My first pacifier

Lauren found her pacifier that she had in the NICU. It is a special pacifier meant for preemies. The nipple on it is probably the size of a pinky nail. I sometimes forget how little she was. This pacifier got her through some rough times. Now she gives it to her little baby dolls...which ironically are the same size she was when she was born. I thank God everyday for my little miracle baby.

The Fair

It was green hair day at the fair. We had so much fun at the fair. Jay enjoyed all the animals, and the rides.

Lauren enjoyed the food. She had nachos, fries, and a corn dog. We went around to all the rides and she just kept eating. I think she ate for like 2 hours straight. Oh and she did eat that whole corndog.

Lauren loved looking and pointing at everything but if it got to close she wanted nothing to do with it. We are looking a the chicks here. Jay is very hands on with animals so he would get the animal and bring it close so Lauren could see it.

The bunnies were her favorite. Again she wanted to look but not touch. She kept saying bunny over and over all day. We went to the fair with Colin Cade and Holden. They enjoyed all the animals too.

Here's our three ring circus. Stollers, balloons, and kids oh my

More fun at the pool

We had a swim day and cookout with our friends, Annie, Steve, Katie, Jay, Stephanie, Travis, and all the kids. We ate pizza, swam, and laughed alot....especially when Katie yelled out sweet Jesus because Colin was droundin Holden. Holden barfed, Cade barfed and the rest of us just enjoyed the show.

Ava

This is my friend Stephanie's baby, Ava. She is almost 12 weeks old. She is always so happy and alert...what a sweet adorable baby girl. She is such a good baby and Lauren loves her. She doesn't really understand that she is a baby that she can't really play with. All of her baby dolls around the house are named Ava and everytime she looks and her own baby pictures she points and says Ava. In a couple days they are going to be together everyday because they will be going to the same sitter. It will be fun to watch them grow up together and hopefully be very good friends just like me and Steph.

Fun with the boys

Lauren and Cade (my friend Annie's little boy). Lauren and Cade are 2 weeks apart...they sometimes have trouble sharing but it is fun to watch them interact.

This is Holden, my friend Katie's little boy. Lauren loves giving kisses.

Holden going in for the Kiss. Lauren likes getting kisses too.

How adorable are they

It was near impossible to get a picture of these two sitting still for a few seconds...but aren't they cute.

The zoo

I haven't had a chance to keep Nick too much this summer but I did have him for a day and I took he and Lauren to the zoo. They got along great and really enjoyed all the animals.

I love when she bends down like this. It looks like she is getting ready to brush the goat but she never did. She likes getting close, she likes watching the animals, but she doesn't like touching them. Which is ok with me they are kind of gross.

Nick loves just looking at the animals.

This is a giant milliped. Once she realized it was moving the thing went flying across the room.

Cousins

Craig's Brothers kids always come and stay a week with grandma and papa stille. So we always have them over for a day at the pool. They enjoy playing with Lauren. We enjoy seeing them...they are full of energy.

Aunt Mimi loves all her neices and nephew.

Bennett just turned 8 so we got her some American girl doll clothes

Reid just turned 4 so we got him a big remote control truck

Dallyn just turned 6 so we got her some High school musical stuff.

Chicago trip

Lauren and Amy on the boat

This is Amy's cousin Jennifer...Lauren enjoyed playing with her

Amy's Grandma, Lauren and Amy

I love that my good friend Amy lives in Chicago. Amy and I have been best friends since the 6th grade. I love that we are still so close. She and Lauren really bonded this trip. It is so fun to go visit Chicago. Lauren and I went up on a Friday night and ate pizza....Lauren's favorite. Then she enjoyed playing at a new place....she loved all of Amy's fancy shoes. The next day we went on her parents boat. They have a big beautiful boat on Lake Michigan. Lauren loved the bathroom and the tall table the best.

Pana Trip

We went on a trip to Pana IL (it's s golf resort and spa). We had so much fun. Brooke and I got a massage, a pedi, and a mani. Then we met up with the guys on the golf course. After the golf game we sat on the porch the rest of the day and night and played games and had a few cocktails.

A visit from our friends in Ohio

Gina


Calvin helping Lauren

CJ, Calvin, and Lauren swimming

Laura, Me, and all the kids

Gina, Lauren and Me after breakfast....Lauren can't stand it when I hold another baby so she and to get up on Mommy's lap too.

Craig used to live in Kentucky way before he met me. That is where he met Laura they have been good friends for many years. Craig was in her wedding and She was in our wedding. We try to get together once a year but it is a 5 hour drive so it makes it a little tricky. They came to stay with us several weeks ago. They have 3 kids CJ almost 6 Calvin almost 4, and Gina almost 1. The kids got along so well. It was so much fun. It was the first time I could actually sit for hours and not have to tend to Lauren. The kids played together so nicely. She and Calvin became pretty good buds.

My classroom renovation

For those of you who don't know my school, Fariview Elementary school, was renovated this summer. Most of our staff was extremely excited to get a new classroom but there is a lot of work that goes along with it. I had 45 boxes packed and in a trailor by the day all of my students walked out of my room the last day of school
The first 3 pictures are of my almost empty room before the renovation.

And now a brand new beautiful classroom. Complete with new furniture, computers, desks, and smart boards!! It took 2 days, 2 helpers, and a lot of sweat and tears.... but I think I am ready to teach 1st grade.