A Fresh Coat of Paint

For the past three months we have been attaining quotes on fixing up the outside of our house. We had some wood siding rot and fall off and it had to be repaired. We finally bit the bullet. Last week (one of the hottest all summer) we got our house repaired and painted. Here are the before and after pics:

Before

After

Disclaimer: It is no fun spending money on things like getting your house painted. It was necessary and we are happy with the outcome, I would have rather taken an awesome vacation or gone on a shopping spree than get our house painted...I guess it is all part of being a grown-up.

A Speed Bump on the Road of Life

Somedays motherhood can be overwhelming and somedays it is all so worth it! I've experienced both of those days this week...and I'm learning to take things one day at a time.

"Moms nurture hope, build dreams, plant seeds of faith that yield unending blooms and leave footprints of love on their children's heart that never fade."

-Elisa Morgan

Hmmm!

I performed a forceps removal of a nasal foreign body tonight......not in the ED......in the kitchen.......at the dinner table.......a Craisin in Lily Kate's left nostril. 

- Stephen

Dog Days of Summer

Our air conditioning broke for the second time this summer on Wednesday. Here are some pics of my hot family:

Aubrey didn't seem to notice how hot it was.
LK often wakes up from her nap with wet hair (even when the A/C is blasting).

Wednesday was just a lot worse

After the A/C guy came and diagnosed the problem (we needed a new compressor that would have to be ordered and would be installed on Friday). We loaded up and went to the in-laws to enjoy their A/C.

I don't know how we would survive without them. That is twice this summer they have put us up in order to keep us cool!

Sweet Dreams

Monkey Joe's NOT Trader Joe's

Lily Kate is doing surprisingly well adjusting to sharing the spotlight with Aubrey. We took her to Monkey Joe's to spend some one on one time with her (while JaJa watched Aubrey).Lily Kate loves Monkey Joe's and always makes sure to tell me it is NOT Trader Joe's. I think she had them confused once and was super disappointed to go to a grocery store and not a bounce house.

Her favorite part was "the monkey" She loves when Monkey Joe comes out to visit.

Spoiled Rotten

My husband decided to buy me a "happy" present yesterday. He went Handpicked on his way home from work and bought me earrings, a necklace and a ring!

They are a fun new way to spice up my wardrobe! What a sweetheart!

Free Fun

It doesn't take much to entertain our little girl. Tonight she crawled into the laundry basket and her dad spun her around. She thought it was the greatest!

Photo shoot

Yesterday I was able to take Aubrey to have her pictures taken by a professional photographer. Jennifer Hogan did a fabulous job. Here are some of the pics:

Twelve Days Old

I had my first bath - I wasn't a fan

My big sister loves to check on me...putting my pacifier in when I'm fussy and taking it out once I fall asleep (sometimes she is a little too helpful) Here she is trying out my "placemat" for me.
My first outing was to dinner with Pa, JaJa, Mommy and Daddy we ate at Big View Diner. This week Mommy took me to the library and Target!

I'm a very good natured baby. I love my sleep!

It is sad, I never get any attention :)

Mommy loves to dress us alike. Here we are in our coordinating fish outfits.

I've been awake entirely too long. Time for another nap.

-Aubrey

Instant Favorite

Stephen took Lily Kate to see Toy Story 3 on Saturday. This was her first time at the movie theatre and once they got through the "loud" previews, she really enjoyed the movie. She came home talking all about Buzz Lightyear.

First Father/Daughter Movie Date

After loving that movie so much, her grandparents showed her Toy Story 1 (which she then watched 3 times in a 24 hour period) and she loves the Woody doll she picked out at the Disney Store...he goes everywhere with her. He sits at the table while she eats, waits outside the restroom, and is currently taking a nap with her. Who knew it would be such a hit!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July from our new family of 4!