Who's the Keeper of this New Treasure?

The kiddos sure are getting SO BIG! 

I love keeping track of all of the little things they are enjoying about life.

Details about each of them seem to be a constant revolving door.

The older Ruby gets, the more she and Liam seem to keep one another company...

Liam loves when Ruby smiles and giggles at the silly things he does.

When it happens, he lights up with pride!

"Mommy, Ru is smiling at me!"

 They really do love one other!

This makes my heart happy.

The name Liam means "Protector,"

Ruby, "A precious stone."

So perfectly befitting! 

Liam truly is the keeper of our new treasure.

He protects her, and sticks up for her already.

I love that he is such a proud and happy big brother.

JULY

 AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

Sweet Pickin's

Last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch with the kiddos.

We had such a fun time.

It was the first year Liam really got into all of the extra little things they have at Sweet Pickin's.

Liam still really loved looking at the animals... 

but we weren't stuck there standing in awe of them for 45 minutes at a time this year ;)

Ruby was there too...

...She just happened to see most of the fun from the back of her eyelids ;)

"I'm cold...Mommy didn't bring my gloves."

"Cold or not, this is fun!"

Who can build the biggest hole...ready...set...go!

"This is so fun!"

Everyday since after going to the pumpkin patch, Liam has asked to go back.

It was a HUGE success!

And since we didn't get to take any fun Fall pictures of Ru, 

we took some at home today.

Just a beautiful Fall day at home.

Kisses!

Getting these two to smile and look at me at the same time is IMPOSSIBLE!

This is as close as we got...

And here's a little smile to make you smile on this fine, Friday afternoon!

Cheers!

September 2013

September was a really fun and busy month for us...  

...trying to get back into our regular routines after summer.  

Here are a few pictures from last month.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND...

Shannalee came for the weekend.

We spent one afternoon, at the park, flying kites.

It was Liam's first time seeing a kite in action.

Who's this handsome guy I get to be married to?

Pure Joy...

Liam loves us to, "get 'em!"

 THE MANY FACES OF RU...

We get to see this big grin A LOT, and I LOVE it!

"Look what I can do."

"I'm so silly."

Love these two guys!

Mowing with Daddy.

"Okay, that's enough.

I'll just ride my bike now."

Ruby still loves her swing.

Liam LOVES to read books!...

...especially with Ru.

Liam had his first visit to the "Spa."

aka. an aromatherapy bath at home...

aka...a bath with mint leaves for toys :)

Look, Mommy!

I can roll!  I can roll!

"um...Liam...you kinda weigh a bit much..."

We picked TONS of fruit this year, 

but we were lazy and didn't weigh it.

Just take our word for it.

Picking apples with friends :)

Poor Ruby...

This is how we roll at Costco.

Liam loves to wear Mommy's shoes.

One cart for kids.

One cart for food.

That's a wrap.

October pictures coming up!

Life's a Blur...

I haven't had a chance to post any pictures lately.  

I feel like we have been running nonstop for too long.  

Which got me thinking...

Where has the summer gone?

Where has time gone?

Liam is almost three...THREE!

How did that happen?!

Ruby is already 4 months old...

Life's a blur.

Somedays I think to myself, "we are too busy we need just need more days at home."

My kids are growing and I am missing it...

How can I be missing it when I am with them all day, everyday?

How does this happen?

Is it even possible?

I think it is possible,

and I think it's because I am easily distracted...

There is always something to be done, something to clean, somewhere to be...

I'm realizing lately that I need to slow down a little.

My kids are growing, and I feel like I'm missing it.

This may be the year to learn to say no to a few things, 

and you know something?

It's okay...

It's okay to say no...

Dare I say, I think it's even okay to say no to things that are good...good things...

There...I said it...out loud...

I'm on the tail end of my twenties, and I finally get it.

During my devotions the other day the Lord revealed this to me.

(I think He has tried to before, but I chose to miss it)

This was kind of a new, little epiphany for me.

This whole saying no thing...

I'm not good at it.

I want to be a yes-gal, a people pleaser, and helper...

But that's not who I need to be...at least not all the time.

I need to be a wife and a mother with time...

That's where God has put me, and I need to live there contently.

Someone once told me...

"Alissa, when you say yes to something, you are ALWAYS saying no to something else."

And you know what?

I finally get it.

Or...at least I think I do.

Here are a few blurry cell phone pictures to go with our blurry summer...

I'm challenging myself to a less blurry fall!

I LOVE that liam always crosses his legs when he falls asleep in the car.

Spit bubbles...one of my favorite baby-isms :)

Roobs!

One of my favorite pictures of all-time!

I'm no Audrey Hepburn, but shoot! 

My baby sure is cute!

We are still in diapers...

I know this is blurry, but LOOK at the love Liam has for his sister!

My heart sings every time I look at this photo!

This is how we roll when we are at home :)

Liam checking on Ruby to make sure she is okay up there.

"Look, it's a bug!"

We all miss Shannalee...

SOOOOO much!

But we are glad she is doing well with her new teaching adventure.

I love this little guy so much!

Out on the boat, and loving life.

  

Daddy's shoulders....Liam's favorite spot!

Throwing rocks...still his favorite thing to do.

Awww...melt me right here right now!

This little miss loves her Daddy so much, and I LOVE that!

Here's to saying no to a few things other than to my boudary-testing toddler!