Accessorized

Remember this part in Toy Story?

Well, I'm pretty sure that's what it's like to be a toy at our house.

Wishberries

Carter has always called dandelions "wishberries". I'm not sure where she got this from but my guess is it's probably off a movie. Anyways, right now the dandelions are perfect to blow and make wishes with. Today, Carter handed one to both Gabby and I and took two for herself. Then she asked us what we wished for. I told her I wished for 2 happy girls. Cheesy, yes. Carter said she wished for a new puppy with one and to be a ballerina with the other. Gabby took a long time with her wish. She was putting some intense thought into it. Then, she proudly told us that she wished for some macaroni and cheese. We were all cracking up. She has been saying some pretty funny things lately! I'm sure we will have our share of stories from raising her :)

Copper Dog

Sunday afternoon

Ready to explore

Magnifying glass...check
Lantern...check
2 girls ready to go exploring outside and find chipmunks...check, check

Why we love our Gabster

• She is in love with Dora the Explorer and Santa.
  
• She makes us laugh everyday.


• She will help with anything including dinner, cleaning, shopping, give her a job and she's a happy girl .
  
• She has a bit of a sweet tooth. She will finish her treat and then ask Carter for bites of hers.


• She is a big tease to her older sister but loves her a lot!
  
• She loves to sing but gets stage fright. She will rarely sing in front of anyone if she knows they are listening.

• She has a soft heart for babies. She's our little mommy.
  
• She thinks that playing with friends/cousins/aunties/uncles/grandparents is the best thing ever!
  
• She has the only set of blue eyes on either side of the family.
  
• She loves to sleep. She will even tell us when she's sleepy and wants to take a nap.
  
• She thinks it is funny to call people by their first names or nicknames for example: Sherwood, Robert, Clarkie, Kevin, Holly, Marshy
  

We love so much about our Gabby Girl. She is the little personality in our family. Happy Birthday Gabs!

Happy Birthday to Gabby!

Gabby decided she wanted an all-Dora 2nd birthday. Here are some pictures from our little celebration!

Dinner on the patio for the kids

Everyone helped a little with opening, and playing with, the gifts. So fun.

Happy 2 years to Gabby!

At the square

Tonight, we headed downtown where they show movies under the stars. We got there a little early and they had some pre-movie entertainment for us. I couldn't get the girls to look away for a decent picture. They were mesmerized! What might you ask had the girls in such a trance?

Belly Dancers. Yes. They were showing the movie Aladdin so, maybe they were going with the whole middle-eastern theme? Well, the girls got their groove on and stood up to dance along. Sorry for the blurred picture but they were having a good time. Hilarious, free entertainment.



On a totally different note:
Good Luck on your marathon run tomorrow, Mom!!!

Hints of Fall

There's just something in the air that is making me want to put up fall decorations, make caramel-dipped apples, go to a pumpkin patch, wear a jacket, have a bon-fire, drink cider and play in the leaves. A little early, perhaps, but don't worry, I won't put up my Christmas lights until after Thanksgiving.

First Day of Preschool

Carter has been soooo excited to start preschool. We got her school supplies a few weeks ago and I am now aware that all it really takes to make a kid happy is a new backpack. She was giddy this morning when she actually got to wear it to school. We hope you have a fun year Carter!

Babies

Baby Carter

Baby Gabby

Baby Sparks #3-Due to arrive March '09
Already a little social butterfly...s/he's already waving at us!
Carter insists this baby is a boy and wants to name him Andy. Gabby just wants to name the baby Dora whether it's a girl or a boy. They are excited to be big sisters!

Cardinals Training Camp '08

It has become a fun family tradition to go to Cardinals camp every year. Is it a coincidence that Robert happened to choose the school where his favorite football team practices every summer? Probably not. We will have to keep the tradition up, even after we leave Flag.

Gabby "The Bug Killer" Sparks

After being gone for 5 weeks, we returned home to find that a few bugs had moved in while we were vacationing. I guess that's what happens when you live in the forest. Carter cannot handle bugs and would come running in to tell us if she saw one. Meanwhile, Gabby would go grab a tissue and flush the bug herself. It's so funny because both Carter and I are too wimpy but the one-year-old is just fine! I think Gabby just really gets a kick out of watching Carter and I get squeamish!

Rocky Point

Ah, we got to spend this last week in Rocky Point with the Warren's! We are converted to life on the beach! Just the trip we needed before Robert's last year of school.

Carter getting her hair braided

Our little beach babe

Gabby, Micah, Carter, all excited to be in Mexico

Robert and Clark in one of their many races. Maybe they can train for the next olympics!?

Loving the beach

Gabs on the balcony

Goodbye Mexico! It's back to real life! We hope to be back soon!