Happy 1st Birthday Caroline!

Memorial Day Weekend - The Cabin

Hanging out on Papa's swing. 

Delicious, sticky, and gooey s'mores

Sleeping Bear Dunes

First time putt putt golfing

So excited!

Lauren's perseverance paid off during her game of putt putt.

Fun with the Brown girls too

Fun at the Botanic Gardens

"Giddy-up, here we go."  Annie kept saying this over and over while pulling Lauren in the wagon.

A passerby was kind enough to take our photo.  It's rare that I ever get in the photos with all three girls, so I was very appreciative of her offer.

We hung out on the blanket for a while just taking in all the sights and sounds.

Sitting Up and Showing Off My Bottom Two Teeth

Caroline at 9 Months

Best Surprise EVER!

Just over a week ago, Aunt Stephie surprised the girls and I and came for a weekend visit.  (Geoff was in on the surprise, as his job was to pick Steph up from the airport)  What a wonderful time we had!!!

I was moping around all day because all I wanted to do was take the girls and go to an indoor water park.  Geoff kept telling me it just wasn't going to work out and needless to say, I was quite frustrated!  He had plans to meet some friends later in the evening (or so I thought) and I was glad to have some alone time. I must say though,  I was a bit startled when Geoff arrived home and I heard a ladies' voice with him!  I slowly got up off the couch as Geoff said, "Look who I brought home."  When I realized it was Steph my eyes almost popped out of my head and I ran over to give her the biggest hug ever.  I was soooooo surprised!

After a very late night, or I should say early morning (3am bedtime) we did head to the indoor water park Friday morning and had so much fun!

Hanson Family ready for the adventure

Aunt Stephie hanging out with Caroline

While Annie napped, Aunt Stephie played games and colored with Lauren.

Back at the water park.   Guess they don't call it the lazy river for nothing - riding in the tube put Caroline right to sleep.

Annie, Lauren and Geoff LOVED going down all the slides and splashing at the bottom.  Annie must have gone up and down numerous slides at least 100 times!  Lauren loved being able to have her own tube in the lazy river and travel around by herself.  Caroline enjoyed sitting in the zero depth section and playing in the little fountains.  Steph, Geoff, and I were like little kids enjoying this adventure too.

On Saturday we headed back home and Steph and Geoff took Annie to Little Diggers, while Lauren had a friend over to play.  Steph and I got away for a little afternoon shopping trip.  Then it was church, dinner, more playtime, and a performance by Lauren and Annie before bed.

Aunt Stephie did such a great job of spending time equally with all three girls!

Lauren and Aunt Stephie had a sleepover in Lauren's room before the 6am alarm came way too quickly.  As we were driving Steph to the airport we both commented on how it felt like she just arrived.  What a wonderful time everyone had!  Everyone sure missed Aunt Stephie around here this past week, but I know we will all look back at her surprise trip with very fond memories.  Please come back again soon, Aunt Stephie!  

Happy Easter 2013

Not only did the Easter bunny drop off some chocolate bunnies for Lauren and Annie and a stuffed giraffe for Caroline, but these really exciting chairs for the girls too.

Lauren showing off her Easter dress, headband, and shoes.

Annie was so proud to hold Caroline all by herself.  Caroline looks pretty excited too.

The Hanson family right before we left for church.  Not only were all three girls fantastic during church, Lauren and Annie decided to play church at home on Monday.  Listening to their observations and interpretations of church was quite cute while I made dinner.

It was warm enough in the later afternoon so we took a walk.  Annie LOVES wearing those blue glasses and her Elmo vest.  Notice how she has the vest on over another jacket.

Caroline was thrilled to be in a regular stroller and out of her car seat.

Happy Easter 2013!

Silly Faces and Dress Up

Silly girls!

Lovin' her ice cream

Annie's favorite outfit these days.

Even when Annie's watching basketball with Daddy, she takes time to show off her funny face.

Showing off her new hat, sunglasses and baby from Aunt Doofus.

Snowy Days in March

So happy to be out in the fresh air, especially on such a warm and sunny winter morning.

My sisters tell me how much fun reading is, so I thought I would give it a try.

Sitting up gives me a whole new perspective when playing with my toys.

We had so much fun having a tea party with cookies and cupcakes with lots of colorful sprinkles in our snow house.

The girls were so proud of "Frosty Snowman" while he was still around.  

One of Lauren's entries in her first art fair; bird's eye view of a snowman. 

One happy little 6 month old

Quick update:

Lauren - A "post office" in her preschool classroom inspired her to practice her ABCs by writing real letters.  She continues to gain new skills and techniques in swim class and is so excited on Tuesday afternoons when it's her turn to go to music class with her friend, Bella.

Annie - Doing everything by herself, including getting dressed (even her snowpants) is how Annie likes to spend her days.  She has also decided she likes to go potty on the potty.  That's been interesting! Storytime at the library on Thursdays has been a great addition to our time together.

Caroline - Caroline loves the social interactions while sitting in her highchair and eating lunch and dinner with the family now.  She has mastered the art of rolling over and LOVES putting all her toys, toes, and socks in her mouth.  Smiling continues to be her favorite hobby.

Finally some SNOW!

Our January was full of playdates, birthday parties, craft projects and finally some SNOW!  One Saturday morning while Lauren was at a birthday party and Caroline was napping, Annie and I had a chance to get outside and explore the snow.

Annie LOVED eating the snow.  She sat in the sled for a very long time just picking up snow on her "mitts" (as she calls her mittens) and eating it.

Just the perfect amount of snow to make snow angels.

There came a point when Annie enjoyed pulling the empty sled more than riding in it.  Now, if she only could have pulled Mommy around, that would have been a great moment of rest!

Even the Big Wheel from Silly Aunt Debbie had a chance to come and play in the snow.  

Annie holds Caroline for the first time

I love the look of uncertainty, yet pride in Annie's face.

5 Months Already?

We love our smiley Sweet Caroline!

December Celebrations

Our December started with exciting birthday celebrations for Annie, Papa, and Daddy.  The next few weeks were filled with enjoyable Christmas activities such as a family Advent Wreath celebration at Lauren's school, christmas cookie decorating, delivering gifts to our neighbors, enjoying Christmas lights while driving around, checking out the Christmas train at the Botanic Gardens, celebrating at Lauren's school Christmas party, and watching Charlie Brown and The Polar Express too many times to count.  Here are a few photos of more Christmas festivities.

Our tree was so big this year Lauren had to climb on Geoff's shoulders to put the star on the top.

After Lauren and Daddy placed the star on top, Annie helped Daddy adjust it.

So excited to visit Santa, even though Annie wouldn't get any closer than this.   

Caroline slept through her first Polar Express train trip.

Can't believe Lauren was 3 months old when we started this tradition.

As always, watching out the window was just as much fun and listening to Daddy read The Polar Express.

After all this excitement, we still had the week of Christmas to come.  Seeing so many family members at Jake and Kaitlin's wedding, as well as spending Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa and then a few days up at Mammie and Papa's cabin rounded out our December.  What a festive and whirlwind month it was!