"Girlfriend day"...

Ok...so once every few weeks I try to take 1 whole day and make it all about fun. I do this to keep myself in check. I'm like every other mom in the world...I get so wrapped up in everything else around me, that I sometimes forget that she just wants my undivided attention...even if it's only for a few moments. My point?.........

I needed to set aside some time...just for my baby girl.

Lilee calls it "girlfriend day". She gets to plan the entire day...and yes, I sometimes end up asking myself "what was I thinking?". I was entirely unaware of the time that had passed since the last girlfriend day until my little one said "Mom (that's right...she thinks she's so big she can call me mom now!)...anyways...she said, "Mom, we need to have a girlfriend day today...but...can we have one right now pleeeeeeease!!" My mind went back to last week...I promised her we would plan to have our day on Monday. Well, Monday came and went...and I didn't even realize that I had forgotten. So...I stopped what I was doing, picked her up and said..."Ya know what, your right. What would you like to do today?" And even though the day was half over...she didn't care. "Lets put make-up on! Ok, I'll put make-up on me and then I'll put make-up on you!"

Consequently...Lilee got to have "girlfriend day" with Mom...and Mom realized how important it is to keep her promises.

(***Of all the career paths she will one day attempt...I think I'm safe in assuming "Make-up Artist" should not be one of them. If Lilee could paint the whole world, this is what we would all look like!)

Hunter's 11 !!

Happy 11th birthday, Hunter!...your growing up so fast!

We love you sooooo much!!

From...Dad, Katie, and Lilee

***Before you click PLAY...Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click "PAUSE" to stop the music that's playing.

Go figure!!

When you tell a man..."Babe, it's Father's Day...do what ever makes you happy", be prepared to be taken literally...not metaphorically.

Nuf said...

One special Daddy...

For the past 3 years, I've watched the same "6:00 ritual". She hears your truck pull in the driveway…”My Daddy’s home!!!”…she tip-toe’s around trying to find the perfect hiding spot. Waiting…giggling…she covers her mouth in order to hold in the excitement. Even before you’ve opened the door, she’s running with arms wide open. At that moment…I stop and take a breath, realizing these are the special times…I’ll remember forever. As she jumps into your arms…I watch you scoop her up with a smile from ear to ear. Funny how I never get tired of watching that same moment over and over again. You are to her, someone who can do no wrong…and I love it. I love that you devote your entire evening to her…even after working since 4:30 in the morning. You’re never too tired, never impatient, never harsh…always exactly want she needs her daddy to be. Each night, the three of us sit at the foot of her bed…and this is the moment I cherish most. We say our prayers together…I kiss her goodnight and walk out of her room. I often stand around the corner, and quietly watched you turn on her night-light, pull down the shade, tuck her in and steal one last kiss…I love that you’re the last person she sees before she falls asleep. Never could I have imagined what a wonderful father you would be. I thought I knew everything there was to know about you…until the day I watched you hold our baby girl for the first time. I saw a whole different side of you. I wish I could say with words what I felt at the moment...it's impossible to express. That same feeling...that same breath-taking emotion...I've seen that side of you everyday since the day she was born. It's your voice, your words, your heart. It's the little things, silly things, when you don't know I'm watching...like when she wants you to dance with her...my heart melts. The goofy sayings she picks up from you...like, "oops, that was a mouse on a motorcycle!"...(thank goodness we're the only ones that know what that means!). I feel blessed to have you as my husband. You work very hard, giving me the opportunity to stay home with her...you sacrifice your own wants and needs to provide for your family... and don't ever ask for anything in return. For that, I admire you. You’ve always been kind and loving, but throughout the past 3 years…you far exceeded any expectation of a father I ever had. That’s what makes me love you more and more each day…as a husband, as a man, as a daddy. Happy fathers day babe. I love you.

Day at Nana & Papa's...

I loaded all 3 kids up today...Easton, Lilee, and Hunter... ...and took them to visit Nana and Papa.

Nana and Papa just loooooove having the kids come to their house!

Nana filled up the little pool...and I forgot to bring Lilee's bathing suit (oops!)...

but she didn't care!

As you can see, she stripped down anyways!

Hunter ended up taking over Lilee's Barbie Motor Car...and had a little too much fun on it...

and Easton was just his adorable self...laughing and trying to talk.

Easton stole Nana's heart with his smiles...

...he already knows how to impress the ladies!

***See the rest of the pics by clicking below...

Day at Nana & Papa's

Just wanted to say thanks...

To... Gramee & Papa, Nana & Papa (College), Big Bother Hunter, MiMi, Jake, & Easton, MiMi & Jansen, Nana & Papa (Atkinson), Dee Dee, Abby, & Grant, and Beth & Terry...

...(whew, I think that's everyone!) Just a quick "thank you" to all the fam for taking time out for Lilee on Saturday night. Knowing how busy everyone is...it meant the world to us to see so many of our family there...ready and willing to cheer Lilee on. Brian and I appreciate (more than you could know) all of you showing our baby girl your support! ***(FYI)***There were so many of us...I think we broke the record for family in attendence! When people start complaining about the number of seats we had taken...you know there must be a lot of us!!! Thanks again...love you all!