Addison's 3rd Birthday

Addison turned 3 years old last Saturday. We celebrated it with a princess birthday party, that she has been waiting to have for the past year. We are blessed to have so many friends that have children close to Addison's age, and that she was able to have them come to her birthday. We are also blessed that we have family close, and that my family was able to come to the party. We ended up having quite a few kids, because Addison just kept naming off all her friends that she wanted invited, including the cousins.
Addison is getting to be such a big girl, and it makes me sad to see her so grown up! She is such a good big sister to Reagan and always wanting to hug her and kiss her. It has been so fun to see her grow up these past three years and watch all her accomplishments, and as so many parents do, we think that she is too smart for her britches! We love you Addison, and we look forward to watching you grow into a beautiful young lady.

Addison, the morning of her birthday, opening her present from G. & G. Nielsen

Just before her princess birthday party
opening her presents durning her party, pictured with cousin Aspen

blowing out her candle

all of the birthday attendees

Tanyard Creek

We have lived here in Bella Vista now for three years and we had heard about this creek, but had never been. Last Friday was our first time, and we don't know why it took us that long to go. The funny part is, that it is less then 10 minutes from our house! We will definately, go again.

Eeeeeek!

We pretty much love where we live, but there is one bad thing about living in the sticks....the bugs and creepy crawlies. Yes, the chiggers and ticks are gross and you don't want to get bit by them, but even worse than them are all the spiders that we have. The other day we found this big guy outside our garage door! In case you can't see the RED hour glass marking, staring you in the face, it's a BLACK WIDOW.


It was dead, (at least we think it was, because it wasn't moving) and I am glad because it was just waiting for the garage door to open so it could go inside and make a nice nest, in say.. the baby stroller or our shoes!!! Even though it was dead I could just picture it jumping out and biting someone, so I wouldn't let Addison get too close.
As I was leaving to go to town I made Brad direct me, so that the tire of the Pathfinder would run it over and smush it to smitherines as I was backing out. Let's just hope that their isn't babies or it's mate running around lurking outside my door!

My house key beside it to show it's actual size

Too cute for words

Addison found Reagans headband and decided to try it on. What a cutie!

4th of July

On the 4th we went up to Missouri to spend it with my family. We started off going to my sister's house to swim in their pool and have a BBQ. Afterward we went to a local park for a fireworks display. It had been overcast all day, and sure enough as we were waiting for the display to start a big storm cloud rolled in. Of course it waited until the fireworks started before the rain came, so we all had to dash to our cars as it downpoured and we ended up watching them from inside our cars. It was still fun and we had were able to get some cute pictures while we were waiting.

Addison with her cousins, Pagelynn (2) and Kailey (4 1/2)

Addison with a sparkler

Addison and Reagan (yes, my baby eats well, hence the chubby cheeks)

from front left- Pagelynn (2), Addison (2 1/2) holding Reagan (3 1/2 months), Kailey (4 1/2) holding Jaden (2 1/2 months)

Back left- Braxton (6), Keaton (7 1/2), Kelsey (10) holding Emma (3 months) and Kaleb (6 weeks)

Reagan's photo shoot

I decided I needed to take some pictures of Reagan. It is hard to take pictures of babies, because all they do is just lay there. So, I tryed to make them interesting. Sidenote: these pictures were taken back in May, so sorry they are a little old, but enjoy anyway.

And of course, Addison couldn't stand not being in the picture so she jumped in for the last one

Catching up

It has been a long time since I have posted anything, so I am going to do some catching up. Over Memorial day weekend we had my sister, Whitnie and her family stay with us. She has two little girls, Pagelynn 2 years and Emma 3 months. We had fun hanging out and letting the girls play.

Regan and Emma trying to hold playing

Reagan and Emma holding hands

Addison and Pagelynn playing outside

June went by fast. Brad's mom came to visit, which is always a treat. Addison got her hair cut, and looks so grown up. She also loves to dress up, as you can tell. She put this ensamble herself.

When Addison gets bored and doesn't have anyone to play with, she plays with Winston. She loves to dress him up and he lets her do it (he has been tortured by her enough that he doesn't bother to run away anymore).

We also got all 5 of the new babies together this past month for the 1st time. For all of you that didn't know, all three of my sisters and my sister-in-law had babies within 4 months of when Reagan was born!
Hadley born January, Reagan born March, Emma born March (2 weeks after Reagan), Jaden born April, Kaleb born May.

This last picture was just too funny to leave out.