4th July BBQ (Still catching up)

We had a great time at the 4th of July BBQ. We were invited once again to Russell and Rachael's to celebrate with them. Since the 4th was a Sunday the BBQ was on the Saturday. As always there was good food and fellowship. The girls looked adorable in their patriotic dresses and the day was dry with some sunshine.



After several attempts to get a cute picture of the girls we gave up and this was the best we could do.








We had bought and filled a pinata for Abby's birthday and then forgot to use it at her party so we took it with us to the BBQ. The kids had a great time trying to break it and the adults stood back and enjoyed the show.


We tried to get a picture of all the dual national kids. Again tired kids and photography sessions just don't mix. Here are the 2 best shots we got.




Can't wait until next year....

Our Anniversary

This really should have come before the girls birthday's but since we didn't get to celebrate it till a few weeks ago I guess this order is better.

There is not a lot to say about it, even though it was our 5th anniversary. We could not celebrate at the time as not only were we babysitter less but we were in the middle of a campaign. So we decided to postpone it until a more convenient time.

Time marched on and we finally went out for dinner together a few weeks ago. We have decided that our funds for anniversary gifts would go towards getting a patio in our garden.

Well all that remains is to share with you that these 5 years have been the best of my life. They have gone by so quickly but just as quickly my love has sored for my wonderful husband. I can not begin to tell you how thankful I am that God brought this godly man into my life. He is never too busy to do anything for me from getting me a drink or snack to bending over backwards to help me with the girls. He is great with our children and loves spending time with them. Despite the fact that he doesn't share my need to have a clean and tidy house he does his best to help me. His thoughtfulness amazes me daily. I would say that compared to some we have had a reasonably smooth 5 years, we went into our marriage with our eyes open, having prepared as much as you can through books and premarital counselling, I don't think we would have done so well had it not been for that preparation. I can't imagine two more compatible people, even in our differences we seem to compliment each other beautiful. Everyday I grow more proud of the man that my husband has and is becoming. He is the man of my dreams but better yet the man of my prayers! David Rodney Chapman in front of those reading this - I LOVE YOU!

Abby's Birthday

At last I am getting to Abby's birthday. Okay so it was over a month ago - I'm pregnant with number 3 so I think I deserve a break :)

We celebrated the weekend after AJ's party. We had family and friends for a small party over a lunch time. Abby picked the party foods - Hotdogs, jam sandwiches, cream cheese sandwiches, crisps, chocolate. I decided that we should also have sausages and some grown up sandwiches as well as some fruit. She picked the paper plates and other tableware, red and some ladybirds (red has become her favourite colour). We decided that instead of having a big cake we would do cupcakes which you will see in the pictures. After the food the kids enjoyed playing and Abby opened her gifts (again we kept a few back for her actual birthday). It was a fun day and we had good weather so the kids spent some time in the garden. She really enjoyed her day.

So what is 3 year old Abby up to:
She communicates beautifully, almost too well
She can count up to about 40 but can get to 100 with a few prompts
She loves books and colouring and does a great job at tracing over letters, numbers, shapes, etc.
She loves being in the garden and taking walks. Loves to try and help with the gardening.
Sill loves parks and the beach
Wants to ride the Ferris wheel at Aberdeen fun beach
Loves baking and cooking
Loves crafting about anything I can think of to do
Loves to spend time with her family
Is great at sharing
Can dress and undress herself from the waste down
Eats well and a wide variety of foods
Favourite CD's Steven Curtis Chapman - Beauty will rise and Cindy Lauper - Seven deadly sins
Loves all things Dora and Diego
Watches on TV - Something Special, Me Too and I can cook
Only movies she has seen Mary Poppins and Ice Age
Has an amazing memory
Has a great knowledge of the beginning of the Bible - Adam and Eve through to Jacob. We are in the midst of Joseph at the moment.
Has a basic understanding of death/heaven
Loves to make AJ laugh
Is a wonderful helper
Usually sleeps great at night and still enjoys a quiet time every day
Has just informed us she wants to be a Doctor!
Has become little Miss Independent, wanting to do everything for herself
Is quite skilled in using a knife as well as her fork
Has good manners, most of the time
Loves singing
Can be trusted to amuse herself without getting into trouble
This list is endless so I will have to stop there. Needless to say we are SO PROUD of our girl and her achievements.

Abigail Faith:

Birth

One Year

Two Years

Big THREE
Party time. Enjoying the food

The Cupcakes - they are supposed to look like ice-cream cones.

Small cake so we could blow out the candles and have a cake fountain (like a small roman candle firework)
Blow....
AJ's reaction when she thought she wasn't getting a cupcake

That's better

Great faces...


Opening presents

Dora fairy dress up

Her first costume

Balloon fights (only boys)

If only I knew you could propagate them in this way!

Relaxing at the end of the day

Updates

We interrupt these attempted updates to bring you, well another update :)

We had our 20 week scan a week or so ago and since we have family who are wanting to see the pictures I thought I had better just get them on here.

They scan went well and it was noted how much of a camera ham this baby is. Everything looks good we were able to see the 4 chambers of the heart working away. We saw the baby yawning and swallowing. Kicking like mad, which I am now feeling and David has also felt some movements. All measurements and organs are as they should be and the placenta is in a good location. It is always amazing to get a glimpse of all the activity that is going on in there, hidden from our eyes. Enjoy the pictures.

Forgot

At AJ's party we made a painting for her. We did a similar idea for Abby's 1st birthday. Here is how it turned out.