Monday, October 21, 2013

Fall Break 2013 ~ McCormick's Creek

Last weekend was the girls' fall break from school. We enjoyed a perfect fall weekend camping with our friends at McCormick's Creek State Park.

Friday
These girls are best friends (and cousins ;)).
My sweeties
(Excuse the picture quality. Taken on my phone at dusk.)

Saturday
On a scavenger hunt

Headed down to the creek

The water was just a tad bit cold. ;)
Brynna's 1st time climbing the falls!
Screen time after a long day :)
 Sunday
At the top of the fire tower

We wore them out.
That afternoon, we took a drive out in the country to find Porter Ridge.  If you haven't seen the show, you will think we're crazy. Actually, if you HAVE seen the show, you will think we are crazy. :)
Perfect timing- Terry pulled up on his motorcycle while we were there. The girls said, "We can't believe we met a celebrity!" ha!




Monday
Ready. Set...
Jump!
Little sister may be camping in the woods, but she still does her princess wave! :)

One of my favorite moments from the whole trip, probably because it's nice to know others are thinking about our baby in China too...  We were walking one evening and since Addie hasn't had her birthday yet this year, I commented that our girls are 9, 9, 7, 5, and 3 right now and teased the girls about being "odd."  Krista said, "and 1."  ♥  Our little girl probably is one...and waiting on her forever family. Lots has been happening that we haven't shared on the blog. This adoption has been quite different than our journey to Brielle but thankfully, we trust His timing and not our own.  One of these days when we hold our baby in our arms, it will all make sense. In the meantime, we are pretty excited about going to Disney and celebrating the holidays with our 3 blessings at home. We know this extra time as the "baby" of the family is good for Brielle and her bonding. It is the sweetest thing to hear her pray for her "baby in China."

Friday, October 18, 2013

Tooth Fairy & How to Kill a Pig {glimpses of the girls' personalities}

The day after Brynna's birthday, she pulled her first tooth!  It was so "Brynna" too. She had already gone to bed and a little while later, came calmly walking into the kitchen to say she had pulled her tooth. Braylee would have been dramatic and all about the blood and the whole house would have known. :) 

She was super excited about her first visit from the tooth fairy!

The next day was Braylee's birthday. After church and celebrating with the grandparents, Braylee decided she wanted to go to a nearby lake to explore. This is so "Braylee." She LOVES playing in the woods and investigating. Brynna is more the girly girl who doesn't want to get dirty or sweat.
She loved playing with the beads of water on the lily pads.

That night, Brynna pulled her 2nd tooth!
The next day, I had to take Braylee to the dentist because she had a tooth abscess. They weren't able to save the tooth, so it was 3 nights in a row for tooth fairy duty at my house!

Excited for gymnastics

On Brielle's birthday, we took the girls bowling.

Time with cousins Liam & Ella.  I think Ella may be Brielle's favorite playmate. ♥

In Brynna's homework packet, she was supposed to journal and draw a picture about how animals help people. I suggested how dog's can be companions or seeing-eye dogs. Brynna assured me she already had an answer and didn't need my help. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw her work!  It says, "Cows provide milk. Pigs provide meat." When I asked her about the pictures, she said, "That's me on a horse but I messed up the head and that's me killing a pig!" Oh my!!  If you look closely, you can even see where she wrote "wack" beside her hand. If we didn't grow up around a farm, I would have been worried. ha! Later, she told me she couldn't bare to look at it anymore. She just couldn't bare to see herself killing the pig. :)

Sweet & Sassy

On Brielle's birthday, she wore a special new dress to church.  Brielle is full of poses when the camera comes out. Sometimes I have to ask her to just "stand normal." :)
My favorite was the very last one.
I love her personality.