Emma Hope is here!!!

Emma Hope was born on 11/17/08 at 6:37pm. She was 6 pounds 15 ounces and 19 1/2" long. She is the cutest kid in the nursery, but then again I am a little biased (this is Bryan posting for Heather).

Heather and Emma are both doing excellent and hope to come home on Wednesday.

Thanks for all of your prayers.

Anticipation

In less than three days Bryan and I will welcome our third daughter into the world. We are anxiously awaiting her arrival and can't wait to meet her, and for all of you to meet her, too! It is so easy to become sentimental when a baby is born, and we certainly have reason to celebrate our newest girl. Who would have thought, just a little over five years ago, that ours would one day be a family of five?

Our two "big sisters" are pictured below. Check back later next week for pics of their littlest sis!

"Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

Malachi 3:10

A Birthday Tea

On Saturday we celebrated Hannah's birthday with her friends. Bryan and I decided to host a "tea party" for them, and I have to brag that he once again pulled through as the World's Best Daddy by orchestrating a wonderful time for all!

When the girls arrived, they played for a bit and then they snacked on cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, chips, juice, and birthday cupcakes from the local bakery!

After "tea", Hannah opened her gifts. The girls, of course, all crowded around and "oohed" and "ahhed" over everything. Hannah asked for a pinata filled with candy. We found one that didn't require a baseball bat to break open. The girls were supposed to take turns pulling the ribbons until the correct one ripped the pinata open. Hannah went first and surprised us all by choosing the right ribbon and showering everyone with candy! Here they are collecting their loot. The ribbons from the pinata are visible at the top of the picture.Showing off their candy bags! (Just what they needed the morning after Halloween!)Obligatory games... Hannah's favorite (and still mine)... Pin the tail on the donkey!The girls made beaded jewelry to wear home. I was amazed at how diligently (and quietly) they all worked and how pretty the bracelets turned out. The beads were really tiny and intricate!Bryan showing off his jewelry-making skills.
The party girls. What a beautiful group of lovely ladies! We had so much fun!

Happy Halloween!

October Snow

Yesterday I asked Bryan if it was too early for me to decorate for Christmas. You can guess what his reply was. Anyway, today we're being blanketed by these thick, white snowflakes and I am tempted to go down the basement and bring up the boxes of ornaments! I don't know if I can remember the last time we had snow in October. (This picture doesn't show how fast the snow is currently falling. When I got back inside the house, I was drenched!)

A Celebration... Happy 5th Birthday, Hannah!

On Friday night we celebrated Hannah's 5th birthday. Here are some pictures of our Party Girl and her guests.