A MAJOR Accomplishment!

Russ has been working diligently for the last couple of months towards a promotion through the military. He has had to sit through various courses...read countless books and take test after test after test. After a very long day in the ER and a stop by his new office, he completed the final requirement which consisted of a "panel interview." I am happy to report, that I can no longer joke about Russ being a "Major" Pain...he is now a Lieutenant Colonel (well...as soon as congress okays it!)

Lexie rushes to her daddy to give him a big squeezy hug after his long day!

He deserves a big kiss for his accomplishments!

Out of his "dress blues" and it is time to snuggle!

Russ steals a kiss from Lexie after a long day...
...looks like he's not the only one that had a long day!


Congratulations Russ!!! We are sooooo very very very proud of you!

BIG Baby Blues

Nothing melts our hearts more that a big smile to match her big blue eyes!



And boy do they get big!!!

Bubbles Bubbles and MORE Bubbles!!!

Who would have thought that soapy suds could entertain an almost two year old! This little one LOVES bubbles! She love to try to catch them, pop them, chase them...and even just watch them float by! Once our neighbors brought out their bubble machine...it was ALL OVER! Every time she would see it she would instantly smile and say "bobbles"!!! We finally broke down and bought a bubble machine of our own! She can't get enough!


Here is Lexie patiently waiting to go outside to give HER bubble machine a whirl!

Let the fun begin!!!
There she goes face first into all the bubbles!
Gives a whole new meaning to "bubble baby"!

Two Cuties!

There is really no rhyme or reason to this post. No big story to tell...just a few adorable pictures to share! Enjoy!!!


Cooing and laughing...I wish I would have gotten this on video!


Enjoying her new Dora blanket! It is sooo soft...she just loves to crawl all over it!

A cute little smile that just melts your heart!

Over the river and through the woods...

...to GG's house we go! (And Gpa's too of course!) Russ had a few hours off from the ER (36 to be exact) so we headed to Canton to visit with GG, Gpa, and Kirsten (who was in town visiting Allison). Kirsten was going to travel to Pittsburgh to see us before she started her new "real" job...but we thought we would save her the trip while sneaking in a visit with the fam! Nini had to work while we were there, but we still were able to get a quick visit in with her as well!! (Besides, this visit was for Kirsten, GG and Gpa...Nini will be visiting us at the end of the month!)

Though we were only in the Buckeye state for about 26 hours...we enjoyed ever second of it! GG had everyone over for dinner...invited us back for breakfast...Russ and Gpa played 22 holes of golf (yes...22) but most importantly...we all had a great time! GG couldn't believe how much both the girls had grown since the last visit! (It had been about 6 weeks!)

Of course, a visit to/from GG wouldn't be complete without a special gift for Lexie! This time it was a HUGE SOFT ADORABLE Dora blanket!! (Thanks again GG and Gpa!) She also got a Dora backpack from Kirsten, and alphabet letter magnets from Aunt Allie...what are you people trying to do...SPOIL these little ones?? It was great to see everyone...Aunt Marta even came down briefly...can't wait to see everyone again!!! AND SOON!!!

Nini holding her mini-me!

Kirsten taking her turn holding Olivia...
Lexie runs to give Aunt Allie a hug and a kiss!
Playing with her new magnet toys on the big Dora blanket! I think we are going to leave these at GG's!!! They were EVERYWHERE...but boy did she like them!

Russ watches as Lexie tried to give Olivia her binki! The expression on Olivia's face is PRICELESS!

Kirsten...couldn't get enough of Olivia!

By the way...CONGRATULATIONS Precious (aka Kirsten)!! She and Patrick will be getting married October 2010!!!! Woooohooo!!

Silly and Serious!

Lexie has a new Dora visor, thanks to our wonderful neighbors the Egans! They brought it for her since she now has her own golf clubs! She is officially "a part of the club"! Thanks a bunch guys!!!

Visor...shades...smile...PRICELESS!!!

Lexie decides to share her daddy's sunglasses with Buster--her trusty sidekick!

I had to include this picture! Lexie has been putting her shoes on herself now for a little over a month. She doesn't always get them on the right feet, but it just amazes me every time she tries! She has a little trouble with these shoes...but just look at the concentration in that gorgeous little face of hers!

