Just strolling around

I love these pictures that I snapped of Lily a few weeks ago.  We had just eaten lunch out with Grammy and afterwards Lily strolled around the outdoor shopping center, walking along the paths and stopping to check out all the fountains.  She did not want to toss any pennies into the fountains.  I guess she is saving her wishes for her birthday.  It certainly is hard to believe our little one is going to be two on Saturday!         

Come and gone

The summer is flying by...July has come and gone.  Here are just a few things we did last month.

The first few pictures are from a trip to Marbles.

 When asked if she liked to eat broccoli, Lily replied "Yes, I do."  I'll believe it when I see it.

 Future cheerleader?

It has been a record hot summer and sometimes it it just too hot to play outside (for me at least!).  One afternoon while playing inside, my ears perked when I heard both the sound of the stroller being pushed and the choo choo train being ridden.  When she emerged passed the island, this is what I saw. 

We went to Charlotte to visit some of Lily's friends (Lily, Winston, and Bowen).  They were much happier eating dinner...

and less happy when posing for a picture.  Lily was working with about a half hour nap and she was one tired little girl. 

I celebrated another birthday and Lily was baptized on the same day.  It was such a special, special day.  She wore her great grandfather's Christening gown.  One that was hand sewn and hand embroidered by her great great grandmother.  One that was 91 years old.  One that has was also worn by her daddy.  She looked absolutely beautiful that day; it will be one I will always remember.

Lily enjoyed a few laughs at lunch at others expense.  She gets a kick these days asking people to "boohoo".  They "boohoo" and Lily laughs. 

What else?  Well, I have no pictures, but we've also been going to a FUN music class once a week.  Lily loves it and she does amazingly well paying attention and following directions.  We also spent a few days at the beach last week.  Sadly, I have no pictures of that trip either.  I am hoping some family members might have a few to share!  She loved playing on the beach with her older cousins and spending time with her aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  Hoping August doesn't go by quite so quickly...    

Christmas in July

Every year for Christmas, all siblings and spouses draw names for Secret Santa.  I was almost brought to tears last year when I opened the gift from my sister-in-law Laura.  It was to be a photo session with one of her best friends who just happens to be a wonderful and talented photographer.  

I waited until the summer months to get them taken, and I have about a dozen favorites, but here are my MOST favorite.

Thank you, Laura.  We will cherish these.  Here's to Christmas in July!

Little monkey

We have been going to The Little Gym for about a year now.  Lily's favorite thing to do for the past several months is hang on the bars (or as we call it tick tocks).  She is such a little monkey!

At the end of the semester Lily got her first medal.  She is rather proud, don't you think?

In the kitchen

This is the second time Lily has assisted in the kitchen.  The first time, we made pimento cheese.  This time, we made banana pudding for Daddy's birthday.  Lily thoroughly enjoyed taste-testing along the way. 

Tim originally found this recipe when I was pregnant and had a taste for banana pudding.  It is DELICIOUS!  Go try it!

Banana pudding

1 large pkg instant vanilla pudding (6 oz)

2 1/2 cups cold milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)

1 container whipped topping (16 oz)

sliced bananas (about 4)

vanilla wafer cookies (we got the minis)

Mix pudding and milk; add condensed milk.  Blend well; fold in half the whipped topping.

Alternate layers of pudding, bananas, and vanilla wafers; top with remaining whipped topping and a few banana slices.

Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Beach week

Just the three of us went to the beach for an entire week.  We stayed at the cutest little cottage right on the beach and had blue skies every single day.  Lily was so excited the first afternoon we arrived once she saw the water.  We went straight to the ocean and Lily went right into the water in her clothes, got knocked down by some waves, screamed (excitedly) and laughed a bunch.  It was such a fun moment to remember. 

So, we quickly learned that Lily liked the sand and water again this year.  Here is a look at our week.


Hard at work

The beach house we stayed in.  By the end of the week, Lily was calling it "Lily beach house".  I wish!!




Which way to the beach?

 Lily was a bit of a wanderer.  As you can imagine, there were many trips back and forth from the tent to the water, and back again.  And, there were many visits to other kids along the beach to check out their toys.

One afternoon, Lily had taken a little break to play in the sand.  We look over and she is laying on her tummy saying "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle".  Here she is wiggling in the sand.



Enjoying a snack of "cheese crackers" on the beach.

 The seagulls.  Oh, how she tried to catch one of those birds.  She would run up to them saying "I getcha birdie".

 Guess what the good news is Lily?  We get to go back later in the summer. Yeah!!

   

Spaghetti face

Lily requested a second...and third helping of spaghetti.