Life These Days

I am continuing my streak as the worst blogger ever.  I always tell myself I need to get things documented as they happen, but that never happens!  I'm going to try my best to remember some of the things we've been up to lately.



We've spent a lot of time bowling this summer.  I stumbled across some program where kids get to bowl free all summer long at participating alleys.  One of those places just happens to be this nice, new center somewhat close to us!  With this program, Lainey can bowl two games for free EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK!  We also paid $25 for 4 adults to bowl two games every day...best deal ever!  Lainey's not very good, but neither are the rest of us, so it works out!

 We've also spent time attending birthday parties this summer. 

The girls and I went to my parents' a few weeks ago, and Lilly sat in a high chair in public for the first time.  She's been able to sit in a high chair forever, but we just have never put her in one yet.  Here's the sweet girl at the bowling alley in my parents' tiny town...it's like one of three places to eat in town! :)

Here's what this girl has been doing NONSTOP all summer!  She started pulling up about three weeks ago, and hasn't looked back!  She prefers to be standing up against something.  She still hasn't figured out how to cruise yet, and we're hoping that takes a little longer!  This was the best picture we could get of her in her chair because she refused to sit...she just wanted to stand!

I also got to enjoy a much needed night out with some of my friends.  My dear friend Randi (she's next to me) lives in a lovely apartment downtown.  She and her husband have lived there for two years, and they have no plans of leaving anytime soon, and I can't blame them!  They're on the top floor, have a great view, and are within walking distance to so many fun things!  Anyways!!!  We went to Randi's for dinner and drinks, and then headed to the Brad Paisley concert.  I have said for awhile that if Brad Paisley comes anywhere within like a 6 hour radius of me, I would be there!  So we went, and we had an absolute blast.  He definitely did not disappoint!

It's great that the iPhone lets you flip the camera around, but it still doesn't prevent awkward pictures like this one, ha!

 And here's me and Megan before my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary celebration this past weekend.  It was great to see so many of my family members I don't get to see often, and of course was great to spend time with Jake & Megan before they move this weekend.  I really love my brother and sister-in-law, and we're REALLY going to miss having them so close!

And then since the summer is quickly coming to a close, I've also spent some time in my classroom this past week.  I'm that teacher that can't quite turn her brain off and has to get an early start so I don't stress in August.  Here's my Language Arts wall.  I'm in the process of looking for cute chairs and pillows for my reading center. 

Here's to hoping that I can better keep up with our lives once I get back in a routine in a couple weeks! 

Farm Life

Lainey has spent a lot of time at Nana & Papa's farm this summer!  My parents live on a farm, but are nowhere near farmers!  My dad just wanted the land and the scenic view, and we love that the girls have such a fun and different place to play.  Lainey has officially spent about 3 weeks there this summer, and only one of those was with Mommy around.  She goes to my parents and doesn't think twice about her own parents.  We only get to talk to her if we call her!  She loves the room to run, and she loves being able to play outside ALL day and night!

 Lainey loves to go golfing with her buddy, Carter.  The two of them especially enjoy driving the carts. :)

Lainey was able to help her Papa plant beans earlier this summer, and this past week she got to see how much they've grown. 

My mom has an above ground pool, and Lainey has really become a little fish.  I am amazed each time she comes home at all the new pool "tricks" she has!

And who doesn't love a good slip and slide?!?

This is one of my favorite pictures.  We're slightly obsessed with having "fire camps" at Nana & Papa's, and this girl loves her some marshmallows!

I am so thankful to live only 3 hours from my parents and to have parents that are so willing to take their grandchildren for extended periods of time.  My dad has said several times lately that he would be perfectly fine if Lainey came to live with them. :)  So blessed to have them in our lives!

A Week of Patriotic Apparel

It is no secret that I am completely slightly obsessed with the 4th of July.  It is a holiday that is rich in memories for me, and I hope to pass on this same love to my girls!  Lainey always has had an outfit for every day a week before the 4th, but now I have two!  I figure this year may be my only year to match them, but hopefully they will let me get away with it next year. :)

I don't have any pictures of their actual outfits on the 4th because my dad took all those, so I'll update soon!

