Killing time

Well it has been exactly a week since Russ left with the military and we have been trying to keep ourselves busy ever since. So far, so good. This past weekend we went to Nini's house and spent time with Gigi, G-pa and checked out Aunt Allie's new house. It was a nice distraction for us both! I have been taking Lexie to the park every other day and we have been going on long walks, enjoying this beautiful fall weather! Here are a few pictures...



She looks like such a big girl in her new shoes!! Thanks Gigi and Gpa!!!



Here is Lexie with her new favorite toy! Thanks Aunt Sissers!!!



On our way home from the park...Lexie is sporting a nasty looking bruise/goose egg from yet another header she took this morning in her closet! At least she didn't bounce her head of cement this time...boy did it hurt though!!!



The expressions this little one makes just makes me laugh!!! "Wha-chu talkin bout Willis?"

A Good Time Was Had By ALL!!!

We were so lucky that Aunt Becky and Molly were able to stay for a few days after the party! The girls had a fabulous time and got along beautifully!!! We couldn't have asked for better weather, and I couldn't have asked for better house guests! Lexie loved breaking in all of her new toys with her cousin, exploring the zoo, and running around the park with her partner in crime! Here are some pictures from the visit! We can't wait to do it again in December, but are really hoping you all can make it out for a few days in November!!! Thanks again for sticking around...we had such a great time!




Here is Molly the morning after the party doing her part to clean up! What a great helper!!!



Lexie and Molly...all dolled up and ready to go!



The girls are playing with Lexie's new Barnyard toy...which they couldn't get enough of!!!



Here is Lexie showcasing her new potty that Nini bought her for her birthday. (Don't worry, I have no intentions of trying to potty train her just yet...though it never hurts to be prepared for when she is ready!!!)



She says to Molly. "I think this is how you do it..."


Molly says, "You've got it all wrong Lexie, I am pretty sure this is how you do it..."



"This potty training is great...I go potty and get a reward...Thanks mom!"



Lexie says, "Whoa, not so fast!!! I'll let you use my potty, but keep your hands off my Heiney!"

It was quite comical to see them all over the potty seat! After Becky and I got a few good laughs, and pictures, we quickly put away the seat! We didn't want them to think it was a toy! Who would have thought that with all there was to play with, the potty seat would have taken center stage?!?




Molly offers to fill Uncle Russ's shoes while he is gone with the military!!!




I don't know who had more fun in the tub!!!!



All cleaned up and ready to wind down!!!



Since neither of the girls have been to the zoo and the weather was beautiful, we decided to venture out to see some animals! Don't let these faces fool you...they were excited...no really they were! Molly got such a kick out of the animals, and well...Lexie, much like her mom, loved to people watch! We had such a great time at the zoo, and can't wait to go back!

These girls were too busy snacking to show off their smiles in front of the entrance to the zoo.



Holding hands while watching the penguins swim in the water!!




Lexie wasn't quite sure about the sting ray tunnel...



...Molly on the other hand was all about it with some help from her mom!!!



While at the zoo we stumbled upon the Kiddie Kingdom Playground. Lexie was in hog heaven in the mulch!!


It was definitely bath time for these monkeys after being at the zoo all day!



Lexie's new do...what do you think?



We had to make a trip to the Clinton Park which is practically in our backyard!!! The girls LOVE to swing!


Molly gives Lexie a lesson in steering the boat! Such a good teacher she is!



Lexie is enjoying helping Aunt Becky push Molly on the tire swing!



We were so so sad to see our guests leave, but can't wait to play at Molly's Palace in December! Thanks again for visiting! We had such a great time!

Happy Trails...

Today at 6:00 am, I dropped Russ off at the military base for his trip to Kyrgyzstan. They left around 9:00am for an 8 hour flight to England. He will be spending the night there before they depart for another 8 hr flight to their final destination. I will keep you posted with any and all updates! Thanks for your calls and your prayers!

Bon Voyage and Happy Birthday!!!

