Biker Babes!

Aren't we two cute biker babes??? Sophia just loves to go "bikey!" Each time we pull into the garage she points at the bike helmets and bikes and screams, "bikey, bikey!" So cute! I am so glad that Sophia LOVES being outside doing activities that encourage physical fitness!!

Allyson

Still Papa's Girl!

If you are ever curious where Sophia has run to ... you can usually find her right next to her Papa!

Biking Old Fashion Days in North Salem, IN

Right next to each other on the couch! :)

Blowing Bubbles ...

Or in a trance watching Elmo!!

Sophia sure has found her way to Papa's heart!!! She might just have him tied around her pinky finger!

Allyson

Sophia's Last Swim Lesson

This summer I signed Sophia up for swim lessons at the Plainfield Parks and Rec Center. It was a 4 week session, every Tuesday and Thursday for 45 minutes! It was so much fun and Sophia is a TOTAL FISH! (Guess she gets that from her mother!) She absolutely loves the water and swimming!! She must repeat the phrase "kicky in the pool" at least 100x per day!

My parents came to her last class and were able to catch a few videos and snap some pictures!

We start the class out in the shallow end singing a few songs like "The Wheels on the Bus!"

Then we play a little "Ring around the Rosy!"

Sophia and her best friend Maeve!

Sophia standing proud next to Miss Emily (her instructor)

Floating then kicking on her tummy!

Getting ready to put her face in the water!

Splash and water fountains at the end!!

We sure will miss having swim lessons! Thinking of doing another class this winter!

Allyson

Counting ... 1, 2, 3 .... 10!

Sophia has become obsessed with numbers over the past month! It all started when Nate was reading her a "numbers" book and she repeated "8!" From that point on, she obsesses about numbers. Each time she is coloring, she wants us to write, "8", "9", "2", "3", etc on her paper!

When we are driving, she looks for numbers EVERYWHERE; billboards, bus', street signs! This kid LOVES numbers!!

We are pretty impressed in our 19 month old's newest skill, although her pronunciation skills on a "few" numbers could be improved! Ha!

Hello, My Name is "Phia"

We have been working on teaching Sophia her name and how old she is ... turn of the volume and just smile at our little video!

Allyson

Fun at the Park with Isaiah!

We have really enjoyed meeting Jenn and Isaiah at the park the past few Wednesday's after Jenn gets out of school! It has been awesome watching them grow up together and really learn to "play together" as opposed to "alongside" of one another!! Such a sweet family, we just LOVE them!

Both kids stoic ... cracks us up!

Actually smiling for a picture ... too bad she isn't looking at the camera!

Her first time down the tube slide!

Here comes Isaiah!! He was a pro!

Jenn and her little man!

I sure miss those days of the tire swing! Although, YIKES,

my rear was killing me when I got off!

Hugs for everyone!

"Look at me, Look at me!"

Some serious static!!

Allyson

Indiana Dunes Vacation

Since our first time camping at the Warren Dunes State Park went so well, we decided to try the Indiana Dunes State Park for two nights, three days! We had a great family time! Sophia really has embraced the outdoors (much to her father's enjoyment) and sure knows how to get dirty! It took everything in me not to stop her from playing in the dirt! (I know those of you that have boys probably are laughing at me!) She played in the dirt, rubbed it all on her face, her shirt, you name it ... she had dirt there! Pretty cute but VERY messy!

Sophia and Nate reading Goodnight Moon before bedtime on Sunday night! We put her Pack N Play in the tent and she stayed awake for over 1.5 hours talking and singing until she fell asleep!

All ready for a yummy camp stove breakfast of oatmeal and peaches!

Our campsite ... not too bad, but we prefer lots more trees and borders so we can't see all the RV's and campers around us! Privacy is the name of our game!

Playing at the campground (Shhh ... don't tell she is still in her PJ's!)

First morning at the beach! There wasn't a cloud in the sky nor a smile on her face for the camera! She always laughs and cracks up while the camera is hidden ... I think she was a little irritated I kept trying to take her picture! She wanted to play in the sand! "Yay Beach, Yay Sand!"

On the giant teeter totter in the campground playground!

Ahhhhh ... walking hand in hand with Mommy next to the surf!

Finally a SMILE!!! This is the smile we see after a good 2+ hour nap!

Looking forward to going back next summer and maybe staying a few more days!!!

Allyson

Crafty FRIDAY!!!

I have had a "craft" bug for some time now. This week I have found myself on Etsy searching for cute little headbands for my girl. Some are really reasonably priced, while others are just way too much to spend for a 20 month old! After looking through tons of pictures I had the revelation, "I could actually make some of these. They can't be THAT hard!" Yesterday I found myself at Jo-Ann's searching for decorative elastic (which the choices are HORRIBLE) and flowers. I finally found what I was looking for ... here is the finished product (only a few finger sticks and droplets of blood later)! What do you think? I need a picture with Sophia wearing it too!!

My friend Libby inspired me to make a bow/clip holder for Sophia's bows. I looked at them on Etsy and they were close to $20-30 each! Once again, I searched for the perfect materials and this is how it turned out ....

I was very pleased! Personally, I think it looks adorable and will match her bedroom perfectly! The white "S" will look great with her pink walls!

I need some more craft ideas!!! No better way to spend a Friday night than with a hot glue gun, needles, ribbon, and thread!!

Allyson

Wet Fridays

Ever have one of those days you just need some water to cool you down?

We do!!!!!! Freeze frame ... sweet!

"Some people call me SPIKE!"

Have a GREAT AND WONDERFUL COOL weekend!!!

Allyson

Mama's New Ride!!

Sometimes life doesn't go according to plan! Sometimes it surprises you with something sweet, special, way before intended!! According to our 5 year plan on our Excel spreadsheet (I know many of you are laughing b/c you know this is so true! HA), we were to planning to look for a mommy mobile in Dec, find one late Jan/early Feb. However, when something amazing like this car falls literally into your lap ... you can't help but change the plan a little to accommodate for its awesomeness!

My dad was driving around Greenwood, less than 5 minutes from his house, saw the van in someone's driveway and took down the number. He knew we were eventually going to look for a mommy-mobile. He called the guy and then proceeded to call me and tell me, "I have found the perfect vehicle for you guys at a great price.!" I thought, it can't be that perfect to change THE PLAN! After talking with Nate, we decided I should call him to get the scoop. I don't need to bore you with the details ..... as we all know the outcome!!

Wonder if dad will charge me a finder's fee? HA!

Some of you car people out there are wondering ... what does it have that makes it so perfect?

It is a 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring Edition. Fully loaded with black leather interior, heated seats (yay for warm buns in the winter), all new leather floor mats throughout the car, extra 8th seat, DVD and Navigation System with Touch screen, back-up camera, like-new interior and exterior with only 1 scratch, and on and on and on .... so needless to say we are thrilled and I am not one bit ashamed to be driving a mommy-mobile!

Now the only thing left is to head to the license branch this morning and get another BUTLER plate for the back! The blue BU plate will match our new ride beautifully!!

The color is "Ocean Mist!"

I LOVE all the room in my trunk! Plus the push button hitch allows for one hand to be occupied holding one sweet, but heavy 27 lb child!!

What do you think? I think she likes her new "ride!"

Here is a cute little video I shot of her last night when we got home!! Make sure the volume is up so you can hear all her little "chatter!"

And for those of you wondering, we will not be having enough children to fill it up .... just wanted enough space b/w the kids to minimize fighting ... (unless we have two girls and then it will be all verbal bickering huh? HA!!)

One happy mama, riding in a "Sports Van" (as it says in the vehicle description)!

Allyson