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!

Grace and Ella enjoyed their first bath together last night and we captured it on video for your viewing pleasure! I can only imagine how excited they'll be in the future when they find out we put their bath time on our blog for all to see!

Here's the link to it on you tube. I couldn't get Blogger to load it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybl42MB-eRw

Happy New Year!

We had a great time visiting family in CT over Christmas! Though we were a little worried about how the girls would do with the 12 hr drive(Ella only 2 weeks, and Grace in the continuous "go" stage of life)they ended up doing great...we couldn't have asked for a better experience! Grace enjoyed opening up her gifts and especially enjoyed the wagon that her Nana and Papa gave her. Ella, on the other hand slept through her first Christmas!

Our New Family!

Enjoying the nice December weather in our backyard

4 days old!

Ella Joy is Here!

We welcomed another beautiful little girl into the world on Saturday, December 8th at 10:13 a.m. Ella Joy Anderson was 7 lbs, 11 oz. and 20 inches long. Our home birth was a wonderful experience with no complications. Grace seems to be adjusting just fine and shows her love by waving at Ella and tapping her on the head.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We spent the 80 degree day doing a little bit of cleaning (Grace loves Swiffering our floors), playing outside in our beautiful backyard, and celebrating with our friends John and Amy. It was a nice relaxing day for us as a family, and for that we were very thankful!