Torrey Town USA

She speaks!

Maddie has ventured into the world of finger foods! She is in LOVE with Sweet Potato Puffs:) She’s still trying to figure this whole eating thing out, but she’s doing a great job. About half of her puffs end up stuck to her, but I’m proud to say the other half of them end up in her tummy:) Here are a few cute pics of our girl eating her first puffs:)

“What’s this Mommy?”

“Maybe I will eat it!”

“I’m having trouble getting these darn puffs in my mouth!”

“This is kind of fun!”

“Yummy in my tummy and on my face!”

We had a great 4th of July this year! We spent the afternoon celebrating the baptism of Cerissa and Kyle’s son, sweet baby Caleb, then we headed home and celebrated the 4th with a cookout and some family bonding.  Mike and I had big plans to relax in the hot tub and watch some fireworks after the kids went to bed, but instead we both crashed and were in bed by 8:45:)  Hope you and yours had a fabulous 4th of July!  Here are a few pictures of our patriotic girls:)

We just returned from an amazing family trip to the Bahamas! I was a bit apprehensive taking our 7 month old on the trip, but as always Maddie proved to be a rockstar. We had an amazing week with our family, and by the end of the week Mike and I both agreed we didn’t want to come home yet:) The week was filled with lots of beach and pool time, which Katie loved. By the end of the week our girl was so comfortable in the water she was swimming by herself! It was a fabulous vacation, and we can’t wait to go back next year. Here are some pictures from our trip!

Maddie hanging out on the beach

Katie hanging out on the beach

Mom, Maddie and I at Atlantis

Sunset on Paradise Island

The Torreys at the pool:)

Katie Swimming!

Maddie at the pool:)

The gang headed to the Dolphin Encounter

Katie watching a dolphin swim

In the water waiting for Andy the Dolphin

Dad dancing with Andy the Dolphin

Happy Maddie:)

Family picture

I can hardly believe it, but Maddie will be 7 months this week!  She’s gotten so big and it seems like it happened so fast!  Here are a few pictures of my big girl playing in her high chair to brighten your day:)

She loves Pooh:)

And Minnie:)

Happy Girl!

I hadn’t mentioned anything on our blog about potty training because I didn’t want to jinx it.  But I’m now very confident when I say: Katie is potty trained!  Hooray!  We bit the bullet in mid April and decided to go cold turkey with diapers.  Katie has done fantastic with the potty and we are so proud of her.  And Mommy and Daddy are OH SO happy to only be changing one child’s diapers now:)  Way to go Katie Bear!

Katie holding her Dora potty training certificate! 

Well we can hardly believe it, but our sweet Katie Bear turned 3 years old today!  We don’t know where the time has gone, sometimes it feels like she was just a baby yesterday!  In order to celebrate this wonderful day, we had a Dora themed birthday party this past weekend.  Katie had a wonderful time with friends and family.  Here are some pictures from Katie’s fabulous big girl birthday party:) 

Dora!

Getting ready to blow out her candle:)

CAKE and TOYS!

Opening a present:)

Katie with her new Dora scooter!

The boys pushing the girls in the fun jumbo ball:)

Katie and Dora:)

We love you so much Katie and we hope you had a wonderful 3rd birthday!  We feel so blessed to have you as our daughter and we are so proud of our big girl! Love, Mommy and Daddy

I’ve been forgetting to take my camera everywhere we go these days, so I’m super excited to finally share some pictures of a playdate we had this week!  Cerissa, Sabrina and Caleb invited me, Katie, Maddie, Bethany and Claire over this week and we had a blast!  The girls had a fabulous time playing, and the little ones were in great spirits!  A fabulous time was had by all! Here are some pictures of our fun playdate:)

The girls had some quality dress up time:)

Katie the Princess:)

Maddie and Caleb hanging out:)

Claire on the move!

Dance Party!

Claire the firewoman:)

All us girls wore Caleb out!

Hope you and yours had a wonderful Mother’s Day! My day was fabulous, thanks to my wonderful husband Mike and my two sweet girls. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing family and I hope that all you moms out there felt as loved and celebrated as I did today!

Me and my Katie Bear:)

Me and my Maddiekins:)

Me and my girls:)

I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for a few special women in my life! My mother has been such an amazing person in my life, and I feel so very blessed to also call her one of my dearest friends. Her strength and her wisdom have helped make me the mom that I am today. Thanks Mom for everything you do and everything you are! I love you!

Me and my Mommy:)

My mother-in law Kathy is also one of the most amazing moms that I know. She raised two amazing sons and her guidance, love and friendship over the last seven years has been such a blessing! I love you Kathy!

Kathy and her boys:)

Finally, I must mention a mom who has always been so dear to my heart. My best friend and sister in law Bethany lost her mother Regina last November. Not only was Regina an amazing mom to Bethany, but she played a tremendous role in making me the mom and person that I am today. I think about her all the time and I know she’s watching over our family, especially Bethany and her beautiful daughter Claire. I love and miss you Regina!

Me, Bethany, Mom, Kathy and Regina, March 2005