Emily, Addy, and Hailey all lined up...waiting for their bedtime story. :) So fun. I know there are probably going to be times where they wish they all had their own room but let me just tell you, they are having a HOOT together at bedtime. For a few months, we struggled with them getting in and out of their beds, excuse after excuse. The potty excuse is always the WORST. Because you never REALLY know if you should believe them or if they are just stalling.....so bedtime was not fun. There were nights we were like "ahh! We've tried EVERYTHING!" But then one night, maybe like 3 weeks ago...we just told the girls that they could talk for a little while...and they got all excited....and then they FORGOT about stalling...and then would just lay in bed and chat and chat and giggle and tell hilarious stories. We love listening to them. :) The other night, Emily was telling Hailey and Addy not to be scared because no dinasaurs or giraffes were in the room. She kept saying "Guys - you're FINE." in a very stern, matter of fact type of way. Over and over. Then they play this game where one of them says a word and then the rest follow through. So Emily was saying "Say...Crocodile." And then they'd all say it. And this goes on and on and on. Crazy how they all listen to each other sometimes. So anyway, so then we let the girls talk for a little while...and then we go back upstairs and say it's time for bed now...and it's like MAGICAL! They have been (knock on wood) listening and just going to sleep! It's crazy! We have no clue why this works but we love that we discovered it! :)
Here the girls are with our great neighbors (Hailey, Avery, Em, Addi, Addy, and Owen) I LOVED growing up with neighbors. I feel like I had the best childhood ever. And now I'm so thankful my girls also have little neighbor friends to grow up with too. It is so fun! Last night, we went on a "midnight walk" at 7:30 at night with these neighbors. The kids all had flashlights and had so much fun shining everything. Fall really is beautiful in Wisconsin!!!
And here is Addy - she can actually hit the ball pretty well! Even WITH all that hair in her face! :) And then here's Em....taking the running approach. :)
And Hailey - I love the squint in her eyes as she hits it..
This past weekend, my SISTER came for a random visit! I am SOOOO glad she came! First of all, we haven't talked in forever b/c it's becoming virtually impossible for me to carry on a convo on the phone. :) AND - I was so pumped she was coming b/c Ryan was gone most of the week AND weekend so it was PERFECT timing! I LOOOOOVVEE her and sooo wish she lived closer!! Love you sis! Here we are at the zoo one day... (AHE)
Taking a ride on the train (Hailey, Kara, Emily)
Addy waving to the on-lookers
Emily
the GIRLS! SOO glad my girls all have a SISTER! I hope their experience w/ a sister is at least HALF as good as mine! :)
So yea - things have been busy...getting all geared up for Fall (co-coordinating MOPS, Bible Studies, etc.)...getting ready for company (my sis was here, then my BFF, and then my aunt comes on Thursday - so fun!) , and my free time keeps getting less and less so life does feel a tad overwhelming at times. I'm just trying to breathe...and enjoy these MOMENTS...because I know I'll be missing this super cute stage in no time. Life is seriously flying by!!
Emily, Addy, and Hailey all lined up...waiting for their bedtime story. :) So fun. I know there are probably going to be times where they wish they all had their own room but let me just tell you, they are having a HOOT together at bedtime. For a few months, we struggled with them getting in and out of their beds, excuse after excuse. The potty excuse is always the WORST. Because you never REALLY know if you should believe them or if they are just stalling.....so bedtime was not fun. There were nights we were like "ahh! We've tried EVERYTHING!" But then one night, maybe like 3 weeks ago...we just told the girls that they could talk for a little while...and they got all excited....and then they FORGOT about stalling...and then would just lay in bed and chat and chat and giggle and tell hilarious stories. We love listening to them. :) The other night, Emily was telling Hailey and Addy not to be scared because no dinasaurs or giraffes were in the room. She kept saying "Guys - you're FINE." in a very stern, matter of fact type of way. Over and over. Then they play this game where one of them says a word and then the rest follow through. So Emily was saying "Say...Crocodile." And then they'd all say it. And this goes on and on and on. Crazy how they all listen to each other sometimes. So anyway, so then we let the girls talk for a little while...and then we go back upstairs and say it's time for bed now...and it's like MAGICAL! They have been (knock on wood) listening and just going to sleep! It's crazy! We have no clue why this works but we love that we discovered it! :) 
Here the girls are with our great neighbors (Hailey, Avery, Em, Addi, Addy, and Owen) I LOVED growing up with neighbors. I feel like I had the best childhood ever. And now I'm so thankful my girls also have little neighbor friends to grow up with too. It is so fun! Last night, we went on a "midnight walk" at 7:30 at night with these neighbors. The kids all had flashlights and had so much fun shining everything. Fall really is beautiful in Wisconsin!!! 
And here is Addy - she can actually hit the ball pretty well! Even WITH all that hair in her face! :) And then here's Em....taking the running approach. :)
And Hailey - I love the squint in her eyes as she hits it..
This past weekend, my SISTER came for a random visit! I am SOOOO glad she came! First of all, we haven't talked in forever b/c it's becoming virtually impossible for me to carry on a convo on the phone. :) AND - I was so pumped she was coming b/c Ryan was gone most of the week AND weekend so it was PERFECT timing! I LOOOOOVVEE her and sooo wish she lived closer!! Love you sis! Here we are at the zoo one day... (AHE)
Taking a ride on the train (Hailey, Kara, Emily)
Addy waving to the on-lookers
Emily
the GIRLS! SOO glad my girls all have a SISTER! I hope their experience w/ a sister is at least HALF as good as mine! :)
So yea - things have been busy...getting all geared up for Fall (co-coordinating MOPS, Bible Studies, etc.)...getting ready for company (my sis was here, then my BFF, and then my aunt comes on Thursday - so fun!) , and my free time keeps getting less and less so life does feel a tad overwhelming at times. I'm just trying to breathe...and enjoy these MOMENTS...because I know I'll be missing this super cute stage in no time. Life is seriously flying by!!
