LEGOs and Chipmunks!

For Eli and Maddie's 9th birthday, we celebrated with LEGOs and chipmunks!

Their birthday fell on a Sunday, so while they got to wake up to their usual birthday excitement and decor, we had to push some of their celebration off until after church. But we tried to still make it special by celebrating with their friends in Sunday School. They got to hand out cupcakes and their friends sang Happy Birthday, as well as prayed a special birthday blessing over them. 

Amen. 

After church, we got to celebrate at home. Eli and Maddie opened presents, and there were lots of LEGOs for Eli, and chipmunks and Calico Critters for Maddie. 

They made cards for each other...

...and read them to each other :)

The afternoon was spent playing and creating and imagining, but they did also get to play outside in the beautiful weather. And of course, there were cupcakes and birthday singing!

We got to zoom with Granny and Grumpz, and there were messages from so many people that love Eli and Maddie. It was a fun and special day, and I pray that they always know how much they are loved and cared for. 

Happy 9th Birthday, Eli and Maddie!

Eli + Maddie :: 9 Years

Happy Birthday, Eli and Maddie!

You are 9 today, and I am looking back at the years, wondering how we got here so fast. It was only yesterday when we brought home two tiny bundles, not really sure how we were going to manage two babies! And look at you both...growing so fast, doing all the things on your own, on the verge of the pre-teen years, and all I can see are those two tiny bundles. Time is such a thief. But I am so thankful for these past 9 years, that I have had a front row seat to all of your firsts and changes and growth. Because you are both so fun and funny and wonderful! 

Eli, I have grown so fond of our "grown-up" conversations. You are so sharp and interesting. I love hearing about the things you are learning and thinking about. You find the world interesting and you enjoy sharing it with me, and I love hearing about it. You think about things in new and exciting ways, and I love how you think outside the box.

Maddie, you, too have grown into a lovely young girl, and I enjoy our "Maddie/Mommy chats." You have so many fun things to say! You just want to be at the center of all the things and be in-the-know, because you just love to have fun and be with people. You want to be on the go and doing all-the-things. I love watching you walk up to people without fear and start conversations, even when I am not around. You love animals, and have made friends with all our neighbors with dogs :)

My heart is always want time to slow down, just a bit, because I want to savor this sweet time and age. Where life is carefree, filled with riding bikes, playing LEGOs, building forts, and playing pirates and dress up. I love watching you grow and helping you find your interests, and I am so thankful to be your Mama. I love you both so much, and I cannot wait to see how you grow in the year to come. 

Love,

Mama

ELIJAH WINN

MADLELINE GRACE

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Happy 9th Birthday, my loves!

{iPhone Rewind} :: September

Soaking up the gorgeous weather!

Sweet girl...school can be tough some days, but to know she doesn't hate it all the time...it makes the hard work worth it.

An afternoon drive for some ice cream

Maddie Girl has been a busy, artistic girl!

Flowers from Mike :)

We used some Coca-Cola for a science experiment and then I let the kids try some. They all said it was too spicy haha

Donuts with Daddy

The kids got to see some deer out on a walk

A Trader Joe's trip means a cute bundle of flowers from my love :)

Our fox friend has been hanging around, chilling in the yard

2025 Women's Retreat. So thankful for these women.

{iPhone Rewind} :: August

We worked on a puzzle together over the course of a few days, and Eli was really focused on it!

We wrapped up our Summer of Fun! We didn't quite get to all the things on our list, but we still did a lot and had a great summer!

"Look, Mommy! I made a rocking chair for Norm!" Haha- I love this cute boy :)

We started reading The Wingfeather Saga and apparently there's a lot of suspense for Aiden haha

"Look, Mom! I can do a turban like Maddie!"

"You survived the first week back to school" flowers from Mike :)

We have been learning the books of the Bible {in order}, and the kids have done so great!

Aunt Vi sent some more beads to make bracelets, and the kids wasted no time making more!

Maddie wrote her first book! There are chapters and pictures, and she did such an amazing job. It was not a school assignment {she actually strongly dislikes writing haha}. She just decided one day she was going to write on her own and she sat down with her own creative mind and did it all herself. I'm so proud of her!

He has always made this face LOL

We found a fox hanging out in our backyard! He/she was there for quite awhile, and it was so fun to watch it.

Aiden lost another tooth! We were so glad when this one came out, because the adult tooth had already started coming in behind it!

Since my mom was in town, she got to join me for our Women's Fall Welcome Dessert :)

I love getting to serve alongside these ladies! {Bible study, retreat, MOLO leaders}

Grandma crocheted Aiden a blanket for his birthday, and he has carried that thing with him everywhere. Anyone surprised by the colors he chose?

Just a few days after Aiden lost his top tooth, he lost another tooth, completely unexpectedly! He as eating a hard cookie and it just popped out. He was not a fan, but it saved us a little bit of the anxiety leading up to the loss, so I'm grateful it came out the way it did.

I love when Maddie and I get to go for haircuts :)

Maddie's drawings make me happy :)

I made an apple pie with the apples we picked at Stribling Orchard. It didn't turn out half bad!

We had a cookout with our community group, and Eli really loved playing this game with Mike

The kids loved painting rocks at Mrs. Celeste and Mr. Matt's house! (And it was a HUGE win that Aiden did so well with Ellie - their dog - so close to him)