On Duty

Our friend, Steve, got to do a ride along with Rob last week and was able to snap some action shots.

I can't lie. I married him for his looks.

Little Things

That about sums it up.

Field Trip

Harper's class went on a field to the zoo on Saturday. It was super fun. I tried to take as many pictures as I could, but my relatively poor photography skills coupled with the fact that trying to take pictures of 2 year olds is like herding cats made for a difficult situation. I did the best I could. Check out the tie dyed shirts that the kids made earlier in the week so they all could match.

I'm not a huge fan of petting zoos, but the kids seemed to like it.

Harper and Cy

Cy, Avery, and Bryce

One of the cutest moments of the day - Avery and Harper holding hands and singing as they walked.

The Nashville Zoo just opened a brand new flamingo exhibit.

A rare mom and daughter pic

Best Harper quote of the day - "They are all tangled up. And pink."

I really did try to take some good pictures. But every time I tried to get the kids to look at me, they all ignored me. Even my own flesh and blood.

A carousel ride was the perfect way to end our day.

We had so much fun on our field trip. Harper's teachers did a great job planning it. It was so much fun to see all of the kids hanging out together and it was nice for the parents to get to know each other a little better too. I feel really lucky to be able to send Harper to the school that she gets to go to. Can't wait for our next outing!

Cotton Candy

We went to a baseball game with some friends last night. I think the highlight of the night was watching Harper's first experience with cotton candy.

Oh the anticipation...

A cautions first bite...

Blue teeth? Check.

Getting more daring...

100% commitment

I wonder where she learned that technique...

Living Dangerously

We're making brownies tonight! This is the first time that Harper got to help. Dad chipped in by taking some cell phone pictures to document the event.

Yeah, I let my kid lick the spoon. Even in the midst of a nation-wide egg recall. We live dangerously around here. (Don't worry, those eggs have been in our fridge long enough to be completely excluded from the recall.)

Family Time

Over the weekend, we ventured to Southern Illinois spend some time with Rob's brother and his family. We don't get to see them nearly enough (they live in Seattle). So anytime we get the opportunity, we jump at the chance to hang out with them.

This is Mike, Janelle, and Gavin. If you think Mike looks a lot like Rob, you're right. They're twins.

We went to the Centralia Balloon Fest. Janelle's dad does hot air ballooning as a hobby. He gave us special passes that allowed us to get right up close to all of the action.

Harper even got to help Aunt Janelle spread out her dad's balloon.

When it got dark, the balloons did what they call a glow. They all fire up their burners and glow like lanterns.

Harper liked the balloons, but she LOVED hanging out with her cousin Gavin. They were fast friends despite the fact that Harper insisted on holding Gavin's hand at all times.

We next met up with some extended family and took a little side trip to the St. Louis zoo.

Harper, Uncle Mike, and a big bug

Can you see the resemblance?

All in all, it was a great trip. Can't wait to do it again.

Morning Chats

Today is always my least favorite day of summer. It's the day my mom goes back to school. I know she doesn't love it either, but I really don't like it because it means that I can't call her on my way into work in the mornings. Harper doesn't like it either. She'll miss talking to grandma on speaker phone on her way to school. So sad.

Speaking of Harper... this kid says some pretty funny things first thing in the morning. I'm going to start writing them down. They're too good not to. For instance, the first thing out of her mouth this morning was "My eyes aren't working. Turn the light on." A few weeks ago as I was picking her up out of her bed she said "Don't crush my wings. I'm grandma's angel." What do you do with that? I apologized and assured her that I would be more careful next time.