Happy Father's Day

I'd like to start by saying Happy Father's Day to both my wonderful husband & my father. I love watching Lance with his daughter- the love is completely apparent & he is so patient & gentle. He is everything that I could have dreamed for the father of my child & my love for him abounds because of it.

A couple of things....

It's been awhile since we've last talked; so to get you up to speed...my little darling is 11 months old & here are some of her accomplishments... (I'll post doggy photos later)

She has figured out how to crawl through the door on her 'house'.

She can finger paint! (This is a card for grandma- we hope you are feeling better!!)

She can climb stairs very well & can even go down them like mommy wants her to (tummy to the stairs.)

She spends quite a bit of time 'organizing' her toys. (ie. taking them out of the box & placing them on the ground)

She has mastered popsicles! (This is the second one- you can see the remnants of the purple one on her belly & tray.)

She can hike. (Here she is with daddy at 3 sisters.)

She has discovered nature.

She can entertain herself- who needs water?

She has figured out that if she carries things in her mouth then she'll still have both hands free- that's nifty! (first a foosball, then a toy, then her hat)



She has 2 teeth on bottom & one top tooth that has been threatening to break through for a couple of months.

She has been bottle & breast free since we came home from Texas (9 months) & YES my little girl is standing completely on her own!

She is standing on her own & taking up to 3 steps at a time! (It was a game in the pool to stand up & fall on her hiney causing a big splash! That lasted 20 minutes!! But the following photo was when she figured out that her toys could double as bracelets. She put them on & took them off over & over & over ..... smiling and laughing all the while!)

& well, she's just so darn cute!!

10 months

My precious girl is 10 months & looking less 'baby-ish' everyday! She is learning so much & becoming more of a toddler as the days pass. She recently started waving 'bye-bye' ALL the time!!
She is 17 pounds, 27 1/2 inches tall & going all the time. I caught her stuffing saw dust in her mouth just the other day!! She finally figured out her sippy cup & although she LOVES water has recently begun freaking out in the bathtub.
Here's some photos with her puppy.

Paper or Cloth?

In a million years, 6 months ago even, I never would have thought it would come to this! But after a seed was planted in my head it has finally come about...cloth diapering.

Not quite our mother's cloth diapers are they?! The plan is to try it for 2 months (2 months worth of disposables is what the above stash cost me); that way if I don't like it- financially it's a wash.
It's day 3 & so far... I LOVE it!!!
I'll let you know in 2 months if that changes!!!

Road Trip!

Congratulations Jacob!

This past weekend Lance's cousin Jacob graduated from High School; so quite a few of the Thomas clan packed up their vehicles & headed to Texas- including us.

Happy girl, ready for the drive!

We stopped at the state lines to get photos.

In Oklahoma we hit construction where the road was closed for awhile. It was a perfect time to allow Samantha to play out of her car seat.


In our hotel room.

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After the graduation ceremony we met in the hotel lobby for photos.

Casey, Matthew & Jacob (siblings)

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Palo Duro Canyon

Saturday after the graduation, the Thomas clan headed over to Palo Duro Canyon for the day.

Casey with Samantha.

Shelly took Samantha around & explained to her how she was related to everyone. Thanks Shelly!

Sorry about this photo Shannon- but when I saw it I had to put it up!

Trish & Traci.

Opening graduation gifts.

Watching intently.

To combat the 94 degree heat, we took a walk up the stream.

Playing in the water.

Playing in the water. Lance, Sami & Pat (Jacob's mother)

Samantha started to get upset when I wouldn't let her sit in the water.

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The ride home

Samantha's new trick!

Some other things that we've been up to...

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Samantha with Meme, my grandmother.

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Left to right: My mother, myself, Nannie (my grandmother) & Samantha.