I know there are lots of pics & this is a long update, but this is how we're keeping Daddy connected while he's in Iraq...so bear with me! Shelby attended her 1st Git 'R Done camping trip - this is an annual trip by the menfolk in our family every year in May....this year the gals were invited too, so Melissa & I made the trek up to Arbuckle lake with Shelby & Madison in tow. We enjoyed the afternoon, had lunch and visited for a bit. Maybe next year we'll even stay overnight....we'll see. Memorial Day weekend we were quite busy - we had 2 playdates with friends - Charlie, Alycia & Baby Zach came over Sat. and then Sherana, Dave, Toran & Babies Brandon & Terek (twin boys, how fun!) came over Sun. Shelby enjoyed hanging out with these boys, I think Brandon was even flirting a little! Or was it Terek - I had a hard time telling them apart! It was lots of fun to see my friends, visit and meet their precious babies.
Shelby is doing really well eating her "big people" food, feeding herself chicken, turkey, pastrami, mashed veggies and some provolone cheese. At first she stockpiled it in her cheeks like a chipmunk! Turkey seems to be her favorite...especially from Dickey's BBQ - guess she likes that smoked flavor! Maybe Uncle Russ will fix her some in his "egg" (his smoker). She also had her first teething biscuit this past week - that was hilarious - very messy and she really enjoyed it. She has a new tooth pushing its way through - on the bottom. She is also becoming quite adventurous and starting to really exert her independence! She has figured out how to climb onto the fireplace, so I am having to really watch that closely. She has been walking with her walker/wagon toy and today she would "remove" my hand (I was steadying it for her to stand up), ever so politely, and let me know she would be doing it herself, thank you very much. I couldn't believe it - when did she get so independent??? She stands a lot and walks along the furniture, but hasn't been brave enough to walk independently yet. She seems to think about it, then goes to her knees and just crawls. I figure it will happen soon enough and then I will really be in trouble.
Shelby is doing really well eating her "big people" food, feeding herself chicken, turkey, pastrami, mashed veggies and some provolone cheese. At first she stockpiled it in her cheeks like a chipmunk! Turkey seems to be her favorite...especially from Dickey's BBQ - guess she likes that smoked flavor! Maybe Uncle Russ will fix her some in his "egg" (his smoker). She also had her first teething biscuit this past week - that was hilarious - very messy and she really enjoyed it. She has a new tooth pushing its way through - on the bottom. She is also becoming quite adventurous and starting to really exert her independence! She has figured out how to climb onto the fireplace, so I am having to really watch that closely. She has been walking with her walker/wagon toy and today she would "remove" my hand (I was steadying it for her to stand up), ever so politely, and let me know she would be doing it herself, thank you very much. I couldn't believe it - when did she get so independent??? She stands a lot and walks along the furniture, but hasn't been brave enough to walk independently yet. She seems to think about it, then goes to her knees and just crawls. I figure it will happen soon enough and then I will really be in trouble.
Me & Grandpa @ the camp site - check out my camo onesie? This was from my Aunt Kel's friend, Aunt Kim - it has lace & everything!
So Madison, what is this book about? 
HI!!!
Shelb & Aunt Kel
Daddy, you better hurry home before I become a tree hugger! :)
Baby Zach checkin' out my exersaucer - Mommy thought he was SO cute!
Brandon, Shelb & Terek playing - they were playing peek-a-boo in the tunnel - so funny!
This face just cracked me up! Sometimes she really catches me off guard w/her expressions.
All done!! Boy, I sure enjoyed that - see the mess!
I really like to balance my rings on my thumb and grab my blocks by the edge. 
Mommy does this to me all the time - puts these rings on my head!
I'm comin' to git you Maduro!! (You can see Maduro really doesn't seem to care -
he puts up w/Shelby a lot better than Smokey - who never comes around her.)
