Tomatoes and Caramel Pecan Rolls

Picking the last tomatoes of the summer with Daddy.

They've come to an end with all the cold weather we've been having :(

We enjoyed many BLT sandwiches, tacos, spaghetti, pizzas, and hamburgers with our garden fresh tomatoes this summer!

We're going to miss them!

The girls (and the doll) helped me make caramel pecan rolls yesterday. They LOVE to help!

I guess I never took a picture of the finished product- but boy are they good!

Wanna come over and have some too?!

Fun with Daddy

This past Friday and Saturday I attented the Ladies Retreat at Grindstone Lake Bible Camp in Sandstone, MN. It was such a great time. It was fun being a camper again and spending the night in those cabins. I thought the best part was being able to spend time with my sisters-in-law, Susann and Beth, who I don't get to see as often as I'd like (Mom too!)! Mom was one of the three speakers for the weekend. She did an amazing job (would you expect anything different from my mom?!) Mom is also on the planning committee for the retreat and does ALL the decorating. Once again, she did an amazing job! My mom really is the most talented woman I know!

After I got home Daniel told me he overheard Lillian thinking outloud to herself one day. She said, "Mommy is sleeping in a cabinet? -- That's so small!" Kids say and think the craziest things! Daniel never even told her that I was actually sleeping in a cabin and NOT in a cabinet! The poor girl thought I had been sleeping in a tiny cabinet the whole time!

This was my first time ever away overnight from Rebecca. I have only been away overnight from Lillian when Abigail was born and away overnight from Abigail when Rebecca was born! What an exciting life I live! HA! I couldn't even think of the last time I had eaten a meal without having to feed a child (or two or three!) at the same time! It was really a nice "break."

I don't think the girls minded me being gone at all! They had such a fun time with Daniel. They ended up going mini golfing here in St. Croix Falls and also to a park on Friday afternoon. Then on Saturday they went to the "Wheels and Wings" show in Osceola, WI. (they even packed a lunch!). I think they're going to want me to go away more often! Here are some pictures Daniel took of their fun time together ...

Packed in and ready to go golfing!

The next Tiger!

Lillian's favorite "car" of the show was this purple jeep because it's just like Daddy's (only Daddy's isn't purple!) Lillian is standing on the far side of the jeep.

The effects of spending a day out on the town with Daddy!

I think Daddy likes his girls :)

Another Sunday Picnic!

We had another Sunday picnic today but went to a different park. We picked up some Subway subs (Lillian's favorite) and went to the North Branch school's playground (maybe the same playground equipment Auntie Beth played on as a kid!?). It was a great day for a picnic ...

This is why Daniel calls Abigail, "Chuckle." You can always count on Abigail for a good smile and laugh!

Lillian has finally learned how to pump with her feet while on a swing! Once she figured it out, there was no stopping her!

Peek-a-boo! I can't see you!

Here we are all swinging as a family! Ahhh ...

The sermon in church today was on Psalm 119:176, "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands." The kids were given spools, pipe cleaners, and some real wool to bring home and make sheep. We added the bells. Here they are showing them off ...

We had another great day at the park as a family! Thank you, Lord, for family and friends!!

Sunday Picnic

We went to the Lion's Park here in town today after church for a picnic lunch. It was a perfect day for a picnic. It's starting to feel like fall already! I've even noticed a few early (very early) trees changing colors! The girls can not get enough of the outdoors ... especially Lillian. She LOVES going to the park!

In the last picture, Rebecca is showing off her newest owie. She was crawling, slipped, and went face first onto the hardwood floor! She still has all 12 teeth ... just a very swollen lip! The picture was taken soon after it happened when her lip was at it's worst. It is looking much better now! Speaking of owies, Abigail had her second bee sting of the summer (and of her 2 1/2 year life) yesterday. She stepped right on top of the little guy and got stung on the bottom of her foot! Her first sting came only a couple of weeks ago on her finger while we were having a picnic lunch outside of our house. Poor Abigail!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures! Thanks for looking!

Photo Shoot!

I could relate with Rebecca in this last picture by the time our "photo shoot" was all over! I think it's almost impossible to get a good picture of the three of them together. One wants their "special treat" right away, one decides they have to go potty, and one just wants Mommy to always hold them (which explains the ball) and for her sisters to just leave her alone!! It's quite frustrating really, and yet, I still make the attempt. I would like to take them to a "professional" sometime but haven't worked up enough nerve yet. Maybe someday ... until then these pictures will just have to do!

Rebecca's ONE!

Well, we finally have a faster internet connection which makes it a little more conceivable to upload pictures. It's still not the fastest but is a whole lot better than it was before. So, I decided to follow the crowd and start our own blog. I think it's a great way for family and friends (those interested anyway) to pop in and see what's going on with our three Giggling Girls ...

I took the girls to McDonald's for a special treat on Rebecca's first birthday!

Can you tell they had a good time?

Here she is! The birthday girl enjoying her fries!

(and using all 12 teeth to chew them up!)

After lunch we went to the park -- Rebecca loves the swings!

After supper we had a party with just our family: Daniel, myself, Lillian, Abigail and Rebecca. I attempted to make a Pooh birthday cake for Rebecca. I used the same bear cake mold for Lillian and Abigail's first birthdays, just changed them a little for each girl. Here are some pictures:

Lillian with her little girl "look alike" cake.

Abigail with her fuzzy teddy bear cake.

Here is Rebecca enjoying some yummy Pooh cake!

All the Birx girls giggling ... that happens alot around here!!

Rebecca's new birthday outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Haglin!

Happy FIRST Birthday, Rebecca!

We're so happy to have you as our daughter and little sister!

We love you!