Happy Halloween 2010

Our neighbors, Taylor & Jordan with Lillian and Andrew

My little Super Why and Barbie Mariposa

Starting out trick-or-treating

And the "stash" :)

The Annual Pumpkin Carving with Daddy

We have made it a tradition each year for the kids to "help" Brandon carve our Jack-o-lantern. So tonight was the night for that to happen since he will be working this weekend and not home until the kids are probably already in bed tomorrow. Lillian was very fascinated and Andrew didn't know what to think since he hasn't really been involved before because he was so young. Here are the pics:

Harmony Hill Halloween 2010

Andrew and Lillian hs their parties and costume parades at Harmony Hill Preschool this morning. It is so fun each year seeing them all dressed up with their friends. This is my 3rd year to see it all, but Andrew's first time.

The kids were so excited this morning that they couldn't wait to get to school.

Here is Lillian come out for the parade...she ran out all excited!

Tyler, Andrew's buddy and our neighbor as Mickey Mouse with Andrew

Lillian with her class...I loved her friend Kynlee's Cindy Lou Who costume!

Andrew's class with Mrs. Char

Lillian in her class with a cupcake

Andrew eating at his party...I spent most of my time with him because when I left to check on Lillian, he cried, so I came back and hung out at his party.

He was very happy to decorate his pumpkin!

Lillian's Birthday Weekend with Grandpa JD

Grandpa JD and Jamie came down this past weekend to visit. We had a nice time going out to eat, to the Texas State game, and just hanging out at the house. Lillian was very excited to get her birthday gifts from them as well. She got Alphie the robot, some princess dress-up stuff, and a few new Barbies. Here are some pictures:

Lillian's 4th Birthday

Lillian had an awesome 4th birthday! She woke up this morning and opened gifts from Grandma Teddy, Aunt Tory, and us. Then she put on her new dress and went to her speech and OT appointments. Then she celebrated this afternoon with her friends with her birthday party at the park. She had a ball and loves all her new gifts she received. As I put her down for bed she was already deciding what kind of birthday she wants next time! (oh...boy! ha ha) I told her "Let's just countdown to Halloween for now!" Here are some pictures from her fun day:

Lillian opening her gifts in the morning

My sweet 4 year old girl

Lillian with a few of her friends at the park for her party.

Lillian about to blow out her candles

Me and the birthday girl

Lillian and friends under the playscape

Hugs with Quinn

Lillian with her gifts at home

4 Years Old!

Where did 4 years go!? It seems like only last week I had this tiny baby girl that totally turned my life upside down and now she is a curious bright little girl!

Lillian Claire Koenning entered this world on Friday, October 20, 2006. She was about 3 weeks early and a tiny 6 lbs 4 oz. She even wore premie diapers! She was so long and skinny! She was a drama queen from birth noticed especially by her daddy! She would hold her hands to her face and scream like "Home Alone" at only a week old.

Brandon and I had lots to learn when it came to a baby joining our family! And throughout the toughness of the first couple of months, we managed to survive and become actual parents! She was the teacher and we were her students.

Lillian definitely is a daddy's girl! She has always loved to snuggle with Brandon! And I can definitely tell when he has had to work lots of shifts where the kids don't get to see him much. She is more moody and grumpy. She has to have her daddy time! From laying on him to watch tv, to read books, or to run around throwing balls, that is her happiest times!

I think I blinked and she was a year old and a busy toddler! Lillian loved...and still loves to dance. She loves exploring outside and spending time with all of her family. She has always enjoyed the spotlight and getting spoiled by all her aunts and Grandparents!

Then at 16 months, she became a sweet and adoring big sister! I think she was a little jealous of Andrew of course, but she loved to look at the new baby and plus it brought all of the family around to play with her! She has become an awesome big sister though. Sure they fight, but they are also best friends and I don't think Andrew knows what to do without her around. She is the first to go hug Andrew and tell him it is okay when he is upset. And I know as they grow up they will always be there for each other.

My baby girl is growing and growing and I love her more each day. It does bring tears to my eyes sometimes to look at her sleeping and just look at her face and see that baby she used to be. She may have her pouty and fussy moments and days, but the rest of the time makes up for it. I'm enjoying so much watching her mature into a little person with a definite personality and sense of humor. She loves to talk to me now and tell me all about what she is thinking. I'm amazed by her memory at such a young age as well! She tells me about an item and remembers over a year ago when she got it and who was there! She makes me laugh often and helps me from time to time.

I'm so lucky that God chose us as parents to this sweet girl! We love you Lillian! Happy 4th Birthday!

Catching up with Cousins

My cousin David, his wife Christine, and son Caleb are moving to California. They are already out of their Houston house and David is already there, but Christine and Caleb have been visiting with family in Texas for a couple of weeks before heading out to their new place.

When I heard that they were in Waco visiting Christine's sister, I asked if we could come up and visit since it is only a little over an hour away.

So we drove up this afternoon and visited with them and Christine's sister, Beth, her husband, and son Aidan. The kids had a ball playing with Aidan's millions of toys. And us adults got to catch up. Then we drove over to Sonic and the kids played on the playground after we all ate dinner. They were all very impressed with the toy, a pair of silly glasses. Here they all are in them:

We are going to miss our cousins all the way in California, but were glad to get to visit with them before they left and will definitely try to get together with them when they are in Texas again visiting! :)

Another Year, Another Pumpkin

It is that time again! It is October and time for pumkins and getting ready for Halloween. We were going to go to the big Pumpkin Patch in Marble Falls this weekend with friends, but then we had a change of plans for Sunday, so maybe we'll go next year. So I went ahead and took the kids today to the small church Pumpkin Patch here in Round Rock. The kids love it and it only takes about 20 minutes of our time! Here are my little pumkins with the pumpkins:

Lillian's Birthday with Grandma and Grandpa Koenning

Grandma and Grandpa Koenning along with Sherlene, Robert, Dianne, and Rex, all came today to spend the day. Brandon bbqed on our Hasty Bake and we ate some delicious brisket, sausage, and all the yummy sides.

We also celebrated Lillian's birthday with them since we probably won't see them again before then. They brough Lillian's gifts and she was very excited! She loves her new outfits and toys. She tried them all out with her aunts.

Sherlene had made Lillian a cake, and Dianne brought some icing to decorate it, so I used that green and orange to make a pumpkin on her cake...thought it turned out pretty cute for just spur of the moment.

Looking at Lillian's new Tinkerbell book.

Lillian opening gifts.

Blowing out each candle one by one

Lillian with her cake.

Enjoying the Fall Weather!

Andrew's new favorite activity...playing basketball with Dad! Which usually involves him fetching the ball when it bounces into the yard! :)

Andrew waiting for Brandon's ball to come down and see where it goes!

Lillian rode her bike all the way down to our group mailbox...quite a ways, but on the way back is a slight slope, so she was too tired to peddle....guess who she roped into pushing her back!?

I'm not sure if it was a sweet brother helping his big sister or big sister enforcing slave labor, but either way, I thought it was cute!