ham all day :)!

Some things about Atley at 1:

• She "talks" all the time.
• She eats just about anything put on her tray.  Some favorites are: carrots, cheese, crackers, turkey, peanut butter sandwiches, mac & cheese and any fruit in her reach (bananas, apples, grapes, melon).
• She drinks whole milk from her sippy cup like a champ.
• She sleeps all night (most nights) from about 8pm to 7-8am.
• She crawls really fast!
• She likes to walk while pushing chairs, her push toy and anything else that will move while she walks.
• She's can let go and stand for a few seconds, but hasn't taken any steps yet.
• She has 4 teeth.
• She waves, makes kiss noises, claps, signs "more", gives mommy hugs, smiles and laughs all the time!

We waited until daddy got home from work to open presents.  Of course, her big brother and sister helped open :).

"Ooooo!"

She likes to rip paper!

The group shot attempt :)

Atley also got to watch Ethan play some football tonight!

To finish out the night, we had dinner at our neighbors to celebrate Atley and Nathan's (our neighbor) birthdays.  She enjoyed her cupcake!

Atley and Nathan

Checking it out

Getting the hang of it

Yummy!

All done :)

Happy 1st Birthday Atley Jane!  We love you so so much!  You are the perfect #3 for our family!

Ergadoozy

A couple weeks ago we decided to head to Springfield for something to do.  We knew we didn't want/need to shop, so we went to Ergadoozy.  It's an indoor "creative play" center.  We had never been before and the kids had a lot of fun.  One room had pretend play stuff (play kitchen and store), building blocks and different types of building things.  One room had a giant climbing/play structure with a big (really fast) slide.  Think McDonalds or Chick-Fil-A play place place times 10!  Jared and I even got in and climbed around!  There were a couple other rooms also.
(My pictures are terrible and blurry...sorry.  I only had my phone and the kids were moving fast!)

Nora going around the track on the hand pedal train

Ethan's turn!

Daddy and Nora on the giant slide

Atley found some things to play with too!

Trying to balance

Playing in the "crawlers corner"

Nora getting some help balancing

Daddy, Atley, Nora and Ethan- racing down the slide

Phone Dump

More and more time is passing between posts.  Sorry!  We've been keeping busy, but nothing too blog-worthy!  Enjoy some pictures from the last couple weeks.

Atley- after she woke up from a catnap in the car/on my chest :)

A couple weeks ago, our church hosted an outreach event where they brought in Real Encounter.  They are an amazing bicycle/motorcycle stunt group {who were on America's Got Talent} and also share the message of Jesus.

Ethan couldn't take his eyes off them!

Nora is always available to cheese for a picture :)

One day I heard Nora laughing and yelling for help.  This is what I found...

Stuck in a bucket

Nora Goes to Pre-School

Today was Nora's first day of 3 year old pre school.  She was so excited about going.  I don't think I saw any shred of nervousness in her.  She was also quite excited that she got to wear her school shoes!  She goes to school on Monday and Tuesday mornings.  When I told her she had to wait until next week to go back, she said "that's a bummer!'  Haha!

A new adventure for Nora D :)

Selfie with mama

Ready for school

Outside, ready to go in.

Heading down the hall to her class with her teacher.  She never looked back :).

Nora and Callynn- all smiles after school

Of course we met daddy for lunch at Culvers to celebrate!

Farewell Summer

Yesterday, Labor Day, we said goodbye to summer with a trip to the pool!  We have loved another summer spent at the Surf Club!  And we have 3 water babies!  All 3 kids love the pool and we look forward to next summer!

Ethan- playing catch with daddy

I made him stop for a picture :)

Atley loved her float this trip (not the case all summer)

Nora is ready to swim ;)!

She's so much of a daddy's girl!

The 5 of us enjoying our day.
See you next summer!

Nora's Pre-K Student Orientation

We had Nora's student orientation for her preschool on Monday.  She was so excited to go meet her teacher, Mrs. Ryan and see her class.  I know she is going to do great!  She got to play in the classroom for a while, then we did a scavenger hunt around the room, made a self portrait and played some more.  Her first day of school will be on Tuesday.  So I'll definitely have some first day photos to post :)!

Playing in the corn

Puppet station

Callynn and Nora- these 2 are such good friends.

Nora and Mrs. Ryan- she wanted to give her a hug (which doesn't surprise me a bit!)

Dr. Nora

Sitting criss cross applesauce on the carpet

She's ready to listen

A little playtime on the swing set before leaving

Friday Night Lights

The Mt. Zion JFL/Flag football teams were invited to the Mt. Zion high school football home opener.  The JFL teams paraded around the track and then made the tunnel for the high school team to run through and onto the field.  Ethan was pretty excited.  We stayed for the first half of the game and he was really into it.  It was so cute!

Walking the track

Ethan and Zach watching the game

Nora had a blast too!

Cute kid :)

At one point I told Nora to watch the cheerleaders and do what they do.  She REALLY got into it.  It was one of the cutest things I've ever seen!

Go Braves!

Ethan with some of his teammates

Some handsome boys!

11 Months

Atley Jane is 11 months old today!  We're in the final stretch to 1 with this girl.  Watching her grow and develop over the last 11 months has been pure joy!  She is (and has been) such a sweet natured baby.  Atley, we love you and can not image  our lives without you.  You are the perfect #3 for our family!

• She smiles and laughs all the time.  She certainly makes noise and talks, but she also likes to take in her surroundings and watch.
• She loves to eat all by herself.  Her favorite foods include: cheese, crackers, pasta/mac&cheese, peanut butter sandwiches, steamed carrots.
• She's down to nursing twice a day and drinks water very well from a cup.
• She usually takes 1 nap a day- after lunch.
• She goes to bed between 8-8:30pm and sleeps until 7-8am.  
• She claps, waves, nods her head yes and no, raises her eyebrows (mimicking) and points.
• She's working hard on walking behind her push toy.
• She has perfected pulling up and cruising down the furniture.
• She has 3 teeth!  The upper left central incisor finally popped through.  And the right one is close.
• She has the most adorable curls on the back of her head.  I hope they last!

We went out to the backyard for some 11 month photos this afternoon.  She just wants to crawl everywhere!

Off she goes!

She points a lot too!

Grass in the face

Look at those curls...can you see them?!

Big girl!

Atley at 11 months :)

Here's Atley a week or so ago trying to walk behind her push toy.