Teaching Her Young

Mowing the lawn is one of my least favorite jobs. When I was single and owned my own house, I usually paid someone to do it. I'd pay for someone to mow my lawn long before I'd pay for them to clean my house. As a kid, I could count the number of times I mowed my parents' lawn on one hand. Now, Richard is prepping Olivia early. Thank goodness, because I sure don't want to do it! I wonder if Richard would say my lines are crooked. . . I hope I never find out!

Concentration is the name of her game.

I've got to hand it to Richard. When it comes to tasks like this, too often I don't take time to teach Olivia, or even slow down enought to let her feel helpful. I just want to get the job done. I noticed it today when I was vacuuming. Richard doesn't mind slowing down; I could take a lesson or two from him. On my behalf, though, I wouldn't put Olivia in long sleeves to work outside in the middle of August. "Silly Dad!"

Coming Through!!!

Spencer's first "teef" (as Olivia says) have broke through the gums. The first central incisor officially came in on the left side on Sunday, August 16th. I actually thought I felt it earlier that week, but I wasn't certain of it's arrival until Sunday. The right central incisor appeared the following Sunday. Spencer just turned 6 months old. I checked Olivia's baby book and her first tooth didn't arrive until 8 months.

My baby boy needs to slow down his growing up; it's going too fast and I can't take it all in. Today I laid him on his stomach on the floor to play and before I knew it he was on his hands and knees rocking back and forth. He can already move/scoot himself short distances to get to where he wants to be, but I'm just not ready for him to crawl!

All By Myself, Mom, All By Myself!

It happens to the best of us.

Carrots!

Yummmmy!

The Retaining Wall Project

Richard has been working hard in the back yard to finish the retaining wall he began quite awhile back. He has a very special little helper. Daddy's Little Helper
Just playin' in the dirt!

Getting closer to the end (thank goodness:))

Summertime Smiles from Spencer

AA dear friend invited us over for some summer fun!
Spencer kicked back in a swing and had a blast. He's at that wonderful age when he laughs with his entire body. His feet kick with excitement, his arms flail, and he squeals with delight . . . I can't keep from smiling just thinking about it!

Aunt Mindi Kaufman!!!

Boy, do we ever love them both. . . Uncle Alan and Aunt Mindi Kaufman. Their love story and wedding day came straight out of a fairy tale. Olivia, Spencer, and I felt blessed and privileged to be a part of their wedding party. Richard is just darn lucky he got to attend:). We can't wait to share in their lives! Uncle Alan, I am sorry, the picture I have of you on my camera is really fuzzy, so I'll get you some blog-time soon.

"Aunt Minnie", we sure do love her!!!

Olivia thought she would practice pulling the wagon. When it was her turn to walk down the aisle and she found out her job was to toss rose petals, not pull the wagon. . . oh my goodness. . . major meltdown! Not a high point of the ceremony or the day, but we made it through.

The Perfect Angel/ringbearer throughout the entire ceremony. His ride in went perfect! Grandpa called him a little penguin in the adorable tux.

Yeah, I know I'm cute in the dress, but wait until you see me twirl!

Lovin' his "Auntie Minnie"!

Olivia and the official ring bearer/wagon puller. She got over her hard feelings about the wagon fairly quickly.

Spa Day

My sister Mindi got married in Lewiston last Saturday. We had an amazing weekend and celebrated with lots of our family and friends. To kick off the big event, all the girls in the wedding party (and Spencer!) had manicures and pedicures on Friday morning. This is a a fun tradition that started with my cousin Randi's wedding three years ago. I remember flying in to Lewiston the Saturday of her wedding and heading straight to the salon. I would have been there a day earlier, but I hit a deer driving up from southern Idaho. I was about seven months pregnant with Olivia at the time, and we would later joke that I hit my first deer before Richard killed his, as he was in northern Idaho on his first deer hunt that September. My family has celebrated several spa days without us, as we've missed out because we are 200 miles away, but it is fun for me to think the tradition started when I was pregnant with my sweet girl, and ended (Mind's the last of the cousins to get married) with both my daughter and son in attendance. Okay, enough with the sentimental stuff. . .

" I think this pampering stuff is actually a lot of fun! I could get used to this!"

"Very nice work! I can still pick my nose with no problem, right?"


"Now be sure you don't tickle my feet, okay?"