NICU REUNION 2015.....

On Saturday, August 15th we attended our 6th NICU reunion.  It has taken me a little bit to actually formulate this blog post as the tears keep rolling.  You would think that after six years it would get easier......the pain lessens but is definitely still there.

As I was watching the girls maneuver around their "tiny baby party", I couldn't help but reminisce about how far we've come.....

Watching the girls attempt to climb the rock wall was kind of symbolic of the path our lives have taken....  All the hurdles and mountains we 've had to overcome....

But without perseverance we wouldn't have made it to the top.....

And other times in our lives.....We've have to take things a little slower, and be a little more careful about pushing our kiddos too far. 

Many people may not get it, but it really was weird watching the girls attempt to climb that rock wall..... Remembering that just a short while ago they were too fragile to even breathe on their own.

The girls always love the pony rides.  Alexis got to ride "Oreo" and Addison rode "Mystic".

They were also pretty excited to meet Blue.....The Butler Bulldog mascot.

But without all the help from the nurses, doctors, our family and our friends we wouldn't be where we are today.  We have two beautiful, strong, healthy and happy six year old girls.  They are so strong that they were almost able to ring the bell on the "hammer game" this year.  We are extremely blessed to have beaten all the odds.  I couldn't be more proud of my two little preemie gals!!!  God is pretty awesome!!!!

First day of First Grade.....

Here are a few photos from the first day of school. (August 13th, 2015)...

First Grade Meet the teacher....

On Monday evening (August 10th, 2015) we took the girls to meet their new teachers for the year.  They both wanted me to take a photo of them at their desks.

Furniture Shopping is hard work....

It's been a little over a year since our bathroom flood.  A few weeks ago, we finally put the last piece of the puzzle together to complete the rehab.  We've been searching for the perfect living room table for several months and could never agree.  We finally found it!  The girls have been incredible with our endless searching and disagreements in the furniture stores.  During the check-out process, the girls made themselves comfortable on some recliners.  (No, we did not purchase these gaudy things!!!)  I love how the girls both put their arms up behind their heads.  The always sleep like this as well.

And these two photos????  I have no clue??  We gave them our phones to play with while we were making our final decisions.  I found these pictures later. 

Nerd Alert...

Love my little nerd.....

Alexis tooth #4....

On Monday August 3rd, Alexis lost tooth #4.  She officially can no longer eat corn on the cob.  :-)

Please excuse the hair....she had just gotten back from the pool.

Alexis tooth #3....

On Tuesday, July 28th, Miss Alexis lost tooth #3.  I'm still trying to get used to looking at her toothless smile.

Fishers Freedom Festival 2015....

Again with another late post, but I still want to document......  Back on June 28th we attended the annual Fishers Freedom festival complete with fireworks at the end.  This is the first year we have let the girls stay up to watch them.  Being in Indiana and on Eastern time, it does not get dark until after 9:30.  The fireworks didn't start until well after 10:00.  They can't wait to do it again next year!!!

This is the look I got when I asked Alexis to give me a "mean face".

Dinner in a trolley.....

This post is slightly over due but I just saw the photo on my phone and I wanted to document it.  Back on July 3rd we made an impromptu visit to the zoo.  Rather than eating there, we decided to do something different.  I did a quick location search on my phone and we decided on the Old Spaghetti Factory.  The girls were pretty excited to sit inside Wally the Trolley.

July 4th, 2015

Selfie Sunday.....

I love it when I go through my phone and find pictures that the girls have randomly taken of themselves.  These are Addison's most recent selfies....

Movie Day with my Gals.....

Two weeks ago the girls and I took in an afternoon movie on a rainy Saturday.  This is how we roll at the theatre......

Yes we take blankets and pillows to the theatre!  Our movie theatre was recently remodeled with the most comfortable recliner/couch like chairs.  And yes, I'm the mom who brings Ziploc bags to split up the $9.00 bucket of popcorn between us.  Don't judge!!  :-)

Busy....

It's been a busy summer thus far.... hence the lack of blog posts.  We've been busy with summer camp, library reading programs, movies in the park, swim lessons and so much more.  Hope to catch up on this little 'ol blog soon!  For now I leave you with a photo of my two little swimming princesses!   

Strawberry picking 2015....

One of my favorite family traditions has to be strawberry picking.  We've been doing this since the girls were three.  We all love it.  This year was no exception.  Saturday (June 6th, 2015) we made our annual trip out to Spencer Farms for berries.  Here are a few photos....

And just like every other year..... Addison definitely ate more than she picked.  I've learned over the years to put the girls in either old clothing or pink shirts, due to the berry juice.

Alexis also ate her share, but she was very helpful in the picking process. 

Processing the berries into jam is becoming a lot easier with two girlies who love to help.  They each helped me stir up a batch of jam, make a strawberry ice cream cake, and freeze several bowls of strawberries.

Our finished jam.  7 1/2 large jars, 2 small jars and one weird shaped jar.  Should last us most of the year!!!