Oh what to write about.........

because I have not been good at blogging as of late.  Enjoy some pics & I will figure out a much earned post!

This is from the 24th of July children's parade in Wallsburg.  That's Gage in the orange shirt on the bike that is way too small.  And there is Bill & Emma.

Here is Emma on the morning of Sam & Erin's wedding.  We were just going to Walmart to get her artificial nails (she can't help herself!).  All the gray haired ladies thought she was just so adorable!

Here is Gage partying up.  Truth is, I didn't see Gage most of the night.  His cousins Cully & Austin were there and you never see Gage when they are around.  They are always busy doing "man things"...whatever that means!

Here is a pic of Gage & Emma on our drive to Chicago...this is after about 12 hours in the car!

Here's Maya after a much enjoyed lunch....but who am I kidding - she enjoys food anytime!

Oh how cute hum I mean romantic!  Bill & I are waltzing at our Young Women's Royal Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful Ball...so tender!  It really was a lovely evening until our babysitter called at 8pm to say Maya had been screaming since we left - sorry D & Raye!

Okay so I don't know why I am including this shot...but really I love it.  I don't know why, but it is my favorite one.  Look how much fun Bill & I are having.  I think this may have been our first date (alone) in years....and I am also noticing that I am in desperate need to get my roots done!

And just because....well because.  It is her birthday today the big ONE....One year ago today she was born.  This year has gone by so fast and slow all at the same time.  She has 4 teeth and has taken first steps.  She bosses us around and tells us in a "matter of fact" way with her finger pointed at us; we may not know what exactly she's saying but the tone is clear.  All year I have gotten weekly emails from Babycenter.com about her development & imagine my shock & horror this morning to get the "Your Toddler Week One."  I don't know if I am ready for her not to be a baby anymore.  Well anyways Happy First Birthday Maya!

August, where are you??

Well I missed it!  the whole month of August just flew right passed and I am not sure that I even noticed.  Don't you just hate that? To make it worse, I have about 450 pictures on my camera just waiting to be uploaded from various activities and vacations that we took in August!  I know how you can't wait to see that!!!!

Some highlights of August, & in no particular order (yes that's how my brain works these days!):

Gage started school (3rd Grade - how did he get so old?)
A trip to Nauvoo, Il (it was a long drive to Chicago)
A campout in Moon Lake (love to be with the Allred family)
A trip to Chicago (my grandmother passed away August 6)
A stop in Moline, IL (John Deere Headquarters)
Emma is finally potty trained (she is almost 4)
Heber Valley Girls Camp (Young Women)
Emma was a flower girl for Bill's brother's wedding (& now we have a sister in law named Erin & we love her)
That may be it for now....now to upload those photos...I wonder how long that will take?