My Baby Turns 2

Dear Adessa,
God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave you to us. You are the perfect fit to our family and we are so thankful for you everyday. We cannot believe that you are already 2! Adessa you are such a beautiful little girl, both inside and out. You have the prettiest blue eyes, just like your daddy. And your hair is so pretty, this summer it has been lightening up a lot... as you do not like to wear your hat. However you do quite enjoy your new sunglasses we bought you, and you look so cute in them! You love to play with your babies and barbies a lot these days, and you and Danika are becoming good friends... most days! Daddy and I love your energy and how you can always get us to laugh, even if it is just the way you look at us. We love to play kissey monsters and extra love it when you are the monster.

Adessa we love you so much and thank God for you every day. Thank you for making our lives so happy! Love you for always baby girl!

Adessa's new birthday dress I made... my first one!

Her birthday present, a dolly she can zip, tie and button

The night of her birthday, her babysitter Meagan came over and picked up the girls to bring them over to the Crofton market where Adessa got to pick out a free candy bag because it was her birthday. She was very excited!

The girls with their favorite babysitter!

Adessa's Baby

Yesterday I went grocery shopping, and Adessa brought along this dolly that she has been dragging around with her for the past few days in which she apparently has named. Three separate ladies asked Adessa what her baby's name was and in each case Adessa told them that her name was "HEAD," and then she squealed with delight. What a kid!!

This afternoon I had an eye appointment so Meagan, our babysitter came over to watch the girls. When I got home there was a note on the counter that said she took them to the Crofton pool. When I got up there the girls were having such a blast, and were smiling ear to ear. They had a special afternoon with their babysitter, which included freezies and candy!

Our Weekend

This past weekend was pretty low key. We had friends over for a weiner roast on our new deck/patio set, took the girls swimming, went to church and did some gardening. We bought and set up a patio set last weekend, and I LOVE it! The girls and I have been out there every day doing crafts or coloring and when we have playdates the mom's and I can sit and visit while the kids play in the sand box or go on the swing. Did I say how much I LOVE it?

The girls swimming at Fuller lake, it was so wonderful. Steve and I sat and watched as they splashed around and played in the sand. Danika was such a big helper, and she was swimming around all by herself (with a life jacket of course!)

Our Weiner roast guests, Lizzy and baby Millie

Our little fire area

Just a little snap shot of the garden, we have had lots of lettuce, peas, strawberries and radishes. And the cucumber, tomato and pepper plants look to be doing really well!

Dance Camp

This past week we put Danika into a dance camp in Maple Bay, which is nice and close. I had asked her if she wanted to do any sports this summer, like soccer in which she replied that she only wanted to dance. So I was super happy to find this camp which was Monday to Friday 9am-12pm. She was in it with a little girl from preschool, and they had so much fun together. Today was the last day and Adessa happily joined in, she did the stretches and warm up dances with the girls in one of the little skirts. It was too sweet!

This morning Danika and I were talking about dance camp and she told me she didn't want to go to school in the fall, she only wanted to go into dance school, and she was dead serious and got mad at me when I laughed! I was so proud of Danika, both the teachers fell in love with her and told me she was a natural at dancing. They said she was such a sweetie and was so kind to everyone!

The girls warming up

Ava, Sydney, Adessa and Danika. So cute, they all had their hair done the same way

Yesterday after dance class Sydney came for a play date and we made pretzels and had a tea party, Adessa was pretty excited!

The girls with their creations

Adessa and I packed a picnic and picked up Danika and Sydney to play at the park!

Some super cute videos of the girls.

Camp Imadene

Yesterday the girls and I headed out to camp Imadene for the afternoon to visit my lovely friend, Sharon! We arrived just in time to head down to the beach and see what life was all about at camp imadene. You wouldn't have known a camp was going on, kids were milling about on their free time, and my kids were happy playing at the beach, getting wet and muddy! This summer has been so nice already (not talking about the weather!) in regards to Adessa. She has really started to be independent, in that she can play by herself or with her sister for extended periods of time. And she did not put anything in her mouth... hallelujah! The day consisted of me sitting around visiting with Sharon, and meeting some new people. We had a wonderful camp-cooked dinner (what I miss most about camp!) and then my girls ran off to the park while I sat and enjoyed a nice tea and chocolate cake! At one point I went over to go see how the girls were doing and Adessa looked at me, pointed and yelled, "GO!" with no arguments from me! What a girl!

Nearing the end of our evening, someone asked us if our kids were allowed to be spraying shaving cream all over the side of a building... we could see the kids, but couldn't see what they were up to. So we ran over and this is what we came upon, all other kids ran away and there was my little girl...

Guilty as can be! (However I don't think she even knew how to operate the can!)

Steel Determination!

She was holding onto that bottle with all her might and gave it up quite reluctantly. I had quite the laugh.

Myself with the shaving cream clean-up crew, minus Sharon!

Friday morning Tom and Patrice left and then late Friday night, the Carruther family arrived. They only stayed for one night and left at 9 in the morning, but we had a really nice catch up. We ate ice cream and stayed up until midnight catching up. As we watched this wonderful family drive away, Steve and I both looked at one another and thought how it wasn't right that they were leaving. We miss that family a lot and I know most of Crofton does as well!!!

Kate and Tammy... such a beautiful woman, inside and out!

The boys, Steve, Pastor Scott and Hudson watching the much anticipated fights!

Last Night

Our last night with Tom and Patrice we got a babysitter and went out for a nice dinner at the Genoa Bay Cafe. It sure did not look like much from the outside, but the food was AMAZING. The drive out was beautiful as well, and the little cafe was on the harbor where you could boat right up to the restaurant. After dinner we walked on the docks and checked out some million dollar yachts. It was a very fun evening, and Steve and I both feel so blessed to have such wonderful, loving, caring, generous parents. I am so happy to have them in my life and love how they are always so supportive and encouraging. Steve really appreciated being able to work with his dad this past week, as Tom went to work with Steve for a few days. We had such a wonderful time together and made so many new memories. We love you guys A LOT!!!

The Genoa Bay Cafe from the dock

Tom and Patty

My hubby... I love having him around this summer!

The most wonderful in-laws a daughter in-law could ask for!!!