hard day

Elizabeth was rewarded with Silly String for stamping her foot at me and later throwing Uno cards onto the stack when she lost a game with a babysitter.  Still not sure how that unfolded since I bang on about not rewarding bad behavior.  

It made for cute photos but did not improve a certain attitude.  After serious bed time counseling, our sweet girl returned the next day.  Let's hope she is here to stay.  

welcome, Annabella

This precious angel was born Friday, June 26th.

Elizabeth was thrilled to hold her.  And completely shocked, since we hissed "Do not dare touch the baby or breathe on her!" on the way into the hospital.  Annabella's Daddy insisted that Elizabeth wash her hands and hold the baby.  That's his hand spotting the hold on the left of the photo.

Welcome to the world, Annabella Marie.  We are so happy you are here.

birthday splash

The birthday keeps on getting better.  My friends surprised me with a cake (see cute "?" candle), champagne, flowers and funny card.  We also had baked brie and rice krispie treats.  I may like rice krispie treats as much as rides.  Homemade, please.  The ones packaged in blue wrappers do not tempt me.  Actually, that is a good thing.

Jill, Colleen and LA.
Dawn, Colleen and LA.
Dawn, Warren, and LA.  
Susan was having a baby, Carrie was hosting a rehearsal dinner, and Wendy had to work.  Children were in the backyard sprinkler.

Cheers!

look what we found

Look what we found outside our house yesterday.

Check out the customer with the Tinkerbell mobile phone and raised foot.  She was arranging the adoption of a baby sister on that phone before the diversion.

weekend

The big 40th birthday started with lots of rushing around to prepare for my friend Susan's baby shower.   All in all, it was not my favorite day but the shower was very nice.  Here are some cute pictures.

Susan and Annabella Marie are in the middle, surrounded by Carrie and me.
Jill and Colleen in Colleen's pretty lavender dining room.
Susan and Lori.
Dawn and Jill.
Elizabeth and LA.

Things started to look up on Sunday.  On the way to Chicago, we passed this neat Ukranian Cathedral.

The rain stopped just in time to arrive here...
I love rides like a small child.  We hit the Tilt a Whirl, Pirate's Ship, Log Ride, Little Dipper roller coaster, Scrambler, Tornado and Ferris Wheel.

Followed by supper here.  They smoke their own salmon, and it was marvelous.  We also had mixed greens with feta, liguini and clam sauce, steak and frites.  Can you tell I like to eat?

Sunday helped me recover from the un-blogworthy events of Saturday!

daddy packed the snack

So corny but I always draw a picture on the snack sacks.  Daddy does, too!

more of the crew

Smile everyone.
Relax everyone.
Now you see her...
Now you don't.

happy at last

I treated myself to a new camera in December.  Jim raised his eyebrows as I signed the credit card receipt.  This made it difficult to later admit that I did not *love* the photos it produced.  They all seem too dark.

Enter the new Nikon 50mm f 1.8 lens, along with a lesson from the man at the photo shop in adjusting the D lighting.  I am satisfied at last.  Really,  really satisfied.  And it was a small investment.

Here is part of our afternoon in the backyard.

Check out the missing teeth.

She had her hair trimmed on Friday.

back to regularly scheduled programming

Hi everyone.  J went out of town last week and we lost our routine.  

Here is the dancing queen in action.  She made these groovy shades at Grace's birthday party, and the super cute headband was a favor.



We miss posting and will be back soon.

thank you thank you thank you

Elizabeth is a mighty lucky girl.

big day

It was a big, fun day in the 'ford.
Pleasant dreams.  See you tomorrow.

presents

E received something she wants and something she needs for kindergarten graduation.  Here is Sadiegirl, a Little Kinz, sitting on new sheets!

Sadiegirl at home in the online room E furnished.  Always loyal to her favorite color, pink!
Doing the Webkinz thing...

More to come on a tardy visit from the toothfairy.