Emmy's first day of ballet

Emmy had her first ballet class today at Bonita's School of Ballet. She had so much fun! She looked all grown up in her sweet little leotard and ballet bun. It was so funny to watch her class. Sometimes she listened, sometimes she didn't. Overall, she didn't do too badly, especially for her first class. All of the little girls are so darling, and Emily is making all sorts of new friends. She's not as coordinated as some of the other girls, but I'm hoping that ballet will help with that.




Okay, one cute story: At the end of class, the girls line up with tiaras and a sceptor. One by one, the girls take a turn walking across the studio and back, holding the sceptor up high and walking on their tippy-toes. Well, Emily starts off, gets halfway across the studio, and does a dramatic twirl while she watches herself in the mirror. I about died laughing! She's such a little drama queen.

Newest member of the family

We would like to introduce to you the newest member of our family. She is almost 6 weeks old, and we got her on Thursday.

LOOK at that sweet FACE!



We haven't given her a name yet (we can't agree on her name) but we do love her very much! She is almost 6 weeks old, and her favorite word is "mew". Haha.

Blessings

I wanted to share with you guys that effective 12:30 pm on Sunday, Ken became the Associate Pastor at Mountain Springs Baptist Church in Monroe, NC. This is an answer to prayer that we are so thankful for!

We are transitioning right away. While our house is on the market, we are staying in the church's parsonage. It's beautiful, spacious, and located very conveniently near the church. We're saving money on gas!!

We thank you so much for your prayers for us. We ask that you would continue to pray for us as we make this (wonderful) transition.

Please feel free to share your prayer concerns with us as well. We would welcome the opportunity to know how to pray for you guys more specifically.

Peace and love to you!

Dear Family and Friends

Our wonderful, loving, dear family and friends, we have a special prayer request to share with you. This weekend is a big weekend for the Kistler family. We are heading to a church in view of a call. What that means is that the deacon body and the Senior Pastor believe that Ken is the person being called as their new Associate Pastor/Youth Pastor. We are going down on Thursday for a meet-the-church and church-meet-the-Kistlers weekend. Ken will be preaching at the worship hour and the church body will vote after the service.

We would appreciate your prayers for us this week. Thank you so much!!

Lorie

Cupcake Time!

Emily has been begging to make cupcakes again ever since her birthday. Today was the day! I was so proud of our little chef. She very carefully followed my instructions and did everything except put in the eggs (that was my fault- I was too wary of the mess). Bethany wanted in on the action and helped, too! Then, after a little cooling time, it was frost and, as Emily calls it, EAT TIME!

Emily proudly shows off her hard work


Bethany loved watching the batter mix- she said, "Wook! Wook!"



Daddy watches as Bethany very carefully puts the papers in the pan




Emily frosts her own cupcake and licks her lips as she thinks of diving in!


Bethany shows her enthusiasm for Emily's baking skills


MMMMMMmmmm!



Emily nicely asks for another one after cleanly and carefully eating her cupcake

Afternoon in the Park

Ken and I decided to take the girls to the part after their afternoon naps today. It was a pretty day, and it wasn't too hot. The girls had a lot of fun.

Emily enjoys the curvy slides

Bethany takes a shot at her soccer skills

Emily loves to just hang out- what a cute little monkey she makes!

This is my favorite shot of Bethany

Our beautiful girls!

Needless to say, we had a good afternoon. Tonight we're going to make cupcakes and decorate them. More pictures to come for that!

Disney World

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! Now, in the interest of keeping this blog honest, I will tell you that we had more than our fair share of meltdowns, outbursts, and tantrums. And then there were the kids. Haha. Just kidding. It really was so much fun. I think there's an appeal no matter what-aged children you bring. Having said that, I think we're going to wait quite a long time before we go again. I've tried my best to narrow over 175 pictures down to a number that wouldn't be too obnoxious for everyone too look at. I've probably failed at that, but I gave it a good try. I've cheated a little bit, because I've left out all of the pictures with Aunt Dana, Uncle Mark, Madison, Mackenzie, Will, and Mason. I'm going to do a separate blog post with all of those because those were two big days for the girls, too!

