It might be time for Abby to get a haircut

or start belting out 80's rock anthems. One or the other.

Lake Weekend with the Durands

My bff (can't believe I am using this phrase, but it does fit), Tricia, and her husband, and his family have a lake house on Possum Kingdom lake. We have spent many fun lake weekends there. The first time that we visited was when Jon and I were engaged, and Tricia and Jeff had just met. We went that next summer as part of their wedding party for a time to celebrate before their wedding. The next time we were there Heidi the dog came along with us, and the time after that Tricia's first baby, Addi was there. Two summers later, we went with Caleb, who was one, and the Durands had added Jackson to their family. Then this summer, we got to go with Abby, and Tricia and Jeff have baby Laura. So each trip to the Durand lake house seems to mark major changes in our lives. Things are a lot different from our first carefree trip to the lake, but we still have a blast!

PIGTAILS!

The first time a mom gets to put pigtails in her daughter's hair is a momentous occasion. It is a certain passage into having a girl, as though Abby is more of a girl now that she can have pigtails and therefore I am more of a girl mom. So yeah, the rest of the time, she is rocking the mullet look, but I don't think that we will cut her hair. These pigtails are just too precious!

Railrunner, round 2

While we were in Albuquerque, Caleb and Abby got to ride the Railrunner train for the second time. Here is a video from when we went last year. It is amazing to see how much both kids have changed since then. We were real classy sitting at the train stop eating our McDonalds waiting for the train to arrive. It was like a dream come true for Caleb Lee- chicken nuggets, french fries, and a train. What more could a boy ask for?

Albuquerque

Okay, I am way WAY behind on my posts. Here are some pictures from when Caleb, Abby, and I visited family in Albuquerque last month. The highlight of the trip was getting to meet sweet Kennedy, my new niece.


the cousins playing in my parents' backyard...
Baby Kennedy- the main attraction!

Abby at 18 months

Abby is 18 months old, and she loves her mama! She prefers to be held by me over playing with toys or doing anything else. This has been especially apparent in times when we have been traveling over the summer. She definitely appreciates any type of physical touch. She loves to hug and give kisses, but she also loves to wrestle with Jon, Caleb, and me. She will just crack up when Caleb chases her around the house. She is definitely most happy when we are playing some type of physical game like that, and she loves to be held while Jon or I dance around the room. Abby continues to be very dramatic- either super happy or super upset. If Heidi the dog accidently knocks her over, she will just wail and wail even if she is completely unhurt. She feels emotions quite strongly! Abby is starting to say more and more words. Some of the new words that she says are “cat, Beaufort (my parents’ dog), bubbles (which she says anytime we are around water), bath, cracker (which she says anytime she wants a snack), and “dede” (Caleb). She is also starting to make some animal sounds including the sheep, elephant, and monkey. (I remember “oo, oo, ah, ah, being one of Caleb’s first animal sounds too.) Abby loves to eat. I am trying to be better about not feeding her snacks all day long, but she makes it difficult with her dramatic side. Often times a snack will occupy her for awhile so I can get something done! Abby is a great sleeper though. She usually naps about 3 hours in the afternoon and sleeps from about 8:30pm to 7:00am. This is a welcome change from the first 12 months of her life! It is hard to believe that we are on the downward half of Abby being one. Two is only half a year away. As she grows closer to two, I am sure many moments will be intense with this one! We have already started some of the two year throw yourself on the ground fits! We will try to bear those and enjoy the sweet cuddly girl the rest of the time!

Lion's Park

We recently went to a birthday party at Lion's park. Despite the heat, the kids had a great time. Here are the pictures to prove it!

Family Time in WA