Sisters, Sisters...

...there were never such devoted sisters!

A day at the park

Durring the day, when it wasn't raining, we found a great park near where we were staying in Dallas.

The fall colors and fallen leaves made everything that much prettier.

The girls had fun picking flowers and finding cattapillars. We followed a bike trail for a little while as well. It was a nice day.

The Eyes Have It

I love my girls big brown eyes!



The boys are going to be in trouble when they get older!

Free At Last!

Auralee finally got her cast off and boy was she happy!

Her arm was really puney (not that it isn't anyway) and very icky from the cast, but it got back to normal fairly quickly.

Changing of the hardwear

Auralee went to the orthopedist to get her cast changed. She had wanted a purple cast, but her dad talked her into getting a red one instead (it goes better with the D-backs and the Cardinals).



The saw is pretty loud and Auralee spooks easily. At least now she can bend her elbow.

Art is life

Both my girls love to draw and I just love it! It makes me happy to see them create something all their own. I hope they keep it up.

Auralee's pic of the Mesa Temple.

Another of Taryn's people.

First Day of School!

My baby started 1st grade this year! Can you believe it?!

She was so cute for her first day. She even let me put a barrette in her hair, which is unusual. I love you Auralee!

Little girls bring such delight with hearts so warm and smiles so bright!

In June, my friend Heidi offered to take some pictures of my girls. I gladly accepted and boy am I glad I did. She did a wonderful job! My girls are beautiful!

Gone Fishin'

Auralee got a fishing pole for Easter. Since she had one, her dad thought he should have one as well. They've been fishing a lot at the local man-made lakes in the Valley. Auralee finally caught a fish and was so proud of herself! Unfortunantly, she had to put it back. When she asked her dad why, he told her its because it wasn't big enough and hadn't had babies yet. She accepted his explanation and was content with a picture.

Lets go fly a kite

For her birthday, Auralee got a kite. It came at just the right time to fly it. Her dad helped her set it up and she was able to fly it very well all by herself.

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Six years ago, I woke up early to help Luc get ready for work. I thought my water might have broken, but I wasn't sure. I called the hospital and they said to come in and they would check me out. I packed Luc's lunch (which I never do any more since Ive had children) and saw him off, then I took a shower and went to our rental office and paid rent. I drove myself to the hospital where they checked me out and found that my water had indeed broken. I had to stay there because of it, so I called Luc and told him what was going on. When he asked if he should come, I told him nothing was going to happen for a while and he could just stay at work. His boss disagreed and sent him on his way. Needless to say, I was there all day and didn't start having hard contractions till around 5pm that evening. I dealt with that for about an hour and then I was ready for my epidural! Lots of family were able to make it and, after driving 7hrs, my mom was even able to make it on time. I wasn't prepared for my baby to come. She was 15 days early and I didn't even have any onesies or receiving blankets for her. Regardless, at 23:23 on 3-3-03 weighing in at 7lbs 15 1/2 oz, there came my beautiful baby girl, Auralee Rose Engstrom. My grandmother, Frieda Rose, had died 5 years before to the day, so everyone thought it was appropriate that Rose be my little bundles middle name. I like to think that it was my grandma who brought her little spirit here to earth to us.

My sister, Mechelle, made a yummy, yummy, yummy chocolate mint cake with chocolate ganache and whipped frosting. It was so good, my mouth waters just thinking about it. She also did a fabulous job decorating it. The theme was the Princess and the frog.

She got lots of great presents, all of which she loved. Her dad and I got her a bike. Thanks to everyone!

After-wards, her grandparents took us all out ATV riding. On our way there, we were met at the cattle guard by a herd of cattle intent on not letting us pass. It was pretty funny. We all had a great time and it was a nice top off to a good day. Our friends, the Dodges, were able to come with us.

Fairy Princesses

For Christmas, my sister-in-law sent Auralee and Taryn these great tutus she found.

The girls looked so cute, I had to take a picture of them! Someday (maybe for Halloween), I'll do their hair and glitter them up and get some really great pictures of them.

Thanks Candace!

My little artist

Auralee loves to draw and every once in a while she draws something that is really good and I just have to take a picture.

For Christmas I got the girls this great easel from Ikea (I got it on sale for $10, thank you very much!) I also got them the Tinkerbell movie so Auralee was really into fairies. She drew a great Tinkerbell in chalk and copied the name from the video. Someday I'll post some other pictures she's drawn.