Big Shoes to Fill

I just love this picture of Liam in Uncle Ben's shoes. I'm sure my big footed kid will eventually fit in these size 12's. Liam loves to wear other people's shoes around the house and pretend he is the owner of the shoes. PS- His cool butterfly necklace is from a nursery lesson. He loved it!

A Day at the Fair

We took a very impromptu trip down to my parents' this weekend for a fun time at the Lyon Co. Fair and Rodeo. Liam had a wonderful time! We helped Nana sell raffle tickets for 'Operation Local Support' and got to enjoy a seriously amazing balloon artist kids' show. This lady was fantastic! She did an awesome show about the jungle and then she made Liam an Elmo hat. So cool! He loved playing in the gator with Izzy. Izzy had a really fun time, too, especially with the Aztec dancers and the balloons. Between the snow cones, horses, dancers, music and balloons, the fair was a success! The downside was the big accident on I-80 on our way home; 45 minutes at a dead stand still one mile before our exit. Oh well, we still had a great time! When we got home he had a wonderful time singing his "ABC's" which he can do all by himself now to Grandma. They also, of course, sang his favorite, the "Jeopardy" song. So cute.
This first one is Liam playing "Little Piggies" with Izzy. They both think it's pretty hilarious, even if you can't tell it from the photo.

Tiny Picassos

Today Owen came over to play. We headed outside and let the kids go at it with the paints. They had a great time! (don't worry, Aunt Pam, it's washable paint!) Liam really enjoyed painting this time. He always likes it, but today he really got into it. But, I think the biggest hit of the afternoon was rinsing them off with the hose and then letting them have a drink from the hose--that is until the hose took on a life of it's own and sprayed them in the face. After that, they just took to washing the dishes like the sweet little boys they are!

SERIOUS dork alert!

I know that this post probably makes me the biggest dork ever, but I'm still going to post it. I got my nursing school uniforms the other day! I got them all washed and ironed last night and all of the sudden, everything is becoming so real. I'm so excited, but insanely nervous, apprehensive, proud, elated, you name it and I'm probably feeling it. I guess I got so excited when I got the uniforms because I feel like I have earned them. I know the hard work it yet to come, but it feels good to see what I've been working for for the past 4 years paying off. I'm proud to get to wear Orvis School of Nursing uniforms and to soon be graduating from my mom's alma mater. I am just glad I don't have to wear the white hat and dress like she did...

My Hippie Boy

Sometimes I have the urge to just take some photos. The flowers in the front yard has had me particularly inspired lately, so I took Liam out for a few photos today. I always admire the flowers every year, but for some reason have never taken any photos. So my half-naked, happy, little hippie boy ran around like a crazy man and showed me how much he loved the flowers. After some photo shop fun, here are my favorites.

I *love* this one and how the coloring turned out. If you click on it and enlarge it, you can see how beautiful his eyes look.

A Shower for Baby Caramel

We had a baby shower today for my good friend, Erica. Erica and I have been in the same ward for about 2 years now, but only in the last 8 or so months have we really become good friends. I've felt so lucky to have her as a friend-- we have so much in common, so we always have a great time hashing over good books, movies, TV shows, kids, etc. And our husbands have the same interests and, sometimes, the same maturity level. ;) Anyway, her baby girl is due in September. The poor sweet baby girl doesn't even have a name yet! But, I think we pretty much decided at her shower today that her son, Ethan, had chosen the perfect name for her sweet girl: Caramel, who will fondly be called Cari or Mel. Well, at least that's what her great-grandma thinks! Poor Baby Finlay, even if her mommy gives her a beautiful name, will now be known as Caramel. Anyway, you can imagine how hard it was to play the game "Don't say 'Baby' or 'Name' " while having this conversation.
On to presents. Erica's sister LeAnne insisted she open her gift that her girls picked out for the baby at Cabela's.

Pretty cute!



We had a great shower. Thanks to everyone who came and made it special. Now we just have to wait to see Caramel's sweet face. :)

Erica- I hope you don't hate me after this!!! ;)

What a Good Student!

Uncle Ben came down this weekend for Hot August Nights. With him, he brought his 'school project' that he made for Judy. He's pretty proud and rightfully so!! He made it, start to finish! Good Job, Uncle Ben!