Modern day hieroglyphics

I found this little guy on the storm door the other day . He's so cute that I just couldn't wash him away. Mack's just lucky she did it with her finger and not anything more permanent!

The Greatest Show on Earth!

We had a chance to take Mack to her first circus this week and, though the loud music was a bit much for her at first, she loved it and is already asking to go back again next year.

It had been years since Mike or I had been to the circus and it was interesting to see the changes made with improved technology but it was also good to see that the circus can still be counted on to have the old favorites as well.

Mack with her bigger than she is popcorn:
She also tried cotton candy which she wasn't entirely too impressed with.

Mack's always been sensitive to some louder noises , so this is how she enjoyed the first half of the show. During the second half, she sat in her own seat and snacked on popcorn:
Mack liked the elephant train and also the tigers and horses:
True to their slogan, it's still one of the best shows on Earth- at least it is when you're three! :

9 years!

Mike and I just finished our 9th year married. It's so funny to look back over the years and see how far we've come. The things we used to bicker about, certain this was a battle that needed to be settled, seem so unimportant when looking back through our more mature eyes. I am so proud of us and how we've learned to trust each other, work together, support and stick up for each other when the need arises. In the almost ten years that we've been married, Mike has helped me take big steps towards the wife and mother that I want to be. He always has my back even when standing up for me pushes his own back against a wall. He is the best father I could ever imagine for our children. When our kids look at us, I hope they'll see a strong example of what marriage can be and I pray every day that our marriage only grows stronger. I love you, Mike!

Here's what arrived at our door step on our anniversary.


My mom stayed with Mackenzie and Ellie later in the week so that Mike and I could have dinner out! Mackenzie was a breeze, it was Ellie that ended up in puppy time out ( aka her crate) . A wise decision on mom's part.

The last bits of summer are seeping away though you wouldn't know it from our high 80 degree temps. The sun slips behind the mountains a few minutes earlier each day , sending us to our beds feeling a little sleepier than usual. We're working hard to catch those warm sun beams before they are replaced with the cool , crisp sky of a Colorado fall.

A forgotten friend

For the first time since she was 6 months old, Mackenzie went to sleep with out her beloved blankets! This was not intentional, just a forgotten step in our bed time routine. While I was sad to find her treasured blankets on the chair after I'd kissed Mack good night, I was relieved when they were the first thing she asked for when she woke up. Maybe there's still a little time for those blankets, yet.

Baby sister

Mackenzie went to our ultra sound appointment with us and that's where we told her that our family was going to have another baby. At first she just looked at us, confused, wondering exactly how it is that a baby would grow in mommy's tummy. To her, this all seemed a little fishy.

That night at bed time, Mack and I talked more about our baby. I explained to her that babies are very cute and so much fun but sometimes they are a lot of work and they might not always be fun. If she wanted to, she could be our helper in teaching our baby the thing things she already knows. Sometimes she might not want to be a helper and that's ok to. We talked about how babies don't know how to do anything so we had to teach them. Since this chat, Mackenzie has been so excited about " our baby" . That night, she slept with all three of her baby dolls and woke up bright and early to change their diapers. Later that day, Mackenzie asked if she could by " our baby sister" a rattle . Of course, I said yes!

We hope that Mackenzie will know that being a big sister may not always be fun but worth it. That she is still her own person and not our " helper" unless she wants to be. Every child is due their own feelings when life changes around them . Even though adding a new member of the family is hard for everyone, we think Mack will be one great big sister! That is, as long as she gets a SISTER! To her, there is no other way.

Mack asked for " Cinco! " ( 5 in spanish ) this day so cinco is what she got!

Baby steps

Ellie and Syndey aren't exactly friends. Ellie wants to be. Sydney tolerates Ellie. From time to time, usually in the morning when Mackenzie wakes up, Syd will climb up where Ellie is but turn her back to her so that everyone is clear that she is not happy. It's not much, but it's a whole lot better than it could be.