Post #6- Camping

While we were home in IL we thought it would be fun to introduce Miss A to camping. Brad's parents have a motor home they camp with so we would not be roughing it too much, me being 31 weeks along and all =-) We watched the weather and like most places, it has been unseasonably cooler than normal (except for you Texas folk, sorry) but we did not anticipate 70/60 degree weather. This was the perfect camping weekend and most of central IL thought so too as the campground was packed by 6:00 Friday evening.

Anyway, Brad's Aunt Bernie, Uncle Walt, my Mom and cousin Kaleb were able to spend the weekend with us and it was a blast. We enjoyed walks, bike rides, ladder ball, washers, great food, games, naps, and most of all relaxation! ( I uploaded the pictures smaller this time to help you get through the post a little quicker as I tend to put a lot of them on here =-)

This is my favorite picture! I think it says it all!

This girl LOVES her corn on the cob, I think she had two ears that night.

Oh, so this is me standing on the bed in the back putting up Miss A's pack n play, what a sight.

Enjoying her first Smores, Yum, Yum!

Here is a fun video of Miss A sitting with her Papa in the morning as he was singing to her and she was singing and dancing back.  Loved it!

Now we just have to see how Baby #2 likes camping as I foresee a lot of it in our future.

Post #5- Visiting IL

We decided to head back to IL with our visitors for a couple weeks because Brad was going on a two week trip to FL so he would not be home and I needed to be back for a friends wedding the first of August anyway so it all worked out perfectly! We packed up Miss A and Bailey and headed West. Each time we drive to IL we get to stop at Brad's sister Ginger's house in Ohio. (Thanks Ging for your gracious hosting spot, we are gonna miss that!) This time around we were able to hang out for a day and visit a Conservatory that is near her house. The flowers and gardens were beautiful as was the glasswork that was displayed all over the place by the artist Dale Chihuly. They had a fun area for the kids to play so Miss A took advantage of that.

Once we got back to IL we hopped back and forth from Grandma and Papa's to Nana's house (it is nice our parents only live 25 minutes from one another). Miss A always does great moving back and forth as long as she has a place to eat, take her naps and have a good nights sleep, she is happy. Miss A got to swim in the pool her Daddy swam in as a boy, play with her cousins, Kara, Alyson, Ayreanna, Cecilia, and Ian. Hang out with all of her Aunts and Uncles and try out all of the food that our wonderful city of Springfield has to offer. For those of you familiar, Mel-O-Cream doughnuts and the good ol' horseshoe, she LOVED them both! It was a very quick few weeks but relaxing and enjoyable.

On my side of the family we have a total of 5 granddaughters (pictured below), so you know everyone is rooting for a boy. On Brad's side, there are 2 girls and 2 boys, so I am sure they are partial to either.....can not wait to find out!!


We went and visited my 'second Mom', Erc's lake house one day to relax and do some fishing, o.k., Erc did the fishing but we fed the fish and relaxed on the dock! Here is Miss A taking in her first fish on a hook. I think we might have a fisherman on our hands.

Love this picture, not sure where they are off to, but they know where they are going!

We got to visit with Papa Sparky while we were home too, he works out of town a lot and sometimes on our quick trips home we miss him, so we were very excited to be able to spend time with him. Miss A got the royal seat to travel around Papa's yard, she sat still for most of it but once she saw the big yard in the back all she wanted was out to run around.

Two more posts to wrap up our summer so far, hang in there. Keep your eyes posted for our introduction of Baby Darling #2 in the next few weeks!!

Post #4- VA Visitors

After the Fourth of July we had a few visitors to our house: Brad's parents, aunt Barb, sister Meghan and her boyfriend (fiance now =-), Scott. What a quick week that was but every minute was enjoyable. Each morning Miss A got to sit outside with either her Grandma or Papa and listen to the birds chirping, or airplanes flying over while a delicious breakfast was being made. Oh yeah, did I mention we ate pretty darn good every meal, thanks Papa, we love your cooking!

Our week was filled with relaxation, outlet shopping (which Miss A took the cake on most spoiled); dirty work taking down the rest of our pool and top deck; a walk to our park; visiting Brad's squadron and getting to see him take off; a day trip to Colonial Williamsburg and a quick trip to Virginia Beach's boardwalk. Thanks to you all for making the trip out, we know about traveling and cherish everyone who makes the effort on our behalf. =-)

Miss A trying out her new slide from Grandma and Papa. I think she likes it! She is more interested in climbing up the slide than going down right now but soon she will be climbing all over it.

