Happy Halloween!

We had a great time today with friends and family! We went to our friend's neighborhood for a Halloween parade, which ended with a pizza party in a culdasack. From there we went trick or treating....Grace was acting like it was the best day of her life! She'd run up to a house, say "trick" or "treat" (never both at once), then come back to us yelling, "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" And then on to the next house! Ella was a monkey (Grace's from last year) and Grace was a ballerina (tutu compliments of our friend Becky), then switched into her full bodied cat suit as it got colder. Having little kids around makes life (and holidays) so much better! Grace and Ella's innocent joy about the littlest things is so contagious! We're so thankful for our two little blessings from above!



Enjoying the "treats" before the trick or treating even began!


In the parade


Best Buddies!

MEOW!!!


She would have done this all night!

Time With Friends

Recently we took the girls kayaking for the first time with our friends (and newlyweds) Reed and Kelsey. It was Nate's idea to go, and I love him for trying to find "adventures" we can all do together as a family. Our little outing on the lake wasn't quite like the river kayaking he's done in the past...

This week we took a quick trip (left early morning, returned late night) to see our friends Corey, Danielle, and their two girls (with one more on the way!)who recently moved to Roanoke, VA. While they were in Raleigh we hung out quite often so it was a fun reunion for us all. We really miss their friendship and hope to make the 3 hour trip again sometime soon!

Right now we're outside a lot enjoying the beautiful fall (80 degrees) weather, in the process of remodeling one of our duplexes, planning a pumpkin carving party for our neighborhood, and loving the fun, but very busy, stages that the girls are in. Enjoy the pictures!

Workin' Hard....

Nate and I have been really busy lately painting and remodeling-acquiring some new properties and having a tenant move out has kept us working hard! This week we brought the girls to an apartment (along with the baby gate, a bin of toys, and the pack n play) and would gate them in a room while we painted. It sounds worse than it really was, they do a great job of playing together. This video cracks me up...the girls discovered the kitchen cabinets while Nate is totally focused on getting the job done!

Happy Birthday Grace!

Grace turned 2 on August 10th, and we still can't believe it! Our baby is turning into a little girl! Grace is an absolute joy in our lives-she has the greatest personality and loves being around people. I don't know what we did without her! We had a party for her at a local park and though she may not have been too sure what was going on, she definitely loved the cupcakes and all the presents!




Trying out her Mrs. Potato head pieces


Yummy cupcakes to go with our flower themed party!


Grace and Uncle Gavin


Ella having a treat with Nana

We're Still Here!

For those of you who check out our blog...my apologies for not updating it for awhile! As a family, we've been doing great and have much to be thankful for! We've been enjoying the summer months at the pool, playground, or forest for some family hikes. We went to Philadelphia for a wedding and our anniversary in June, but other than that we haven't done much traveling, as Nate is really busy with work and a number of our friends here are getting married. Grace had her first job as a flower girl, and she did great! Aside from the fact that she forgot to throw any of the petals out of the basket, she was as cute as could be walking down the aisle! Ella has two teeth, is crawling, and enjoys aggrevating her sister by getting into all her stuff! Enjoy the updated pictures!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had both a productive and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend. My parents came down from CT, so with an extra pair helping out with the girls we were able to get some projects done around the house. My resourceful husband (and my father)used some scrap wood we had laying around to build the girls a swing set, and to create flower beds around the mailbox and along the driveway. We also spent Sunday afternoon at a park in Raleigh. Its Grace's favorite because she gets to ride the "choo-choo!"

Old Memories

Mom and Dad Anderson,

Notice anything special about this picture?












The leather boots you made for me finally fit Grace!

Two Peas in a Pod

The girls and I have been traveling a lot lately. Two weekends ago, we went with our friend Katie down to the coast to see Becky and Fitz's new little girl, Lilly. She was six weeks early, so she barely weighed 5lbs when we were there! She is such a perfect looking little girl! What an amazing little miracle she is, it was worth the trip to go see her!

This past weekend we were in Atlanta. We drove down with my parents to watch uncle Gavin run in the ACC Track and Field Championships. Grace was really into the track meet (a girl after our own hearts!). She would clap her hands and point every time Gavin ran by. Ella, on the other hand, would start crying if we or the people around us cheered too loud. We stayed with my Aunt Sandy and Uncle Richie while we were there. It was great to see all my cousins and their kids. As always I wish I would have taken some more pictures, but here are a few from the last two weekends. For now we're catching up on our Daddy time...I think he missed his girls!



Grace (18 lbs),Ella (13 lbs),and Lilly (5 lbs)


Ella teaching Grace how to play the piano


Grace teaching Ella how to give a back massage (she was told to get off her sister, but I couldn't help but take the picture first!)


Our beautiful Ella Joy


Grace sharing an ice cream cone with her cousin Josiah (or first cousin once removed?)

Just Chillin'

Grace is always doing something to keep us smiling. She's had this sweat suit for a while now, but it wasn't until yesterday that she discovered it had pockets! If she wasn't eating or playing, she was walking around with her hands in those pockets!

New Kids On The Block Reunion - Latest News

I know there's probably been more important news this past month, but I must confess I'm excited about this! As one analyst (my brother Ryan) states, "It’s brilliant,…..in a time of rising oil prices and a recession looming around the corner America needs a reason to smile."

"Rainy Days and Mondays..."

It's been raining here for three days now! Though we desperately need the rain, we're just not used to the sun not being out! :) Yesterday I let Grace go outside in the rain because we were both getting a little stir crazy! I missed the shots of her puddle jumping, but here are some cute ones of the "little piggy" out on the deck.



(I don't know what it is with her cup these days, but she wants to carry it around with her everywhere! At least she's staying hydrated!)

Happy Easter!

Some things I love about Easter: nice NC weather, cute summer dresses on the girls, Peeps, flowers in bloom, delicious dinners (and desserts), times with family, and above all the hope that comes with knowing that Jesus is alive!

Sisters!

We had a little photo shoot today with the matching outfits Grandma got for us when we were in OR. Both girls are begining to become more aware of each other, which is so fun to watch! Grace just loves her little sister! She is constantly checking on her, rocking her, asking to hold her, and offering her pacifier to her (ironic b/c as much as we try ella won't take one and grace is fighting getting rid of hers). Ella is getting use to Grace being in her face all the time and is now smiling back at her big sis! I can't imagine life without our two beautiful little girls!