Halloween {2014}

What a fun day Halloween was this year! It started out with an awards ceremony at school. Annabelle    Anna, got an award for knowing all of her letters, letter sounds, meeting the end of the year reading level and perfect attendance. I was a proud Mama up there watching my baby get her awards.

Not to mention the perks of being a teacher mom, is being there to see her get an award AND presenting it to her at the same time. 

Later that day was the Halloween party and Daddy got to come for that! 

After school was rush, rush to get home and get everyone in their costumes. Annabelle was Anna at school, but Elsa for Trunk or Treat. Landree was Anna and Zoe was Olaf. I loved how their costumes turned out!

Anna

Olaf

Elsa

We went to church for the annual Trunk or Treat! Sweet Landree and Kasi are buds.

And this girl LOVES Mr. Rick.

Drum roll....

And the awkward Halloween Family picture!! This cracks me up!!!!! Looks like something that would go on the front of a redneck Christmas card!

Merry Christmas err...Happy Halloween from the Aldrichs!

8 Months Old {Zoe Grace}

POh, Sweet Z...

I cannot get over your personality and happy nature. Just when I think I've had the happiest baby in the world, another one comes along that proves me wrong. You're an absolute bundle of joy. Everyone loves being around you. 

This last month we've started "big girl" things. You eat puffs and yogurt melts. And, on occasion, will drink from a sippy cup. You just started holding your bottle. Which is crazy, but you made up your mind to wait that long to do it, little stinker. 

You light up a room and exude happiness. You've absolutely stolen the heart of your great grandmother. When mememama stays with us, I barely get to hold you. Haha -- that's ok. I understand. 

We had our first buggy ride this month too. Eh. We were a little unsure about it. 

I love you and your chubby self. I can't get enough of the chubs. I could gobble you up. 

And sometimes I do. 

Your sisters think you're pretty great. You and Landree don't always get along, but you're still the best of friends. And you think Annabelle hangs the moon. 

Thank you for being you. You light up our lives. 

Love you to the moon, Angel. 

-- Mommy

7 Months Old {Zoe Grace}

Happy Seven Months to little Miss Personality!!

 

It's really starting to shine through -- that personality of yours. And I love it!! You are hilarious, Z. You make is all laugh with your high pitched squeals and huge gummy smiles! And what's crazy is that we can already tell how different your personality is from your sisters. You're definitely our spunky and outgoing one. 

And oh my goodness. Those thighs. Your wonderfully chubby, squishy and yummy thighs. I love them! All of those rolls are good for my stress level. All I need to do is give them a little squeeze and I feel better. So sweet. 

What I'm also loving is this seeing how the baby is treated like "the baby." Sometimes, unfortunately, you fall victim of your sisters. Especially the oldest. You know, like turning your baby oranges toy into a mermaid, seashell bra. 

And being the third girl I find it just as fun as ever to dress you up in precious little outfits and take your picture. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen as often as it did with the other two. But every now and then, we play dress up. 

And how I'm loving watching all of the sisters together. Y'all are so very sweet together and I can't wait to see y'all grow up and be close! 

Oh, Zoe. How you being such light into our lives. I can't even begin to tell you how happy you make us. 

I still think I'm dreaming. I can't believe God gave me threw beautiful girls. I love you all so much. I still, especially, can't believe he gave me you. You surprised us, but how wonderful that surprise was. 

We love you Zoe Grace!! Keep being wonderful, chunky, spunky and crazy you!!

Love you, sweet angel!

-- Mommy

First Day of Kindergarten {Annabelle}

You know. Being a Kindergarten teacher, my whole career, it always seemed so far off in the distance that my child would be a Kindergartener one day. 

Then. 

I woke up one day. And she was. 

My baby. My oldest beauty, the one who made me a Momma started Kindergarten August 24, 2014. The day after she turned five. What a surreal day that was. 

But we turned it into a "holiday" of sorts. Daddy took the day off, went with us to school and came back and brought is lunch. 

It was crazy to watch MY baby join this group of Kibdergarteners and do what "big kids do." She's now a big kid. 

She already had a sweet friend, going into it, who shared her last name. We're tvankf for Madeline and her family. 

Not to mention, she has the most awesomest Kindergarten teacher ever!! 

It was a great first day and I'm so blessed to have been there to see a wry part of it. 