This past weekend, we welcomed a house full of friends and family to celebrate Lexie's first birthday and to send off Russ. The celebration came two weeks before the actual event so Russ could be a part of the action. Unfortunately, he won't be here for her real birthday because of a military deployment to the middle east. She had so much fun during her party...and loved sharing her day with her daddy! Here are a few pictures from the day! We had wonderful weather, plenty of food, and were surrounded by friends and loved ones!

All Work and No Play

We have been so busy with the basement that I haven't had the time to post any updates. I think the folks at Home Depot were beginning to think I worked there, so I decided not to make the daily journey or set foot in the basement today. Instead, I focused on cleaning the rest of the house for all of our guests this weekend!

We are further ahead on our "little" project than what Russ and I expected thanks to looooooong hours of hard work, and a weekend visit from grandpa! While my dad's house in Houston was being ravaged by hurricane Ike, he was here to help us tile the bathroom and assist us on a few other projects! We can't thank him enough for all of his hard work and valuable insight! We definitely learned a great deal this weekend! Here are a few pictures of all the progress that has been made!


Russ working on the suspended ceiling. As you can see we have already started panting the walls...they are about 75% of the way done!!!


Here is our fabulous new shower!! Thanks DAD for doing such an amazing job! Russ and I can't decide if we like the paint we selected. He wanted a "fun" color...something that would pick up on the tempered glass accents...I think it kinda looks like someone smeared mint chocolate chip ice cream all over the walls! We may be heading to Home Depot for a little bit less "electric" looking hue!


It was a pizza party for the USC vs OSU game. Lexie couldn't help but steal a bite from her pawpaw.



It was a depressing loss, but Lexie is still a fan the morning after the game!



The visit wasn't long enough for Lexie! Here she is giving her grandpa kisses...she misses him already and can't wait for him to come visit again! (We promise, we won't work you like a dog on your next visit dad!!)

More Progress for the Do It Yourselfers

We are finally approaching the end of the mudding "phase" and will be able to check off that box soon! Now comes the reallllllly messy part of sanding. We have been doing a little bit at a time, and boy does it make a mess...EVERYWHERE, and I mean EVERYWHERE! We have a pretty tough goal to get this part finished, and cleaned up, before the arrival of guest coming for Russ's going away/Lexie's "birthday" bash!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!!


The fireplace without the mantel. Just went in today and is already mudded!!! Yippee!


Russ, behind the shell of his new bar, working diligently on the ledge for his "top shelf liquor".


This project is a real family affair!! Lexie came down to supervise!


Lexie can't wait for the mess to be cleaned up so she offered to help sand a bit!!!

It's Almost Been A Year~11 Months Old Today!

It reallllly doesn't seem possible that our precious little one is already 11 months old!! Where does the time go? Hard to believe we will be celebrating her actual birthday so soon! Here are a few funny pictures we captured from the day


She is all over the place, running from here to there and back...all with a smile on her face!



This is one of my new favorites!! Lexie has started doing this part fist pump/part stop with her hand in the air. I don't know if she is trying to be Wonder Woman or direct traffic. In any event, she is as cute as ever!


Here is a first...after being alllllll over the place, she decided to lay down, with no help, just opted to take a breather. It was extremely short lived, but much needed! Russ took advantage to get in a quick diaper change.


Without skipping a beat, she was back up and at 'em! Here she comes...looks like she is saying, WAIT...you forgot my pants!

Water Baby Part Two

Lexie was extra excited for swim lessons this week! It may have had something to do with me completely spacing out last Thursday while talking on the phone with Aunt Becky...so she missed out! NO need to worry though, as you can see she didn't forget a thing!!




All smiles as we start splashing around!!!






She has been hesitant to really relax and float on her back...as most little ones are at first. It took a few tries, but now she is a PRO!!! What a great shot by the dads!!




Here she is making her grand exit from the pool. As soon as I let go of her hand she started back down the ramp...she just wasn't ready to leave yet!


Another fun week of swim lessons...I am pooped!!