Giddy Up!

Last weekend we drove out to Arlington Park 

for a little fun at the horse races.

We'd never been to the race track before,

but Mila's friend Ash and her Daddy 

are seasoned pros and explained 

how to place our bets.

We let Mila choose the horses each race.

She usually picked number 5, 

because (as she will tell anyone who listens)

5 is her favorite number.

Sweet Willow slept the whole time.

Mila enjoyed walking around with Daddy 

and checking out the horses before each race.

 The grounds are really beautiful, filled with flowers 

and tributes to the rich history of horse racing.

 And to top it off, we left with a net profit of $50.

What a fun afternoon!

Big Sister, Little Sister

Mila stayed with family while we were in the hospital,

so we couldn't wait for her to meet her little sis 

when she came home a few days after Willow was born.

 The first words out of Mila's mouth were,

"Aww, isn't she lovely?!?"

 Big sister has been very gentle and "helpful" so far.

 Mila grew a little angry when she recognized a 

baby blanket wrapped around Willow that used to be hers... 

...despite never caring about it before,
she said, "Hey! That blanket is very special to me!" 

We promised not to let Willow use it again.

 Other than that, big sister has been nothing but sweet. 

 We're so proud of both of our girls!

She's Here!

Willow June, our highly anticipated newest addition, 

joined our family on August 8!

 She was born just before 8pm,

and just like her big sister...

 ...she weighted 6lbs 14oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

 We are so thankful to have such a healthy, 

beautiful little girl.

 She smiled before we even left the hospital.

(We don't know if that is even possible, 

but she certainly makes a smiley face a lot.)

Since Daddy's first name is William, 

just like his father, his grandfather,

 his great-grandfather and so on...

we named her Willow in tribute. 

Her middle name is our way of feminizing "Junior".

Welcome to the world, Willow June!

Silver Lake Sand Girl

Mila LOVES to roll around and play in the sand...

 ...so we really enjoyed spending a weekend with her

 grandparent's at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan last month.

 Her cousins Joshua, Luke & Henry (and Aunt Rebecca

 & Uncle Brad) came up for some fun too. 

 She loves when Grandpa takes us on boat rides...

 ...but isn't quite ready for a tube ride like Daddy & Henry.

It was a nice time--

filled with love, laughter, sand & sunshine.