Happy Birthday Bear!

At 2:03 pm on July 15, 2010 Lauren Kate Alban officially joined our family. We have been blessed beyond words by her sweet spirit and infectious smile. In one year she has changed so very much! We love you sweet Lauren Bear and look forward to many more birthdays in the future.

Good morning birthday girl! Unfortunately, she also had a snotty nose when we got her up. Oh well!

Everybody loves chocolate sprinkled donut holes for breakfast on your birthday!

We made a quick trip to the doctor for our well visit. She looked great! (other than the snot :( )

We went shopping and ate lunch at the mall with Grammie. Here we are learning how to work her new toy! Good thing Hannah is there to help!

After dinner we opened a few gifts and played with each one. She had no idea what was
going on, but Hannah sure did!

We sang Happy Birthday and she tasted a cupcake before getting ready for bed.
Yum, yum!

What a great day!

My Little Fish

Hannah has been taking swimming lessons for a while now at Emler swim school. She goes once a week for 11 weeks and is really making TONS of progress. When she started she held on to the teacher with a death grip and REFUSED to put her face in the water. Her teacher is very sweet and patient and Hannah loves her. Today she put her head under for four seconds! We are so proud of you little fish! Patiently waiting for her turn.

There she goes...underwater!

Proud of herself for going under the water.

Getting ready to go down the slide. A couple of weeks ago she wouldn't even think about the slide and today she was all about it.

Yea! Good job, Hannah!

Bounce Houses and Snow Cones

Last night Hannah and I went to a registration party for her school. We turned in all her paperwork, ordered her a new school shirt, and got to play in the bounce houses. She had a GREAT time jumping and running back and forth between houses. I was surprised she enjoyed it so much because never before has she liked bounce houses. I guess she is over that fear! We got to see some friends from her class and even her teacher! These were the best pictures I could get because she didn't stop the whole time!!

I know...

it has been FOREVER since I have posted anything. Sorry about that. Honestly, I just haven't taken all that many pictures lately. We have been super busy and are doing well. Lauren will be ONE next week and Hannah will be THREE in just a few weeks! Here are some pictures from what we have been up to. Lauren's new favorite facial expression! It cracks me up.

Crawling in a dress is difficult, so Lauren just crab walks with her butt in the air.

Yesterday we ate lunch at Gatti Town in Frisco. Hannah and Daddy had a great time playing games.

Lauren loves to hold your hands and walk, but not so sure about letting go.

She has moved to a booster seat.A couple of weeks ago we spent the day in Keller with the Rhodes family. We had a wonderful time and played a little Rock Band.

Lunch by the pool.We made homemade pretzels with Zac and Abby. They were YUMMY!

Playing with the dough...

Hannah LOVES to hold Roxy the puppy.

We have hung out with Auntie B.

Spent lots of time at the splash park with friends...

We have really enjoyed the summer and I will try to take more pictures. Hannah is taking swimming lessons and Itty Bitty Ballet every week and loves them both. Lauren is busy exploring and getting into EVERYTHING. Hope you enjoy the pics and stay tuned for bday pics!

Summer Fun

We have already enjoyed one of the perks of warm water in Texas. Water!!!! This evening we spent some time at the splash park by our house with our lifegroup friends. It was a great time of food and fellowship. Too bad I didn't get any good pictures. Oh well! We have tried out a new splash park with our friends Zachary and Abigail. These kids have so much fun together. (and so do the mommies) Zachary and Abigail are both so sweet to Lauren and love to be around her. Lauren doesn't mind one bit!

Carson, Shane, and Aubrey joined us too. The boys enjoyed the scenery more than the water! Silly boys!

Hannah would play in the water all day if we let her!

And so would Lauren!

I think she loves it more than the pool!

These pictures are from our first trip to the pool this summer. We had a great time eating, swimming, and spending time with our friends. Here are Zachary, Michael, and Hannah playing in the pool. They didn't want to pose all at the same time. Some day!

Abigail enjoying her lunch!

And sweet Lauren too!

I thought I would try again. No such luck!

Baby Ella

Our good friends, Jon and Angie, welcomed their little girl into the world last week. On Saturday we traveled to Grapevine to meet their newest little one. Congratulations Jon, Angie, and big brother Kaden! She is precious. As you can see Hannah was in LOVE. She talks about her often.

Lauren getting in the action too. Do you see that bow? She NEVER keeps them on anymore and it makes me so sad. We can't wait to see you again Rhodes family!

Just some cute pics...

I think this picture is really cute because it sums up Lauren's days, watching Hannah. She ADORES her and it constantly following her around. I pray that they are good friends.

Ummm...yea. I know 10 month olds are not supposed to eat oreos, but she found it before we realized it. Hannah was eating one and apparently left it next to Lauren. Who doesn't love oreos?

Hannah had her last day of school last week. She loved every minute and learned so many things! We can't wait for the fall!

Picture Comaparison

This is a picture of Hannah, Emma, and Bailey when Hannah was about 11 months old. Check out the hair?

Here is a picture of Lauren and Emma taken today at 10 1/2 months old. Check out that hair? Oh wait...there isn't any! Haha!