Catching Up!!!

So, I am upholding my reputation as a not so swuft blogger.....sorry it has been a few months, but here is a fast recap......


Elizabeth found her first car for when she turns 16!!!!!!! We got a really good deal on it, and she is going to pay for it herself!!! We went to the Frisco Festival in Rogers and they had a car show, this obviously was not one of the best cars, but it was too cute with her in it!!!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The crib is in the attic!!!! She did so good transitioning into her big girl bed!!!! As you can see all of her animals and books must be on the bed during naptime and night time. We have only had a couple of slumber parties in our bed with her, so i think all in all she did terrific!!! This bedroom set was Brandon's great grandmothers sisters furtniture. ( I think i got that correct) It is a beautiful set!!!!

The Duck Park.....Brandon takes Elizabeth to the duck park in Bella Vista about once a month if not a little more, they love to go there and feed the ducks and eat lunch.....she always comes home talking about how the ducks wanted to eat her lunch!! They have a really great time and I love the time they have together.

Brandon's Birthday......well, it is official, only one more year until Brandon leaves his 30's and enters the 40's!!! Brandon turned 39 on 9-16, (he also shared his birthday with his Gram) We had a good day, gymanstics, lunch dates x 2, and a birthday cake that elizabeth and i decorated, I won't be doing that professionally for awhile!! next year we are going to celebrate his 40th in las vegas!!!! (to help ease the transition to the big 4-0!!!!)

Hope you have enjoyed! And we are looking forward to fall and a great football season, this is really our favorite time of year!! next post will probably be halloween, Elizabeth want to be a pumpkin, and daddy to be the big bad wolf, and she hasn't decided what is in store for me yet.......

Tulsa Zoo!!!!

With this unseasonably cool late July weather, Brandon and I decided to take Elizabeth back to the Tulsa Zoo!! We took her last year and a great time, but now that she is older she really enjoyed all of the animals and can now tell us what they are!! So, here is our fun filled journey!!

This first picture was in an indoor rainforest. There were little monkeys climbing around and catfish as big as Elizabeth!! She kept asking "what are those, look at those BIIIIG Fish!!!!"


Ahh the penguins...... The last time we went to the zoo they had a few penguins swimming around, but not much more, well, this time, they had a zoo staff member telling about the penguins, elizabeth wanted to go "up there daddy" She wanted to go up over the glass and get in the water with the penguins!! The exhibit was really neat!!

The kids zoo was open this time, it was closed last year for renovation. Elizabeth had to go in and pet all the animals. There were goats, sheep, and rabbits. You couldn't get the rabbits out of the cage and she wanted to hold it so bad, last year we saved a rabbit from Brandon's mom's garden from a snake, and since then she loves bunnies!! As they were roaming around, a goat decided it needed to relieve himself in front of elizabeth (#2 to be exact) Well, Elizabeth hasn't seen a goat actually go, she has seen Grammas goat's poop on the ground, but not the actual process, so when he was finished, she was quite fascinated with the poo, and didn't know what to do, there were a couple of other kids that were watching her examine the poo and said to their dad "She doesn't know its poop" then Brandon and the other dad had a laugh about it!! Brandon had a private conversation about the importance of not stepping in nor picking up goat poop.

The first thing Elizabeth saw was the train that takes you around the zoo, " we gotta catch that train!!!!" After a day of lots of animals, we had tokens that we didn't use last year to ride the train, so here are Elizabeth and Brandon before the train took off. Elizabeth said " I'm RRRREADY!!!!!" She loved the ride and held on tight!!! She would say, "Daddy, Mama, we're ridin the train!!!! Too cute....