Girl's Weekend {2014}

One of the biggest treats for me this past summer, was spending the weekend with my girls {minus, Chels}. Our hubbies kept the kiddos while we went down to Waco to stay with Jill in their new house. The first part of it was fabulously spent hitting up the wonderful shopping spots in Waco. 

Then on Saturday we went to the place at nearest and dearest to my heart -- Salado. And even though I've bed. Going there for 31 years, I never knew there was a college there. Obviously, not an active college, but the remains are a historical site in Salado. So neat!

And, of course we stopped by Grandmother's house which is now a tea room.  

I was excited to go inside. Well...excited and a little sad. The most fondest memories of my childhood are in this house. 

You may see a tile floor, but I see a place where I sat and played games while my grandmother greeted her customers in her shop. 

You see a door. I hear a bell that dinged everytime the door opened and closed. 

Looks like a junky storage room? I see my grandmothers bed and how it was always beautifully made. 

It's always a bittersweet thing, visiting this house. 

Then we stopped off by the creek and I snapped a picture of the very spot Austin proposed in. The happiest and biggest surprise to that date. He knew exactly what my heart loved and the place most meaningful to me. I couldn't have picked a better spot. 

Overall, just a fun, relaxing and much needed weekend with the girls. Thankful for them and their friendship!!!!

5 & 6 Months Old

Well, this is a first for mommy, Zoe. Combining two monthly posts. Sorry, kiddo. Things like this happen when you're the third. HOWEVER, in my defense, we were at the beach when you turned five months old, then we got home and I got the flu. Then shortly after, Daddy left for London. So, before I knew it you were six months old!! So, I thought it easiest just to combine the two. Just this once. 

Happy five AND six months, precious girl. To say you're a joy is an understatement. You're all things sweet and joyful and we're so blessed to have you. 

Your adorable, gummy smile is almost too much to take. You're so sweet and happy. Your smile literally can light up a room. 

Like I mentioned, you turned five months old while we were in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This was your first trip to the beach. You liked it just ok. You weren't crazy about the sand and really weren't crazy about the heat! But all things considered, you were a trooper! And a wonderful little traveler. We rarely heard a peep out of you there and on the way back!

And -- BAM!! Just like that, six months old. Crazy! You turned six months when Daddy was in London. We tried to let you video chat with him, but you were t into it. 

Your smiles have only increased and you are gaga over your sisters. It's so sweet to watch you light up when they're around. 

You're still a wonderful baby, but have taken on a bit of a high maintenance nature, lately. It's still pretty cute, but you're more aware of your surroundings and cry if mommy walks out of the room. I'm a little worried about when I go back to work, but I'm sure you'll adjust fine. 

Just like your other two sisters, you adore your Daddy. It's, of course, very much mutual. 

At your six month check up we learned you're a little bit behind in your gross motor development. I also learned this is mainly my fault because instead of lying you on the floor to roll, I've been putting you in your bouncer. Oops. But you're picking it up well! You successfully rolled from tummy to back and then back to tummy the other day. 

You're still quite the eater and weighed in at about 17 pounds. Haha! I love your chunkiness so much! And I love you!!

What a bright spot you are in our lives, Z. We love you so much!!! 

I love you,

Mommy

Father's Day {2014}

Happy Father's Day to the BEST Daddy in the whole world!!

My goodness we hit the lottery with our Daddy. What a blessing he is to us.  This Father's Day was his first Father's Day as a Daddy to three girls. It blows my mind to think about. I know God gave us girls because how amazing he is with them.

For Father's Day we got him a t-shirt. Hmm. He's hard to buy for, but he deserved more than a t-shirt! But he's grateful and low maintenance. I know he appreciated it. Just like we appreciate him. 

To our Daddy:

We love you so very much. You're so gracious, serving, loving and Godly. We love how you lead and love us. I feel so blessed that our girls have such a rock for a Daddy that they can always count on. I'm sure there will be plenty of times where they will want to go to him for advice rather than me. He's so logical and understanding and PATIENT! I'm sure I'll be too high strung at times! Haha...that's ok, in many ways I prefer they want their Daddy over me. Oh, how important that relationship is.

Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for all you do for us. You want to give your girls everything and love them so well. Couldn't ask for more than that. God blessed us with you.

Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Mommy, Annabelle, Landree and Zoe