Gwendolyn's 3rd birthday!

As you may remember, Gwendolyn turned three on March 23rd. I really can hardly believe it. She is our calm and collected sweet little singing and dancing snuggler who adores her baby brother, loves treats, movies, McDonald's, and reading books. We saw no signs of the terrible two's and I am feeling confident - with the grace and mercy that only the Lord provides - we'll survive the terrific three's as well! 

Annual party with all the 3 year olds:

We had our annual birthday party with some of Gwendolyn's friends. I met most of their mommies at our Mommy & Me class - I wish I had been able to do that class with Conrad, because it's been so fun to stay in touch with the kiddos and the mom's. Such a blessing!

Kate and Gwendolyn are good buds. We just found out they're moving, which makes us very sad but we're excited for the direction the Lord is taking their family! (Wah wah wahhhhhh)

Trip to Toys R Us:

We took her to Toys R Us and let her pick out one $10ish priced item, which was hilarious and so much fun. She picked princess nail polish and organic lollipops! The balloon and crown were free. She was so pleased with herself. 

Actual birthday day:

On her actual birthday, we ate a fancy dinner at McDonald's - her favorite. :) And came back to our house for a little more time to hang out with Trishy, John and Tenny.

Gwendolyn's second favorite baby.... 

Family pic!

Daycare Party:

Gwendolyn's party at Miss Kathy's house with her daycare friends was another special day. Miss Kathy made her a ballerina cake - so yummy! 

Trishy and Tenley even came!

Friends.

We adore Miss Kathy! She is so good at what she does. 

Hilarious to see the close circle that goes around the birthday kid while opening presents. Love how big brother is putting a hand on his little sister to keep her from helping Gwendolyn. 

Look at all those wonderful new gifts! What a blessing!

Mall of America:

Well the birthday celebration didn't end there...daddy took a day off from work and we spent a day at MOA riding rides. Even more fun this year than last year!

Catching Frozen at the Disney Store

Rides galore!

Front seat on the "roller coaster"!

Don't blink - they're going so fast you may miss them! ;) Love her smile...

Ok, this was so adorable. I really didn't know what she'd think of it since she rode alone, but she had the biggest smile on her face the entire time and kept looking at the little boy beside her. She's a brave girl!

This ride was so awesome. Just as fun for adults as it is for little kiddos. I didn't want it to end.

She thought this was great.

It's hard to see, but Conrad's face just lit up when he say Sponge-bob. He thought it was hilarious.

See...

Another fun family day at MOA!

And another super fun birthday celebration for a little girl we cherish and love so much.

March in Pictures

March has become one of my favorite months. It's my half birthday (although that's getting more and more depressing) and Gwendolyn's birthday and it means we're getting closer and closer to SPRING! There's just something about making it through a Minnesota winter (we got snow last night...) that just makes one feel super appreciative of sunshine, green grass, and walks around the lake. Thank you Jesus for fresh air! 

These guys are hard at work at making homemade granola bars, a fabulous recipe that I got from my friend Melissa.

Recipe:

On the stove melt the following:

1 cup peanut butter (regular or crunchy)
2/3 c honey
1/2 cup coconut oil

Remove from stove and stir in 3 cups old fashioned oats.

Let stand until cool.

In a one cup measuring cup fill it up with whatever mix-ins your heart desires then stir into peanut butter mixture! (Chocolate chips, nuts, craisins, coconut, anything!)

Spread into pan. Keep them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. (They get stickier if they are at room temp.) Cut into bar size and then store in the "snack" sized plastic bag to make them easy to grab on the go! Or just eat them straight out of the pan. But seriously. 

Am I the only one that loves kids in jam jams? Why are they so darn cute?!

We love play dates with friends, especially play dates that involve lunch!

I've decided play dates are just as much for mommies as they are for the kiddos. Anyone with me on that?! I'm so thankful for such wonderful friends and family to spend the occasional morning with. 

Nap time reading always lasts for about thirty minutes because it involves several books read by either me or Gwendolyn. And lots of rolling around and giggles. It's become one of my favorite times of the day, and not just because when it's over I get my 1.5 hour of quiet time. But that helps. :)

We finally made a trip to meet 6-month old Maren! What a doll baby!

(I'm dying at the difference between her and Conrad.)

I took the kiddos home to CC for a weekend, and Gwendolyn took her first couple of classes through "Grandma's Cooking School." She made "dump soup" (another easy yummy recipe!), deviled eggs, and dill crackers. She passed with flying colors!

Butterfly kisses with Grandpa.

Waiting by the door for Grandpa to go do "bird chores"...

I got to spend an evening with four of my most favorite friends while home. 

Seven kiddos between the five of us (Kara's two boys couldn't make it, but she stepped into the picture for them.)

Last year Amanda told us she was pregnant and this year FLETCHER joined the party!

You may remember our progressive dinners from previous years...(after spending 30 minutes searching, I couldn't find one from 2012. Ugh.)

2013:

2011:

2010:

(Kara missed because she had a BABY!)

My parents graciously took care of Gwendolyn and Conrad so I could go out to eat with the girls. We had a fabulous dinner and a couple of uninterrupted hours to talk! 

Bedtime books with Grandpa.

Aunt Vicky stopped by Sunday morning!

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The Giggle Factory in Hudson, WI. Go! So fun!

The Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. Go! So fun!

These two...a relationship unlike any other. My heart melts constantly.

This is my living room after a newborn shoot. I'd pay someone just to come over and set-up and tear-down for me. For reals.

Me with my bf Tenny Ten Ten. Such a snuggle bug! And boy do we love snuggle bugs around here!

Gwendolyn:

She can be serious at times, and then very NOT serious.

After weeks of being patient, we broke out my box of Barbies and let me just say they're getting a LOT of attention. In this specific scene, they were headed to a dance party. On horse.

Everybody loves Tenley around here.

Gwendolyn's singing something fierce, and Conrad is stuck. (At this point he only knew how to go backwards.)

Serena came over to play one Sunday afternoon. These two are best buds at Miss Kathy's house.

Another snowstorm. We are so over this.

Another morning playing at the library.

Me and the birthday girl aka my AWESOME manicurist.

Snow in March. Again.

Mimi and Papa came for a little weekend visit. Always fun to see and spend time with them.

Conrad:

Anagret and Conrad...destined to be buds!

"Hmm, she's kinda cute."

"Hmm, he's kinda funny."

I love him so much. Period.

Practicing his standing....

Decided to take a break.

How do I look in skinny jeans?

Snuggling with Miss Laura at The Giggle Factory in Hudson - great place!

I think he may give us more trouble than his sister did...

Yep. Confirmed.

Love me some sleeping baby pictures. So peaceful and quiet and snuggly.

And the lips!

We waited 9 months too long to try his robe on. Ha.

When he first learned to push himself backwards (never forwards), he'd always get stuck in the corner of the room. Poor guy.

Driving around in a big boy stroller at MOA.

Big baby. Little baby.

He finally does a trick: so BIG!

Fun with Papa...

So much personality in that chubby little body.

March was also the month of Gwendolyn's 3rd birthday! A separate post is coming! (If mommy can pull her act together.)