June in a Photobooth and this weekend...

I found this Photobooth Strip when compiling photos for June's first year. I need to throw June in a photobooth more often.

This weekend I'm:
· Making a Fall List (finally)
· Finishing June's first year album
· Watching Women's Conference with Mom (and eating lots of treats)
· Editing Photos from Greer
· Goodwill (to donate, not shop)
· Possibly sewing elbow patches on one of my sweaters.

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Listening to: This song, it's seriously on repeat.
Watching: New season of Parks and Rec. TV is good again.
Eating: Too much bread and noodles. Too. Much.
Collecting: recipes. I'm trying to come up with some healthy meal staples to add to our unhealthy rotation of burros, spaghetti, tacos, and waffles.
Considering: this in our living room... thoughts?

We are nowhere and it's now...

I'm spending the next four days in the White Mountains with my family. There will be treats, games, hikes, picnics, awkward family photos, matching t-shirts, s'mores, and plenty of teasing.

Meanwhile, I'll be listening to this album over and over, reading a few books (if June will let me), collecting wood for holiday decorating, photographing nature, and just taking in the beauty of what is called Greer, AZ.

18 months

Dress from Debsfreckles Etsy

June will be 18 months tomorrow. 18 MONTHS. That's one year, plus a half year. I still can't believe it.

Yesterday, June officially started nursery. I dropped her off in that little room, leaving her with nearly a dozen other nursery kids, praying that she would be okay. 

There is something about seeing June interact with other kids. Most of the time she just stares at them, it's quite entertaining.

I went back to check on her twice during Sunday school (yes, I'm one of those moms). The first time I checked on her, she was coloring her picture. She then proceeded to color on the table, and looked up at the teachers to see if they would say anything... they didn't even notice. So she went back to coloring her picture.

The second time I checked on her, it was lesson time. Some kids were sitting and watching, others were roaming. June was definitely roaming.

Ten minutes after that, it was singing time. June was crying.

Keep in mind, we have 12:00 church, and June usually naps at 1:00. So it was obviously her nap time. We'll adjust her nap schedule for next Sunday.

Until then, I'll watch June's baby videos and cry uncontrollably.

A Book for June

I've been wanting to make a family book for June so she can start learning names with faces. I received a coupon for a free 8X8 photo book on my birthday from Shutterfly, and I figured this was the perfect opportunity to finally make one: 

Click here to view this photo book larger
(Click the rectangles to turn the pages)

The only reason June seems to like it is because she thinks it's a game to find Chubbs in the book.

So basically, Chubbs wins.

It's time to step it up, Bradfords and Coombs'.

Smitten

It's been a while since I've done a post about June (and by 'a while', I mean 'more than a week'), so I figure I better do a quick post.

I'm obsessed with this girl. 

She is so fun to hang out with. Lately (since it's still too hot), I've just been taking her to big stores (Target, Barnes and Noble, etc.) and just letting her run freely, push things around, carry giant bags of candy, etc. She loves it. Everyone around us gets a kick out of it (unless she takes things out of their carts, I guess).

I mentioned in Instagram, that nearly everything I received for my birthday, was really for June. This is not a complaint... I love when she gets things. I'm currently obsessed with winter clothes for her. I love looking for cute (cheap) toys. I've made a list of presents to make her for Christmas already. And on top of that, I've been racking my brain for ideas for her Halloween costume (every costume I can think of requires some sort of hat or wig... she refuses to wear ANYTHING on her head). 

Have I mentioned that I'm obsessed with her?

I think I need a new hobby... or another child? (No, not pregnant.)

P.S. Don't worry, William. June has not caused me to forget your birthday next week. 

The end of summer and growing up...

I've had my fair share of fun, summer days these last few months. But I'm ready for fall.

Here's how my summer ended this past Labor Day:

Matt's Big Breakfast // Swimming at the Butte's // Grimaldi's for free Birthday Pizza 

I've been thinking about what I need/want to accomplish before the new year, but I keep having thoughts to slow down and keep it simple. 

And then I feel like I'm all grown up.

It's weird to feel older, sometimes I have mixed feelings about it. (I know... I'm only 28.)  It's been interesting to discover that I've taken on some "old-ish" qualities just within the last few years.

For instance:

· I like the taste of banana peppers, pickles, and Tabasco more and more (not all at once).

· I like traveling, but not to crowded places.

· I prefer staying in than going out. (This might be one of my introvert qualities, but I'm taking it as 'growing older' too.)

· I like rain. (I used to despise it as a teacher because of rainy day schedule. It's also not good for my hair.)

· I don't care what kind of car I drive, as long as it has good AC.

· I love being a mom. A lot. I used to think moms were lame, but I know a lot of cool moms. And I guess even the cool moms are a little lame, but in the best possible way... I just wish I knew that growing up.

· I now realize that my mom and dad DO know what they're talking about.

· I finally see the advantages of living an "early to bed, early to rise" lifestyle. I used to think it was just a "neat" tip, but it actually does make a difference. 

· I am beginning to be more and more appalled with the lyrics and the quality of music that is played on the radio.... like, disgusted... like, I can't believe they were allowed to record this and they're playing it on the radio for anyone to hear... like, ew...

· I like surrounding myself with happy people. It's better for my health.

· Sometimes teenagers make me nervous.

· Ripe fruit and veggies bring me so much joy. Like "I can't believe this came out of the ground and tastes so gloriously amazing!!!!!" kind of joy.

· Puns get funnier to me every year. And I will always laugh at the "So and So called" jokes. (Example: "The ocean called... they're running out of shrimp")

I'll just end by quoting Blink 182: "So I guess this is growing up." 

Nothing says growing up like Blink 182, right?

They say it's your Birthday

I planned on going to a quiet breakfast, getting the house cleaned, then going out to dinner with my family.

That morning, William had already left for work, when I got a text from him: "Dang it sorry I think I left my lunch on the little space out on our patio could you check to see if it's there". I didn't fall for it... I knew something good was about to happen.

I opened the front door and a wall of balloons came down on me, while "Birthday" by the Beatles suddenly blasted on our stereo. 
















William danced into the house and handed me a flyer of Birthday Activities we were to begin right away. 

So that's what we did. (Minus the dance party, we took a nap instead.)


Let me just end by recommending the Griddled Bread Pudding from Liberty Market... and the sweet potato fries from Joe's Farm Grill... and having relatives close by to babysit so you and your husband can go see a mid-morning movie... and having your spouse take work off so you can have the best birthday ever.

Thanks to everyone who celebrated with me. 28 is good to me.