Last but not least... the merry-go-round, Brandon took her on the first run, she wanted to ride on the giraffe, well they were on it and the nice merry-go-round man came up to Brandon and Elizabeth and told them that the giraffe is the only one that doesn't go up and down, so a switch was in deed in order... she ended up picking the reindeer, well that didn't suit her either, so she ended up picking the jaguar!!!! She loves going round and round!! I usually leave the merry go round to Brandon, as in my older years....:) I have developed some motion sickness, well, after they road, she told Brandon , "i want to ride with mama" so, i picked a spot stuck to it and around and around we went (only mild dizziness for mama) This time she rode the zebra!!

We left around 5:30, she napped for about 20 minutes on the way there, so she was exhausted on the way home!!! She finally fell asleep in siloam springs,,,,,,we stopped for some charlies chicken and a quick bath and she was out.. she actually asked to take a bath!!!

We had a great time and enjoy her so much!! She is such a good little girl, she said today, "i'm not a baby anymore, I'm a big girl!" Oh my, are we in trouble!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July!!

We started a tradition about 5 years ago on the 4th when Brandon was introduced to artillery shells (spelling?) at the fireworks stand, my oh my, oh say can you see the gigantuous home display you have ever seen!! Wow, forget bottlerockets, sparklers and those wormy things, these thing are amazing!!! Brandon's mom and stepdad live on top of a hill, so the sky is endless and is absolutely fabulous for this display. Brandon and his niece kierston usually run the show, but since kierston is working this summer, she wasn't there. I was going to take her place this year. You notice i said "going to", well, Elizabeth was all hyped up about watching the fireworks, until she heard the fireworks, she was okay for about 15 minutes, then was ready to go inside, Since i have seen this wonderful display before, i gave her her bath and put her down, so Brandon's family could watch the show. His Aunt Gaye took over and did an outstanding job!! This morning before we all left he told her that she was on the team and a t-shirt would be made for her! I haven't earned the t-shirt yet. We had a great time with family, late nights and lots of stories with great company. (Brandon's Aunt Banana and Uncle Grant were there) I didn't get any pics of the show, but the pics below you will love.

This morning Brandon found some snappers for Elizabeth to throw, it didn't take her long to figure out how hard to throw them and she was snappin away!!

Parachutes Brandon shot off for her, she called them "pair a shoes"

Uncle Grant, Aunt Diana, and Aunt Gaye

Helping shoot of the parachutes (no she didnt get to lite it) maybe next year...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE>>>>>>>>>>

The night of the 4th elizabeth wanted to go swimming again before dinner, (after dinner, after breakfast, and after lunch, she loves to swim!!) well, i had already showered and dressed, but got in up to my knees, but she really wanted me to get in, "mama go get your bafing suit", "baby it is wet and we need to go eat dinner" , "but mama get your bafing suit", i hear in the background, "elizabeth this is only for you" and i turn around and there is her papa in his bathing suit!!! So, here is Papa and Elizabeth swimming before dinner, she had a blast!!!!!! (thanks papa!!!)

Surpise!!!

For Fathers Day i decided to surprise Brandon with a trip to Mexico (playa del carmen)! We haven't been on vacation in 3 years!! and we haven't left Elizabeth for one night without at least one of us since she was born, so needless to say, this was a needed trip for all of us!! We left XNA on thursday 6/25 and returned on monday 6/29. We stayed at a resort we haven't been to before, the Barcelo Riviera Maya. It is an all inclusive resort and it was fabulous!! We have already decided that we are returning next year, but with Elizabeth. We missed her too much to leave her again for that long, one or two nights, that would be okay, but not four!! These are just a few pics of our trip: The pools were fabulous, yes i said pools plural, the swim up bars were good too(shhhhhhh a little tequila was consumed, but only in moderation) the food was great and the landscaping was amazing!!! The nightly entertainment was really fun as well!! so all in all we came back rested and relaxed!! Enjoy the pics and i highly recommend this place to stay!! WE have stayed at 3 others and this was the best so far!!!

water water water!