Early Riser=Rare Form

Maybe she just wanted to get a glimpse of Russ as he came home from working an overnight shift...or maybe she was just loaded with energy and wanted to get her day going...maybe not! Who knows, and who cares with these cute pictures!!!


Russ carrying his little ladies down stairs

The sun was barely out...but Lexie was prepared!!!

She just loves her new Dora hat!!!

Olivia wide awake too...and looking as cute as ever!!!

It's About That Time--More Visitors...

After a much needed week or so off from having visitors, we geared up for another round! This week, Grandma Barbara was back and brought Great Grandma Jones with her! Russ had a few days off from work so we tried to take full advantage! We were able to meet up with Miss Erna's cousin Stanley (along with his wife and daughter) for lunch. It had been quite a few years since the two had gotten together...a great little visit!

Russ and I were able to get out for a night which was an added bonus. After we got Lexie ready for bed and the baby was fast asleep, we headed out to a concert--just the two of us! It was really nice!


Grandma Barb, Lexie, and Great Grandma Jones relaxing on the couch...quite possibly watching Dora!!!
This is Lexie's new favorite thing to do...she will crawl up on Russ's leg and bounce all around like she is riding a horse...she literally tries to throw herself off, just so she can do it again and again! (Notice, Olivia isn't phased by it at all...still sleeping away...Russ probably was too!)
Great Grandma Jones and her newest Great Granddaughter...so cute!

We Like to PARTY!

Who doesn't like a good party--even if it involves sugar filled kids running around, screaming out with excitement??? Our neighbor, Sadie Egan turned 1 and we were lucky enough to be invited to help her celebrate her very first birthday! The party was loaded with balloons, decorations, great food, over stimulated kids...and even a party pooper! That is right--our littlest love bug FINALLY let loose moments after we arrived! Luckily, we didn't have too far to travel to get her cleaned up!!!

There was plenty of fun--complete with silly string, sidewalk chalk, super big bouncy balls, and fully loaded gift bags!!! We "partied" well into the evening (minus Russ who had to take his mom and grandma back to the airport before he headed off to work) until Lexie looked at me with those eyes that screamed...I am ready for bed!!! I really think she would have stayed all night if I would have let her!

We had such a great time...Thanks to the Egans for the invite!!!



Daddy and Olivia are ready for the party...they both look so cute all dressed up and ready to go!

Lexie takes a minute to snuggle with her daddy before we head out to the party.


The guest of honor...our adorable neighbor Sadie! Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Gretel holding Sadie with Allison...LET THE PARTY BEGIN!!!

All the kiddos gather around for a quick picture before it is time to cut the cake!!


Who said getting a picture where all the kids were looking would be easy??

Lexie gets in party mode with a little help from her new friend!

Having a ball...literally!!!! I can't tell you how many times she flipped over this thing!!!

Our little "party pooper" enjoying all the festivities after her much needed wardrobe change!

Bright Lights

Much like her daddy...this little one doesn't let ANYTHING keep her from sleeping!

Beat the Heat

It has finally started to heat up here in Western PA...so we broke out the back-yard kiddie pool! Lexie loved this must-have summertime inflatable last year, so we thought we would give it a go again this year! (Nothing says summertime like a big blow up swimming pool!!!)
We doused her with as much sunscreen as her skin would absorb, chucked her in a swimming suit, then it was time for some FUN FUN FUN...in the HOT HUMID SUN!

Splashing in her pool with a little help from Daddy!

There are few things Lexie likes more than playing with a ball...
...what a KICK!
Run run run run run!!!!
Does she ever get tired?????

FORE.....

Since Lexie's favorite playmate (our neighbor's son Cole) is the next Tiger Woods in training...Russ decided to pick up a set of clubs for Lexie. No...he didn't bother to get her the Fisher Price plastic set that most kids start out with...instead, he bought her REAL clubs (sorry Pawpa...I guess Dadda beat you to the punch...if you are itching to buy a new set of clubs for someone, I would gladly volunteer to be the recipient!!!)

Though she requires a little bit of help because the clubs are a bit heavy for her...she is catching on pretty quickly!



She finds the perfect ball...

...gets a little bit of help from Daddy to line it up just right...
...I think she's getting the hang of it!

Daddy shows Lexie how to follow through!Olivia and I watch her big sister with excitement!!!