The Simple Things in Life

To be a kid again...where a swing can bring the biggest smiles and the loudest giggles. A night at the park made us remember how much joy the simple things in life can bring.

Home Improvement

It's a hobby...for both of us. Yes, we actually like doing our DIY projects! Date night sometimes turns into putting the babe to bed and pulling out the paint brushes as demonstrated the last couple Friday nights. We painted when we first moved in 2 years ago but the colors never really settled well with us. Finally we did the fix and LOVE the results! Now it is time for decoration shopping...totally approved by the hubs!

And remember this? Well, project complete! The pergola and patio are amazing. Furniture is on it's way. Now we just need some cooler weather so we can enjoy it!

And I have to shout out to B who agrees to my last minute, late night, crazy ideas about getting something done. And for all the hard work in the backyard. I couldn't ask for anyone better!

And I Proudly Stand Up

"I" being E. This girl wants to be walking so bad it hurts me! She is climbing on everything and is pulling herself up to standing using anything that sits at least an inch off the ground.

Some of her favorites are her drum and mom's legs...

She now thinks it is more fun to look down on the toys rather than play with them...

And it is probably time to move the crib down (yes, I did walk into the bedroom after a nap with camera in hand to capture this)...

She loves to stand because she can dance...

All that is fun but still wishes she could walk (especially when mom has a bottle in her hands)...

And is reminded to stay humble...

PS-She'll be 11 months tomorrow! Seriously? Almost 1? At least she is still small (in the 17 lb range and wearing 6-9 month clothes) and acting more like where she was supposed to be (9 months). But I have to face it...she's becoming a big girl. Grow on E, grow on.

No Longer Toothless

That's right. E finally cut her first tooth. Only one...bottom right. I wish I could get a pic but she doesn't let me get close. We're just feeling like a big girl now. Maybe we'll get some hair growth too.

Fun on the 4th

To feel festive we made these...

And dressed up like this (with the help of E's aunt J who made the adorable tutu and bow)...

And went to the horse races on Saturday with friends where E got to do this...

And finally watched fireworks on Sunday with my family on the ChevronPhillips parking garage with several other employees where E slept most of the time and woke up for a minute or two of fireworks...

Recent Projects

So, we've been busy and not busy all in one crazy mix. Last week B was in Norway so E and I spent the week with Grandma and Grandpa. Let's just say they are the BEST! It's so nice to have them close.

One project I finally finished was an idea I got from HER. I made it for my mom because she bought this crazy contraption that lifts her dinning chairs to be higher to the table for the babe to reach. She needed a way to strap her to the chair so I made this.

I used iron-on vinyl so we can just wipe off the messes. Hope it works!

I also made a few Paper Pom Poms for E's room...just because I love them so much.

I think I'm going to make about 100 of them and have them hanging throughout the entire room. Still working on a few things so there will be more to come!

DaDaDaDa....

That sound was the best present from this gal to this guy...

We celebrated with blueberry pancakes this morning (E and I picked blueberries at a local farm this week) and dinner with my dad. But don't think we didn't get anything for dad!

I had a little photo shoot with E this week. She didn't participate very well but we got a few that worked. Dad seemed to love it!

We also made a little "Sweet Thoughts" jar for my dad (aka grandpa) with our reasons we love him attached to his favorite thing...chocolate. We altered the idea I got from her.

Let's just say we LOVE our dada's!

Okay...I had to add this picture because this is only one of the many reasons we love dad...he provides for us. This is just the cutest pic of E attacking the Exxon Tiger she got at one of dad's work events.