Wedding Surprises!

Tucson, AZ was a sunny warm place to be for Melissa's wedding this past weekend. While the snow started falling and the tempuratures started dropping in Billings, we flew out for the warmth sunniness of Arizona. Great timing!

Madison and Breanne did wonderful as Melissa and Ben's flower girls. They were mini princesses and cute of course. Aliya again cooperated for a family picture...or not. The ceremony was beautiful and the setting perfect! We enjoyed much time with Derrick's family.

While we were waiting for pictures before the ceremony...SURPRISE! Madison pulled out her front tooth. I didn't even realize it was loose. Somehow, by the grace of God, she didn't get blood all over her dress. Love that new toothless grin.

Breanne just grinned at the happenings...After standing for the ceremony, the girls were rewarded with princess ring pops! What a deal.

The reception included lots of kissing and a blast dancing.

We left the 70 degree balminess of Arizona for the fridged zeroness of Montana. It sure was fun while it lasted!

Barb, Sue and Audrey...the sisters.

Dress Rehearsal...

How could I ask for more?

Lord, I am humbled and honored all at once! Tonight is a night that I never want to forget. Tonight, on our way out, I made mention to the girls to look at the moon, it was in a perfect crescent shape and thought they might enjoy that. As they marveled, Madison said, "That is so cool how God made that!" Wow! Not just, that's cool, whatever. She realized that the moon, the creation, is a gift from God. Talk about a life being transformed by the renewing of her mind (Romans 12:2). I was brought to near-tears, humbled that God chose to bless me with these three little lives that are daily increasing in their knowledge of Him. And honored to get a glimpse of the transformation going on in their hearts. You are so good to me, Lord!

Fall Memories

We have 3 princesses in our house now! Aliya tried on Breanne's old princess dress and it was just a bit too big, but when they're only enough to want to wear the princess dress, then they are officially a princess. (Although, see does make a really cute piglet too!)

We have had a fabulous fall with gorgeous weather. We even got to walk home from school today. Our new school routine includes bathing in the morning so we can have more quality family time at night. This last week, the girls have had a blast cramming into the tub together at once for a bath. Not sure how clean they get, but look how cute they are cuddled up in their towels after their bath. Madison and Breanne can be so wonderful at including Aliya in their play. This week they've been encouraging Aliya to be silly, "Aliya, do a funny thing."

Aliya is always just a step behind her big sisters. She wants to get dressed in their room and when they drew on their jack-o-lanters...so did she.

Even Grandpa Verlyn got in on carving Madison's pumpkin. He cut out the mustache and daddy did the rest.

We had some last minute visitors for Halloween. Grandpa and Grandma made a quick trip out to trick-or-treat with the girls. It was a fun weekend of shopping, drinking yummy lattes, playing games, carving pumpkins, crying over a Vikings loss and of course trick-or-treating with the Eknesses (Faith and Grace).

P.S. We have enough candy to last 'til Easter...