Our day trip to Colonial Williamsburg was a great day. The weather was warm but manageable. They do such a great job at the park with volunteers posing as colonists to make the area feel more 'at that time' if you will. There were reenactments (which I tried to download the video of it 6 times and for some reason does not want to take, sorry), of the men being drafted and going off to war, volunteers working in each home/shop to show you how to make your own bullets, shoes, hats, etc.. What a fun day!

Loving on her Aunt Meghan!

Aw, the happy couple!

Having fun at the house, we miss you guys already!

Trying out her new slide, thanks Grandma and Papa!

After their time in Va was over we all headed back to IL for a few weeks for some visiting before Baby Darling #2 arrives in a couple weeks.

Post #3- Home Ownership

Since we have moved in, Brad has been doing an amazing job with the house. Whether it has been changing all of the locks, fixing the floors, painting, organizing the garage, putting up wainscoating, repainting furniture, hanging pictures, etc, he has done it all! I honestly had no idea he was this 'handy' =-) I just wanted to share a few pictures of our 'big' project, before and after, and show off Bradley's skills =-) I am proud of ya handsome, the room looks exactly how I was hoping!!

Here are pictures of another project that seems to be growing into more of a headache. We had hoped to open the pool this summer and find it in decent condition but that was not the case so we decided to get rid of it. Easy! So of course we no longer needed the top deck that went to the pool so Brad's Dad and sister's fiance, Scott, took that down for us while they were visiting (thanks guys!!)

Now we have this wonderful little pond in our back yard that everytime it rains just pools up for all of the birds in the neighborhood to come and bathe in, not to mention the mesquitos that I am sure are breading in it.

We are officially open for suggestions on how to fix this backyard mess. Those of you who have added a deck/patio (either concrete or stone), please weigh in because we are at a total loss for what is best for resale on the house and useful at the same time without spending TOO much money....HA!

HELP!!

Post #2- Happy Fourth

We had a great Fourth of July.  The weather was beautiful, not too hot, and we got to finally explore a little of what this State has to offer.  Brad was helping out with a flyover at Yorktown, hence the get-up.   After the flyover we were able to explore Yorktown for the rest of the afternoon, which was really neat to see (still not sure why I do not have any pictures of that to share).  

Thanks Aunt Ginger for the cute outfit, it was perfect for our day!

This girl LOVES her books.  It is not an unseen sight at our house to find her in the middle of the floor with books all around her and she just goes from one book to the next.  

What a great sight!

We hope you all had a great Fourth of July. 

Post #1 of Summer

O.k., O.k, you can get up off of the ground and back in your chair because yes, I have appeared once again to get you all updated on our fun days of summer so far.

Let me start with my favorite, Miss A is officially ONE years old the end of June! Happy Birthday our sweet girl! I have loved every moment of your inquiries, babbling, teething (12 and counting), rolling over, crawling, eating, walking/running, your many bumps and bruises but I am anxious to get to see all of the next enjoyments you throw my way. For example, running around the house with something over your face and thinking this is the most fun you have ever had until you run into the dishwasher, wall, fireplace, etc.....ohhh yes, I can not wait!

Here are a few pictures of how we spent her Birthday, a great family day, at the Zoo.

As you can tell, the day got to her and it was only 11:15!

After a good dinner we were able to introduce her to the sweet tooth I am sure she will one day crave as her Dad and I do, but right now we will introduce it in small amounts. It was fun because we were able to Skype with Aunt Becca, Uncle Matt, Aunt Ginger and her cousins Morganne and Jack and they got to sing Happy Birthday with us and watch as she enjoyed her first cake!

A week later we had our second visitors in VA, (more on that later) and Grandma and Papa helped celebrate her Birthday once again. A smaller cupcake this time =-)

A couple weeks later we were able to celebrate yet again with my side of the family at Uncle Aaron and Aunt Jen's house in Illinois!

Three birthday celebrations and many new taste buds tested out, I think this Big girl is loved by many and we are all anxious to continue to watch her grow.

We love you our little monkey, we can not wait for yet another year with you!