Sunflower Time

It's sunflower time! This will be the third year we have done this tradition. Clara and I have enjoyed the last two years of doing this. It's been fun to watch her learn about how something as beautiful and big as sunflowers starts as a very small seed. I have such a fondness for flowers and gardening. I can remember spending time with my Great Grandma in her yard, watching her garden, and being amazed at the vastness of her knowledge and talented green thumb. Those memories of my Great Grandma, inspire me to share that joy with my daughter. A daughter who by no coincidence shares the same name.

Oops, got a little off track there. Anyway, it's fun to watch the wonder in the little eyes as the little, dirt covered seeds grow quickly, week by week, into mammoth stalks. I loved taking those weekly pictures and seeing how the little girl standing beside the flowers grows just as much from spring the the end of summer. It will be interesting to see if Colton is as fascinated as Clara has been. And, if he cooperates with the weekly picture taking ritual.

 Miss Clara....nothing to say about this pose.

Getting the seeds buried

Colton really liked dumping the dirt

 

 This year's first official sunflower picture,

Colton wouldn't sit still long enough to say in the shot!

 I have a feeling getting Colton is these

weekly shots is going to be a lot of work.

The seeds are planted. The pots are watered. Now, we wait and watch them grow...flowers and kids!

Battalion Ball

Aaron's battalion, 2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry Regiment (2-2IN) had it's Ball back in March. Now, what girl doesn't love shopping for a fancy gown, accessorizing it, getting all dolled up and feeling beautiful on the arm of a handsome Soldier? Well, this girl certainly enjoys all those things. Add to those, the chance for a great evening out with her husband, having fun with friends, and a night away from the kids in a fancy hotel suite in downtown Louisville, and you have one happy Army Wife.

We had a great time at the Galt House and enjoyed being able to celebrate the re-deployment with so many great people.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Happy Spring, Happy Birthday to Aaron, and Happy Easter. We have been one busy bunch celebrating and enjoying family time.

The daffodils have come and gone,

but we sure were excited when the appeared

Aaron's birthday fell on Easter weekend this year. We were visiting family up in Detroit and enjoyed a fun morning at a local, indoor water park.

Splashing and laughing

Happy Easter, 2012

Sister and Brother

Naturally, our two kiddos are not perfect angels. We have moments breaking up tug-of-war-with-a-toy battles, sister chasing brother because he took her baby doll, brother chasing sister because she took his backpack, and plenty of "Mommmmmm! He/She took my (fill in the blank)". And, as Colton is getting bigger he's even figured out how to tackle is big sister and throw her to the ground with little effort to get his point across. But, honestly, those moments are mostly shadowed by a pretty happy sibling relationship that seems to be getting pretty strong as our little guy and gal grow up.

Clara loves to snuggle with Colton when he allows it

And, even if Colton isn't too crazy about the idea,

Clara is often determined to show her affection

Colton often has a case of "monkey see, monkey do",

and wants to be just like his big sis

Hugs before bedtime are must for Colton,

he's got to give some love to his "Ra ra"

I realize that the arguments will get louder and perhaps more frequent as they grow, but I have a feeling these two are going to be looking out for one another and loving each other for a very long time.