I had to work the weekend last week, so Brandon and Miss Elizabeth went to grammas to go out on the boat!! The water was too cold to get in, but they went for a fun boat ride. Brandon got elizabeth some super cool floaties and life jacket, as seen below! She was quite excited about the trip. So excited, she wore herself out and crashed for a good nap on the boat!!! Brandon foresaw that happening, so a pillow was ready just in case!! She asked Brandon, "Why is the boat wobbly?" Brandon's reply, "the waves make it wobbly" Elizabeth: "what makes the waves?" Brandon: "the wind" Elizabeth: "What makes the wind?" Brandon:" Mother nature" Elizabeth: "what makes mother nature?" You get the picture, yes we are officially in the why and how come phase!! We can come up with some amazing answers!! God defnitely is the answer to the 20th question at times!!

We got a sprinkler for Elizabeth and this is her and Brawny playing in it, Elizabeth loved splashing brawny and washing her car!! We are surprising her when the rain stops with a bigger pool with a slide!!!

This has nothing to do with water, but i thought it was a good picture of Brandon and I, we went to a wedding of one of Brandon's friends Jeff, he was going to and will build our future home, whenever that may be!!!

This i think is a fabulous picture of Elizabeth, well they all are, but i thought this one was sweet!!

Horsing around!

Brandon and Elizabeth went to hot springs last weekend, I had to work all weekend, Gramma and Papa's neighbor has a couple of horses, the newest addition is the brown and white horse, who is absolutely beautiful, more so in person brandon says. The horse is very gentle and trained, so, elizabeth got to ride her first horse!! She loved it so much, when she got home i asked her how it was riding the horse, her reply "it was wobbly" too cute. She fed them peppermints and carrots. She had such a good time, lots of things to explore on the farm!!! She definitely comes back worn out!!! Brandon loved the horse as well, i think if we had land he would have brought it home!! The Altima probably wouldnt pull a trailor very well though..... The last picture is of Zoey gramma and papas "puppy" on the picnic table and her sidekick brawny........Enjoy!!!

Bentonville Firestation!

The meetup group that we try to attend once a month, were given a tour of the new Bentonville firestation, Elizabeth was too excited to go see the fire trucks, well, i would have to censor her way of saying "truck" use your imagination, her "t's" are coming out as "f's" I just pray everyday she doesn't say fire truck or dump truck out in public! She did not hollar firetruck this day, thank goodness!! Needless to say, she had a fabulous time! As did I, since about half way through the tour, we had to make a pottie break, for her, so proud!!! Enjoy the pics!! She didn't quite know what to think of the fireman in all of his gear, but got use to it. She loved sitting in the seat, didn't really want to get out, the fireman offered that she could stay, but i don't think she could quite reach the ladder to help out!!!

Potty Training our Ballerina

So, we are officially free of diapers during the day!!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed it sticks!! Elizabeth has done great with it, one day we decided to put big girl panties on her and just went with it, we didn't have the time or energy at the end of the day to read countless books on the subject, so that is what she did. We had to throw away a couple of pairs of undies, but for the most part, it was fairly easy. When is the S&%*#&%( going to hit the fan, really, Elizabeth has been such an easy kiddo, we are so blessed!!!! But definitely still up in the air on another one, with the fear that a 2nd will be the demon child. So, only 1 diaper during nap time and one at nite tiime. We will work on that one later.

Ballerina....... Elizabeth has been doing these ballet moves, that neither one of us has taught her, she must have caught it on tv, (imagine that). So, i was at work the other day and ventured into the gift shop and they had the cutest tutu's and headbands that i could not pass down. Elizabeth wears the tutu at some point during the day everyday and practices her moves. It is too cute!!!

Not much else going on around here, waiting for the rain to stop so we can get back out and play, we are all getting a little stir crazy!! Brandon and I have a couple of weddings to go to and work as usual.

