She's a walkin'

So our biggest news is that Brooke is walking. Well, she's not really walking yet, but she has taken her 1st steps. She takes about 4 steps before she tumbles. It's so much fun to watch that. I love when they start walking...she gets so excited with herself that she forgets what she's doing, throws her hands in the air and falls face down on the ground...then lifts her head up with the hugest grin.






Grandpa got a finch feeder for Father's Day...but because he is a half a world away, we are using it until his return to the states. The kids love watching the birds eat upside down.










These pictures are from SuperHero night at Chick-fil-A. Riley doesn't really have a proper costume, so she went as Tinkerbell, and I'm not sure who Brooke is supposed to be, but we got this baby mask there, and we couldn't stop laughing at her in it. (It was much funnier in person)

Evolution of a house

Our house when we left in 2004



July 9th...coming down

July 16th...gone




July 18th...framing



July 23rd...completly framed, decked

The old SC gang

We went to St. Charles after celebrating the 4th in Tulsa. Our last trip home was cut short and we wanted to hang out with the family some more & Christy was coming in from Boston so we planned our visit to coincide with hers.
We got some of the old gang together one night at TrailHead and just like the "good old days" had the best time together. Partied like Rockstars. I truly have the greatest friends.
I don't know where the time goes when we go back, we run from one thing to the next and I never get to see everyone. Guess we'll have to go back again real soon.
(Me and my sweetie)

Here's a pic of me and the kids on the tram at Grant's Farm. (Had to sneak the kids into the blog, of course.)

Our 4th

The 4th is always fun, and after 21 straight days of rain (not constantly, but everyday at least had a little) the sun came out and the rain stayed away. Our neighborhood always has a parade (led by a city firetruck) followed by a cookout at the pool. This year the fire truck hooked up to a hydrant and let the kids play, it was so cool...the kids had a blast. During safety breaks at the pool the bouncy was full of soaked and slippery kids. That night we did fireworks in our driveway.
Had a hard time narrowing down the pictures so here's a brief slide show of the festivities....

Uncle Heath

Uncle Heath came to visit 2 weekends ago. He's lived in Oklahoma for what, 4 months and we've seen him twice. Once as he was moving down and stayed with us while en route to "the City". Again as he realized his time was nearly over and he better make another visit before he moves to KC (which is happening today).

I often think about what it would be like if we moved back to St. Louis...would I see my friends all the time? Truth is, I'd probably see them just as much or less than I see them now. Everyone is busy. Everyone has their own things going on. Many of my friends are still single or married w/o kids...very few have multiple kids...just Christine (I think). Jess-you don't count since you're in Jefferson City.

Had intended on updating with 4th of July pics and the old SC gang -- but Mom duties are calling as one has been screaming at me since I fired the computer up a few minutes ago. Gotta run.