Happy 4th Birthday, Miriam!

We love you, sweetheart!!!

Update

Yes, we're still here... a brief update about what's going on with us:

• Miriam has an ear infection (after a multi-week cold... who doesn't have a runny nose right now?)
• Cora is undergoing a bit of intestinal/digestive 'cleansing' and dealing with some significantly irritating dermatitis/eczema.
• Walker survived a terrible fall down our basement stairs (wooden, steep and narrow with a concrete wall on one side and a concrete floor at the bottom) with no injuries other than some big scrapes which are now scabs on his scalp... ONLY by the grace of God (and I mean that in the most literal way possible).  Praise God for protecting our precious little guy!

Peaches

At the peak of peach season, we had the opportunity to go out to Eckert's Orchard over in Illinois and each of the kids could pick a free bag of peaches (Walker included).  It was one of the hottest days of the summer, but we didn't let that stop us.

Our friend Noah didn't waste any time savoring the sweet rewards of his labor

After some lunch, we [thoroughly] enjoyed some ice cream before we got back in the van to head home. 

We came home with over 17 pounds of free peaches!  Look at that loot!!!  And all it cost was a whole LOT of sweat and one incidence of Miriam stripping off her dress and running around throwing a fit in her underwear and shoes in front of a bunch of strangers.  A small price to pay... :)

StL summer fun

Despite the stifling summer heat, we enjoyed spending time with some of our neighbors during a block party recently. The girls had a TON of fun playing in a sprinkler in the middle of the street since the street was closed off for the evening and Walker sat and dripped sweat like it was his job.  Doesn't he make sweaty look cute?!?

Our third July birthday

Grandma Gwennie's birthday!  (In case you notice that the girls are in their pajamas, I want to provide the disclaimer that it was late at night and not first thing in the morning that they were eating Gooey Butter Cake.  :)  Although I'm pretty sure it would make a delicious breakfast too!)

Another birthday

July is a big month for birthdays... Daddy's birthday... then Grandpa Steve's birthday... then Grandma Gwennie's birthday!!!  And it just so happened that we got to celebrate with each of those three people this July.  (Pictures from Grandma Gwennie's birthday are yet to come.)

Cuddles

Teeth!

Walker cut his first two bottom teeth around 8 months.

Random cuteness

Connect the dots between the second picture and the finger in the bottom of the first picture

Daddy's birthday

Walker's reaction when he found out he didn't get any cake

Fun in the fountains

Our mechanic makes house calls

Walker Allen

Cora Mae

Keeping up with big sisters

Daddy's girls (and little man too)

Pool action

I want to remember...

For quite some time, Miriam has been saying "anything" when she means "nothing."
-Mommy/Daddy: "Miriam, what are you doing?  Or what do you have behind your back?"  Etc, etc... you can imagine the many scenarios.
-Miriam: "Anything?"
Recently, Miriam is often reminiscing about "When I was a little girl..."

Cora's world revolves  around the color yellow.  She is passionate about it.  It's really pretty neat to see... except when you go to the store and she points out and wants to buy every single thing that is yellow.  We will post pictures later to prove the infatuation.
If Cora offers to share something with you and you refuse - even politely - she is completely crushed and tears will well up in her eyes and sometimes she won't talk to you for several minutes.

A favorite

One of mommy's favorites of the girls together this summer

Different personalities

When I get the camera out, Miriam feels like she needs to be the center of attention while Cora often runs and  hides.  You can see glimpses into that personality difference through this series of shots.