Seventy 3 Oh Nine

Here's a quick shot of our new home-sweet-home. We're still working on getting all the major appliances in working condition, then we'll be ready to move in...hopefully by the end of this week.

Here's Nate taking care of our numbers. I have a few strange idiosyncracies, and my love of house numbers is one of them. These aren't the "cutest" numbers I'd found during my search, but they were the most reasonable. Starting to feel a little more like home as we add all our finishing/beginning touches.

Just another shot of the house. Needs some outdoor work and paint. Still trying to decide which color for the outside. I'm sure I'll post more pictures as we continue to improve things. Just wanted to share a few pics so you all can see where we are now!

So Happy Together

I mentioned in my previous post that Natalie and Sutton are spending more time together and loving it. I was working in the other room while they were having a snack and went in to see what all the giggling was about. They were repeatedly hugging each other and thought it was pretty funny. Gotta love the moments when they get along so good.

First (new home) Photo Shoot

Sutton set up the tripod and Natalie used it to get some imaginary shots of him in action coming down the slide. They've become really good at playing together. I guess not having friends around ALL the time is growing them closer together. I love watching their little relationship blosson.

The slide in the middle of the living room/entry is classy, huh?

Princess Hair

Natalie was invited by a lady at our church to attend a Princess Dance Camp. It was actually a "royal wedding camp" and because we love all things happily-ever-after, we signed her up. She had a blast. Every day she would show us her new dance moves and how to curtsy and give us tips on table manners. The last day was a 2 dance performance. It was the best show I've ever seen. :) After a week of tutus and dance moves, I may be sold on dance lessons. Maybe. Anyways, that is how she got the princess hair.

A funny story about dance camp:

Mrs. Theresa (who took Natalie to camp all week and already adores my child, gotta love a person like that): "Natalie, did you like your first day of dance camp?

Natalie: "Yeah, but, in my heart it just didn't feel like a camp."

Mrs. Theresa: "Why not."

Natalie: "There wasn't a forest there."

Titus 2

"Older women...are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled."

It's not hard to tell who Natalie's looking up to these days. I am so proud to know that the one she's looking up to is pointing her even further up to a Heavenly Father who will never let her down.

See the turkey platter on the wall? At bedtime the other night, Natalie's "one last thing" she had to tell me was a long drawn out story about how the turkey plate on the wall was her Granny Dell's and then she gave it to Granny and then Granny will give it to me and then I will give it to her and then she will give it to her girl, if she has one. She doesn't miss a thing.

In Honor of Father's Day

Natalie and Sutton have the best Dad on the planet. Just ask them. I LOVE how excited they get to see him when he gets home from work, or anytime really. He is so patient and creative. Sutton doesn't love the water, yet, so Daddo is happy to sit by the side of the pool and play.

Just having a little man to man chat...about water safety, I'm sure.

And for the "big kids" in this family who are ready to face even the biggest waves, Dad is ready with a strong hand to hold.

We thank God for such a great Dad every day, but especially so on Father's Day.

Party in a Box

Thank You to Aunt Jennie who sent Sutton a couple of rockin birthday gifts in the mail! They have been enjoyed by all.

Oh yeah, and Bunny told us all about his postal journey. As it turns out, going postal isn't such a bad thing!

Houseguests

Our dear friends, the Fields, came to visit us for a whole week! We spent the entire week playing...us and the kids!

Already a gentleman, holding the door. :)

Mr. Sandman

Sutton loves the beach. The ocean, not so much. Yep, that's everyone else playing off in the distance down by the water while Sutton is content to pretend he is strictly in a sandbox.

At least he's happy doing that. What in the world would I do with a child who didn't like going to the beach?!!

Oh, and he loves the chairs too.

I just love how toddlers squat.

Love that sandy little man.

Reaping What She Sowed

Beans galore! Natalie planted the seeds and watched them grow. Then picked them and cooked them for us to eat. They were delicious! Just one more thing on my "to do" list for when we live in our own home again!

Sutton turns TWO!

I may be totally wrong, but I think this is the first birthday party we've ever had at Granny and Grandaddy's for one of my kiddos! Certainly won't be the last.

Way more excited about the Thomas giftwrap than the size of the gift.

Opening gifts with plenty of help.

A dog gift for the dog-themed party.

What could be better than dumping water?

Showing a gift to Mom with great enthusiasm.

Eating like dogs out of their dog bowls.

Just as big as the rest.

New train table! Yay! I could listen to him "woo-oo woo" for hours. Good thing too.

His favorite activity...swinging.

"Another" baby Luke. He is adorable, just like baby Luke. Or, maybe it's his mommy he takes after? Probably so. :)

Prissy, the 2nd guest of honor, after Sutton, of course.

Puppy Cake.

Taking a deep breath.

Gotta cheer after all that singing.

Blowing candles...

Just too cute not to include.

Love these kiddos.