SMALL STEPS, BIG JOURNEY

(Yes, I know, it's sideways. Sorry!)


So it happens: With those first steps, she starts the transition from a baby to a toddler; and there is no turning back! You can see it in her eyes, the realization that her world has just opened up to limitless possibilities and new ways to discover. And you can already hear the words forming in her mind, "I can do it all by myself!", even if she can't say them yet.
But as she falls into your arms at the end of her short walk and wraps her arms around your neck, she seems to say, "But I still need you, Mommy!"
Before tears soak my keyboard, I will end my little tribute.
Walk on, Baby Girl! The sky's the limit!

Yes, there are still birthday posts to come!

HOORAY FOR PIGTAILS!!

I DID IT!!!

It's not as pretty as when Aunt Olivia did it, but I did manage to get those tiny rubberbands to stay in her hair! Don't ask how many attempts it took.

Random Pictures

Since I am so behind putting pictures up, these are some random pictures from the summer.

You would think I would learn to stop setting the trash bag on the floor.

Watching Daddy play softball and drinking a Dr. Pepper. Does it get any better than this?

Chocolate ice cream cones are pretty good, too!

Playing at the park

She's so silly!

Joseph reading to Luke and Grace

Putting the flag up for Flag Day

SUMMERTIME - Part 4

Time For:

Air Hockey,

Bedtime stories by the campfire,

Flying kites,

And fishing.

SUMMERTIME - Part 3

Time For:

Helping Nana make pancakes...

Evenings on the deck...

And playing with dolls?

What happens at Nana and Poppy's, stays at Nana and Poppy's!

EIGHT YEARS!!

Yesterday was our 8th anniversary!! We didn't exactly have a huge celebration. We are camping this week (in fact, the past 3 years we have been camping on our anniversary). But the difference this year is that it is just our family. I actually forgot that yesterday was our anniversary until about lunchtime when Bob came around to collect our money for the campsite. I asked what the date was, and when he said it was the 30th, I thought, "Oh, it's our anniversary." Doug said he actually remembered yesterday morning, but I was still sleeping when he left for work. Well, then I started thinking, "Well, another year that our anniversary is going to go by without doing anything extra special or really celebrating it." Doug got back from work in the afternoon and we took the boys fishing, came back and fixed cheeseburgers, got the kids cleaned up, and actually put them to bed before 10:00. Then Doug and I sat by the fire, under the stars, eating peanut M&Ms, drinking Pepsi, and talking...just the two of us...no TV or internet to distract us. Then I realized that our anniversary actually was nearly perfect. We got to spend the day with our children and then have some time just for us.
Well, I have to finish getting more clothes packed up (benefit of camping close to home...I can come back and wash clothes and get cleaned up for Bible Study at home) and get the kids dressed so we can go out to eat before Bible Study and then back to camping. Doug has the rest of the week off, so he gets to fully enjoy camping now. I'll have pictures next week.

SUMMERTIME - Part 2

Time For:

The Holiday Drive-In

The Micklers bought this IU book for her. Luckily, we had our Purdue chair to even the playing field.