Thursday, April 30, 2009

Six Months


I absolutely love these pictures! I came into our room Sunday morning to find Ari and Annie so snuggly. They really do adore each other. I had to hurry and scramble to find my camera before they moved!

Ari is getting so big. Yes, I know I say that every time. But it's just amazing how fast they change. He reaches for everything now. Almost sitting up on his own. He can for a while, but gets off balance and falls over. He wants to know how to get around. I can see his brain working just trying to figure out how to do certain things. 

He is also learning how to tell me things he doesn't want to do. Sometimes he will start to fuss when I am in the midst of putting him in the exersaucer. Before it even touches him! But I do it anyway and then he decides it's ok...for a little while. What a stinker.

Like any baby, he grabs his feet almost instantly that he is laid on his back. Not quite sucking on them yet, but has figured out the whole sock thing and pulling them off.

This past weekend we tried to spend as much time outside as possible. I love the 80 degree weather and wish it was hot and in the 80's--ok 90's, all year long! We stopped by a park I saw the other day and really enjoyed it. It actually had paved trails so we weren't off-roading it with the stroller.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

you'll never guess...

I am sitting in the comfort of my home and blogging.

I love my husband I love my husband I love my husband....

Oh I could go on and on...but I will spare you. Instead I am goin' surfin'!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Some Changes

We are starting week four of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. I know it already comes highly recommended but I can't say enough good things about it. We have always been fairly conscious about our budget and how we spend our money, but this study has already been an eye-opener for us. Since we aren't too far off the beaten path (so far), there aren't many drastic changes to be made. However, the changes that do have to be made consist of saying goodbye to Comcast for a while and absolutely no eating out. I know, I said nothing drastic. Losing the cable is no big deal as I don't usually watch TV during the day and we only watch it in the evenings for a little while. We actually only got cable because it was cheaper to have all three (phone, internet, and cable) then to just have internet and phone. Some people might not find a home phone important but when we rented before we bought our house, we only had access to the internet.

One day I had left my purse in AJ's car which had my cell phone and keys in it. I couldn't call him or go to work so I was stuck at home with no contact to the outside world except by computer. (Thank goodness I had that!) I had to wait until he got to work at 8a, which is when I was supposed to be at work as well, and had to wait for him to check his email and call someone to pick me up and drive me to work. From that day on I wanted to make sure we had a home phone. Now that we won't have it, I'll just have to make sure I am more responsible about where I keep my purse!
Anyway, the internet will be missed by me as I will not have the opportunity to check emails or blog at home. (Or more importantly read everyone else's blogs--ahem, a daily ritual!) So I apologize in advance if I don't update as often. For now I will just have to cram in as much HGTV as possible for the next three days and catch up on some internet browsing to get me by. These minor luxuries will just have to wait until we get a few things in order.
The whole eating out part is not too big of a deal either since I am home most of the week and take my lunch with me on days I work. Although I think I am already having Chik-fil-a withdrawals!  AJ on the other hand sits at a desk for nearly 40 hours of the week and enjoys his 1 hour break a day to actually socialize and interact with people. I don't blame him! But there will be days he will get to eat out since meeting with clients usually means some kind of free lunch. 

Well, we will see how this goes for a while. I am extremely excited to get rid of all the electronics that sit out next to our tv. Here's what it looks like right now, which is actually better than it was because we had a surround sound system there which took up tons of space. When we get it all straightened up I will post our new look in our living room.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Trip to Bloomington

Easter weekend was the first chance we got to practice shooting. I think it was the most fun we have had in a while. Here was the lot to choose from...

I must say that this was the most fun...Rambo style...

My hubby...

My brother Mac and his wife Molly...

Fording the river...ok, just crossing the creek to set up our targets. It was pretty entertaining...


And of course I will include a recent picture of Ari with our cat. She cuddled up next to him on her own! What a sweetie...


Tuesday, April 7, 2009

A Wedding Weekend

Friday and Saturday were extremely long days of wedding planning and events. I don't know how it all came together in time, but it did. It's amazing how the craziest things seemed to happen at the most inconvenient times. Just to mention a few, Chris had his wallet stolen when they went to get their marriage license, the limo crashed on the way to the church and had to send for a backup, and Erin dropped lipstick on her dress right before pictures and the ceremony. AH! Despite those few mishaps, it all turned out beautiful. My favorite part of it all was the photo booth at the reception. Instead of having wedding favors, you got to get in a photo booth and have four photos taken. Two prints were made, one for you to keep and one for a scrapbook that everyone helped make. It was such a creative idea. 

We didn't have much time to take our own photos, but here are a few of what we did get.

Our happy little family...


Mother of the bride and bride...


AJ and his dad, the father of the bride...


Erica, the awesome wedding coordinator...


All the DG's in the wedding party...


And the cutest flower girl I have EVER seen...(she loved holding Ari)


Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of the groom. But we are so glad to welcome Chris to our family. Congratulations Erin and Chris!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

5 Months

Gotta love this warmer weather! We've had the jogging stroller for about a month but have only had a chance to use it a few times. Ari loves to go for rides! He will look around for a while, but then usually ends up falling asleep. I would probably do the same.  Yes, Annie is in the picture because she goes for runs too.  People probably think we are silly, taking our little chihuahua for a run but she could out run anyone. I've never seen the dog happier. One of these days we will get a fence so she can run as much as she wants to.


Ari's next favorite thing is to pet our animals. Annie and Meowgi are so great about letting him touch them. Ari tries to bring Annie closer so he can drool on her. Here's a hug for her.


I think it's almost time we retire the Bumbo seat. Are has figured out a way to escape! Here is what he should look like in it...

And here he is arching his back and straightening his legs...

He does that until he pops the tray off. We caught him one time actually holding on to the tray and trying to put it in his mouth. Pretty entertaining since the tray is as big as he is!