Our New Friends

During the last couple of weeks, Lulu has been thoroughly embracing her "twoness." Strangely, this coincided with Lee being gone a lot. He been on a couple of business trips...one lasting 6 days. Needless to say, lulu and I have had some tough days. This week has been much better (strangely, Lee her daddy has been home all week). We made some new friends on our very limited excursions: the ducks and geese.

She is not even one bit afraid of the geese (I am; they are huge). Sometimes we have to tell them to talk nice to each other when they start honking too loudly and chasing each other.

Macker

Last weekend, Cousin Macker came to visit. Lulu and I decided to take him to our favorite spot. Lulu showed Macker how to feed the ducks. I think he caught on fairly quickly.

Lulu chose to eat some of the "duck food" by herself at the table while Macker and I fed the ducks.

They still had plenty of duck food (aka crackers) for the wagon ride home.

They weren't quite ready to go inside, so they shared some suck food with the dogs that live next door.

Thanks for visiting (I wonder if I will ever tire of take their picture together?).

80+

On one of our last 80+ degree days, we went out to the driveway and brought Petunia with us. Lulu "helped" me give Tuni a bath.

I am not sure hoe much Tuni enjoyed it, but Lulu and I had fun.

Lulu kept getting leaves on her feet and needed to clean them off.

All clean.

Awards Banquet

Last Saturday was Lee's company's annual awards banquet and dinner. Aunt Kersie, Hank, and Haddie came over to hang out with Lulu for us. This is our best self-portrait.

My protruding baby belly. This was at 23.5 weeks.

Lee, his work boyfriend Derek, and one of their superiors Lynette.

Lee was one of four sales achiever awards. The award is an all expenses paid five day trip to the Pelican Hill Resort. The trip is next month. We are really excited (and really proud of Lee), but I can't believe I am going to leave my Girl for that long.

Wowzers!

My Christmas-loving husband just mentioned how excited he is for Christmas. He was waxing poetic about decorating the tree and sleeping by the fire.

I asked if he was going to let Girl sleep downstairs with him. He said, "Of course, why wouldn't she? She can sleep right between us on the floor."

I laughed and reminded him that I will be almost 38 weeks pregnant, large with child, and will not be sleeping on the floor for any extended period of time. The conversation gave a us both a good laugh though.

Cousin "Macker-Mac"

Cousin Mac came to stay with his Nanny and Papa for the weekend. We chauffeured him. He and Lulu were a little tired on the drive.

When we arrived at Nanny's, she had the pool and toys ready to go in the driveway. They even shared treats at the picnic table.

Mostly naked cousins

You can tell they are cousins by the matching right cheeks hanging out of their swimmer diapers...

The hung out by the playhouse.

Did some off-road strolling while half-naked.

Later in the weekend they had a bath and Uncle Lee read them a book.

and a good night kiss (and then my camera ran out of batteries and I have yet to find the charger. Dang it).

Thanks for visiting.

Domesticated

As you all know, I have been driving my dream car for the past 3+ years. It is my baby. It is one of my loves. The time has come to be practical. Apparently European cars don't age well without a lot of love (aka money). So, we decided it was time to say goodbye to my sweet Volvo. I really loved that car. I might have shed a few tears...at the dealership...in front of our salesman...and the whole ride home...

We had to give it one last hug before our last drive.

Our new ride. It will hopefully serve us many years and keep us safe, and facilitate many fun family times.

Lee thinks we are like these guys now (I know it isn't a Toyota, but you get the idea):

and yes, in case you were wondering, I did cry again while writing this post...so what?

South Dakota Wedding

Last weekend Lee's cousin, Kellee, got married in South Dakota. This South Dakota wedding was not similar to the last one we attended. It was in a town with a hotel and a church, unlike the outdoor ceremony and bar reception.

Our trip began with Lulu wanting to sleep in a "big girl bed..." for about 5 minutes and then she changed her mind.

The wedding was Friday evening. Lulu and her daddy at the church.

Lulu during the 5 minutes of the ceremony she made it through quietly before her dad took her into the hallway.

The bride and her cowboy hat (and boots) wearing dad.

The wedding party during the unity candle part.

Leaving the church.

Enjoying the treats while waiting for dinner.

Lulu loving her daddy.

Nana and Papa with Lulu.

Bonding with cousin Jackie husband, Mark.

Getting a little tired.

Our best family picture.

Thankfully (?) she got a second wind when the dancing began.

Some twirling.

She even got to dance with the "princess" (aka the bride).

Lee doing my favorite (and his only) dance move: The techno-mocking glow stick dance.

It was a fun weekend full of family and late nights.