Candy Land

I completely forgot how fun this game is for a little person. Right after I put Ella down for bedtime or naps Suz and I have some free time to spend together. Since her birthday, the first request has been Candy Land. Thank you for the fun b-day gift (you know who)!

Before Church

Our days seem to be very similar expect for guests coming over for a visit or church on Sunday's. As I was hurrying around trying to make sure I packed everything in the diaper bag, I told the girls to get their shoes on. Ella has excellent receptive skills and ran to the door. I heard Suz clunking around and when I turned the corner I saw Suz with shoes on, they just weren't hers. That's my mini-me. LOL

Suz calls this her "Lizzy shirt". She loves wearing things you pass down to her, Liz.....thanks!

Suz the Photographer

Suz takes her turn taking pictures. Sometimes they turn out pretty good. Here is one that she took of Ella and myself. When she looked at the result, she said "Oh, no! Mama messy hair, I do it again." I laughed.....she's got a good eye.

Happy Birthday Mimi!

An Offical Guess

Uncle Sam Needs You!

I had to laugh, doesn't this look like one of those WWII posters....."Uncle Sam Needs YOU!"

Good Thursday

• Our yard has had an extreme makeover (Nana you are like the energizer bunny, you just keep going!)
• Hearing Ella's sweet voice call "Mama"
• Suz asking "What's Nana talking about?"
• Trips to the library alone with Suz
• Good company
• email to stay in touch with good friends far away
• Mint....my absolutely favorite flavor
• Wheat & oat pancakes on Saturday mornings
• Sweet & juicy red grapes
• Tangerines (the girls would eat them every meal if I let them)
• Nana's pumpkin pie (I'm still purring)
• My sweety will be home in almost a month
• Airplanes who bring us special family members far away
• Every time Suz sees an airplane it's Daddy on it
• Little girls, pony tails & cotton summer dresses

Pink or Blue?

We've been going back and forth on whether or not we wanted the Ultrasound Tech to give us their "educated guess". When it comes down to it, we're having either a baby girl or baby boy. There's no other option. One Tech thought it might be a GIRL, another tech thought BOY. Either way, we're having a baby....LOL. My recent ultrasound was examined by a few more Techs because this baby also has a two vessel cord (like Ella). No worries, it just means we'll have extra peaks from the outside in (ultrasounds) and more trips to the doctor my last few weeks. Thank goodness for great insurance. So....stay tuned. Your guess is as good as ours and until we hear another "vote" from the peanut gallery.....I think it'll be a BABY!

One Last Swim Day With Nana

Swimming. What my girls love to do. Suzanna has almost mastered the floaty treading. Good exercise....she doesn't go too far too fast. We're practicing for when you come home, Daddy!
Ella-bee walking around minding her business but some how gathering an audience of admirers.

Fun water train. We love swimming with you, Super Nana!

Green Ball Pie

While Ella naps is one of the times Suzanna has some alone time with me. This morning (as goes for all mornings this week) Nana and Suz had their own little activity. Today is was the invention of Green Ball Pie.

The Power of Suggestion.....

Something Special This Way Comes

The Finished Project

Long Sunday Nap

Right when we return home from church I put Ella down for naps. Most of the time she'll take an hour nap but today she slept for 2 hours. She didn't wake up till 5pm and I had to go wake her up. She was happy but hot. Her room is the sauna of the house. So we cooled her off while we were getting dinner ready. Nothing better than putting those piggies in the cool water.

How to Make the Perfect Pie Crust

First you must have a good piece of dough.

Make sure you have a great helper.A good cook always samples what they bake!

And don't forget to add lots of LOVE!

This is a Chef's Kitchen

We've been cooking up a storm. Two dinners went to a good friend who just had a baby and the other dinners were frozen for later and eaten for dinners.
She takes her job seriously. Look at that serious brow.

Pumpkin pie....it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving around here for us to enjoy a good pie! Yummy!

Mimi....the mixer was a perfect addition to our kitchen. Thank you!!

Hot, Hot Day!

Got water?

Peak-a-Boo!

More Yardwork??

One of the many mid-summer maintenance tasks that needed to be done was trimming the hedges. That was one of the things I added to Nana's "lists" as I sorely needed her help juggling the girls and getting a professional opinion. Two days, sweaty backs and misquote bites later....this was the finished result.
Sandwiched in between the Yews were three little struggling Azaleas. Putting the Master Gardner to work during her visit, aka Mrs. Tweedy dug, soaked, transported, removed sod and transplanted the Maiden Hair grass to their new location. Let's just say Mrs. Tweedy earned her keep. Seeing how we put our guests to work...anyone else care to join us?

Voilà

Our New Addition

It's about that time folks. We've adopted a 4-year-old! Suzanna insisted it is a "she". We haven't picked a name yet, in case you were wondering.
Sitting next to the new comer is our old faithful.

What do you Do in the Summer Time?

So what do you do in the summer time?? Well, we went to the park. This was the first time we ventured out to the park since Ella began walking (about a month ago). I was excited to see how she'd enjoy it with this new found freedom. When we got to the park, we were the only ones there! It was great. Once we got out of the car we reazlied why we were the only ones. The sun was bright, it was over 90 and the humidity was making everything miserable. What can you do when you promised the park to two little dolly's?

Nana pushing the girls to add some sort of breeze to the air.Dials, switches and things to touch.

We tried to recreate this fun little trio. This time Ella was out of the front pack and everyone had nice rosey cheeks.

Fun times with Super Nana.

Load Taken Off My Shoulders

There has been a tremendous load taken off my shoulders once I picked up some precious cargo at the airport. It's just around the time of half way thru Casey's second deployment. As I prepped Suz, she kept saying, "No Daddy on airplane.....no, Daddy come home." I guess Nana no longer roamed the skies in an airplane, it was Daddy.
Tonight we were playing one of her birthday games. She loves games! We play Candy Land at least twice a day (great b-day gift for a three-year-old, Mimi) and the this Little People Matching game. This is the "I won" face. I honestly don't have to rig the game so she wins.....she's pretty good. I'd say the majority of the time she beats me.
The happy little camper.

The precious cargo we picked up. We love our Nana. I know, I know...she is a hot commodity in our house hold, especially since everyone lives a plane ride away. We are blessed to have her help.

Happy 3rd Princess!

Yes, it's her 3rd birthday! Happy wishes Suz!!

Quiet

The house is quiet, Ella is napping and I wonder what Suz is doing.

Great Time with Mimi

Mimi and her grand babies.

Ella's really enjoying the day.

Suzanna & Ella's Birthday Party 2008

Today was the day, Suzanna celebrated her 3rd and Ella her 1st Birthday's! Suz choose to invited 3 close friends and for fun we had Ella's little buddy come too. Of all the cakes to choose from, Suzanna wanted Chocolate Zucchini Cake (with mini M&M's in them). We also had home-made ice cream (thanks for the recipe, Alisha) it all turned out really yummy.
When the goodie bags were broken into, of course Ella wanted to be apart of the lollipop fan club. Here are the girls are friend Abby.

Ella and her buddy, Kambria.

Ana carried Ella around like a baby doll. I think the kids really had a good time.

Balloons, balloons everywhere! I think the kids found these more fun to play with than the organized games.

Ella sharing the love.

Pin the tail on the donkey game.

Even Ella attempted it.

So close, Suz!

Kambria's turn.