My first trip to Menard

A few days before we left for Tucson, Lily and I made a small detour to Menard to visit the Pierce family. Kalyn (now Gensic) was one of my best friends from college and is due to have a baby boy in October. So, we went down to visit and bring presents.

While we were there, Lily creatively mastered her inferior height...



...attempted to make friends with the locals...


...alas, she failed with Abby, but she made up for it with Miss Loveta. After playing with Lily, Miss Loveta has officially canceled Thanksgiving for her family because she now knows she'll be too distracted playing with new Baby Gensic to cook anything.






...Lily learned to play "patty cake"...


...and she ate her first heaping helping of Mr John's brisket and stewed squash. Both were "mmnnn good!" And she let Mommy know she wanted more loudly and frequently, so frequently, I wasn't sure I'd get any myself!

Overall, it was a great trip and neither of us can wait to go back!! Even if it means sitting in the car seat for a few hours--which is saying something for Lily!

More to come

We will be sharing several more pictures and videos from our week in Tucson. For now, here is Em and Lily coloring in Little Anthony's.

Busy Playing

I haven't been able to post recently because I've been busy...

Busy playing on my rocking horse ( Thanks Auntie Meagan!!!)...






Busy hanging out with Mommy...



Busy tackling Mommy...



Busy Making fun of Indy and his Teddy...


Busy redecorating my bedroom...









And busy deciding which of my parents is a squishier chair...






























Like I said. Busy.

New shoes!

A package arrived in the mail today from Grandma Jan...



So we had to try them on...









Yay! New shoes!

You look like you could use some help...

So, the other day Auntie Marnie was peacefully reading on the couch when Lily decided Auntie Marnie could use some help.









Alas, this kind of help is not actually helpful.

Lily gets a Snow Cone

Lily got her first taste of a snow cone yesterday. As you can tell, she enjoyed it.

Learning the Piano

Today was yet another Fourth of July party. This time with the folks in the neighborhood. While there Lily decided she wanted to start piano lessons.

Fireworks!

Last night we went to a 4th of July party at Sam and Barbara's House (Members of our church).  We had  excellent food and had fun hanging out. Lily also made a new friend: Biscuit.

(Photo by Topher Fangio)

Later on, Taylor Electric put on a huge fireworks show. The fireworks were being launched about 100 yards from the house, so we had a nice view. Lily wasn't too thrilled to begin with. She liked the lights, but the loud noises they were making were none too pleasing. Even her two cool glow-sticks wouldn't appease her. Eventually, though, she realized the noises weren't out to get her and began to enjoy herself. And that's when I started taking pictures and videos...