1..2...and Introducing 3!

The first picture of all my kiddos, minus one face. Yup, I'm pregnant!

I am sure you have all been wondering why the blog has lagged in photos and humor lately. Blog time i.e. Harper Belle's nap time has become my "restypoo" time so that I actually see my family at night and don't konk out on them at 6:27 in my chair.
Hopefully with the recent completion of my first trimester I will have more energy and can get some pictures of our Texas trip on the blog.

Thornton #3 is due on November 17th and we look forward to welcoming our bundle in time for Thanksgiving. Maybe we will name it Squanto....

Yikes!

Throughout the winter months Matt has been growing out his beard. At first it was a test to see how long it would actually get (which was at least an inch and a 1/2 in all directions) then it became a necessity because of the absurdly cold weather. The results were the pretty hairy face above, or as my brothers referred to it, "he looks like one of those anarchist mountain extremist men from Montana." Wow, now if that doesn't make you want to repeat a look for a second winter I don't know what will.

We knew he was hiding some face behind all that thick, red, curly hair! The cutting of the beard was Matt's gift to Harper Belle on her birthday. Yes, many moons ago, but I finally got this posted on the blog! Here's to my smooooooooth baby faced man. Love you!
Now you just have crazed look in your eye of a vagabond with no gnarly beard to go with it. Yikes!

1st Birthday Party

This past Saturday we celebrated Harper's 1st year with a birthday party. It was a day of family, friends, sugar and kids romping around.
Harper loves her new tunnel that her cousins from NYC gave her! Talk about a hit with the tykes! I love those little dimpled hands!

Harper playing with her bestie friend, Collette!

Harper playing with the Fadel boys. She really loved trying to keep up with the big boys!

Birthday Family Photo

Harper enjoyed us singing to her....

and then the cake...

a messy success (or serious sugar rush)!

I'm One!

A year has flown by!
Our photo session went well...

then Harper started to get a little tired...

and then she was done!
Happy Birthday sweet girl!

The Sun...

About two weeks ago it snowed...again. Gray skies, cold wind, snow and more snow piled high. My excitement about our first winter and the wonder of the beautiful white blanket of flakes was quickly coming to an end. And just when I wasn't sure if I could stand it any longer...

The sun shone brightly and blissfully!

It was a sunny, warm, beautiful day with the sound of melting icicles dripping in the background as us girls sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air and soaked up the sun.
Harper had little interest in her toys and instead she only had eyes for what Madison was playing with.

Madison introduced Harper to a snowball...

Which, of course, went immediately in the mouth.
It was my favorite day in quite a while. The icing on the cake...the silver lining...it was a day in the sun, literally.

Fancy a Blueberry...

Anyone?

The Gus

Yes, that's right, Gus came to visit. It was a glorious President's/Valentines Weekend spent laughing, playing in the snow, perusing rock memorabilia, and did I mention laughing.

Every night Madison and Gus went sledding at our local park and then would come home to the fire, roasting marshmallows and gabbing. I loved hearing the giggles and seeing the mischievous grins as I would pass through.

Harper enjoyed The Gus, too!

On our way to Cleveland's lake shore to visit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Along the way we stopped by this itty bitty boat to see that the lake had frozen over.

TaDaaaaaaaaaa....the girls had a great time looking at Jimi Hendrix's flamboyant threads, early Beatles everything, the giant Phish hotdog, and Elvis's purple Cadillac. It truly is an amazing museum with so much interesting rock history.

A day well spent!

All my girls! It was a beautiful weekend with a lot of memories and smiles. It warmed my spirit to see Madison so happy, not only to see her best friend, but to also show off her new hometown. There was a sense of pride and acceptance that felt good. Although we were sad to see her go, it won't be long until we are in Austin....and reunited once again for more giggles.