Bethany decided that she's the best driver around

Emily hugged the Cinderella statue at Downtown Disney

The girls modeled their Mickey Ears (sadly, the only time they would wear them!)

Emily and I had a Mommy-Daughter date at the Grand Floridian to meet Cinderella

Emily with the Prince

Emily hugs her favorite person in the whole world


Bethany and Daddy make each other laugh as we stand in line


Bethany enjoyed meeting Belle (yes, Emily is pitching a fit in the background)


Emily and Bethany enjoy a ride around TomorrowLand


Emily poses- Aww, so cute!



Family shot with Mickey and Minnie (please note Emily's excitement)


Bethany's favorite moment was meeting Ariel


The girls at the "Cat in the Hat" ride at SuessLand inside Universal (everyone's favorite ride). It actually tells the story during the ride. It was really cool, and we must have ridden that ride 5 times!


Yes, Emily is asleep on the luggage cart


Bethany was asleep, not too far off from Emily!


Well, that is the short version of our trip. I think I've captured everyone's favorite moments. Oh! I've got two funny stories for you:

#1- To meet any of the characters, you have to stand in line. We stood in line at least an hour to meet each set of the characters. The first group that we waited to see was, of course, the princesses (Aurora, Cinderella, and Belle). We had been in line for 1 1/2 hours and were literally the next people in line. Right as the lady turned the corner to let us in, Emily pooped her pants. I looked at Ken and said, "I am NOT getting out of this line to change her diaper." So, we go into the room. First up is Aurora, so we go to meet her. Aurora asks Emily, "What's your name, Sweetie?" Emily looks at her, and at the top of her voice, says, "It's POOP!" You should have seen Aurora's face. It was SOO funny.

#2- Bethany liked meeting the characters, but her favorite by far was Ariel. She kept petting Ariel and cooing at her. When we went to go leave, Ken picked Bethany up, and Bethany started crying. She held her arms out to Ariel, which, of course, melted Ariel's heart. Ariel said, "Aw, c'mere Sweetie" and took Bethany. Bethany laughed and grinned as big as she could and kept giving Ariel cheek hugs. It was so sweet!

Happy 3rd Birthday Emily!

I can't believe my baby girl is 3 years old! It seems like only yesterday that Ken and I timidly pulled out of the hospital parking lot with this itty-bitty baby sleeping in her itty-bitty carseat.

Emily had a wonderful birthday party. She had many friends there to help her celebrate, and we were so thankful for our family and friends that showed their love for Emmy. We had a carnival party, of sorts. There were some pretty cool little games to play (props to Ken for the games!), fun little prizes, a bouncy house, and a UNIQUA pinata full of candy. Emily begged for "cucakes", so she and I had a fun time making and decorating cupcakes. Here are a few pictures from the party. I completely forgot my camera (doh!) and asked Mrs. Kistler to take pictures for me. I didn't get a shot of everyone who came, so I think we're going to have to have another party just so we can get more pictures ;)

Emily gets ready to have her birthday cupcake... she was so excited

Everyone claps for Emily as she blew out her birthday candle

Cameron enjoyed the bouncy house and stopped just long enough to smile for the camera

Michelle and Carly smile for the camera as Emma and Charlie choose their prizes


Emily opens her gifts as Emma and Charlie watch


Erin helps Savannah play "In the Lion's Mouth" while Bethany straps herself in for a wagon ride


Uncle David and Aunt Susan talk to their niece-to-be Erin and Brandon (Uncle B)


Drew and Katy smile for the camera- don't you just want to pinch those cheeks? Katy's, of course!

Thank you for everyone who came from near and far to Emily's party. It meant so much to us that you were there!