Playing in the Sprinkler

We had some fun in the sprinkler on a hot day:

Sprinkler 1 from Laura Hanlon on Vimeo.

Sprinkler 2 from Laura Hanlon on Vimeo.

(The baby in the background is little Gerry)

Four Years

Started off with some fruit, thank you honey :)

Ended in downtown Winston-Salem. We ate a wonderful dinner, spent the night, and enjoyed a cool, rainy day reading in Krankie's coffee shop. Such a relaxing time, with the love of my life.

Four years. I'm not going to lie, this year has been the hardest for me. I think mostly just because of being physically, emotionally, and spiritually drained and running around chasing after two little girls. It hasn't been easy being married, but our love for each other only continues to grow.

I can say that I am thankful for such an unconditional love and very committed marriage. Zach continues to love me despite my selfishness and many flaws, he continues to be fully committed and always puts our marriage first. Although I would never ask for these hard times, I know that it's the hard times that make your love stronger and deeper. I only hope that this is the beginning and for many more years with my man, good times and bad.

Father's Day Interview

2011 Father's Day Interview from Laura Hanlon on Vimeo.

Giggles with Papa

We spent a little time with Papa for Father's Day. I am so thankful for such a wonderful dad and grandfather he is. A father has a tremendous role in a child's life, and he definitely did in mine. I was so blessed to have a father who was always there for me, spent a lot of time with me, loved me, supported me, encouraged me, and taught me truth. I love you dad, and so do my little ones! They sure do always laugh with you.

Being goofy

Thumbsuckers
Loving their Papa

First Dance Class

Ellie started dance class on Wednesday and she LOVED it! To say that she was excited about dance class would be an understatement. She had been waiting for this day since her birthday because this was her birthday gift from our families. She would have worn her leotard and tights everyday and night if I let her. Since she wasn't allowed to wear them, she insisted the night before that her dance bag must "sleep" next to her. The day we bought her tap shoes, she insisted the next few days that she must wear them EVERYWHERE (which of course is not allowed, but she continued to persist no matter how many times I said no. I did let her wear them at home). The morning of, the first thing she asked to do was to put on her dance clothes. She could barely eat breakfast, yet alone do anything else that morning except bug me until I eventually gave in and showed up 20 minutes early to dance class. It's only a 5 minute walk from our house, so we walked there and watched the dance class before hers. She did pretty well in class, but she was a tad shy and had her moments where she got distracted. I think she will warm up next class and follow along a little better.

Ainsley and I stayed and watched the whole class. Ainsley didn't want to take her eyes off the dancers, she would push people away if they got in her way! We are excited for next Wednesday!! Here's a few pictures I got:

Lining up for class:

Learning a few dance moves:

18 months

picture taken by friend, Christie Matta

Sweet little Ainsley, just a bubble of love and life and now 18 months old! I really enjoy watching her personality unfold and how she takes in this big world around her. You haven't seen much on this blog recently, and it's because these two girls keep me busy and I tend to just enjoy the moments without the camera. Ainsley definitely keeps my hands full, she loves getting into everything and following everything that her sister does! Although she is full of life, she stops to give me hugs and kisses every once in a while, this lights up my days.

Facts about Ainsley at 18 months:
-has been a little slow with her vocabulary and annunciation, but now she is fully taking off. I can't fully understand what she says a lot of time, she mostly mumbles sentences. She's picking up a few words almost each day, so it's getting easier and easier each day!
-very interactive, she likes to asks questions and answer questions. She also loves to wave at strangers, and make you laugh in any which way she knows how.
-new thing is to ask where everyone is. If I go get her in the morning she always asks where daddy is and where Ellie is, if Zach goes to get her when she wakes, she asks where mommy is and where Ellie is. It never fails. If we go out during the day to a store, she typically asks at least 10 times where daddy is. If ANYONE is missing out of the 4, she must know over and over again where they are. Love how she just is bonded to our family.
-definitely is attached to our family, all 3 of us. She doesn't like separation from us unless she is with her sister. She is perfectly fine if one of us is with her, but if all of us are gone, she gets upset. We never experienced this with Ellie, although Ellie is the most attached she's ever been and mostly with her sister.
-has freckles! Maybe she'll be like mommy??
-loves to sing! She actually is pretty good and stays on key
-loves to color, sits longer than Ellie does most of the time and will cover the whole page!
-loves shoes, not sure if this is because Ellie loves shoes and she is just copying her older sister, but she loves to go get shoes and try them on (anywhere and everywhere and anyone's)
-loves food, will eat most everything you put in front of her.
-gets along with her sister well. She has finally stopped finding so much joy out of aggravating her sister every moment she can. They play together very well most days, although Ainsley is much more independent than Ellie.
-loves books still. As soon as she wakes up or comes home, she goes and picks up a book. She is just as content reading them herself as she is you reading to her (but don't get me wrong, she LOVES when you read to her).
-has already peed and pooed on the potty! She is very interested in the potty and loves to sit on it. She is also really wants to wear panties. I usually find her at least once a day putting on a pair of Ellie's underwear. I'm not ready to train her yet, let's hope she will wait.
-likes cats more than dogs. Sorry Ainsley, we are NOT getting a cat.
-went to the doctor. Her stats: 25% height, 50% weight, and 80% in head circumference. 24 lbs of BEAUTIFUL.

I can't even describe how much I love this little girl. Sometimes I get distracted at the amount of work and energy they take, but these two girls teach me so much about life and fill my heart with so much joy and love. I continue to look forward to watching my baby girl grow and explore this world...

My Beautiful Girls

These pictures capture my girls perfectly. Both beautiful, Ainsley being goofy, Ellie loving the camera (when she wants to). I would have to say Ellie is definitely not always like this in front of the camera, it's just only when she wants to be or if she knows mommy will not be happy if she doesn't sit still.

Love these two.

Happy Birthday Nana!

Until I became a mother, I did not understand,
The profound sense of love in a Mother's heart and hands,
As I Whisper, "Mommy loves you", I rock my precious child to sleep.
Small perfection in my arms; sweet breaths, slow and deep.
I now see me as a baby; you're rocking me to sleep.
You whisper, "Mommy loves you, my heart is yours to keep."
At last I recognize your love, as a Mother I now see.
As I hold and love my child, you felt that love for me.
I will always be your baby, despite the years that pass.
You have given me my life, and a Mother's heart to last.
The greatest thanks I can offer; more than words can ever say
Is to give my child the love, you gave me everyday.
Author unknown

Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for all the love you have given me and continue to give this day. You mean so much to me and I am thankful for you even more this day as I am a mother. What a blessing you are to our lives. We love you very very much. Hope you have a wonderful day and know how much you are loved from each one of your girls.

Daily Shenanigans

We try to have some fun around here...

Daily Activities from Laura Hanlon on Vimeo.

Sorry about the motion sickness, I have a hard time keeping the camera still with a baby in my arms (little Gerry):)