Life As We Now Know It...

At one point in our lives, this was everything we needed...

Then, there was the three of us....life was good.

Soon, we decided the next best thing (and wow, was it ever) would be this...

And then, without even knowing it, God had bigger and better plans for our happy little family of 4...

And now, 8 months later, the best kind of happiness we could've ever imagined has been far exceeded...

pure joy...

As Daddy has been adventuring in the Boundary Waters this week, I have spent some of the {few} quiet moments I've had to myself thinking about the evolution of this little, happy, wonderful family that we have created and have been reminded about just how much I love my life. 

I have found my mind wandering this week thinking about Kevin's Boundary Waters trip he took just two short years ago....and how I spent my week. My time was free and open, I could go to bed when I wanted, eat when I wanted, and up and leave the house without a second thought.

Things are a little different now...a little more time-consuming...a little less freedom......perfect!

My appreciation for the teammate I have in Kevin has been renewed...after all, like they say....absence does make the heart grow fonder!  Although the girls and I have had {tremendous} help from Grandmas and Grandpas this week, I was humbled thinking how much I rely on Kev's help and love to make our home and family function.   

I wouldn't trade anything we have now for the days when we {thought} we had everything we needed. 

Now we know, we weren't even half as complete of a family as we are now! 

Life is Good Snapshots

We've been busy.

Things are crazy.

Life is so good. 

A few snapshots of the Landherrs, lately...

Brynn is continuing to relish in her role as Molly's big sister.....most days.....unless Molly has ANY toy....then, in Brynn's mind, it's war! 

I can usually count on her to help with Molly as long as the task doesn't interrupt her cooking in her kitchen, watching Barney, or playing on her new slide! 

Molly has obviously and quickly picked up on the whole eating thing....in fact, she's quite the pro!  A few favorites these days include apple-blueberries and Rice Crispies!

As Molly continues to learn the wonderful art of eating, Brynn is beginning to learn about the finer things in life, like "pedicures"!  Mommy can't wait to take her girls to get their toesies done someday!

We've been spending a lot of time at the park....with Grandparents, with Ben, and just the 4 of us...the girls love it and it has given us some great "Kodak" moments.

We even spent part of Mother's Day at the park together!  What a lucky mommy I am!

The new playroom in the basement is coming together....thanks to all of Brynn's (and Grandma's) help with the painting!

And last, but not least, we have been spending a lot of time in our own backyard...with rocks, sand, dirt, a little sliding, cooking in our playhouse, and exersaucering...

Life is good!

Mommy's Day

I always dreamed about being a Mommy.  But I never could've dreamt of the richness, joy, and emotion that having two little girls fills me with each day...it is indescribable.  What a gift to celebrate on Mother's Day!

I can only hope that someday, my girls feel half as proud to be my daughter as I am to be my Mom's daughter...I couldn't ask for a better Mom & Friend!

(Grandma Carol & Molly Rose)

Not-So-Newborn...

Where did the time go?  I ask myself this everyday as I watch all of the new things my little girls are doing and saying.  But I'm especially wondering today...on Molly's 7 month birthday. 

September 27, 2009

and 7 months later......

Sometimes it's hard to not think of her as my "newborn".   Brynn, at 7 months old, seemed so big and old to me and I couldn't wait until the next stage she would enter.  Although I love watching Molly grow and develop her little personality, I find myself clinging to every one of her "little baby" nuances she still has hoping that time will just slow down!  She is a happy and laid back little person changing everyday....but still wish she fit in one arm! 

Time flies when you're having fun....and boy, being a mommy is the more fun than I ever could've imagined!

Happy 7-month birthday Miss Molly-Cakes!

Smiles: Optional

Every time the camera is out, I try SO hard to get the girls smiling for pictures.  Molly is still pretty easy to convince to smile....Brynn, not so much.  She thinks she's pretty funny when she avoids and ignores the camera, just to remind us of the independent little person she is!

However, as I look at a few recent pictures, I can't help but still love the pictures where the girls are showing some of their many "moods" by not smiling!  Because, to me of course, they are still the most beautiful faces I've ever looked at, kissed, and fallen in love with every day. 

Smiles or no smiles.....I can't get enough of these two!

Generations II

Since Kevin and I have been together, I have grown to love his Grandparents like I do my own.  Grandma and Grandpa Voigt live on a cozy little farm and we try to spend a day there whenever we get the chance.  Although I wasn't raised with many experiences on a farm, I have learned to appreciate the simplicity of it and love spending time there, especially because of Grandma & Grandpa and their funny stories and playful bickering they share with us!

Since Brynn has grown into a busy toddler, I have seen a side of her that I never had in myself....an adventurous side that certainly comes out when we're on the farm.  She loves to spend every second outside by the horsies (we're trying to remind her that they don't say "moo"), hanging on the fence, and running around with all of the open space. 

We were able to get a few pictures from a recent trip to the farm.

Brynn sitting on "Boppa's" lap in the barn.

Brynn and Grandpa watching Millie have a snack...Brynn didn't want to get any closer!

Ben loves spending time on the farm with his buddy Jake.  It's always a tough call who is more tired at the end of the day...Brynn or Ben!

Brynn mixing up her leaves & dirt by the big tree!

Can't wait for another great day at the farm!

Generations I

We are so lucky that we (Kevin and I) both have healthy and active Grandparents that our girls are able to spend time with as often as we can.  I didn't grow up knowing my Great-grandparents so I feel so blessed that my girls have the chance to love and be loved by two of the most adored and selfless people in the world. 

Not too long ago, we spent a day in Winona visiting my Grandmas Rosemary and Sylvia.  Brynn was able to enjoy "exploring" (aka: making a mess in) Grandma Rosemary's house.  It is so neat that both Grandmas are such great friends and spend time together and visit often, even when their kids/grandkids aren't around to bring everyone together for a special occasion.  But, when we do go to Winona, we are able to see both Grandmas at the same time which is double the fun!

I was able to capture this picture of Brynn and Grandma.  Gram had Brynn on top of the kitchen table watching out the window as the train went by.  This picture is so awesome to me because of the memories it brings back for me!  All of my cousins and I, at some point in our lives, were lifted on to that same table by Gram or Grandpa to learn about the trains passing by.

Grandma Sylvia and Molly.

Grandma Rosemary and Brynn watching for birdies on the front porch.

The Grams and the Girls

A great day with great pictures to prove!