ISU Homecoming Parade 2012

It's that time of year again, school has started and football season is well under way and of course the girls dance studio participated in the parade. Emily and Abigail decided that they would ride the DSDS float and "throw" candy and Elizabeth decided that she would sit on the curb and watch all the floats go by and collect candy.

 

 Cute sisters Elizabeth and Abigail waiting to hop on the DSDS float.

 Abigail and her dance company friend Lily posing for a picture before the parade.

 Elizabeth is waiting patiently to fill her bucket full of loot.

Look AT ME MOM!

About a week ago, I decided that we were having WAY TOO MANY battles over Elizabeth's long hair. It just wasn't worth the time, stress, tears, and daily conflict. So, Elizabeth and I went on a special date last Saturday to get her hair cut. She got about 5 inches cut off and what a relief it has been! She can brush her own hair, and I don't even have to touch it unless I am pulling it up in a pony tail for dance or putting a clip in for church. It fits her personality well and we are very happy with the results.

 Today is picture day and Abigail wanted me to get her picture before she even walked out the door. I still can't believe that she is old enough to be in 3rd grade. We are very proud of the little person that she is becoming. There is alot of personality in that little body of hers. What's really crazy is that I figured she would be starting high school the same year baby Carson starts kindergarten. Wow! That is not very far away at all.

 So, a couple of weeks ago I blogged about how Abigail had lost her tooth, well last week her other tooth came out, so she kind of resembles a rabbit with two big front teeth and nothing else on the sides. Grand Nan will be thrilled to check them out when she comes in about a week to help the family when I have the baby.

Baby Carson's Room

Today is a special day because it is September 1st and I have exactly ONE MONTH until I will be holding a new baby in my arms. Let the count down begin! It is also special because we finished Baby Carson's room today and I am feeling more ready to welcome him home. I am very pleased about how the room turned out. I think it's the cutest one so far. Maybe there is some truth to the saying that the youngest is the most spoiled. I hope he is an easy going, good baby, we need someone to come to our family that is mellow to tone down our very high energy girls. I can't wait to meet him.

The blocks say, "CARSON"

First Day of 3rd Grade

Abigail had her first day of school today. She was so excited that she absolutely could not eat her breakfast. I can not believe I have a 3rd grader. I almost got a little choked up when dropping her off. I hope she as an awesome year with her new teacher Mrs. Hanson and makes some good friends.

Now that's alot of baby stuff!

We pulled all of the baby gear out of the garage loft the other day to take inventory, clean stuff off and get things ready for the arrival of baby Carson (coming in 5 weeks). It is absolutely amazing how much stuff a little baby uses, and yes this is stuff we actually used for the twins and Abigail. The funny thing is, I have actually gotten rid of about half of it because I had duplicates of many of these things. The girls were excited to help clean off the gear and our washing machine did overtime cleaning all of the covers, etc.

"EEEEEEK! I ate my tooth!"

Yesterday, I took Abigail to JCPenny for her FREE haircut. After her new cut, we decided to get some soft pretzels in the Mall. Abigail and I were enjoying the pretzels while the twins played in the kiddie area, I looked up at her and said, "Abigail where did your tooth go?" She lept out of her chair, started running in place (getting some serious air) and started squealing "I ate my tooth!" Yep, she swallowed her tooth. Abigail is really parinoid about her teeth, so I didn't even know that it was loose until the day before because it had started bleeding when she bumped it. That is five teeth now that she has lost. When she got home she wrote the tooth fairy a note that said, "Dear Tooth Fairy, I'm so sorry that I do not have a tooth for you to take because I ate it when I went to the mall. Love, Abigail." She left the note under her pillow so that the tooth fairy would maybe have compassion and leave her some money anyway.

First Day of Preschool

The twins were so excited to start preschool again this year, which made me feel good since the main motivation for doing a preschool was them. Elizabeth had to wear her ABC overalls on the first day of school and Emily had to wear a dress. I am really glad that I am able to provide an outlet for them to learn and socialize with children their age. Elizabeth can finally spell her 9-letter name (we worked on it all summer). Preschool is pretty fun for me too! My class seems really easy this year. I hope the rest of ths school year goes as well as the first week did.

Playhouse Fun

 The playhouse project is coming along. Darin works on it as he finds time, lumber, and money. It still needs a roof for sure, I believe that the roof will be the next addition. The girls LOVE it and spend hours playing on it. Between the swingset, trampoline, plahouse, jeeps, and bikes, the girls have a lot to keep them occupied outside during the summer.

Typical Emily Face

Emily loves to put her whole self into everything she does, especially eating. It seems like after every snack or meal, Emily's face is much dirtier than all of the other kids around. She is happy as can be and has no idea that she is covered in food. If you catch Emily before I have chased her down with a washrag, her face lis likely to look something like this. This picture was taken after her cousin Jacob's birthday party and she had enjoyed a chocolate cupcake.

It's great to be 8

Abigail celebrated a very special birthday on July 19th and the celebration lasted for a couple of weeks with the climax being her baptism.

 We were in Colorado on Abigail's actual birthday. She got a few gifts while in Colorado: Grand Nan and Papa gave her a bracelet making kit, Heather & Shane gave Abigail an elephant ballerina purse (this couldn't have been more perfect for Abigail), Dad, Mom, Emily, & Elizabeth gave Abigail a backpack for school, stuffed elephant, and gift certificate for stompeez.

 One of the best things about Abigail turning 8 is that she gets to go to activity days. This is picture os of Abigail on the way out the door to her first activity day activity. She had a blast learning all about the pioneers.

 While in Texas, Abigail got her ears pierced as one of her gifts. She has done amazingly well at cleaning her ears morning and night and shows more and more responsibillity every day. Grand Nan also took her to the Build-A-Bear workshop.

 The BEST thing about turning 8 is that Abigail was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 4th. I can't believe that Darin and I are old enough to have an eight-year-old. Really, where has time gone?

 Emily was so proud of her big sister on her baptism day. (Elizabeth was proud as well, she just opted to eat her breakfast insted of take pictures).

Daddy & Abigail on her baptism morning.

 Right before entering the waters of baptism.

 Abigail had the love and support of several cousins and her good friend Eden.

Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth Ralphs, Eden Barua, Ariana Bowes, Emily Ralphs, Abigail Ralphs, Isabella Ralphs, Madeline Ralphs, & Jacob Bowes

 Grandma & Grandpa Ralphs

 Grand Nan & Papa Stocker

 Proud Momma & Daddy with their BIG  GIRL

 Uncle Shane & Aunt Heather Booth

Abigail with Uncle Jeff & Aunt Kim Bowes and cousins Ariana & Jacob

 Bishop Kim Guymon & Primary President Joy Reece

Cousins Madi & Bella Ralphs

Summer 2012 Vacation - Part 2 (Denton, Texas)

The girls most favorite thing to do every summer is visit Grand Nan and Pa pa's house. I enjoy visiting too to see family and friends.

 Grand Nan set up some fun sleeping quarters for the girls, they each had their own space that they crashed into at the end of the day. Emily fell asleep so quickly one night that she forgot to take off her sunglasses.

 We visited the Fort Worth Children's Science Museum and the twins thought it was really neat to sit on a bed of nails.

 They also rode a simulated horse (not the same as the real thing).

 Elizabeth's favorite place was the hospital for babies. She loved caring for her baby doll. I know she will be a great big sister when baby Carson comes.

 My mom is the most social person I have ever met. She decided to throw a fiesta pool party so that I could see several friends and family members while in Texas this year. She also was pretty sneaky and told the guests to bring a baby gift for little Carson as well. I was so blessed and got so much stuff. I think I am pretty well set for his arrival, thanks to my Texas loved-ones.

 Emily found a new place to crash this night under the umbrella in the living room.

 Abigail and Papa had a special date to the Ball Park in Arlington to see the Texas Rangers play.

 The girls got to love on their cousin Thomas a few times.

 Uncle Lonny was alot of fun to play playdough with.

Cousin Andrew is the best at doing legos with.