Summer days, slipping away!

Do you feel that? It's chilly in the morning! I'm astounded that summer is already slipping away. This summer was full of love and laughter with friends and family and is one that I will cherish.

So many exciting new things happening in our house (don't get too excited, there is no pregnancy announcement in this blog, just lots of fun pictures)...

Tim is recovering nicely from his ACL surgery and we are all hoping he will be good as new in no time.

Tim, post surgery (hence the pain killer bottle above Alexandra's head). Alexandra, with a 24 hour summer fever bug. 

We are adjusting to being a one car (truck) and motorcycle family quite nicely after our car accident. However, I do miss my van. I recently started working for BolderBand. I love the opportunity to contribute to our family all while working from home. We feel like the girls are also benefitting from having to learn that mommy is not always available right away.

LOVE my Mint Condition Lacy BolderBand. Alexandra still has the flu bug in this picture.

It's my birthday month. I have to say that I'm only 100% happy about this instead of 110%. I'm realizing that 28 is awfully close to 30. My hesitation is not age, but my happiness. I am so happy with the way things are right now that I don't want anything to change. I'm aware though that things can and I'm sure will only continue to get better as our girls get older and learn and grow. I'm loving every last minute that I have with my babies both being home with me. *Note, please note these two girls scream or fight every 10-30 minutes (30 is stretching it). Everything is not peachy all the time. I'm just learning to love all the little things and take them for what they are.

This guy. That backwards hat ... what can I say! I loved spending another summer with him. *Fun side note, my hair is 100% my own color. Hasn't been this way since I started dying it 10 years ago!

Karoline is becoming such a little person. She can speak just as well as anyone she is having a conversation with. She may not know every state or letter but I have complete confidence that she could take care of herself for an entire day or show a stranger how we do things and where everything is located in our home. Many friends have asked if she is going to pre school and the answer is simply, no. She is my baby and I refuse to give up any more time with her than I have to. We did find a sing and dance class for her that she will start in October. The class is within walking distance and will make for a nice outing. She also enjoys play dates with friends and "church school" on Sunday. She is learning letters and shapes and how to be a happy kid. We learn on the counter top, walks to the mail box and everything in-between.

Karoline learned how to make pop corn on the stove this summer! She also fought every single nap. The naps she will take until she is 5.

Alexandra is growing like a weed. Her vocabulary is sprouting just as fast. I feel like as a second child she is picking things up so quickly. I love watching her follow her sister around and pick up on her habits. I often felt we were too tough on Karoline. Now realizing that Alexandra is learning from her I am happy that we set foundation in place that we did with her and her behavior. Alexandra has become quite the eater and sleeper. I'm thankful that she's caught on so quickly to those most essential life lessons. Parenting is so much easier when you can count on a good 11-12 hours of sleep from your almost 16 month old.

Her favorite place to be... when my hip isn't an option.

Our lives are ever changing and quickly at that. When I put my girls to bed I'm happy to reflect on another day well spent with them. Our rough days are getting fewer and farther apart. We had a great summer together and for that I am so thankful. Since blogs are better with pictures here are a few more from our summer!

 We had a great weekend getaway celebrating my cousins wedding in Buena Vista to kick off the summer.

 We made the most of our zoo pass. 

 We loved getting to go with friends! 

We taught Nana and Papa to take selfies.

There were many water/pool days. 

 We blew lots of bubbles! 

 We got to spend time with our adorable niece, Anna (and her parents)...

 And our family!

And some days we just sat and watched the world go by. 

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." -John 14:27