September Photo Session: The ones that wouldn't make it

A friend of ours took some pictures for us of the girls in September. You can see one of these photos as the header of our blog. While looking through them to decide what to order I noticed that I love a lot of them...most of them, because the girls look so sweet and many just because my friend (Marci Cochran) is an exceptional photographer. Then I started to realize how many I love that wouldn't necessarily end up framed on the wall. They are the ones that wouldn't quite make it but I think they are great because they capture some great family moments. Below are some of those shots. The ones that I might not put up on the wall but I can't wait to have a photo book made that can have the good shots and the shots it took to get to the good shots. ~ And they are still great shots to me.

This is a typical day in our house. Drea usually tries to love on Charlotte
and Charlotte always acts like she's annoyed.

Charlotte trying to get on my lap, I think.

My girls climbing all over me. I seem to be a human jungle gym and most days
it makes me giggle...not every day...but most.

Attempts to get the kids set-up in the grass for a picture ended up in a tickle match because that's what usually happens in our house when Daddy lays down on the floor.



I think Charlotte wants to see what Marci is seeing.



Attempts at another family shot but Charlotte has the same face in every one of them. She was not enjoying herself.

Pictures

Andy didn't post my favorite picture from our trip to Rich Farms.

Drea took this picture of Andy and I when we all went on the hayride.

Two of my other favorite pictures that I love from Rich Farms are below:

 

Couple Trick-or-Treat pictures. Drea was Princess Tiana, Charlotte was Tinkerbell, Barrett was a dragon and Tyler was a shark. I was very proud that I didn't have to spend a dime on costumes. The girls wanted to be costumes we already had in their dress-up box! 

 

Tearing up the carpet in our bedroom. Charlotte loves to be a big helper! She helps with everything. I love it and it's starting to rub off on Drea.

Just a cute picture of my girls hanging out together.

Our visit to the Farm

Every fall the Niessners go to Rich's Farm in Smithfield, PA. Here are some pictures of our trip this year. I was having some issues posting these pictures and adding text. I decided just to leave it as it is and hope you enjoy just the pics.



Mom jeans

So I always wondered at what age and why people start wearing mom jeans.

The other day I looked at the pants I had on at work and realized they come up above my belly and almost all the way to my waist. And a thought struck me...I think almost every pair of pants I own come up this far! I immediately realized that I have now entered the "mom jean" era. I now know that after your belly has stretched to be the size of a basketball and then shrunk back (almost) to the original size...twice...among other weight fluctuations of 20lbs up or down, it seems appropriate to cover that extra skin that may never be taunt again with pant material otherwise known as "mom jeans."

The only other thing I can say about this random blog is thank goodness for Spanx. For my few pair of pants that are still sitting below the belly button on the hips, my spanx keep it all looking sucked in. (By the way, I really don't spend a gajillion dollars on Spanx, I buy the $10 Wal Mart kind.)

Oh and at least my pants are not pleated, pegged, tapered, or elastic waist. I still look semi-modern and I can deal with that.

Stacey

The Girls

Here are some recent cute stories and videos about the girls.

DREA:

Drea making a silly face

Here are some random Drea stories:

1. I would say about once a month, maybe a little longer, while putting Drea to bed and after praying, we discuss a few things. Sometimes I remind Drea that she can come to Mommy & Daddy about anything. I may tell her things like she is my favorite 4 and a half year old. Other times I will tell her she can be anything she wants when she grows up. Usually when I do this it sparks a conversation. The other night was no different. She went on with the usual things that she wants to be, Mountaineer, cheerleader, doctor, etc.... Finally, she stopped and said, "Daddy, Do you know what I really want to be?" "What", I asked. Her response, "A Dolphin!"

2. The other morning I was getting dressed and I was wearing boxer briefs (hope that wasn't TMI). Drea says, "Daddy, what are you wearing?" and then laughed. I guess it wasn't a good look for me.

3. Drea gets a lot of joy in changing our answering machine message. She also thinks she is funny. The other night she is messing around with the answering machine and she changed the message to say, "This is the Niessners we can't get to the phone right now, we are on the potty, bye." I made her change it.

CHARLOTTE:

Charlotte has been talking so much more lately. It seems like she says something new every day. She is really into saying one word phrases. One of her favorites is, "Mine!" She is also a fan of "Hey!" So we were very excited when she learned another one word phrase. Watch and listen to this video:

Here are two more videos of Charlotte talking and having a good time at the dinner table.



Annual Niessner Labor Day Zoo Trip

Momma and her girls looking at....I don't remember. Maybe the lions.

My brother, Chad, my sister-in-law, Jody, and my nephew, Barrett met up with us at the zoo. The kids had lots of fun...playing on the rocks. Next year, we are going to make it an annual trip to a rock because they have just as much fun playing on the rocks. Except I believe this was right before Barrett fell off of the rock onto his face. He couldn't seem to stay on his feet that day. 

Looking at the monkeys. Pretty sure Barrett and Charlotte are coming up with a plan to help the monkeys break out of this joint.

Awww, sisterly love.

Cousins.

Again, found a cool tunnel to play in. I think it's really a bear trap or something.

They do have cool little playgrounds at the Pittsburgh zoo. The kids always really enjoy them.

It's a face-off between Barrett and Charlotte. My money's on Charlotte...what do you think Jody?

Andy and the Mountaineers

Andy is always graced with a birthday close to the beginning of Mountaineer football season. And he loves it. What better way to kick-off your next year than with the excitement and hubbub centered around our university's cherished tradition of football. I believe it helps him not focus on the number he just added to his age.

So I'm focusing this post on Andy's presents and dinner on his birthday with his cute little family (yeah, that's us.) Concluding the post with pictures from the best part of his birthday week...having his cute family with him at the first WVU football game of the season.



Showing off Daddy's birthday presents - new tennis gear. Yes, Drea's holding up my new racket...I know, it was Andy's birthday but I got a new racket too but how else can I ever come close to beating him. We decide last time we played that we have had the same rackets for at least 9 years.



Out to Red Lobster for Daddy's birthday dinner. Thank goodness for gift cards that place is way too expensive anymore. Drea loved the biscuits just like her Daddy and Charlotte went bonkers for the macaroni and cheese.



Barrett with his pull up on his head and taling on my phone - I think this was his special gift to Andy because it was hilarious.



Charlotte mocking Barrett...go figure.



WVU vs. Coastal Carolina.



This is Drea and her friend, Alyanna. Her family sits right behind us so we get to visit every season.

Drea, cheering her heart out for her Mountaineers.



Charlotte "cheesing" with Daddy.

Nunnie was able to come to the game with us. She loved getting to hold her Drea during her third quarter nap. Drea has probably taken a nap during every home game she has attended since she was born.



Charlotte hearts kettle corn.

Well, Andy, we always enjoy your birthday as much as you do. (Well, I got a tennis racket out of it.) Who doesn't love a night out with the best dad and husband in the world and a great Mountaineer football weekend. We love you Andy!