...Daddy watching tinkerbell with his girls! =)

....baby buns diapered in cloth

It has been a long road for us on this cloth diaper adventure. With so very many options and differing opinions on the topic it was almost impossible for me to decide. But I'm happy to say that after all of the stress I have found what works best for us. I have been turning my prefolds into contour diapers. I'm so happy with them. They breath so much better than our all-in-one diapers and dont leak like traditional prefolds can. Even the girls are happier. Jessica has even started telling us when she needs changing. =) I'm so grateful for all of the Momma's who encouraged me and didn't let me give up. We are finally happy with our choice and I encourage you to try it out too! =)

...having running water!

After a difficult night and rough start to the day in which we had no running water do to city maintenance. I found myself so delighted to do the laundry (diapers, and throw up sheets!) What a blessing it is to wake up every day and shower, wash my hands, dishes, water the plants, fill up the coffee pot, or just have a drink of water. I dont have to walk to a river, or hall it to my house, I just turn on the faucet! God humbled me this morning as I complained to Him about how unfair it was that I had to wait. God has blessed me with more than running water but He has quenched my soul's thirst. I can come to the well a drink deeply and be satisfied by living water! =) Thank you Lord for shutting off the water today so I could be truly thankful for your Living Water.

"Come thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace, streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise..."

Happiness is hiking with friends

Over the weekend we went up to Ester Dome. It was beautiful! It was a clear day and you could see for miles in every direction. All of the trees are changing their leaves to pretty shades of gold and orange. I love fall here in Alaska. We have as close to normal daylight hours as can and the weather is nice and the trees are gorgeous! After we got together with our friends up at Moose Mountain. We had a bonfire on their property and let the girls run free! Jessica loved being outside and being able to wonder around. But most of all she enjoyed digging in the dirt and playing with the rocks! =) We roasted hot dogs and smores! YUMMY! It was a wonderful way to end the weekend!

 Enjoying the view with my love

our usual self-portrait 

Love these trees!

Happy girls just playing with the rocks!

Happiness is when GG comes to Alaska

We were so very excited to have GG visit! =) This was not only her first trip to Alaska but also to visit me and a married Momma. We had a great time. Jessica and Gracie were especially happy to have her here. We did the usual fun things in town like Pioneer park, the Salmon Bake, and moose watching. But the most fun was had here at home just playing with the girls. GG read books, played games, taught J to run fast, held sweet Gracie, and played outside. The girls had so much fun and so did David and I! We played Idiot and wizard so many times! It was so very sad when she had to leave but we can't wait for her to come back and see us!

GG and Jessica at lunch

Playing at pioneer park

GG and her Girls

WEEEEE!

They were so amazing to see this close

US at the Salmon Bake

True Love! =)

Happiness is Family coming to visit

 We were so lucky to get to have my family come out to Alaska this summer! Seeing them all together twice was so fun. The girls were so delighted to be with Papa, Mimi, Uncle Nicholas, Uncle Ben, Auntie Crystal, and Kylie! =) We had all kinds of fun. We took them to Pioneer Park and had fun learning all about the history of Fairbanks!

Excited for Pioneer Park

We went blue berry picking and used them to make yummy blueberry pancakes!

Not to bad! 

We went camping at Birch Lake and had fun being in close quarters.

Jessica loved playing with Auntie Crystal

We also went to the fair and saw animals and ate yummy pretzels! =) It was a wonderful vacation but was over to quickly. I can't wait until the next time we are all together.

Looking at the Bunnies

Happiness is celebrating GG's 90th

We were so happy to get to celebrate with my family in Indiana. It was an amazing vacation. I got to introduce my little family to everyone. It truly was a special blessing to have my Great Grandma meet my children. GG held Gracie often and played with Jessica too. We also got to meet sweet little Kylie for the first time. Jessica instantly fell in love with her and still talks about her all the time! David got to wake  board and go tubing. Everyone loved my little family and we them. Here are a few of our happy memories in pictures.

Our sweet girl playing in the water

Great GG  lovin her Great Great Grandbaby

The sweet cousins =)

5 Generations

Happiness is life in the Air Force

We went to David's squadron picnic at Birch Lake. It was a wonderful day, 70 and sunny. The Lake was gorgeous  and so clear. (Jessica had a great time splashing around.) We enjoyed good food and great company.  David works with awesome people and we always look forward to the getting together. They had a fun bounce house for the kiddies and, fun games for the adults.  Cant wait for the next one! =)

Jessica enjoying the Bounce House

Sweet little face

I love her beautiful hair

=)

Sweet baby Gracie

Happiness is life in the Air Force

David got promoted in July to 1st Lt! We are so proud of him. David is so honest and, hard working he definitely deserved his promotion. Maj. Bell said some very nice things about David as both an officer and a man. Its was so awesome to see David get recognized for being the wonderful man we already know he is! Love, love, love that man! =)

Maj Bell and David

Officially a 1st Lt

Happiness is setting off fireworks

We had a BBQ this year at our house for the 4th of July. It was a blast! We had our dear friends over to help us celebrate. We had David's awesome BBQ chicken, set off fireworks in our front yard and played board games! This was Jessica's first time setting off fireworks. She loved it! She was all giggles and smiles. It was so fun to see her get so very excited when they exploded! Definitely her mother's daughter! =)

She was so happy

Jessica and her best buddy Eowyn

Happiness is when Mimi visits

It was such a wonderful blessing to have my Mom come for Gracie's birth. She was a life saver! She did our laundry, cleaned the house and, kept Jessica happy. Jessica loves her Mimi so very much. They spent hours reading books, playing outside, having tea, and playing chase.  Here a few of the highlights!

Mimi should her how to drink tea like a lady

3 Generations

AWWW

So much fun at the park

Happiness is Grace Elizabeth being born

On Friday, June 3, 2011 at 1pm our sweet little Gracie was born. She weighed in at 8lbs 3oz and, was 20.5 inches long! 

Our Day started out like most do. We woke up, got ready, had breakfast but instead of David going to work and me waking Jessica up we left her with my Mom and went to the hospital. We got there at 6am ready for the induction to begin. While sitting in the room I was so overcome with mixed emotions. I felt guilty for leaving Jessica, worried as to what she would think, and so nervous for the labor and delivery.

  Around 1030am I started to have contractions am boy did they hurt. But around 12  relief came when I got the epidural! Not long after that my water broke on its own which sent a wave of anxiety over me. It was time! Dave went to get the midwife and let her know that I was ready. While sitting in the room alone for a minute I could feel the tears starting to well up again only this time I was not afraid but, so excited to meet my new baby girl. As soon as the midwife was ready she told me to push twice and, out came our sweet little Gracie. Tears of joy came from David and I as we looked at our precious baby. David cut the cord and helped to catch Grace too! We instantly fell in love with our sweet baby girl.

 Later in the day Jessica came to visit with my Mom. One of the greatest moments of this birth was the look of pure love and excitement in Jessica's face as she held her baby sister for the first time. What a blessing it is to have our girls, God as truly given us more than we ever dreamed.

Happiness is Daddy making breakfast

So lucky to wake up to this handsome face every morning

Almost every Saturday my amazing husband makes us a fabulous breakfast. We feast on pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, cinnamon rolls, coffee and juice! He is so sweet to us girls and we love him dearly for it. =)