Quick update...

It's been a while. We've been sick, traveling, sick again. Life is busy with two little ones. Here are some pictures to describe what we've been up to! xoxo

Traveling...both kiddos strapped in.

Potty trained! Livvy did it herself. She's also into dressing herself. Sometimes in her sister's clothes...

Getting sister all dressed up, too.  

Feeding each other. 

Dancing and dress ups. 

Hey big girl! Anni can scoot now. Only a few weeks and she'll be crawling!

Swimming! Little sister now loves the water. 

Mmmmm. Baby love. And if you know this baby, she sure loves her mamma.

KL & Cameron Highlands

We went to Kuala Lumpur and the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia over the weekend. Still seems crazy to say something like that, but it really is as easy as taking a two-hour drive somewhere in the states. Here's a picture at the Boh Tea Plantation (Thank you, Lauren!) I have a goal to actually post about one of our vacations here, so this picture is a reminder. 

xoxo

Bedtime Rituals

Bedtime can sometimes be an ordeal. Tears. Lots of requests: Blankie. Drink of Water. Tuck me in. One more story. I say the prayer. No you say the prayer. 

It's still kind of fun, though, to get all snuggled up with this little cutie. Love our girls.

Gardens by the Bay

I debated whether to label this post "Brave New World," or something of the sorts. Singapore has this great new park that just opened with gorgeous gardens and these structures they call "supertrees." Basically, the trees are massive hanging/vertical gardens as tall as 16 storeys. 

They somewhat otherworldly. 

We went to visit this park a few weeks ago, just after it opened. It was HOT. But we loved it.

Here's Troy and his two little explorers. We had just gotten off the nice, air-conditioned MRT and started walking in the heat. The supertrees are just across the river. I love Olivia's skeptical look. "You're taking me where, Dad?"

Looks almost as if aliens have invaded.

 Crossing over...

In the Chinese-themed gardens. My sassy Olivia. 

"Guys, it's hot here," says Annika.

Olivia is a good little mommy. She nurses her baby, too.

Happy girl! Love that smile. 

 Brave New World. We arrived. 

"Take me to your leader."

"I'm cooler than a supertree."

Family self-portrait.

Our girls.

Troy trying to lead his family out of the supertree grove. 

"Dude, where's the food?"

Living here is fun...

The makings of a model

 I'm trying to play a bit of catch-up with my blog lately, so forgive the randomness of these posts. Here are  a few pictures we took of our little Annika in her blessing dress just a few days after she was blessed by her daddy while we were visiting Utah in June. Pictures from the actual blessing day will come shortly. These pictures make me giggle, because it can be such a process to try and take decent pictures of our kiddos these days. Either Annika is screaming after two minutes, or Olivia wants (or doesn't want) her picture to be taken. Love these two women!

So sweet. Looking at Grandma while getting dressed.

"Where's that big sister of mine? I love her." 

Yes, I'm cute.

"Um, excuse me, big sis." Lots of love in this house. I love the interaction between these two.

Take one. "Got to stretch out that neck, girl."

Take two. "Not so serious now."

Take three: "That's more like it."

Take four: "Perfect! We got the whole dress and you smiled!"

Take five. "Spoke too soon. Don't cry. Don't cry."

Take six: "Dress looks good and tastes good."

Take seven: One of our favorite details on Annika's dress. She's our little Dragon baby, according to the Chinese zodiac. Just like her daddy. 

Take eight: "Love that chub."

Take nine: "Our favorite!"

Daily Happenings

Here's a glimpse of our morning's these days. Little chaotic now that I'm half-heartedly attempting to feed Annika solids (Stop growing so fast, sweet baby!). If we don't go out to a play date with buddies in the morning, Olivia and I generally do some sort of art project. 

Olivia: "This cereal, mom?"

"Feed me!"

"I'm hungry. So hungry I'll eat this ball."

 "Well...at least I got the ribbon."

Olivia is the sweetest big sister. I asked her to watch Annika while I made her oatmeal (or "hot" as we call it in our house) for breakfast. So, Olivia proceeded to go to Annika's room, pull out all the toys and then read Anni a story. Can you tell how much little sis wants to be like Olivia? She is just watching her constantly...

"Yes, mom. I really did eat the half-cup of cream of wheat you set aside to cook for me. And no, I don't want the cooked stuff. But I'll mix yogurt in it. Can I have some uncooked rice now? Or cous cous? Better yet, how about uncooked oatmeal or pasta?"

"I'll eat anything you give me. Really, can I have some solid foods? Please, mom."

 Olivia, in her best mommy voice: "When you get big, Annika, you can eat just like me."

Our little artist.

"Arrrgh."

In my family, I'm notorious for swaddling my babies super-tight. Well, Olivia has taken note and likes to swaddle her babies while I'm putting Annika down for a nap. Today, she asked me to swaddle her just like baby Annika and put her to sleep.

"Yes mom, I am tired. But I REFUSE to take a nap. Never. Never. Never. 

More breakfast happenings. 

"Mmmm. Finally. Some food." This is one of our first attempts at feeding Annika solids. She likes sweet potatoes. 

 Another art project. Teaching Olivia how to make mini volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar.