sand.

We have enjoyed our last-minute evening outings at the beach.  I can't beat eating ice cream, walking on the beach with the loves of my life!  But now the weather is turning cooler and it's getting cold and gray!  I was able to break out the camera and photographer in me, not a common thing lately...

Sand-eating sequence-of-events featuring Hannah's classic "yuck" face.

  

Isn't her little smile contagious?  I sure do think so.

play group.

A couple of weeks ago we had a rockin' time at the zoo with our buds in the little play group we go to.  On the way there Suz and I got lost (or shall we say I got us lost!) and we ended up going on about 3 different freeways trying to get there.  I ended up calling Connel and he gave us directions...it ended up being fairly close to where we were at the time I called him, so we finally made it!  The last time we went the 4 runner's AC was NOT WORKING in the blasted August heat, on probably the hottest day of the year!  So Suz and I (and our children) were sweating the entire time there.  Then I had to stop and get a sandwich for lunch and there was nothing but a really creepy deli with a scary man out front hocking luigi's!  (the sandwich was good though!)  Ha ha!  Seems like every time we go to the zoo it becomes a fiasco.  Don't get me wrong, we love going, and we have fun when we get there!!!

And with 10 kids under the age of 3, if you are only there for less than 2 hours, and half of that time you are eating lunch, it's all fine and dandy!

Our guide for the wild safari ahead.

Loving the stroller-hood... the Mommies and their kiddos.

What I didn't catch on camera was the part where he kissed the monkey!

The best pic of Hannah (and none of she and I...maybe next time!)

A little monkey with her banana.

 Hey!  We still got to see the giraffes--my favorite!

I always have fun with you girls!  You are the best--and those little play groups are my mid-week blessing!  Love Y'all!

munchkin.

Just being happy...

Enjoying Texas Roadhouse rolls...

 

Helping Daddy with his reading...

 

Feeding Daddy...

 

She's such a happy, silly, and energetic little thing!  We just can't get enough of our sweet little girl!

do you ever feel like this?

Do you ever feel like you have to do everything?  

What I mean is, do you ever feel like the world expects so much of you?  

For instance, lately I have been feeling like in order to be a good wife and mother I need to:

have my house clean at all times, 

cook amazing meals made from scratch, 

craft the life out of my scissors and glue gun, 

refurbish every piece of furniture in my house, 

piece and sew a king size quilt, 

go thrifting every Thursday, 

lose 20 lbs in 20 days, 

clip coupons and spend only $10 on this weeks groceries, 

get a masters degree, 

be involved and make a stand in politics and current events, 

redecorate my entire house, 

prepare for a natural disaster, 

plant a garden, 

take the most awesome and best photos ever...

...and make a witty tutorial on my blog about how I did all of it... 

...all while trying to spend time with my husband and child, complete the daily to do list and try to get some sleep.

Ever feel that way?

I've had a few reminders lately of what's most important...

Ashley Sullenger who lost her baby in July wrote a post on her blog answering the question, Is there anything you would have done differently?  If you have a chance...no, make it a POINT to read it.  Especially watch this video she made:

These videos:

...and this quote that I read on The Polished Pickle:

“Whatever the era, whatever the times, one thing will never change: Fathers and mothers, if you have children, they must come first. You must read to your children and you must hug your children and you must love your children. Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House but on what happens inside your house.”
("Text of Mrs. Bush's Speech," Washington Post, June 2, 1990)

I don't have to feel guilty  taking time for cleaning and cooking, it's fun to craft and take pictures, I'm still doing the BIGGEST loser challenge, and as I love spending time decorating my house...

...but I can spend more time remembering what's most important.

...and less time living up to the world's expectations.

ten months.

Sweet baby girl, 

For some reason 10 months has hit me hard!  Even though you are still a baby there are things about you that make me think you are starting look more like a little girl and less like an infant.  Yesterday I held a little 2 month old baby and I realized I had forgotten how little you once were and I got a little teary thinking that you will never be that small again.  I feel like I have treasured the moments, but I think every Mother would agree that the time goes by so quickly and I will always miss that little tiny baby stage.  But life goes on and we will try to enjoy every minute! 

This is you at 10 months:

• You are starting to "cruise" along the edge of the furniture and you can climb just about anything that you can reach.  
• A few days ago you were playing in the living room.  I was on the computer and Daddy was playing with you.  Daddy walked out of the room and you followed him.  I thought you were with him and the next thing I know I heard a couple bonks and then heard you crying.  I knew right then that...Yep!  You have fallen down the two stairs that lead to the little platform before you get to the basement stairs (thank goodness it was not the BIG stairs!  Oh sadness.  I picked you up and Dad came running up the stairs from the basement "I thought she was with you!"  We comforted you and then you seemed content to keep playing.  All you wanted was to follow your Daddy downstairs!  We decided that we need to be more careful and pay attention because you will stop at nothing to get to your Dad!
• Your hair is starting to lay flat, and we have finally seemed to conquer that awful cradle cap that came up on you a couple months ago. (Thanks to you Tanya N.!)
• You like to turn the pages of the books as we read to you.  Or shall I say, you just like to turn the pages, and you do it so quickly, that we cannot read the words of the book!
• You have started to take after Mommy and belt it out singing in the car!  I love it!
• When the tub comes on, you crawl to the bathroom at lightning speed and stand up at the edge waiting to get in.  It's super cute!

• You like to smile a huge cheesy smile at people at the grocery store, but then when they talk to you you tilt your head and look away like you are shy. 
• You like to stick your tongue out and say "pthpthpth!"  Sometimes you do it when I am feeding you baby food and it makes a big mess!  I usually laugh out loud which just encourages you to do it more! :)

• Your favorite books are "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Good Night Baby"
• Your favorite songs and games are Knee bouncing, Our own tickle version of "Itsy Bitsy Spider", and "I'm gonna get you!"  You sometimes laugh really hard when we blow raspberries on you!
• Your favorite toys are Sleep and Snore Ernie, a little jingle ball that goes to stacking bowls toy and Bouncing Tigger.  Oh yeah and the VCR! :)

There you have it, here are some pictures from this month...

 Reading with Daddy.

Ready for a Luau (thanks Aunt Carly!)

Lil' Ballerina

Dainty little toes!

Chasing Bubbles.

Having fun in her Dora tent.

After a 3 hour nap.

 So Tired!

We love you cuddly girl!

Love, Mom and Dad

summer fun.

Some summer fun that we've been having over the past couple months...

Lots of evening walks.

Swimmin' in the backyard.

Finding fun things to do indoors (on days that are way to hot) like explore (or shall I say eat) different kinds of textures.

overcome obstacle courses, 

and take lots of naps.

Taking a turn to help clean the church.

An outing with Mom, which involved ice cream and lots of napkins.

And playing with friends Brinkley, Caelen, Jackson, and Braden!

 

I feel that summer is coming to a close.  There have been a few cool mornings and evenings around here and I started getting ready for Autumn time!  However, with today in the 80's again...I'm not so sure it's going to be as soon as I want!  I'm ready for fall!  How about you?

Goodbye Summer!  Hello Fall!