Jelly Bean Reeses Peanut butter egg overdose Easter

So, the Easter festivities continued on Easter day despite the yucky weather. We didn't get any Easter egg hunting done, but definitely ate enough deviled and chocolate eggs to make up for it!! The Easter bunny was good to Elizabeth and we are helping finish off the candy she got. My mom and Aunt kelly came over for lunch and brought lots of surpises for Elizabeth. I will let the pictures tell the story!!! We hope everyone had a great Easter!

This pic was obviously taken not on easter day but the day before, Elizabeth was having a picnic lunch with daddy and Brawny!! (while i could clean without little one "helping")

Dying Easter eggs with mom and dad, too much fun!!!

Elizabeth and Brawny

As soon as we found out we were pregnant with Elizabeth we started telling out first four legged child Brawny about "baby" Brawny was very interested in my growing belly, and we introduced her to Elizabeth's room early. She was very good when we brought Elizabeth home, and ever since then, they are best buds!! Brawny loves to give her kisses, and vice versa. Elizabeth helps us feed Brawny her dinner every night, and she loves to throw her food now while she is eating. (elizabeth is doing the throwing) Needless to say, they have quite the unique relationship. Last night Elizabeth was letting Brawny use her blanket, kitty and stripes to go to bed. This was too cute!!!!

Early Easter Egg Hunt

Our Neighborhood had its 3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, and it was our 1st!! It was sunny, but very windy, in fact we are still recovering from prolonged colds, this time with a little temp today, so while Elizabeth is napping, i am catching up on blogging, and paying bills, washing sheets,,,,,,,fun stuff.. No really, I enjoy being able to be home and awake during the day to do "domestic" things. I even cooked dinner 2 nights this weekend!! Anyway, i digress,, back to the hunt. When we got to the Rodney Ryan Park, which is new to the neighborhood and fabulous, previous blogs have pics of the playset which elizabeth loves, they had blow up castles, snacks and kids everywhere. She went straight to the castle (thank you gramma and papa again for her castle) she wanted to jump and slide the entire time, she was such a big girl jumping with some bigger kids, she definitely held her own!!! There were kids from baby size up to 12 years old, not many her age either younger or a bit older, but she still had fun!! Then they divided everyone up into age groups for the hunt. They had the fields separated for the little kids, and the older kids hunted eggs down the street in the neighbors yards. There were eggs everywhere. they had the street kindof blocked off so the kids could run. We were waiting for the organizer to give the go ahead, but elizabeth kept pulling at me to get to the eggs, she was so ready with basket in hand and an eye on the prize!!! She kept saying, "ready set go, mama?" finally, it was time, and she was off....... she had her basket filled quickly, it was too funny, she would shake the eggs before she would put them in her basket to make sure there was candy in them!!!! Definitely has the sweet tooth of the family!!! enjoy the pics!!

I would post the video, but for some reason it doesn't take with our camera.

Snotty Day Fun

After a busy week, a trip to Little Rock for Elizabeth's follow up appt with Dr. Nicholas about her leg, and xrays, which everything looks great and we don't have to go back for 2 years!!! YEAh!!!! Elizabeth and I caught a cold, mine started over the weekend, and hers gradually has lead to official stuffy nose and a little cough, not bad, but just enough to have a stay in our jammies day and watch the clouds and possible rain come in. She has been wanting to finger paint forever, but our last painting led to paint on the carpet, FYI red washable finger paint doesn't come up as easily as the other colors, so i took precautions by laying a towel down and explaining to elizabeth the imprtance of keeping the paint on the paper, we were successful!!! And she made some amazing artwork!!! After painting a ghost showed up in the kitchen while i was fixing lunch, it is amazing how she can see through her blanket!!! Brandon has the Home Show this weekend, so elizabeth and i will take Daddy and Howard lunch one day and our neighborhood is having an easter egg hunt on saturday, with weather permiting will probably take her to as well. She just amazes us everyday and are so blessed to have her!!!

This picture is of Elizabeth helping mama pay bills, i wish i could pay bills with a smile on my face!!!