makayla brynn is 4

Our sweet girl is 4! She was so incredibly excited about her birthday this year, and she let everyone know that it was her day and that she was a big girl! We had a sweet, little party for her at home with some of our family. She ate up all the attention this time, which was fun to watch!

My sweet baby girl,

I'm not really sure why you think that you can keep growing up so quickly on us, but you most definitely have!  I blinked, and somehow four years have passed and you've become a beautiful little girl.  You have done so much growing and changing over this last year, and your toddler ways are a thing of the past.  You are very independent and sure of yourself, and more often than not, if you think you can do something, then you can and you will.

You are very funny and you know it.  You know that you can always make us smile and laugh, and you are not afraid to laugh at yourself.

You are ridiculously smart, and you pick up on absolutely everything.  You are always surprising us with the things that you say.  And speaking of things you say.....you have a lot to say!  You are constantly talking.  Constantly.  It is (mostly) a lot of fun to listen to you.  You don't even need someone to talk with you, you just need to talk.

You are also incredibly friendly.  You will strike up a conversation with anyone, anytime, anywhere.

You and Caleb have really become the best of friends this year.  The two of you went through a fighting phase, but that has passed - thank you, Lord! - and now, you all really love to play together.  You both look out for each other, and help each other, and it's been pretty awesome for your daddy and I to watch.

You still adore your daddy!  When he is at work, you are always asking me when his next day off will be.  You and Caleb both count the days until he is able to be home with us.  Everything he does is better, bigger, and more fun as far as you're concerned!

I adore you, sweet girl, and I am so glad that you and I get to spend so much time together.  The two of us are rarely apart, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am so grateful for you and for your sweet spirit, and that God chose me to be your mommy.

I love you bunches and bunches, forever and ever, for always and always.

Love,

Mommy

it's the great pumpkin patch visit

As soon as fall came around this year, Caleb started asking when we would be going to the pumpkin patch.  I love that he was looking forward to it, and that he knows that this is one of our family traditions.  It's always been one of our favorite things to do as a family, and this year was no exception.  It was a pretty warm day, so we packed a picnic lunch and ate right next to the pond.  The kids kept saying it was the best day ever, which is always nice to hear!

Also, I just looked back at last year's post and realized how much they've grown since then.  Those growth chart pictures just put it all into perspective!  

Slow down, time!

halloween 2014

Well, we may have chosen the wrong year to represent the Titans.....those guys just can't seem to get it together.  But we had a blast anyways, and these kiddos of ours were pretty darn cute!  Halloween night was COLD, but we all got layered up and still had a great time trick-or-treating.  We ended the night back at my parent's house like we always do.  The kids sat down in front of the fire and went through their candy, and we all had yummy chili and cornbread for dinner.  It was the perfect fall night!

Go team!