Honey Do List

Al has a never ending honey do list at our house. The only problem with this list is that many of the projects require quite a bit of money and time, so these projects take a long time before they can be crossed off the list. But this summer we accomplished a few updates to our house. Here are a couple of them.

I painted the cabinets in the guest bathroom. We want to do this in the kitchen, so this was kind of a trial run, plus these looked really bad (I had already sanded these, they didn't look this bad!). It took about 5 coats of paint. I can't imagine how long it would take us to sand and paint the kitchen cabinets. Does anyone have any suggestions on an easy way to do this?
The vanity looks much better and much cleaner.
This fence was in really bad shape. We've wanted to replace it for a long time, but the old neighbors had a Pit Bull. Al didn't want anything to do with the dog, no matter how nice the owners said it was. You can't trust those dogs. So, they moved out and Al made a deal with the owners, if he did the labor, they would pay for the materials. Thank goodness for a handy husband :) Now they want him to do their other side. This time he will get paid for it!!! Forget teaching, he needs to open up a handy man business.
Since he doesn't have his truck anymore, hauling lumber became a bit challenging. He got it all in there though. He was very proud of himself.
The finished product. It looks so good. Way to go honey!!!

I'm Running Out of Stickers

Big Girl standing up on her own!!!
She's so proud of herself
Happy Baby
Brenley's Calendar

Every day for the last nine months and nine days I have been keeping a record of everything that Brenley does. My sister gave me a thirteen month, baby calendar where I write down something every day. I may skip a few here and there and have to catch up, but by the time she turns one, her life will be very well documented.

In the back of this calendar is a page with all kinds of stickers on it. There are stickers for doctors appointments, grandma and grandpa time, holidays, special visitors and every milestone that a baby usually meets during their first year of life. I love using these stickers simply because it makes that event or milestone stand out on the page.

Well, today Brenley did something big...she took her first step!!! This was so exciting and I wanted to make sure I wrote it down. So I went to the back of the calendar to get the sticker only to realize that I don't have many stickers left. There are plenty of cheesy ones like the "special day" and "special visitor" and lots of "doctors visits" (only because we're not doing immunizations, so we haven't been to the Dr. as much). She also still has "first cereal", well I didn't feed her cereal, so that one stays. We won't use "holds bottle," because I could never get her to take a bottle. So after those, all she has left to do it get some teeth and walk. I think she will accomplish those before she turns one.

My point to all this talk about stickers is that I feel like Brenley is changing so fast. She drinks from a sipie cup, claps her hands, waves bye-bye, said her first word (which was bye-bye), feeds herself, stands alone, and now she took her first step. I've used up all those stickers just in August!!! My baby is growing up too fast! We've been to a few one-year-old's birthday parties lately and it just makes me realize that that will be Brenley really soon. It's so exciting, but I just want to savor all of it. I want to remember her like she is at every stage and at every sticker :)

Into Everything

Well, Brenley figured out how to open drawers yesterday. She found all kinds of goodies to play with in the bottom drawer of the kitchen.

Then Macy saw what Brenley was doing and had to join in the fun. Brenley decided she needed to show off and show her friend how to get in the next drawer. So they explored the second drawer together.Then Christopher joined in the fun as well. Hailey also emptied the drawers, but I couldn't get all the babies in one picture. They figured out how to open the third drawer, but it was too tall to get anything out...thank goodness.
This morning I saw Brenley trying to get into the cabinets. I guess the drawers aren't enough. I'm so glad Al had already put locks of the doors , but those tiny hands can reach in and pull out anything that fits...she's into everything!!!
I just had to add this cute picture. I put Brenley on this little scooter and Macy came up behind her and pushed her all the way across the room. It was so cute! They are the best of friends :)

Friends, Fireworks, and Fun

Saturday our friends Mikie and Cindy Shirley came in town with their girls Myra and Nalysa. We had perfect weather to go to the Rangers game. It was so nice and cool outside and to top it off, the Rangers won!!! YEA!

After the game we sat in the parking lot and enjoyed the fireworks. We had a great time with them. It was a nice way to end the summer.

Catching Up

Okay, Warning, this is going to be a long post. I have been a bad blogger lately. I feel like there is either SO much to blog about or nothing to blog about. Well as you will see by this enormous blog, we've had a lot going on lately. I will tell you the stories as you see the pictures :)

This is just a cute picture that I couldn't resist...she loves bath time. Look at that smile :)
08-08-08 was my Mom's birthday. We never go out to eat as a family, my Mom is a wonderful cook and the boys are pretty good on the grill, but we wanted to treat her on her special day. All the girls did so well at the restaurant...they got lots of attention. Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!!!
My Mom is a health nut, so instead of cake we got her an edible arrangement, she loved it! Of course we threw in a few chocolate covered strawberries. Even health nuts love chocolate!
We always make big trips to Costco, but with Shelly being 29 weeks pregnant and on moderate bed rest, she had to get one of the motorized carts. It was so funny to watch her. I'm sure she had many contractions in the store from laughing so hard. This is a regular thing for her lately, but it was so funny to see her scooting all around Costco. Look, she even got the one with the flag...just in case we lost her!
No one looks cuter in the scooter :)
My smiling baby. She was laughing at Aunt Shelly too ;)
Avery and Atley in the big cart together.

Brenley ate finger foods for the first time. I cut up cooked carrots and she loved them!

She's clapping! She can do "more" in sign language about 50% of the time. We say "more" and she touches her fingers together...she's so smart!
All I had left for Brenley to eat was zucchini, sweet potatoes, and carrots, the girl needs a little variety. So I made a late night trip to the grocery store last night. This is her pears, I was getting ready to do mangoes and then later today it's peas and green beans. Plus I got bananas and apple sauce. I think she's going to be stocked for a while.
Yesterday I had all four of my babies and Mom and Shelly brought the girls over, so we had 6 babies in one room. They were really good. The girls weren't here for very long, but I had to take a picture. It was so hard to get them to all look at me, you can barely see Macy, but you guys get the idea. Sunday we had an Engagement party for the soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Ruth, my brother Danny and his fiance Amber Henson. They are getting married!!!! We love Amber and are so excited that she'll be part of our family. Aren't they a cute couple!!! The wedding will be in January, we can't wait! We love you guys so much!!!

Mommy and Brenely hanging out at the pool with our cool shades :)
Nana and Atley hanging out in the pool with their cool shades.
Mommy and Avery with their cool shades at the pool :)
Atley's mowing
Avery with bloomers on her head :)

We had so much fun with the Hunter girls here. They left early this morning and I am so sad. I love being with them. My sister is my best friend and I hate not being a part of their daily lives. Her girls are precious. They are well behaved, happy babies and will be wonderful big sisters to Canon.

I love you Hunters (that includes you too Phillip)!