What remained...of our August fun.

My parents and Grandmother came from California for all the August festivities. After the visit they each told me how they missed the running patter of Harpers feet in the morning. Funny, no one mentioned that they missed Reiss' night time wakings??? Between Harper's birthday and the christening we are overflowing with fun memories. Grandpa Larry getting some quality time with Reiss.

Look at these girls...

BIG smooches...

Please don't go Noni!

What ?! More presents...YES!

Get this girl to work with her new dirt devil...

Some fancy flip flops for dress up.

We love Olivia in our house, we can read these books, over and over again.

Let's get started!

Last snuggles before Noni had to leave...

Perfectly comfortable.

Four generations again...(sorry mom, this is the best one I had...this was the only one with everyones eyes open.)

A perfect depiction of Harper...there is always something to say.

Grandpa Larry trying to get one more hug in.

Kisses for Grandma Grandma

We are a loving bunch...you gotta get enough kisses to last you those 3,ooo miles.
And this is what happened right after everyone left...a sweet snooze.

Baby Blessings - Big and Small

While we had everyone "under one roof" or on one coast, I decided it was time for our girls to have a christening/baptism. Instead of designating a church for these girls to be welcomed into, we decided to welcome them into Woodberry Forest's Saint Andrews Chapel. What better way to remember and reflect on our time at Woodberry. We had a perfect Sunday morning where we gathered with just family (including Mrs. Lee Robinson) and Dr. David Smith for a beautiful ceremony for the girls.

St. Andrews Chapel

Blessings for Reiss

Our newly blessed family with Mrs. Rob.

Reiss wearing the same gown that Hunt and Papa wore when they were babies.

Kat and Papa enjoying some time with Reiss

"Squeezing time..."

Grandma Grandma and her "lovie"

Uncle Chris and Reiss

The perfect day to be the perfect angel!

Gray working her calming powers...Reiss' Kryptonite

Sweetness!

I love my new cross...

Harper enjoying her christening gifts from Aunt Gray.

Two funny stories from our day...Aunt Gray gave both the girls personalized bibles for their special day. Harper instantly started flipping through it looking for pictures. The opening sleeve had a picture of Jesus with his hands raised up, when Harper saw him she asked "Name?" I told her his name was "Jesus" to which she replied "Jesus dancing".

We later found her looking through the pages again...I asked her what she was looking for..."I am looking for Jesus..." I told her that technically today she found him.

It was a perfect day and a perfect ceremony surrounded by family. It could not have meant more to me that our girls will continue to grow and love with these beautiful blessings over them.

REAL Birthday celebrations

This is the REAL day, the REAL birthday and here is our birthday girl. I cannot believe how amazed I am that Harper is already 2 years old. I think every parent can testify that the days are long but the years go by so fast...and it is so true. Especially since Reiss' arrival I constantly find myself looking at Harpers little parts- her fingers, her legs, and her body in total disbelief that this is our 1st baby. We all want to freeze them at this great stage, after all she is the reason we wanted another baby...she made/makes life so fun. Is this a classic first day of school shot...harper in her birthday dress from Kat and Papa.

We started our morning with homemade doughnuts from REAL FOOD. A few of Harpers friends were able to come join us...what toddler would turn down doughnuts with sugar on top?

Katherine and Teddy enjoying their treats...

The gang...Sophia holding court with all ears from Tommy, Shannon and Harper.

Mmmm, Mmmmm, Finger lick'in good!

Later we added to the day of treats with a popsicle with Grandpa.

Brian and Erin stopped by with a special birthday gift...and stayed to read it with her. It is now one of our favorites, Harper can almost read it to us now.

Noni and Harper playing with her ladybug cake...we tried, but the heat was not on our side.

I love being sung to..."Happy Birthday to Me!" This was one of our favorite faces-pure delight!

Enjoying two of our birthday gifts...our Red Rover Dog and our Doctors Kit. Paging Dr. Heffner...

Some of our other birthday booty from the CA delegation...a new handbag (you can never have too many, right!) a new cardi and some hip sunglasses. We are ready for anything!

After a very busy, long day we tried to get one birthday shot...didn't quite work. Noted: 9pm is not the time for photos. What a Charlie Brown face!

Everything was better once we had our stethoscope back...that was what caused the meltdown, we tried to take the picture without it.

Now we are back to our normally giggly mess! Good luck getting this girl to bed!

Total adoration...

Night-Night Noni!

One last squeeze for my little girl.