Costco Trip

After Hannah's soccer game we went to Costco to pick up a few things. Jake said he had to take a picture of them in the shopping cart because he things they look so cute. Here you go...

Soccer!

Hannah is so funny playing soccer. She is always so excited to go to her game, but once we are there is someone bumps into her, knocks her over, steps on her foot, you name it, she is just beside herself upset! We are tying to not baby her so much and "toughen" her up! Not easy! Here are some pics from her game as well as one of Grace just chilling out and watching.

Big Heart

Tonight Hannah was watching American Idol with me (I know... but I LIKE that show) and it was a special show called American Idol gives back. Throughout the program they would show needy children and their families. Hannah turned to me and asked me why some of the kids were sad and crying. I explained to her that some of the children didn't have homes, or a bed to sleep in, or nice clothes to wear or toys to play with like she and her sister do. I told her that unfortunately there are some kids in the world that are not as blessed as our family is. Bless her sweet heart she started crying and I said, Hannah don't cry baby, we are very fortunate to have the things we do, and we should thank God for the things that we have. She looked at me and said, "Mommy, I'm crying because we have these things, but those kids don't and that makes me sad." I kissed her and told her she has such a wonderful, caring, heart, and that she is right, those kids don't have what we have, and that is why we need to do our part to help in whatever way we can to help children like them. She has such a loving, kind-hearted soul, and I'm so proud of her for caring so much about other people!

Pics

Here are some pictures from when my Dad was out visiting. Dad if you are reading this, I think you owe me a few more pictures! We took some before you left of you and the girls! I want copies!!!!

Overheard...

Hannah was playing with Grace today and all the sudden she looked at Grace and said, "Grace, you are a wonderful sister and I love you more than the whole world!" Oh yes! I melted from head to toe!!!!!

Let's Play Ball!

Hannah and Grace had a blast playing together today. At Grace's one year well check the doctor said she will start to be more interactive as far as rolling a ball back and forth and stacking blocks, etc. So we got out the big bouncy ball today so Hannah and Grace could play together. As soon as Grace got her chubby little hands on the ball, she was SO excited. She just laughed and laughed and had so much fun playing with her sister. Hannah is SO good with her little sister! It is so fun to watch them play together!

I LOVE my kids!

Random things about my kids that make me smile...

1. When Hannah says "ilarious"
2. When Grace waves her arms in the air as she walks
3. How Hannah had a note sent home from her Pre-K teacher saying she needs to "stop playing with her hair so much" (she's not her Mother's daughter is she?)
4. The fact that Gracie STILL calls me "Da Da"
5. When Hannah lays down in the grass and doesn't participate in soccer practice because she "needs a break".
6. The way Grace squeals and laughs when I kiss her neck
7. How disappointed Hannah gets when she can't wear a dress EVERY DAY!
8. The way Grace sticks her bottom up in the air when she is sleeping
9. The fact that Hannah can watch her Aquamarine movie OVER and OVER and OVER
10. From the moment I wake Grace up in the morning she smiles and is so happy!

Special Sisters!

This morning on my way to work, I looked back at the girls while waiting for the stoplight to turn green, and saw Hannah (who is currently sitting in her booster seat in the back middle as we are having a seatbelt malfunction on the back drivers side) gently stroking her sister's cheek and arm. Grace was just looking up at Hannah so lovingly and starting to fall asleep. I just melted from head to toe! Hannah is such a great big sister and loves to "take care" of Grace, and the love just emanating from the two of them this morning was so wonderful! I really look forward to watching and helping them continue to form a close bond between them! It is so special!

Spaghetti Night!!

Well tonight was spaghetti night and it is one of Gracie's FAVORITES! She is sooo funny! When she sees me cutting it into pieces she gets so excited and starts doing a little dance in her chair. I think that is one of the many things I love about her. When she is eating something she really loves, she shows it in her whole body! Her head bobs up and down and she starts kicking her legs! It is SO cute! Then once I put the spaghetti on her tray, get out of the way!!! She can't shovel it in fast enough!!! So, here is a picture of Grace, after she ate all her spaghetti at dinner!

And the Day Continues!

After we left Isabella's birthday party, we had Gracie's FIRST birthday party! She had SO much fun! She loved tearing the paper off of all her presents and then took turns playing with each toy! When it came time for the cake, she wasn't too sure. She had such a long day (without her typical afternoon nap) that she wasn't shoveling it into her face like her parents were hoping! She did have lots of icing all over her face and arms and in her hair! She had such a fun day and as Jake said, her smile was worth a million bucks!

What A Day!

What a day we had today! It was go, go, go! It all started with a birthday party for Hannah's friend Isabella! She had so much fun! Isabella's party was a blast! It was a princess party, and she had everything from and inflatable bouncer, a pinata, and even pony rides! Here is a picture of Hannah on her pony ride! The pony's name is Snow White, they painted Snow White's hair special for the party! Hannah thought that was really something! The biggest thing Hannah is talking about though, is the motorized car Bella got from her parents for her birthday gift! Bella was kind enough to share and Hannah thought that her car was "totally awesome!" That is all she can talk about and now she wants one for her birthday too!!! There is also a picture of Hannah and her friend Addison, as they wait in line to ride the ponys!

Hi Everyone! I decided to try and keep a blog of us... the Howell Family. We have so many friends and relatives that aren't here everyday to watch our kids grow and change and so I figure the best way to keep everyone in the loop is to try and post pictures and comments so that we can keep you updated on the daily happenings of our busy life. Plus, it isn't like I have a lot going on or anything. HA! So anyway, here are a few Easter pics of our beautiful daughters! Grace was so cute walking around with her little Easter basket, picking up eggs and putting them in her basket. She thought it was really cool! And I don't think Hannah could have shoveled any more chocolate into her mouth!