We started this beautiful time of year with some good 'ol family pictures! What a beautiful tree line showing off their perfect Fall colors to add to our attempt at getting a family of 5 to all smile together- hehe! It was so fun to do and I was thrilled with how the pictures of our munchkins turned out!
{Harper at 4 1/2 years old}
Harper was all about being the photographers helper... she was wonderful in helping with the props and getting her sisters to smile. Didn't get as many candid pictures of her this time, but I'll always remember she was the reason for all the smily ones of her sisters;)!
{Maggie at 2 years old}
This little one stole the show during our session. The photographer has been working with Maggie since she was itty bitty and found this old wood box she thought Maggie would do well in to help support her and be cute! I'm so appreciative for Myra thinking of that- my goodness she squealed from the moment she was placed in there... we kept saying, can't take Maggie from that box- she LOVES it!!! Maggie was AMAZING for the pictures- as long as she was in that box- or in Daddy's arms- ha!!!
{My single favorite picture from that day. Everything about this picture is genuine... this baby ADORES her Daddy... makes my eyes teary and my heart happy}
{Evelyn at 8 months old}
This little nugget had her own wood box and loved it just as much as her big sister. She wasn't so sure about the strange person with the camera who kept calling her name and acting silly- ha, but whenever her biggest sister was around, she would light up with smiles! What a little sweatheart.. proud of her first attempt at pictures post newborn session- hehe!
{Hubs and I... 6 1/2 years into this crazy, happy marriage;)}
We made a point to take a couple pic together- I realized we hadn't had a picture taken of us since Harper was a baby- oops!!
And speaking of realizing time flies... Pete and I also hadn't dressed up... like really dressed up to go out since before we were married (aside from attending weddings;)). Thank goodness for fashionable sisters and a good hairdresser to help Pete and I get all dolled up for our very first gala! We attended the Jones Center Benefit with some friends from Pete's work. I know I was all bug-eyed about gettin' fancy, but we really did have a nice time acting like adults for a few hours- hehe!
...and speaking of acting like adults: Pete, along with the FANTASTIC HELP from his friend Derrick, built a coffee table and end table for our living room! I was so impressed with how they turned out and now Pete is really entertaining the possibility of getting a welder... haha! Truly though... when did all this growing up stuff happen where we dress up and build furniture and stuff?!?!
{Harper Update}
Little miss is still rockin' her way through sight words, writing, and creating in the Junior K Program. She's still working on her focusing skills- I know I know... she is only 4;)- hehe, but other than that she is doing well and enjoying her friend and teacher time!
A couple weeks back she was able to bring home Jimmy the Koala joey, her classroom's pet. She did all kinds of fun things with him and then filled out a journal entry documenting their time together. Kind of reminded me of flat stanley from back in the day- ha-, but we had fun sharing doughnuts with him and taking him out on the town! We made sure to stop by a new market that was built where Harper's artwork was added to a collage of illustrations adorning it's walls. Each child was to draw what community means to them; Harper drew she and and her family swimming at the Community Center- so cute!
We REALLY enjoyed getting together on a semi cold evening with the Pate family for some time by their fire pit. These wonderful friends lugged their fire pit to us, so we could get the munchkins down at a reasonable time and still enjoy friend time. We loved laughing, talking, goofing around, and roasting marshmallows by the fire!!
{Maggie Update}
Goodness, what is there NOT to update on regarding Ms. Maggie. This little thing has busted into EVERYTHING that encompasses being two years old. I am loving it oh-so-much, but I am kept on my toes daily! Maggie has begun sitting on her own for longer periods of time and is just about able to push herself up off the ground and sit by herself! This is so amazing for her and the grin from ear to ear shows she is so proud of herself when she sits! She is army crawling EVERYWHERE and I cannot baby proof fast enough. I truly think I'm good, and then discover a new situation that needs proofing- ha! Example: Christmas presents. Maggie loves them. And by loves them, I mean wants to feel their goodness with her mouth. She EATS them- wrapping, boxes, tissue paper, you name it, she'll chew it up. Oh dear. And she is FAST... I have to watch her like a hawk whenever her little stealthy self is on the floor- ha! She is now eating almost entirely on her own. Like real food;). She has the ability to, but her way of showing she does not care for what was served: promptly throwing it ALL on the floor. Not ok Mags. Not ok. With that, we have had to begin disciplining her. It is so bittersweet, because I have this deeeeeep soft spot for Maggie Lou, but when she coats my wall in peanut butter and jelly because she's mad- something has to be done. Thank goodness for AMAZING therapists who are helping me navigate proper discipline for little miss. All in all: we feel soooooo blessed by all that Maggie is doing. She is such a gift to our little family and even in my most frustrated of moments, I try hard to take a breath and realize just how GOOD this all is! Her BEST accomplishment in these last couple weeks: saying mama!!! I have waited a LONG time for this... she's been saying dada for about a year now- ha... so to hear her say it in reference to me sends me into a frenzy- love it!
{Evelyn update}
Let me start by saying yep- there is no picture- ugh- MOM FAIL!!!! She is definitely the littlest of the litter- I cannot believe I have no pictures of her these last couple weeks- boo!! Anyway, Evelyn is rockin' and rollin', trying her hardest to keep up with her sisters! She isn't quite mobile, but she definitely keeps up with everyone in the sound department. She is usually the loudest and fiestiest of the bunch- making us laugh all the way! She is eating so well and took no prisoners when attacking the sippy cup! She prefers anything she can pick up and eat herself, loves fruits, and detests vegetables. Her new trick: holding her breath whenever I give her a bite of veggies... goofy girl!! This little nugget loves her mama, but is discovering Daddy is pretty sweet himself: she reaches for him constantly, and squeals whenever he comes near her. I LOVE watching the relationship between our girls and their Daddy- it's a special bond and is so sweet to watch it grow.
Christmas! Christmas!! Christmas!!!
I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!! Half dozen loads to the attic, dozen totes unloaded, and 5 trees put up, Christmas lights outside.... this house is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
We all could have put money on the fact that Evelyn had a stocking for this year, but we cannot find it anywhere. Thank goodness for a fantastic Nana who is whipping one right up to add to the mantel- and then it will be complete:)
Lee Tradition: these wood winter bears were made by Pete's grandfather who passed away last year. So special to us to be able to have them in our home this year!
O'Connell Tradition: my mom made beautiful Christmas trees of the childhood ornaments we were given. Means so much that she made this- brings so many memories!! Also, seeing my little brother on TV!!! So proud of him in a Hallmark Christmas movie. I feel like Hallmark Christmas movies have been a part of this season ever since I was little, now seeing HIM starring in them, just brings everything full circle- so so amazing... pretty proud of you, Aaron!!
One of the best parts of this season: going through all the ornaments with Harper. She loves touching each and every one, patiently listening to the story behind each of them. I had to take a moment when I unwrapped this one- its my all-time favorite. Given to me the Christmas I was pregnant with Harper when we called her our Peanut. It's beautiful and makes me feel that ooey gooey warm fuzzy feeling all over....
Enjoy all that is this time of year... let all those ooey gooey warm fuzzy feelings happen and let the magic of Christmas in! I wish everyone a beautiful Christmas season.
