July 4th

We had a very special July 4th.  Our niece Haley came home from WV with us, to stay through the 4th.  It was so wonderful having her here - it made the 4th even more special.  Of course, Samantha was smitten with her and was yelling for "Hagey" everywhere she went that week!

For the 4th we grilled out hot dogs, corn, watermelon and ice cream pie!  Our neighbor Fred joined us for the meal and some intense corn hole competitions.  :)  Afterwards Fred went home on a high note, having beaten Keith at corn hole, and we went to our first big fireworks display with Samantha at the bridge in Geist.

It was such a beautiful, fun day.  Very relaxing!  The fireworks were a great end to it, despite the fact that poor Samantha slept through them - she almost made it, but collapsed on Daddy's shoulder just minutes before.  But, heck that is still a big day for a baby.

Samantha played peek-a-boo in the curtains while I was cooking - her new favorite game.  She'll hide in the (transparent) curtains and yell "Mama, Mama" until I find her.  :)

Got her! :)

Fred and Keith in an intense head-to-head battle at Corn Hole.  Me, relishing behind the camera to see my dear hubby get beat.  I know, I know that sounds bad - but I have been beat by him enough -- karma was due! :)

Chilling at the bridge in Geist waiting for the fireworks with Haley

Crazy girl!  

My beautiful firecracker! :)

The next day, Keith's sister Vicki came to get Haley and spend a few days with Samantha.  It was so much fun hanging out with both ladies.

Chatting with Vicki and poor Sadie trying to get in on the conversation

Loving on the new baby Vicki brought for her.  Thanks Vicki!

Relaxing with some of her babies after a fun, busy day and watching a little Curious George (her new obsession)!

Thanks Haley for spending so much time with us and for you both making Samantha feel so special!  We miss you!

West Virginia Roadtrip

The last week of June we had a whirlwind trip to WV to visit family in Parkersburg, go to Amish country and ultimately end with a trip to Fairmont, WV to catchup with friends, family and to get my Zumba certification.  Whew!  And all this in 5 days.  We literally were in the car traveling anywhere from 2 - 5 hrs each way to a destination.  This at times made for a crabbier-than-usual 18 month old, but overall she was amazing and went with the flow!  And we all had an amazing time - it was worth the traveling!  :)

Our week started with heading down to Parkersburg early Wednesday morning to see Keith's family.  It is always great to see everyone and after Samantha gets over her momentary shyness from all the attention, she dives in and eats it up!

Thursday morning we got on the road early and headed to Amish country, where we ate good food, did some shopping, went on a carriage ride and toured some Amish homes.  It is a fascinating look into such a different culture and a very traditional way of thinking and living.  You can't help but admire them and respect them.  The Amish have a passion in hard work, their faith, traditional values and family, much more than the rest of the world seems to.  I could not live their life - I love my PJ pants, shorts and conveniences too much - but I think we could all learn a little something from a life lived without so many extravagancies. 

Before our carriage ride I got this picture.  This is just one of the many types of carriages they use.  You had to be careful taking pictures there though, because the Amish cannot be photographed.  One of the reasons though I could not be Amish - I have already logged thousands of pics of Miss Samantha in her 18 months of life!

Meeting one of the many puppies running around the farms.  Samantha spent the rest of the day trying to chase them and saying "I need a dog!"

Nearby we found a playground for Samantha to play on.  It was great until we all got hungry and had to pull her away for lunch.  ;)

Friday we headed to Fairmont and it was a whirlwind from there.  With a dead camera battery, my pics stop there.  But, we kept busy despite the visual proof.  :)

Friday night I got to meet my dear friend Aimee for a dinner at Cracker Barrel - yum.  (So great to catch up Aimee -- I have missed you SO!!).  Saturday morning I woke up early to head out to my all day Zumba certification from 8 am -6 pm.  It was so wonderful and I felt such a sense of accomplishment.  I know that sounds dramatic, but I am proud of myself for going for it (granted with the prodding and encouragement of loved ones).  I love taking on a new challenge and meeting that -- and selfishly it feels good to have something for me, outside of being a mommy.  Now I can shake my tushy and get paid for it!! Woohoo!

Of course we also got to show Samantha off to some of Keith's family (albeit she was sporting the shiner in the earlier post) and got to stay with his Grandmother.  Unfortunately, we didn't get to see everyone because we were there so quickly.

By Sunday we were back on the road and I swear Samantha was so sick of the car it was turning her goofy.  She used this time to discover she could brush her hair with her feet.  God Bless that child, she keeps me giggling.  :)

Baby Rocky

Poor baby got her first black eye, when she literally ran off the top of a set of steps at my in-laws this past weekend.  Luckily it was only two steps, but she hit her eye.  To those fellow mothers, you can probably understand how my heart pounded when I ran to her and how I just wanted to cry along with her.  Her poor eye swelled up and the whole bottom was black and blue.  The picture does not even capture it well at all - it actually looked horrible in person.  Overall she handled it like a pro, but I felt SO bad for her!

Life is Never Boring...

Samantha is a rambunctious, creative and funny little girl - she is drama at its best.  She'll sing you Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star, walk like an old man, turn and dance, talks up a storm, will chase you all over the house and go about 100 mph...she keeps life anything but boring!  And, we are loving every minute!

Samantha loves to grab your hand and bring it to her, to love on.  She is also a kissing machine, and if she kisses one person she'll make sure to kiss everyone.  So precious!

Silly girl :)

Showing off her new lawnmower - now if we can get her to truly mow the yard - we are set!! 

We have taught her to do fist pumps - yep...cool kid!

Like I tried to tell my Mom - she is obsessed with anything from a straw.  Here she is trying the remains of an Iced Coffee...no lectures, there was barely any left.  But, she'd keep coming up for air saying "MORE!"

Always on the go - moving and grooving.  Usually by the time you snap the picture, she is gone!

She will stop for the misc. bugs all around - she loves them and will just scoop them up in her hand.  However, sometimes to her dismay they don't love her!  She had her first bee sting on her finger the other day and yet she still chases them and blows kisses at them.  Maybe I have a budding entomologist on my hands.  :)

Look at them Daisy-dukes!

Father's Day

I felt so blessed to be celebrating Father's Day with the two most amazing men I know -- my dear husband and father! These two men have been great examples of faith, love and hard work. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I thank God everyday for the joy they bring me.

For 30 years my father has been my hero, my friend, my support system, and my encouragement. I have looked up to him and have held every man in comparison. It is amazing now to see my husband also becoming that kind of father and how our daughter looks at him with that same doe-eyed expression of love. Something about Daddy's and their baby girls. :)

As part of Father's Day, we all went to our church for a special service and I got some pics of us all outside and in the church.  At one point, I look over during the service (when a Father/daughter video is playing) and poor Keith had tears streaming down his face.  Just another reason why I love that man so much!  He's a keeper.  

The competitive streak definitely comes out during the weekend's corn hole and scrabble competitions- I swear I married my father.  ;)

To wrap up Father's Day we all went and pigged out at the Outback.  YUM, YUM!

Date Night and Anniversary

This past weekend Keith and I got a rare date night - 2nd in 17 months!  A friend's daughter watched Samantha while we went to a dinner for Keith's residency.  While we missed Samantha, it was nice getting dressed up and eating a fancy meal.  This date night coupled as an anniversary date as well, which was the following day.  We celebrated 6 years married and have been together a total of 13 years.  We just feel so blessed to have found each other so long ago - what a blessed and loving life we have together!