Events leading up to Christmas...

Kate and I had our best outing ever, which was a visit to see the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. I had tears in my eyes seeing her excitement, best show ever!
We also had our first visit to see the Carolina Hurricanes Hockey game with Mimi and Grand Dad, and both girls loved it. Lyla loved all the lights, and Kate's favorite part was the cheer, "lets go Canes". Her Daddy was thrilled to see her actually paying attention to the game too!
Also included are pictures from my company children's Christmas party with the girls, a visit to see Santa where Kate not only told him she wanted a pink scooter and a fairy barbie doll, she told him Lyla wants new toys. A picture from Kate's Christmas dance party at dance class (it was a very cute little show!) and a visit to Roanoke with the grandparents as well. Lots of fun over the past month...and next is the day all of this excitement was all about!

Thanksgiving at the Beach

Our family had two Thanksgiving celebrations this year. One started with the girl's first Hockey game to celebrate Grand Dad's birthday, followed by Thanksgiving dinner with Mimi, GrandDad, Grannie, Papa Walter & Grandma Nanny. The next day after some early shopping and a day of work, we headed to Kure Beach to spend time with the Kendziora side of the family, and Kate's favorite cousins. :) Here are some of my favorite pictures of the kids.

Happy Halloween

This year was the most exciting yet for Kate. She was thrilled to dress up as her favorite princess, Ariel. Lyla had a few costume changes, Dorothy for one party, and "Ariel in her pink dress" is what Kate thought she looked like wearing a princess dress on Monday night. It rained in Raleigh during Trick or Treat time, so Kate just went to a few houses with her Daddy to get in the true Halloween experience.

I have also added a few from one of the October pumpkin patch weekends, October was a great month!

Our little "pumpkin" is turning one

This one year old REALLY loved her first cup cake.













October 11th was this past Tuesday. Lyla is officially one. This marks a year ago that Lyla was born and gave us one scary week along with a week of great faith to make it back home. This has definitely been an eventful year, and today she seems to be doing very well with her health and she's an incredible kid. Lyla started walking just before she was 11 months old, she loves to wave and say "hi" a good twenty + times a day and say "bye bye", "baby", "Mama", "Dada", "ball" and yes, many many "uh ohs" a day. :) She is perfect, and she is our pumpkin. Enjoy the party pics!

Kate is Turning 3! Join us for a Tea Party!

As Rapunzel says, "Best day ever!" I am posting this a month later, and Kate still says at least every other day something about her tea party or when will it be her birthday again. The girls had a blast with my Mamaw's dress up hats, and just with each other.

Buying pumpkins...

Yes, I have to post Kate's 3rd birthday, her "tea party". Can't wait to share those pictures. But it's late and I just downloaded pictures from our venture to go buy pumpkins on Sunday, not our official pumpkin patch visit for the season, but just a fun trip about 10 minutes away. Had to share my favorites. My little pumpkin will be one in a week! How did this happen?