thunk!

 I hate to speak too soon, but I think the tide is turning for miss Bell. She seems to be a little better today. I'll spare you the poop details, but things are improving.
I vowed, last night, that we would not watch one Elmo DVD today. ...and I didn't. (they did watch 1, but just 1 - 20min show) This afternoon, I busted out the play-dough on our lovely activity table. (Thank you Kostermans!)
They had a blast! see:

Bean with the playdough

Bell really liked the containers

While getting Bell dressed after her bath tonight, I hear thunk thunk thunk on the stairs.
i yell : "Bean?"
no answer
me: "Bean? do you hear me?"
no answer
another thunk
me: "Bean, come in the bathroom right now!"
Bean walks in the bathrom slowly
me: did you throw something down the stairs?
Bean: "....um.....yes"
me: "and what did you throw down the stairs?"
Bean: "ummmm.... shoes"
me: "do not throw anymore shoes down the stairs."
Bean; "okay, I go read stories."

The girls had a blast in the bathtub tonight. I bought some bubble bath at Target today... before everyone freaks out that I'm putting my little girls in a bubble bath, let me assure you it's a snazzy organic brand w/ no chemicals at all. it has some special stuff... i forget what... but it's from plants... that's supposed to help w/ colds and congestion. it smells very slightly like vicks vapor rub.
Now... for some cute pictures:

Bell

Bean

Bell (I love her face in this one)

Bean (ah! bubbles!)

dinner time

This is a typical dinner time at our house. Both girls talking (sometimes singing) at the same time. We need to work on taking turns talking. Soon they'll figure out I can't understand either of them when they both talk at once...  hopefully sooner than later. Bell is on the left and Bean on the right.

And then, every once in a while, they start to work together and we get a story.

We are on to day 3 of sickness. They've eaten more toast in the past 3 days than they have the rest of their lives all put together. They watched more dvds in the past 3 days than they usually watch in a week. Right now, I'm just trying to keep them happy. (which is a lot more difficult than usual)

i couldn't make this stuff up

Bean during breakfast, "I a little bit happy. I not sad. I happy 'cause I not sick."

Bean after her trip to the Dr. to get her flu shot. She didn't even cry!

Bell after her first trip to the Dr. She didn't cry either. The second trip to the Dr. was not as fun for her...or anyone else. :(  poor Bell. Bronchitis and some sort of stomach bug. :(

~~~~~~~
Me: What are you drawing?
Bell: Daddy's feet. Daddy sad.
Me: Why is Daddy sad?
Bell: He cryin.
Me: Why is he crying?
Bell: He wants mommy. He wants to cuddle with mommy. I make Daddy happy. I draw mommy right here.

seriously... i couldn't make this up.
with bell being sick, she's been asking for lots of cuddles from mommy lately. i think that somehow fed into her thoughts that led to this conversation. but it sure threw me for a loop.

she's smiling, but don't let her fool you - she feels very yucky

 oh Bell my dear, not that daddy ever needs cuddles now, but if he did, I bet Jesus is a great cuddler.

yucky bronchitis

Bell is sick, so we're laying low and I haven't taken pictures. So here's a good one from last weekend
 

Grammy Susie reading to Bell (pink) and Bean (blue)

There were a number of great quotes today, but I only remember one right now.
 I saw Bell pulling the raisins off of the counter and asked her what she was doing. She said while putting the raisins back on the counter, "ummm... not getting the raisins, mommy."

WBW - ready for the pool

Way-Back-When-sday (playing along with cheryl at www.twinfatuation.com)

Just some memories of Florida last year. I can't believe how little my girls seem. They look like babies in these shots and now little girls. It wasn't even a year ago. Time goes by so quickly and they change so fast. 

Daddy, Bean, Bell, and Mommy

Bell - 18mo

 

Bean - 18mo

Bell's turn

I just thought Bell should have a turn too. This grouping is from this past weekend.

#1

#2

#3

 

#4

 

#5

  

#6

#7 - She been doing this funny teeth thing a lot lately

#8

what am i going to do with you?

"What am I going to do with you," I said to Bean last night as we were finishing dinner.
"Smack me on the head!" was the exuberant reply I received.
I laughed...and felt slightly concerned... so i said, "why would you say that?"
"cuz it funny," she says roaring with laughter.
I just laughed. I have no idea where she got that phrase or why she thought it would be so funny, but I suppose it's my fault for asking. It was pretty funny. :)

editing Bean

Just playing with the simplest of editing tools. I used this reel of photos of bean from this weekend.

Butterbean:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

So the question is... which picture do YOU like best? and Which picture's effect do you like best?
Leave a comment to let me know which numbers.

triple birthday weekend

This weekend we were able to spend time with lots of family. It was wonderful to see everyone and celebrate three birthdays.

On Saturday, we celebrated Uncle Chris's Birthday with yummy cupcakes made by Jennifer. 

who's the messiest?

Sunday was Grandma Joyce's birthday! Aunt Jill made a delicious chocolate cake.

Grandma reading to Bell

We also celebrated Uncle Brent's birthday on Sunday. 

Uncle Brent with Bean and her baby.

Here are just a couple other pictures from the weekend:

Jennifer reading to the girls

possibly the cutest "mad face" ever. (Bean)

"Behold a Host, Arrayed in White" .

We sang this in church today. I had a hard time singing it, but I loved the words. 

Verse 2 really got me. (i underlined it below) 

Darin is finally at rest in the presence of Love Himself. 

"Behold a Host, Arrayed in White"
                         by Hans A. Brorson, 1694-1764
                                  Text From:
                              THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL 

(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)

      1. Behold a host, arrayed in white,
        Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright,
        With palms they stand. Who is this band
        Before the throne of light?
        Lo, these are they of glorious fame
        Who from the great affliction came
        And in the flood of Jesus' blood
        Are cleansed from guilt and blame.
        Now gathered in the holy place,
        Their voices they in worship raise,
        Their anthems swell where God doth dwell,
        Mid angels' songs of praise.

        2. Despised and scorned, they sojourned here;
        But now, how glorious they must appear!
        Those martyrs stand a priestly band,
        God's throne forever near. 

       So oft, in troubled days gone by,
        In anguish they would weep and sigh,
        At home above the God of Love
        For aye their tears shall dry.

        They now enjoy their Sabbath rest, 

        The paschal banquet of the blest;
        The Lamb, their Lord, at festal board
        Himself is Host and Guest.


        3. Then hail, ye mighty legions, yea,
        All hail! Now safe and blest for aye,
        And praise the Lord, who with His Word
        Sustained you on the way.
        Ye did the joys of earth disdain,
        Ye toiled and sowed in tears and pain.
        Farewell, now bring your sheaves and sing
        Salvation's glad refrain.
        Swing high your palms, lift up your song,
        Yea, make it myriad voices strong,
        Eternally shall praise to Thee,
        God, and the Lamb belong.
 
        Hymn #656 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Revelation 7:13-17
        Author: Hans Adolf Brorson, c. 1760
        Translated by: composite
        Titled: "Den store hvide Flok vi se"
        Norwegian folk-tune, c. 1600
        Tune: "Great White Host"
        Arranged by: Edvard H. Grieg, 1907, ad.

Didn't want to post w/out a couple of pictures.