Weird

Our daughter's new favorite thing to do? Well, it's weird! She pulls Daddy's shirt up to expose his belly button. Giggles. Pokes it with her finger (Don't worry Neal regularly cleans his belly button). Giggles. Grabs Daddy's index finger and shoves it in there, creating a makeshift plug for the hole. Weird.

Hot Air Balloon Fesitval

This past weekend we attended the Plano Balloon Festival for the second year in a row. We love it! It's such a great family event. We get there a little before the evening launch. There were around 30 launched this year. Some of them are really unique. Then we walk around the booths for an hour and get some yummy over-priced dinner and sit down for the Balloon Glow. Many balloons set up on the field and as it gets dark they will all light up at once or "twinkle" or whatever. It's pretty. This year there was NO wind so they allowed the crowds to enter the field and come up close to the balloons and their owners. You can really feel the heat come off that flame! It was a great time!

Helping Mom Empty the Dishwasher

Lake Lavon

These are the Lake Lavon pictures. You can read the post below for a few details.

Grandma J Visits

It has been a long time since we've been able to post. Judy, Keri's mom, came to visit for a week and a half and then Keri invited a virus to come and play with our computer so it was not usable for about a week. Neal is still working out some little kinks but at least we can post!

Some of you may think a week and a half is a long time but not so. Neal says she could live with us and he'd be great with it. While she was here, we enjoyed long chats, walks, and shopping. We also attended the Dallas Temple one evening. Neal took off some time from work to hang out. We went to the Arboretum and Sophie had a blast playing in the fountain. We also visited Lake Lavon and took a nice long walk around one of it's parks. Judy found tiny clam shells in the mud on the shore. I'll post those later. That was pretty neat. We guessed they were fresh water clams.

While on our drive out to the lake we drove through the town of St. Paul, population 630, so it didn't take more than a wink to do. We saw a ranch with camels and a zebra. Keri spotted them and Neal didn't so he challenged her. Well after turning the car around, Yep! Two camels and a zebra. And you thought Texas was all about raising beef!

Previous Quote of the Blog

Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are. - John Wooden

I Ate Dirt Today!

Mmmmmmm....Minerals.

Long Labor Day

Whew! What a day! We started off with a block party which included a kiddie parade (see slideshow) and then BBQ and games. We organized a bubble gum blowing contest! It was easy and fun.

After a bit of rest, we headed to a BBQ at John and Carly's where we got to meet more new friends and pig out. Carly makes the best macaroni salad!

That evening we raced home from John and Carly's, changed into our suits and went to see Sophie's Nonnie and Papaw and swim again. It was a great day!

You Are Our Sunshine

Visiting with Nonnie and Papaw

Sophie and Keri were able to visit with Nonnie and Papaw, which are Southern nicknames for Grandma and Grandpa. These are her great-grandparents through Becky, Neal's step-mother. They were in town and we enjoyed a cool swim and catching up. Among other wonderful talents, they are serious gardeners and told us about hatching butterflies. Isn't that neat?! Sophie showed off for them by splashing and jumping into the pool. Thanks to both for the cute sweater and for the well-loved sausage bread which Neal refers to as "meaty, cheesy, bready goodness."

Just in the Nick of Time

Today we opened our door to a smiling face that apparently saw the tree in our front yard and read our minds. "Would you like an estimate on tree service?" Well, YES WE WOULD! We haven't had it professionally trimmed since we bought the place and prayed all last fall that the seasonal storms/wind wouldn't split it in two and upon our house. With this year's fall weather approaching we moved trimming this tree to the top of our priority list. This company quoted us $20 cheaper than last year's guy too. Three men, two chainsaws, and more butt crack than I would care to mention and Shazam! See the before and after pictures. Apparently they swept Sophie up with the plethora of trimmings and hauled her away too. We thought the house was rather quiet...

Grandma Susan Visits

Well it has been a long time since we last posted but we have been busy playing around. Susan, Neal's mother, came to visit us for a week. She enjoyed spoiling her granddaughter and visiting with some family in the area. Then she was off to see her daughter in Colorado.

Our Sponge

Sophie is learning to do so many things. She likes to steal mommy's hair brush off the bathroom counter and brush her hair and offer to brush mine. She also will watch me put on lip balm and then pick up the capped lip balm off the table and rub the cap on my lips to finish the job. At a church meeting today, Neal noticed she was putting her hands behind her head in the "kick back" position and looking around noticed she was copying the gentleman next to him. She tries to put on her shoes and our shoes. She will watch us drink a glass of ice water and then drink from her sippy cup and end with a refreshing "Ahhh" after each swallow, just like us. She is starting to copy some hand motions for a couple of finger plays and songs. It is so much fun to watch her pick up on stuff.

Daddy's Little Girl

New Nap Schedule

Okay, so we've been shifting to one long afternoon nap rather than one shorter one in the morning and then again in the afternoon. For the most part this has been a good change. Not today. She played with friends all morning and didn't quite make it through lunch before I put her down in her bed.

Romantic

When my loving husband brings me home 9 bottles of Dawn dish detergent and 5 tubes of Crest toothpaste for $0.37, THAT is Romantic! For me, that beats flowers any day! I love that he is a coupon clippin'-bargain hunting enthusiast!

Pitter-Patter Rain Drops and a Breath of Fresh Air

This is our daughter enjoying the elements. She loves the wind and light showers. She stops, holds her arms up, and takes it all in. Above, we are getting a light sprinkle. Below, she's feeling the breeze.

Hugs for Free

Cheesecake Bliss

Yes, yesterday was National Cheesecake Day and The Cheesecake Factory had there cheesecake for less than $2 a slice. We joined with our friends, Dave and Liz and their kids, and joined in the madhouse. Mmmmm sweet creamy goodness!

Hello? Is Anyone There?

I guess I should teach her how to use the headset or loudspeaker so she can protect her brain from all those waves.

Play Time!

Bathing Beauty

Sophie loves her pool especially in the 100 degree weather we've had lately.

Hanging Out

Entertainment

Sophie's new passion is pushing things, like her stroller. She gets pretty bummed when it gets stuck.

Dad has been having more fun rough-housing with her lately.

Aqua Woman!

Today we went swimming in the big pool again! We took along our friends Kari and Kenzie. Sophie had some firsts today! She loves water! She went underwater 3 times today and there were no tears, although some wide eyes and gasping. Also I sat her on the edge and put my arms out to her and she skooched her bottom to the edge and jumped into my arms with a splash! She did this 3-4 times. She is so much fun and such a happy kid! Thanks for the use of the pool, Rudy and Becky.