Chloe is 4

Chloe,

Today you turned 4. Today your earth was shattered at school when you learned that you were "only" turing 4 and everyone else in your class is turning 5.  I needed your teacher to help me console you. We were trying to explain to you that you were doing so well in school that we wanted to put you in with the bigger kids for just 1 year.  You eventually calmed down and a Chik Fil-a date with mommy and your first hair cut brightened up the rest of your day.  You just got two shots at the doctors office for your 4 year check up and you were a little out of control.  I was trying to tell you that the baby in the other room had to to get the shots too. Then when you saw the doctor, you asked her if she "shot" the baby.  The whole office was laughing. You love to learn and you are so teachable. You have mastered all your upper & lower case letters and the sounds they make, and you always want to go over them just to get some extra praise.  You have very nice handwriting too. You are very into coloring, painting and drawing and always try to redraw some of the things I make for you. You are very competitive at all you do especially the matching game which we play daily.  You love being a helper especially in the kitchen and you are still learning how to "help" me with Eli. Noah loves to play with you and Eli does too if he thinks he's safe :)  Chloe, you have a vibrant personality and bring so much life into our days. You are very talkative (and very loud). You get excited about things so easily and bring joy to all of us. We love you so much, and we can't imagine our lives with out having a daughter like you.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy  

I forgot to mention you're a sleeping beauty...

well, sometimes...:)

                 

Loftness's depart, beach with the Devries, Chloe's birthday party & first day of Kindergarten

Where did another summer go...

Our dear friends Chris & Ally, and there 3 children moved out of our home last month. It was extremely bittersweet. We were so grateful to have them for two years and God couldn't have orchestrated this time any better. Their kids are the same ages as ours and have become such best friends. They were a tremendous blessing and brought so much happiness to our home.  Caleb became Noah's closest friend and the two were inseparable. He has been so influential in Noah's life and helped Noah grow in many ways. He was quite the encourager too, always cheerful and always a joy to have around. If I could sum up their times together I would say, lego & bikes. Carly and Chloe were best friends too, and I even miss the little "dramas" they had.  They both loved to play dress up and put on lip stick together and compliment each other on their outfits for the day. Even Eli and Judah had a few playdates before they left. He still goes to our basement door asking for "dah-dah." And let me not forget Chris an Ally. Praise God they are dear friends, and we are still in the same church. I am so grateful for their friendship to us through their wise counsel and their care during tough times. Ally has become a close friend of mine. What anyone would immediately learn about Ally is that she is rooted in the word of God.  She breathes and speaks scripture and no matter what I bring to her I can always trust that she will speak out of truth and love. She has encouraged my soul many times and I don't know what I would have done without her on several occasions.  I have grown in my love for God's word because of her.  I'm so glad they only moved 20 minutes away :)

I miss Caleb at our window trying to get Noah's attention without getting mine :)

all the day long...

last date night for Chris & Ally, and our last night with their kiddos

Eli wanted to give Judah his bottle that night

Our summer continued for just a couple more weeks...

Eli loves mommy's mochas

I found Noah trying to teach Eli how to ride a bike

 

frantically looking for missing Eli and found him in the garage sitting in his stroller saying "walk"to anyone who would hear

Noah had his first O's game with Dad, Korey, & Devon

We went one last time at the beach this time with the Devries. And while we were there Chloe had mentioned she wanted a birthday party with Makenna and Kaelyn, so with the help of Hannah who crowned her princess for the day, we picked up some lip gloss, nail polish and gum and threw her what I think might have been her best party yet...

 

When we came back, I sent my baby off to Kindergarten...

And he went with his best buddy...

And Chloe couldn't describe any better how I feel after the first week of school & preschool ...

(yes, she's asleep)

Outer Banks Pics

i just love this pic

bocce pros

Thanks to Mom-mom & Grandpa for this generous trip

so grateful he likes s'mores now

off to see the horses

ghost crabbing was definitely a highlight for all parties

Thanks to Aunt Stephanie & Aunt Valerie for all these pictures! Our family is so grateful for the time we had with each other. We look forward to doing it again, hopefully with Aunt Lisa's family next time.

Bethany 2015

We went to to Bethany for 10 days with our parents, and then the Averill's joined us for the second half.  It is such a blessing to have a place to go to every year and stay for free. Danny's parents have been so generous with their home.  The kiddos loved being with their grandparents and their friends. They loved being far in the ocean jumping the waves with Danny, even Eli! Noah and Chloe also rode their first wave into shore with daddy's help.  When the Averill's came we did a long afternoon on the beach and stayed through the evening and had pizza.  That was probably one of my highlights. Thanks to Annie who captured some precious moments...

 this trooper was sick the last few days

And our new tradition is stopping on our way home for a picnic lunch & ice cream at Vanderwende Farm Creamery, just to top off the trip...