Sweet and Sassy!

I have recently learned that children don't give you too much trouble until it is too late and you have already found out you are having another one. Yep, that's right...Aliyah is trouble and also going to be a big sister. We are due in January and are very excited! Things have gone well with this pregnancy and we are very grateful for that.

Aliyah has becoming quite the sassy little toddler. We can't help but smile sometimes when she gets into trouble because she gives us this innocent look that makes us forget how upset we were. She has a great talent of being overly cute!

(how can you get upset with this face even when she took one bite from many breadsticks?)

No matter the struggles with a tantrum throwing toddler, I am so grateful for her and our growing baby. I couldn't think of a better job in life than raising children and watching them learn. Aliyah has become quite the talker lately and loves praying on her own. Granted it is a short and repetitive prayer, but it cute nonetheless. She is constantly reminding us to pray when she is ready for bed. One day she got her teeth brushed and pj's on and said, "Pray?" and folding her arms began her sweet prayer. I am grateful for her good example for our family. Aliyah is a great blessing to us and we can't wait for this new blessing to arrive.

Aliyah can also "read" some of our books all the way through, sings many words from familiar songs (loves leading the music as well), and always surprises us with a new word.

I just love being a mom!

Missing Hannah!

We had my sister, Hannah, here with us for three weeks. We packed those three weeks going swimming, to the zoo, the county fair, hiking around waterfalls, playing at a splashpark, sewing a few projects, mini golfing, shopping and going to the movies. We had a great time while she was here and I was so grateful for her occupying Aliyah while I got a few things done.

Of course, I didn't take my camera with us everywhere, but I did get a few pictures in there.

Taking a nice hike to the waterfalls!




Waiting for the petting zoo to open at the county fair. That is really all we went for anyway and Aliyah loved it. Although, she didn't like the goats trying to eat her pants.




Aliyah now loves llamas. Let's hope she doesn't ask for a pet llama when she grows up!


Practicing her golfing swing.


We had Nicole (she is basically part of our family) come hang out with us for miniature golfing and lunch. She and Hannah got along really well, and I think Hannah enjoyed playing with someone her age that didn't always have to take a nap each day.


Hanging around the elephants at the zoo.


Honestly, I can't remember what type of animal this is, but Aliyah was taken with it. It kept reaching out to get some grapes from an animal trainer and Aliyah thought it wanted to be held because she yelled out, "Hold you?" So cute!


Getting together with her kind. I am sure she would be in heaven living with the monkeys. This gorilla wasn't too sure of her though.


Isn't he adorable? Just the sweetest little creature of the zoo, I'd say.


We sure miss having Hannah with us. The few days following Hannah leaving, Aliyah kept asking for her and wondering where she went. Thanks for putting up with us Hannah, and if anyone else needs an adventure they are welcome to come visit us!