4th of July Festivities

I LOVE THIS DAY!!!  I love it for what it means, I love it for the memories it brings back and creates, and I love it because who doesn't look good in red, white, and blue?! :)

We had a lot of fun celebrating America's birthday this year, and will continue to celebrate with our friends in our circle this weekend.  I have always loved this holiday, and when we moved to Omaha I think Jovan started to figure out why.  People here are just as crazy as am about the day!

I love decorating for the 4th and start right about Memorial Day weekend and will leave my patriotic decor up until it's time to decorate for football season.  This is the door sign I made this year, and I love how it turned out!


Our festivities began Sunday night at our church's annual Fireworks Bonanza.  It's really cool because we have a worship service, then there are food vendors and bouncy houses and other fun activities for the kiddos to play around on.  Everyone just comes and sets out their chairs, tents, and blankets and hangs out listening to a band or other music play until it's dark.  Then, of course, the real fun begins!  God has blessed us with a church home we really enjoy, and has answered our prayers about finding a small group.  We had a great time hanging out with our small group friends followed by some amazing fireworks!

Lainey wore the outfit Lilly is wearing for her first 4th of July.  I love when I get to put Lilly in Lainey's old clothes.  Brings back such fun memories!

Lainey getting ready to jump on one of those bungee trampoline things.  She had a blast!

Lilly had made a wardrobe change into her pjs for the fireworks.

The girls minus one

Lainey and her friend Ellie

 We're already looking forward to next year's Fireworks Bonanza!

On Tuesday night we went to the small town where my dad is from where they always have a street dance and a band.  We also went to check to make sure the blankets I had put down to secure a parade spot were still there.  It's crazy!  You are officially allowed to start "reserving" spots at 6 p.m. on the 2nd.  I went down at noon on the 3rd, and there was not much "prime space" left, but I did get us some shade with some curb spots also!  It never ceases to amaze me what a big deal this small town parade is!  Love me some Independence City!

Nana and our sweet girl

Lilly is thrilled, ha!

Waiting for the parade to start

The night of the 4th, we headed to watch fireworks.  We went up to my dad's elementary school and sat on top of a massive hill (the same hill we used to sled on as kids-so fun!).  It was really neat because we were able to see fireworks all over the city as well.  The girls wore their 4th pajamas, and everyone had a great time. 

Exhausted!

We had one of the most fun Fourths I remember in a long time!  Can't wait to do it again next year!

Seven Months!

Lilly celebrated her 7 month birthday on the 3rd.  When I was making her monthly stickers, I made sure to make this one red, white, and blue for my favorite holiday! :)
Here's what's going on in Lilly's world these days:

•After going to the doctor today to discover Lilly has double ear infections, we found out she weighs 16 lbs. 10 oz.  Not quite sure how tall she is these days. 
•Lilly continues to be very vocal.  She is really getting into that stage where she likes to hear herself talk.  We were laughing at her the other night as she woke up sometime in the middle of the night and just wanted to "talk."  How can you be mad at her when she's just so stinking cute?!?!
•Lilly is still sleeping well.  She still gets some cuddle time with Mom and Dad some nights, but I'm not losing any sleep over it!  I'm not going to lie...I like the cuddling!  We did have to lower her crib last night (which was long overdue), but more on that later...
•Lilly has now tried several foods.  She has had all of the veggies Gerber makes, and we have tried bananas and pears as well as turkey (GROSS!!!!).  Her favorites right now are green beans, squash, and pears.  She is not a fan of bananas!

• In the past few days since her 7 month birthday, Lilly has decided to start crawling for real and pulling herself up.  We are in trouble now!!!  She is completely mobile, and we have found ourselves putting her in the playyard quite often so she doesn't hurt herself.  She actually plays in there for quite awhile before realizing that there's more to life than what's inside her little octagon. :) 

• Lilly is wearing size 6-12 month clothes, 6 month clothes, and 9 month clothes.  Like all things, it depends on the brand and the actual clothing.  She is still wearing a size 3 diaper. 
• Lilly still likes for us to rub her head when she is drinking her bottle.  If we don't do it, she will take it upon herself to rub her head...so cute! 

We're enjoying every minute, and cannot wait to see what milestones the next month brings!

Standing...EEK!!!

It's a long video, but you can see her in action!