Returned home from OKC

Shelby & I have returned from OKC where we've been the past few weeks visiting & helping care for Papa post knee replacement surgery. Shelby had a great time playing with Mason, they really seem to enjoy each other's company, chasing each other and spinning around being silly. She also loved spending time with Granny & checking in on Papa, sometimes going over and holding his hand (which he thought was very sweet). Dad is doing great with his recovery, so we headed back home this week. While we were there, Shelby had her 2nd birthday. I took her & Mason to a water park for some fun, and then on that Sat. we celebrated, opening presents & having some "Happy Birthday Cake" as Shelby would say. She really liked the cake this year, in fact ate all of Uncle Russ' piece so he had to get a whole new one! We thought she'd just scam a bite or two, but oh no, she ate the WHOLE thing by herself. Then she was on a sugar high for the next hour; needless to say we went to bed a bit later that night, but she went down easily, she was one tired little girl. We celebrated again this week with Daddy when we got home; he couldn't be in OK for her birthday, so darn we had do it again and have more cake. The sacrifices she'll make for us. :) We also had her 2-yr pictures made while we were there; Kellie has a friend who just opened her own studio. I've posted a ton of pictures to catch up, enjoy!!

Could someone tell Shelby to stop squeezing me so tight?!?!

Mason trying to push down the water; he was laughing so much!

Oh, I think water got all in my eye!!

After cousin John Matt's wedding ~ goldfish are a good bribe to be still. :)

Take a BIG bite!!

Hmmm, chocolate cake is yummy-yum!

Checkin' out my new chair from Granny ~ perfect for football watching!

Going grocery shopping in my robe!

Playin' in my tent from Papa! I love getting in it & watching some Olympics!

Summer Fun

Well time has really gotten away from me....these summer days are just a flyin' by. We've been pretty busy and it's hard to believe that July is already here. In May we went to the annual Git R Done camping trip and had a lot of fun ~ it was also more tiring than I realized it would be. Shelby & Mason were constantly exploring....I think Kellie & I walked a few miles that weekend following them around and ensuring they did not get hurt. It was pretty hot, so napping was a challenge but they slept ok at night. I think it might've been better to wait another year, but all in all it was fun. Shelby really loved Kim's boat, she'd say "Speedboat, FAST!". We came home and set up Shelby's kiddie pool in the backyard ~ boy does she love that! She likes to sit on the side and fall backwards into it. She loves to play with her fishing pole & wear her sunglasses that Uncle Russ got her. She's putting quite a bit of words together to make small sentences and has been counting to 2. We're working on 3 & 4 ~ sometimes she'll have 3 animals in her arms but she'll count to 4. :) Oh so fun to see how they learn. She does quite a bit of imaginary play, offering her stuffed animals drinks of her sippy cup, putting her baby dolls & animals to sleep (she'll line them up on the couch and cover them with blankets). We've also entered that "fun" (and I use that term lightly) first adolescence known as the terrible two's. I realize with each new phase there is as much fun as there are challenges. Shelby has been really clingy with me lately, something I didn't experience much when she was younger like most babies do, so that's been a challenge. It's gotten better the past week, so hopefully we're coming out of that. Some days are tougher than others because there's a few meltdowns for no apparent reason although I know to her there is a reason. I just try to remain calm & remind myself she's just growing up and eventually will learn how to control her emotions better. Yea, well some days that's easier than others ~ sometimes I need a time out. :)

I worked in vacation bible school this year and took Shelby with me ~ I was assigned to the nursery/preschool class and boy was she jealous of the other babies in the nursery if I was holding them. That surprised me since she has never been jealous of Abby, but guess it was because she didn't know these kids. We've been going to the park a lot, Shelby really loves going down the slide & doing the swings. There is one near the house that has shade, which is really nice. Today we went to a water park where there are fountains and that was a lot of fun. Other than all our playtime, I've been keeping busy working as the facilitator of our meals ministry at church It has been really good for me ~ a great way to use my project management skills in the Lord's ministry. I'm really enjoying it and back to doing spreadsheets & all that fun, organizational stuff that I love! Drew is keeping busy with work, especially busy this week checking up on surrounding towns & their explosives for the big holiday. At the end of July, Shelby & I are headed to Oklahoma for a few weeks when Papa has knee replacement surgery and then the kiddos' birthdays coming up too. A busy July & August ahead of us too. Hope everyone is doing well ~ I know I wrote way too much, we were so behind!

Why wear just one hat when two is clearly better!

Doin' some work, gotta move these animals!

Mason & Shelby hangin' w/Papa at camping trip ~ believe Papa was explaining about canoes & boats on the water. Clearly they are listening! :)

Daddy, how does this redneck golf game go anyway??

Shelby ready to drive the boat! Everyone look out!

Fillin' up my swimmin' pool!

She put this swim diaper on all by herself ~ she wanted to get in the pool that badly the next morning after we had set it up. Too funny.


Practicin' her fishing technique for next year

Don't I simply look mahvelous?!?! (Gotta be an old SNL fan to get this!)

Just loved this whole ensemble ~ cape, sunglasses & purse ~ too much!!

Feedin' Horseys!!

We have just returned from our trip to Oklahoma, what a week! We drove up Sat. to spend Mother's Day with the fam and then Shelby & I stayed a few extra days and Drew flew home Sun. Monday we visited Great-Aunts Shirley & Doryce, who hadn't seen Shelby in awhile. Aunt Shirley let Mason & Shelby have some cookie snacks, which they thoroughly enjoyed....and they had just eaten dinner before we went over. :) Always willing to eat a snack! I learned yesterday that my daughter apparently has no fear of large animals as she fed horses with her Great-Uncle Jim. I couldn't believe it!! She's braver than I am! We went to visit and he wanted to take Shelby & Mason out to see the horses. They were doing so well around them, he got out some biscuits to feed them. She mostly fed the young colt, April, but she did feed one of the bigger horses who came up to us. She was totally into it, letting them take it right out of her hand and then saying "More, more" to do it again. It was awesome!! She also sat up on a horse and just seemed to think that was pretty cool. Today we met up with our cousin Julia and her little girl, Jaylee, who was also born in August 2006 to play at the park. Shelby, Mason & Jaylee had SO much fun playing on the slides, going through the tunnel, etc. I think we Mom's were just as worn out as the kiddos! Anyways, below are some pics from Shelby feedin horses that I got from Mom's camera.....I had left mine at home. DOH!! Enjoy!

P.S. Oh yea, Shelby has now added "Sup Dawggggg" to her slang. Thanks Da-da for teaching her that. ;-)

Shelby meets April, was pretty comfortable w/Great-Uncle Jim too.

Shelby sitting on the horse side-saddle. I could NOT believe this.

Here horsey, have a biscuit (this was the bigger horse).

Want another one??

Enjoy the biscuit April!