Punta Cana

Chris and I took a lovers getaway to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for our fifth anniversary/because we felt like it. People kept asking me if we were taking Britta to which I would politely respond "heck no." She had a blast being spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa and staying up way past her bedtime and we had a blast laying on the beach for hours everyday. The weather was perfect, the beaches were sandy white, and the food was delicious. It was basically all I could ask for in a vacation. 

I loved our cabanas. And as you can see, it wasn't overcrowded since it was the off-season. This meant I could sleep in until ten and still get prime beach real estate. Heaven.

Who doesn't love waking up to flamingos every morning?

Sometimes I forget how attractive we are and I have to take pictures like this to remind myself. 

Christmas lights everywhere. 

Crazy snail in the lobby--Chris was obsessed with it for some reason.

This picture about sums it up.

Home again, home again, jiggity-jig.

This wonderful boy man came home from his mission over Labor Day weekend.

  Can I tell you that I started crying like a madwoman the second I saw him on the escalator. We'll chalk it up to the mother in me.

 He is just as awesome as ever; not an awkward bone in his body (other than the ones that were already there). Already cracking jokes with Dad.

 Chauffeur Britta. I think we've found a life calling, people.

 A picture on here that I am actually in? What the what?

I can't wait for Thanksgiving so we can all be together again.

Only slightly less exciting was the spotting of this lady at the SL airport while we were picking up Nik.

I thought to myself, "gee she's pretty and she looks really familiar." I didn't put it together until I saw Jef picking up thier bags from baggage claim. And yes, I was pretending to take my mother's picture to get one of the Bachelorette. TMZ here I come.

18 Months

How is it possible that we are half-way through this year of life already? I swear this year is going faster than the last did--not cool Father Time, not cool.

At 18 months B weighs in at 22 lbs even (25%), 32 in long (50%) and a head in the 75th percentile. I am telling you, this kid did not walk until she was 16 months old because she couldn't balance that thing and move her legs at the same time (and because her crawl was so awesome).

Britta loves:

to sleep--and I , in turn, love her for this. She goes down for naps and bed with no fuss. It is wonderful.

to eat--most of the time she is not too picky. When she is I feel like ripping my hair out.

to talk--she jabbers all day long. She says full on sentences to me and asks me questions; I just don't happen to speak her language. She has tons of words (mostly that only Chris and I understand). Her first real word after mama and daddy was "grandpa." She loves that man.

hair--she is still obsessed with her hair and my hair, especially when she is sleepy or upset. She will take the ends of her hair and brush them across her face, feet, arms, you name it.

peekaboo--she thinks it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

being chased and tickled--who doesn't, right?

to wink--it is hands down the funniest thing I have ever seen. I am still trying to get it on video.

Unfortunately, we are seeing more of these outbursts.

She is pretty awesome and although I can see the seeds of the "terrible two's" beginning to grow, I am loving this stage where she is learning and growing so much.

If you give a kid an ice cream cone...

she's going to think she's died and gone to heaven.

She may even raise up some "HALLELUJAHS!"

These pictures are over a month old, but I have much to catch up on...blogging has taken a backseat to life lately.

The Fourth

We had a wonderful 4th of July here in Washington. The 3rd dawned gray and rainy and I was ready to hand in all hope that summer would ever appear. Magically, the 4th was bright and beautiful and we have seen nothing but sun since. It's about freakin' time, and it has been wonderful!

We started the festivities with the parade. Britta loved it. The video speaks for itself.

She did that for 45 minutes straight.

We walked around town, went to an outdoor concert on the beach, and finished the night off with some fireworks. Pretty awesome. 

Reaching out to touch the fireworks.

Apples

We found a new favorite food--but only if she gets to eat the whole thing. She said "apple" right after I took these pictures.

Piggies

Now with some attitude.

Rain

Mother Nature hates me. Everywhere I look, people are updating their statuses with pictures of them at the beach or with complaints of extreme temperatures and humidity. I wish. My Mom called me this morning and told me that they were evacuated from their home in Utah due to a wildfire.* And you know what? For a millisecond I wished I lived in a place where it was warm enough and dry enough that a fire even had a snowball's chance of starting. I know; I am despicable. This weather brings out the worst in me; don't judge me too harshly.

All I am saying is that it's the end of June. We have hit 70 degrees once, and I have been without a jacket or sweater a grand total of twice this whole year. I am seriously not cut out for this place. Start praying Chris gets a million dollar job offer somewhere warm, or I may never be able to leave.

*So far my parent's house is fine, but their greatest concern is how the fire will burn overnight. On a serious note, any prayers sent their way would be much appreciated.

Job

I have re-entered the rat race. As much as you can consider a part time administrative assistant job part of the rat race, that is. I know, I'm kind of a big deal.

I am super pumped to get myself out of bed at a reasonable hour and interact with other adults. No offense Britta, but you are just not one for scintillating conversation. So far I really like it and the best part is that I have Fridays off. Who doesn't love a three day weekend?

Here's to hoping I haven't let my brain go totally to mush in the last year. Wish me luck.

Look who's walking.

This one woke up from her nap on Monday and decided to start walking. Before this I only been able to trick her into taking one step without holding my hand.  guess when they're ready, they're ready.





Check out the sly binkie snatch at the end of this one.

Utensils

We are working on learning how to use utensils.



It quickly degrades to this most days.

If you are wondering why she is wearing a giant flower at breakfast, its because her hair grows weirdly down instead of to the side and thus I grab the nearest clip every morning to keep it out of her face. Plus, she is super fashionable and can't possibly go to breakfast without her hair did. Who can blame her?

Oh, and I know my curtains are like six inches too short, they were just placeholders while I was hanging curtain rods.

Since this is my phone:

and I consequently haven't jumped on the instagram bandwagon, here's an update of the mundane happenings around here. 

 A dresser I re-finished last week, which actually turned out how I envisioned, which is a miracle because that never happens.

 Butt scratching is a daily occurrence; we are working on it. 

 Baths are pretty much a daily occurrence too.

 She likes to get in her toy box with her toys, which is nice because it makes less of a mess. However, she can't always seem to get back out.

 We spent Mother's Day weekend at the beach soaking up the beautiful weather. Seventy degrees has never felt so good. 

 Rocks never tasted so good, either.

 That smutz on her face--that's summer. 

 Tell me this hat on Grandma doesn't make you smile. 

Teeth brushing with Dad.

What's going on in your neck of the woods?