gettin' her bounce on!

Look what grammy and grampy sent for CJV's 2nd Birthday!

It was confusion at first sight ...

And love at first bounce!

The box arrived the day before Thanksgiving, more than a week before the "big" day.  But we (the grown ups) couldn't wait!  Mainly because the reviews indicated that it was really hard to put together; a few couples even mentioned divorce ... so we were very curious!  Chad didn't have any trouble, and I just stayed out of his way!

Despite the fact that it is somewhat large and brightly colored and sitting in the middle of our living room, the girls LOVE it!  And I love that they can burn some {it's-wet-and-cold-so-we-can't-be-at-the-park} energy!
 

The best part is ... the trampoline is a toy the girls can share!  While they typically take turns, I've caught them bouncing {and giggling} together a few times, too ...

it's just a walk in the park

it's officially fall in the NW

is it rainy?  yep.

chilly?  of course.

beautiful?  that, too!

Those hours between end of nap and dinnertime are perfect for walks to our neighborhood park!

 

CJV is happiest when walking sprinting down the sidewalk with reckless abandon. She giggles non-stop ... except when she does stop to pick up a berry or a rock-y or just to examine a crack in the sidewalk.  In that regard, my little peanut is such a typical toddler!

She also loves to chase after her big sister ... and crunch the leaves with her {fake} Ugg boots!

 

My sweet daredevil will attempt to CLIMB anything in her path.  She is fearless and dangerous and just so cute!

On the rare occasion I catch her sitting still, her bright blue eyes and sweet smile just melt my heart!

And then there's my crazy, silly Natalie.  It seems I take a lot less pictures of her these days.  Mainly because she is so aware of the camera.  I love this shot because it is so her ... wild tufts of hair, bright blue eyes, and mouth open because she is saying something ... probably telling me a story or asking me a question (or 12).

While the girls played, I occupied myself with a little project ... using leaves to form the first letters of their names ... and now my goal is to do something like this for each season!

 

There is nothing like watching my girls grow up together!