On PopPop's Lap

I think that PopPop read every book in our library book basket to these girls. They were all about Valentine's Day so I am sure it was his favorite reading topic but he was a great sport! :)

Making Music

The girls loved playing the piano with Lolly during their visit this weekend!

Baptisms, Birthdays, and Babies, Oh My!

After leaving Grandmommys, we headed to the Limbaughs' house for the Connell Trifecta Celebration (birthdays, baptisms, and baby dedication). Amity was very excited to get a cross draw on her forehead when we first arrived.
The water was a bit chilly but it was a sweet time to witness Eiley's dedication and Becky and Eli's baptisms.

After a little bit of swimming and a lot of playing and cake, Amity conked out on the drive between the Limbaughs' and the campground.

Lolly cooked up a yummy dinner in their 2nd home!

Vivien is still thriving on Cheerios!

Amity experimented with dominoes but she just knocked them over all at once rather than taking my suggestion of knocking one down and watch the rest fall over as a result. I decided to argue this one!

The men took care of the grilling

Just as we were about to sit down to eat, several deer started getting very close to the campsite. Amity was very curious until one of them got really close. Then she turned and ran the other way!

After attending church in Tuscola where PopPop shared about his experience in Kenya, we ate a delicious lunch at The Homeplace. Vivien enjoyed more snuggles with Lolly!

Stickers & Bellybuttons

One of my favorite things about this season is receiving REAL mail as opposed to bills and junk mail. Today, Amity received a letter of her very own from Lolly and PopPop! Inside the letter were some very fun stickers. She has been a bit wary of stickers up to this point but she is definitely starting to realize the fun potential they possess. We now have one more activity that has her begging to sit in her "chur" for long periods of time at the table.

Surveying her new loot

Saying "Thank you, PopPop and Lolly!"

Earlier today, we made a visit to Half-Price Books to pick up a book for me to take to a book exchange with my MOPS group tonight. While there, we visited the children's section and Amity found this book. She has really been into bellybuttons lately...especially her own...literally...it has actually gotten a little red from all of the loving attention it receives!

Spa Treatment

After her bath tonight, GG and KK were worried about Amity going to bed with wet hair (shhhh...don't tell them but her Mommy and Daddy let her do that on a regular basis!) so they sat her up on the bathroom counter and proceeded to lay on the pampering.

I think she is trying to send me a look here that says, "See, Mom, thisis what I am talking about!"

The Grandparents Spa Night reminded me of a plaque my Oma and Opa had hanging on the wall next to their kitchen. It said something like:
A grandparent buys you gifts your mother says you don't need.
A grandparent pretends he doesn't know who you are on Halloween.
A grandparent will put a sweater on you when she is cold,
feed you when she is hungry
and put you to bed when she is tired.
A grandparent will frame a picture of your hand that you traced over the brocade sofa in the Mediterranean living room.
A grandparent will check to see if you are crying when you are sound asleep.
A grandparent is the only babysitter who doesn't charge money to keep you.
A grandparent will believe you can read when you have the book upside down.
When a grandchild says, "Grandma, how come you didn't have any children?" a grandparent will fight back the tears.

Thank you, GG & KK, for loving on your granddaughter!

Grandparents Day 2009

At the Arboretum

This morning, we headed to the Arboretum with the Connells and PopPop and Lolly. The weather was slightly cooler and there was barely anyone there so we enjoyed a very fun morning. Looking at these pictures, I have realized that I used to take pictures of the flowers at the Arboretum but now I pretty much just take pictures of these little people. The flowers were beautiful though!
This was Amity's first trip to the Arboretum where she could WALK and walk she did! We had the stroller along for back up but she walked most of the time.

Of all of the things to do at the Arboretum, this ramp was her favorite. She loved walking up and down and up and down and cried when we told her it was time to move on.

By lunchtime, she was tired and sweaty and ready to take a break.

We're so thankful to have such a beautiful place so close to our house and thankful to share it with family!

Summer Vacation 2009 (Day 9): Pool Party

After a day of family portraits and afternoon naps (it is hard times at GG and KK's house!), we were ready to escape the summer heat...

and show off some cool tricks learned in swim lessons!

This was Amity's very first experience in a pool and I so wanted it to be a good one...and it was!
She was so relaxed and let me try out all of the swimming lesson tips that Brent and Kendra shared.

Check out that toe-pointing form! Potential synchronized swimmer? :)

She even let me put her face in the water several times. This is a video of the first time. I really didn't know what I was doing but she seemed to survive okay nonetheless.

Even Baby Wyatt got to enjoy some pool time!
Thanks George and Willie for letting us make use of your pool!

Summer Vacation 2009 Day 9 (Family Pictures)

What do you get when you combine a WalMart photo studio, a photographer with a feather-duster in hand, and twelve people dressed in white shirts and jeans? Well, here it is! Check out these cuties and know that this was no simple feat!