Tricycles, Bicycles, Mornings with the Puppy

We love our mornings outside.  We get to lounge in the breezy air and ride our Radio Flyers and play with our new best buddy, Chantilly.  She becomes alive outside.  As soon as I set her four furry legs in the dewy grass, she's off.

 These next two were taken by photographer Emmy...

Brenner found shade wearing Daddy's hat and Mommy had fun taking pictures...

Brenner's legs are finally long enough to pedal.  Big news around here.  So, he's very excited that he can get on the tricycle and ride it without standing on his tip toes and walking it.  Even though he still likes to ride it while walking.  I just have to encourage him, "Push those pedals, Brenner.  Push them!"

Emmy loves her bicycle.  It might be because it's pink and purple.  It also might be because it has princesses on it.  Either way she is super fast and is getting awfully aggressive as she passes Brenner on the narrow sidewalks.  But he doesn't seem to mind.  It's a constant racing game as I yell, "Brenner, turn around.  You're too far."  To which, he might turn around, but most likely he'll keep on trekking further.  Oh Brenner boy.  But today, they both were delightful.

 This is Brenner "walking" his tricycle...

We ventured out onto the sidewalks behind the house to which Chantilly's sniffer couldn't get enough of.  New environment, new smells...

Radio Flyer rides:  5 cents

It's a great day.

Someone I Would Like You to Meet

We added a little snuggle bug to our family yesterday.  I've been talking with this breeder on and off for a couple months now.  It was finally time to take a visit and make a decision.  Wade drove about 2.5 hours to look at her.  And how could you not fall in love with her...   Whether it be her sweet brown eyes, the endless cute shades of gold, brown and cream fur, or her legs that just spring...

He brought this little morkie (maltese/yorkie) home and we are smitten.  Her timidness has melted away and her absolute charm has taken spotlight.  She plays like no other, though she easily tires.  She bounces and leaps at our feet.  Brenner boy is her favorite to chase.  We went for a morning stroll and she snuggled right up to Emmy in the stroller.  She observed her surroundings, then laid her head on Emmy's lap and looked up at her before drifting off to sleep.  

Welcome to our crazy circus, Chantilly Rose... 
Because every good dog needs a middle name. 

 Theresa giving Chantilly extra snuggles...

 Sarah cuddling the sweet, new pup.  I hope Chantilly knows what she's in store for...  =)

You Bring the Play-Doh and I'll Bring the Cookies

Emmy and I get to spend a little special time together everyday.  At the time Brenner takes his nap, about an hour after lunch, Emmy and I sneak outside for some special one-on-one time together.  It's guaranteed time together for a couple hours.  Sometimes, we pull chalk out and draw ginormous butterflies along the driveway.  Other times, we grab crayons and scrap paper and find that little patch of shade to lay down our crafty supplies and dream up some awesome art together.  But today, we found play-doh. 

The time we spend together, just the two of us, is just lovely.  Emberlyn gets mommy's full attention.  There's no sharing (or trading).  It's me and her, and it's easy and simple.  Not that Brenner brings chaos, because I love when the 3 of us spend time under the tree crafting.  However, there's something special about my time with Emmy.  She's a caring girl with crazy imagination.  She's sensitive and sweeter than candy.  She's silly and gracious.  She's my girl.  Although when I tell Emmy that she's my girl, she responds with "No, I'm Chelsea's girl."  That girl loves her aunt.

Showing off her cute and always pinkest of pink, manicure.

My time again with Brenner is soon to come.  Emmy starts preschool next month, and that will be my and baby boy's special time together.  Sweet baby boy.  We'll come home, shoot some hoops, or maybe race to the park, or see who can dress Mr. Potato Head up sillier, or even reenact a miniature-sized car race that ends in a crazy blow-up explosion, or something like that.  Isn't that what little boys do?  We've got to get more boy toys.  Wade and I talk about that all the time.  Good thing you've got a birthday coming up little man.

 Even though you're happiest with the thrill of random sprinklers erupting throughout the day...

Back to our play-doh afternoon date...  Emmy and I had a grand ole time contorting that stuff into all different kinds of things.  Emmy's favorite part was when I said, "Oh, I think the cookies are done."  I brought them out on a small plate, and Emmy's eyes lit up like I was juggling a stack of Christmas presents especially for her.  So we molded the play-doh, and nibbled on the still-warm-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies while basking in the comfort of each other's company.  Everything was good.  Everything was right.  After begging and pleading to split that one last lonely cookie, Emmy and I promised to save it for Brenner boy because that would make him super happy.  And what better way to wake up from an afternoon snooze.  So I scooped him up and Emmy greeted him outside with one special cookie.  He had a sweet chocolate grin too.   

Happy 4th!

We are so thankful to live in America.  It's something I'm grateful for everyday.  Emmy gets very excited about all the holidays, so I explained that today was America's birthday.  Happy Birthday America!  Emmy responds, "Thank you!" 

Today, we hung out with our neighbors, Sarah and Theresa, who have came to be, over the last year, our great, great friends.  Sarah and Emmy play very well together.  Sarah is like the big sister and Emmy looks up to her so much.  We played all day, tuckered the kids out as they were asleep by 8, and the adults sat outside and watched as the sky lit up with the most coloful of lights.  Yes, we got some nice front row seats for the fireworks, in our very own front yard. 

Thanks to all the men and women past, present and future who sacrifice and fight to keep our country FREE!  God Bless America! 
Emmy and Daddy playing with the confetti poppers...

 How Brenner stays cool in the wicked heat...

 Mommy and her loves...

Theresa and her daughter, Sarah

More pooltime...

And always impossible to get a picture with Brenner...

And our late night fireworks show...  9:30 is late... isn't it to you? 

Happy 4th!!!