Birthday Girls

Two & Four

This month marks one year of blogging for the Duvalls. I am so proud that I have stuck with this for a whole year. But along with this accomplishment comes my girls birthday and they are turning four and two. My babies are not longer babies. I have a big girl and a big girl wannabe. This year has seen so many events, and has many fun memories.

Wren, from one to two..

In this year Wren has learned to walk, and really talk. Recently she has gone from one word responses to full, mostly understandable sentences. Her favorite thing to eat is a cookie. Her favorite thing to do is play with her big sister. She fears nothing, and is up to try anything. She cries for her passy at least once a day. She is still cuddly and kissing her cheeks is the very best.

It is time to start potty training, but my stubborn girl will probably just wait until she is ready to even try. Wren is so beautiful and we love her beyond words.

Ella from three to four...

This past year Ella has really become a big girl. She helps watch out for her little sister and she actually enjoys helping out around the house. Her favorite color is blue, and she colors her pictures totally in blue and in the lines. She is timid when we do new things, but she quickly warms up, and is ready to try anything. She loves to swim and play outside. I have to say, I think she enjoys talking back. This year she has learned to swing all by herself, and is learning to read. She cannot wait to start school this fall and she talks about it often. Ella is sweet, caring, and oh so beautiful. We love her beyond words.

Yellow River Game Ranch

This is our second time visiting the Yellow River Game Ranch, and we had a lot of fun here today. We fed, and petted so many animals. This seems to be the perfect time to visit, because there are so many babies walking around with their mommas'. Ella loved feeding the animals, and didn't hesitate to jump right in and get her hands dirty. Wren was a little timid, but with a little encouragement feed some of the smaller animals. Today was a lot of fun, and we look forward to our next visit.

A Week at the Lake

This past week I took the girls to my grandparents house on Lake Martin. A place I visited every summer growing up, and a place my children will enjoy for many years to come. We love seeing grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, and aunts. Every day this week you could have found us swimming, soaking up the sun, or eating good food.

Here are a few photos from the week.

We forgot to take off Wren's diaper before letting her in the water. It filled past capacity.

But who needs a diaper when running naked is more fun.

The girls with Grandma

and Great Paw Paw

and Great Grams

I hope we are able to make it back before the summer is over.

Six Flags! More Flags. More Fun.

Today was our first visit to Six Flags with Ella. We were invited by my Dad awhile back, and we finally made it out. Ella has been to the fair and circus, and has ridden several smaller rides there, so we thought she was ready for the big time. Ella and James had a lot of fun riding the kiddy rides in Bugs Bunny Land, and Matt and I braved a few of the big time roller coasters ourselves. After mid day, my Dad, Alisa, and James decided to head home, but we wanted to really get our money's worth and make a long day of it. We played at Skull Island water park, and then hit a few of the bigger water rides. Ella was such a brave girl, and loved the fast water, and tall drops. It was so much fun to watch her experience the thrills for the first time. Maybe next year, Wren will be old enough and tall enough to go. More adventures to come.

We only had two photos from the day, we were too busy having fun.

Tattooed Toddlers

Well, I knew I could not avoid my children wanting tattoos, but I just didn't know it would be this early in their life. I always said, they could get tattoos when they moved out, but I am a push over.

Here are a few pictures of the damage.

I hope this is as far as it ever goes.

Busy Bees

Our deck has been finished for a few weeks now. (I know, pictures will come soon) But, we have been scavenging and searching for great furniture at the very best price. Well, I am definitely a Pottery Barn junkie, but I don't love the prices. I have been eyeing this great coffee table for months, but the price has never come down to what I felt was a good deal. So, my very handy husband decided to build it for me.

Here is the inspiration piece...



and here is Matt's amazing craftsmanship.