What a fun and exhausting month we have had. We decided to get Kaylee's ears pierced on July 9 - just shy of 6 months old. A good friend from college was in town with her little boy and we were out shopping. It's something that I hadn't wanted to do but it just seemed like the perfect time to do it since mom and dad could be there for it. I was so glad to get to see Jerri and her handsome baby boy Jobe. Her mom even brought along all of her photo equipment and was able to capture some really good shots. As soon as I get those, I will post some. Anyway, here are some close-ups on her new ears.


Then, Kaylee and I went to Peoria for Jacee's (my cousin's little girl who shares my birthday with me) 1st birthday party. We got to see family and that is always nice. I wish I had some cute pictures to share but I didn't get one of everyone smiling together. Jacee enjoyed her first cake and definitely 'dug' in.

On Sunday (11th), my really good friend from college, Joanna, was in the area visiting her family and made the trip over to our house for a visit. Kaylee loved playing with her necklace and was really good for us that night with no typical meltdowns so we were able to visit. She has a new man in her life and seems to be really excited about how it is going. It's so nice to see your friends happy. Then for Jason's birthday (14th), we went and got Kaylee's 6 month pictures taken and then took her to the doctor for her 6 month shots. She is a tough cookie these days and barely lets out a cry. Thank goodness b/c I though it was going to be bad. Then we packed up the car and headed to Indianapolis for a long weekend.

We stayed with our friend Casee, a girl I worked with at Lilly. Charlie and Lucy made themselves at home there as did we and are thankful to Casee for opening up her home to us. Kaylee spent the first night away from us on July 16 and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Williamson. Jason and I got a night out and went to The Last Rodeo concert (Brooks and Dunn) with Tammy and Taggert and Casee. Good times!!

While we were in Indy, we made a point to drive and see Jason's Grandma (Kaylee's Great Grandma). She wants Kaylee to call her GG and that works for us. We got some really good pictures .. here is just one of them.



As usual, we take pictures of Kaylee on each month birthday so we can watch her grow her first year. We happened to be in Indy this month for her 6 month pictures so we didn't have the typical stuffed animals for her to pose with....didn't matter b/c she was being such a doll! We captured some really great pictures of her. Here is just two of them:

Grandma Janet came over from Spfld today and played with Kaylee. Kaylee is becoming so much more interactive with others and I love it. I am a little worried that her separation anxiety might already be starting but since I don't like being away from her either, I guess it's mutual. Overall, this was a busy month but a fun one. In August, I think we will go to the State Fair but other than that we really don't have any plans.

On other note - My brother and his wife welcomed their first baby on Wednesday July 21 - after a long labor...Welcome to the world Owen Dustin Mitchell. Auntie Andrea loves you :) We will probably be over to Omaha to see them around Labor Day.

June has come and gone...now for my Birthday month!!

The whole month of June, I kept thinking - I need to update the blog. But now its July and I have finally found a few quiet minutes to do it. Thank goodness!

Jason and I threw Nick and Misty a baby shower for their little boy due to arrive July 29th. The came over for Memorial Day weekend and it was fun but of course, they were here and gone before we knew it. Distance is getting harder with little ones in the picture. Here is a picture of Nick and Kaylee hanging out.


Not much happened in the month of June. The first weekend my cousin from Montana was in Spfld visiting. It was nice to see him and catch up. Then came Jason's first Father's Day. Unfortunately, he had to work that day but was able to get off early so that Kaylee and I could take him out to dinner. The end of the month was Grandma Janet's birthday. She came out to Decatur to hang out with us for the day.

Before we knew it, it was the 4th of July weekend and boy was it busy. On Saturday (3rd), we went into Spfld to my Aunt's house. Her neighborhood always has a fireworks show and some skydivers plus my Uncle from Texas was visiting. We left for a few hours to visit some old high school friends...one of which was swinging through as he and his wife were moving from North Carolina to Idaho - yes, he is in the Military. He is co-pilot on fighter jets and will be deployed to Afghanistan in 4 months. Not real thrilled about that but glad we were able to see him while he was home. On Sunday (4th), we went to Warrensburg to hang out with the Canum family. I can't wait for Kaylee to get older and be able to play with all of the kids in that family. They definitely keep you busy but are so fun and really cute kids!

Today, Kaylee and I just hung out and played. It was a nice relaxing day at home in the AC. Here are a couple of her first 4th of July pics:

The next two weeks are going to be busy. My birthday is Thursday and I hope to spend the day scrapbooking and getting caught up. Then Friday, a college friend and her little one (who was born just 3 days before Kaylee) are coming into town and we are going to go to the zoo. Then on Saturday, I am hoping that Kaylee and I can go up to Peoria to celebrate Jacee's 1st birthday. Next week will be busy too - on Wednesday (Jason's birthday) we are getting Kaylee's 6 month pictures and she has a doctor's appt for her 6 month shots. Then we are off to Indianapolis to see Jason's family and some friends. We haven't been over there since my shower in November and we are getting really excited to go back. Hopefully, soon after that, my little nephew will arrive and end the month of July on a good note. Until then...have a safe and wonderful month!