Park Time With Grandma

On Wednesday while my dad and the boys were sightseeing in DC, we took Grandma to our favorite park. Lilly had a great time showing Grandma all the fun things she likes to do at the park.

Swinging is definately Lilly's favorite thing to do at the parkOr maybe its the teeter totter
Looking at leaves with Grandma

Mannassas Battlefield

Last Sunday we went to Manassas Battlefield and learned all about the Battle of Bull Run. Lilly ran free through the open fields. When she was tired or didnt want to get in her stroller she would lay down on the ground. It was a beautiful warm day.

Walking with "Ga Ga"

Hiding in the weeds

Lilly showing off the stick she found

Together Again

My Family came to visit us this week and to take in the sites and sounds of DC. We haven't seen my family for almost 6 months, so we are so excited to have them here. They arrived last Friday and will be here until next Monday. So we are trying to get in as much family time as we can. I would LOVE to visit the sites with them, but with Lilly taggin' along it would be, well... a nightmare. She screams when we make her stay in the stroller, and I really don't want to have to chase her down a busy road or lose her in a crowd of people.
On Saturday we went to Mount Vernon. It was gorgeous! Lilly especially loved spending time with her Uncles James and Brayden and was fascinated with the sheep, pigs and horses. We all had a great time!

Taking rocks from grandma and hiding them away for later

Down time with Uncle Brayden

From the Upper Garden

Loving the Boys

Mad at Dad'n...trying really hard to listen

Lilly loved this horse...until he sneezed

A leisurely stroll across the bridge

On the Potomac with Dad'n

Looking at the hogs with Uncle Brayden

"Can we go on the other side of that fence Uncle James?"

"Now, tell me again Lilly, you saw what?!"
Uncle Brayden's baby koala

All the animals were a hit with this animal lover

A Letter from Lilly

Dear Kat,

When my Grandma introduced us almost two years ago I had no idea how much fun you could be! I know I recently changed your name from Kit to Kat; I hope you're okay with this. The last couple of years have been great, and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for all the good times...

Thank you for playing with me all day.
Thank you for letting me read you books.
Thank you for doing puzzles with me.
Thank you for playing dress-up.
Thank you for letting me take you swimming in the toilet.
Thank you for going on long walks.
Thank you for sleeping by me.
Thank you for sitting outside the bath tub while my daddy washes my hair.
Thank you for singing and laughing with me when we should be taking a nap.
Thank you for helping me through my first airplane ride.
Thank you for letting me rub your soft ears while I fall asleep.
Thank you for letting me put a diaper on you every morning.
Thank you for letting me color on your face.
Thank you for making a mess with me so I don't have to take all the blame.
Thank you for letting me give you things off my dinner plate.
Thank you for going to nursery with me on Sundays.
Thank you for riding with me in my car seat.
Thank you for swinging at the park with me.
Thank you for taking a bath in the wash machine.
Thank you for watching my favorite movie, The Aristocats.
Thank you for sitting in the jogging stoller with me while daddy takes us for a run.
Thank you for making trips to the grocery store with mommy so much fun.
Thank you for not eating my pet fish.
Thank you for breaking daddy's keyboard (I know it was you!).
Thank you for staying up late with me.
Thank you for not getting lost.
Thank you for always being there when I get sad.
And finally, thank you, oh thank you so much for being my very best friend.

Love,

Lilly

Enjoying The Beautiful Weather

The weather out here is amazing right now! Lilly and I usually go to the park in the morning, but today we were a little sick of the park. We decided to walk (and ride a little) around the neighborhood. Lilly eventually ditched her bike and I ended up carrying it back home.

Lilly loves running from me and laughing when I ask her to come

So many squirrels are out and about lately. As soon as Lilly spots one she yells, "Get it!" and chases after it until it runs up a tree.

The Angry Day

There are those days when Lilly wakes up from a nap and is well rested and happy. I can hear her talking to Cat and singing "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam". Then there are days when she sleeps for hours and wakes up angry and screaming. Well, today was an angry day. On days like these there's only one thing to do - prop her up in front of the TV with a sippy of milk and let Baby Einstein take over. It can take a good hour or two before she comes around. Well, today I decided to take a different approach and let her read the "off limit" books. The "off limit" books are the books that aren't board books. These are books she can read when she stops tearing pages and eating the paper. She might not see these books again until she is 10 or so. Since these books are a luxury she immediately settled down and enjoyed herself.

Dancing mice in clothes are hilarious

We Still Miss You!

Today is Nine Eleven, the day America was hit;
So many lost their lives, a day that no one can forget.

Today we take the time to also stop and remember
A very special friend who left us last September.

Our dear Aunt Edna Henshaw was as healthy as could be;
Then a quick trip to the doctor, an ugly tumor they did see.

It all happened so sudden, sent us all down to our knee;
A tender little reminder of how precious life can be.

One year ago today, taught us all a special lesson;
When Edna joined her mom and sister, a reunion up in heaven.

We well can remember all the good times that we shared;
So many reasons to smile, all because you cared.

You were there to support our family at every major turn;
Always smiling and laughing, and helping us to learn.

You share the same birthday as our precious little girl;
The memories that you had with her will always be a pearl.

Lilly cannot say your name (yet) but she can recognize your face
And in her little heart, you hold a special place.

We moved across the country, back where you used to play;
So many out here love you, and have meaningful things to say.

Living on the East coast makes it hard to watch Your team
But every chance we get, for the 'Cougs do we scream.

And when they win a close one, and extend their winning streak;
We know you stop what you're doing, just to sneak a peek.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition now comes on at ten;
We know just how much you miss the obnoxious Ty Pennington.

We loved getting together to share a family meal;
You made everyone feel so special, even our little Lil'.

We always had real fun with you when we gathered for FHE;
The thing we cherish most is when you shared your testimony.

Oh that everyone could have an Aunt Edna cross their way;
Their life would change forever, and be more than just okay.

So on this Nine Eleven, what we really want to do
Is take a moment to tell you that we still really, really miss you!

Lilly (8 months) with Edna