Shake Your Groove Thing!

Charlotte loves to shake it. When music comes on, especially from the TV, she wiggles that bootie with all she's got! She also loves to turn off the TV and wait for our reaction, which of course we respond to by pretending to be upset which she just loves! Never a dull moment in our home.

Here she was last week up to her usual tricks and wearing an adorable butterfly camo dress from none other than the camo clad duo - Caden and Ryder. Thanks Auntie Kim! Shake it, Charlotte!!

i...

Stolen from a friend's blog filled in with my own thoughts...

i am: a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and i can't lie, a bit of a diva
i think: i am lucky to have my parents who totally rock and my sister who is my best friend
i know: i am truly loved by my husband with all my flaws
i want: happiness, more than i could possibly express, for charlotte
i have: a 6th sense
i wish: for no more pain and suffering anywhere
i hate: cleaning toilets
i miss: my grandmother, madeline, every day
i fear: losing those i love
i feel: most beautiful now that i am a mom
i hear: charlotte breathing as she dreams in her crib
i smell: fresh sheets in the laundry
i crave: outback cheese fries, shoot, i always crave them
i search: for too much on the internet...i worry myself and irritate my husband
i wonder: who charlotte will become
i regret: the fried chicken i ate friday night
i ache: in my heart for my baby's well being
i care: about animals very much
i always: wear mascara
i am not: one to keep my mouth shut, i usually speak my mind
i believe: in Jesus
i dance: every moment i can, especially with charlotte
i sing: from my soul
i cry: less than i used to
i don't always: like waking up early but having a child makes it easier
i fight: with fire and passion, especially for things i believe in
i write: lists now because chris influenced me to do so
i never: watch horror films
i stole: a denim skirt back from my sister because i lost enough weight to wear it again
i listen: not as well as i should but i am working on that
i need: chris and charlotte like i have needed nothing else
i am happy about: my life and the way it has shaped me thus far...

Showering Melissa

Here are pictures from the baby shower for sweet Emmerson! We can't wait for you to arrive, baby girl...you are already so loved!

Melissa's Baby Shower

Sneaky

Since Chris has been home on summer vacation he often takes Charlotte in the mornings to let me sleep in (how lucky am I?). I woke and could hear giggles coming from the backyard. When I pulled the drapes and looked down from our bedroom window I saw this:



I snuck a quick picture through the glass. Even Brogan, our dog, attended the morning picnic. How sweet!

Belba

Charlotte loves "Belba" - they play often and on this particular evening I couldn't help but capture the magic.

Hot Mamas

Over the past few years I have grown very close to a super group of moms - we have vacationed together, been in bible studies, our husbands all get along - seriously, what a fab crew! This past Sunday we celebrated the high school graduation of Kari's son and were able to get a quick shot of us all together: Mary, Me, Kim, Kari, Caryn (due in a few weeks!) & Holley.



At one point three of us - Kim, Kari and I - were pregnant at the same time, and Caryn had been pregnant along with us, too, but baby Jessica had arrived by the time of the following picture from Kari's baby shower was taken. Um, I am pretty sure I was overdue at this point...oh, and incredibly plump!



Between us we have 16 kiddos and one more arriving in a few short weeks! I am so blessed to have these women in my life! I have learned so much from each of them - amazing moms to look up to!

Wedding Fun

Last month our friends Kyle and Megan tied the knot. They had a fun guest "photo booth" set up so we got some pictures with Pete, Kim, Mark & Lisa...





Such a fun wedding - we danced all night!

Happy Father's Day, Chris!

We spent the day as a family of three and enjoyed every moment! Check out those faces in the last two shots - so adorable (click pics for bigger version)!

Charlotte and Daddy last year - so precious!

15 Months

Charlotte turned 15 months yesterday and at her check up today she measured in at 23.7 lbs and 33 inches. She is average on weight and in the 98th percentile for height.

Here is our little ray of sunshine today. She is wearing a pinafore of mine from when I was a baby. My mom saved it for me! I will dig up a snapshot of me in it when I was little so I can post them side by side.

We are so in love with our little (squinty) bumble bee!

Wild Ride

You can't see her but Charlotte did ride the Ferris Wheel with us...it actually went WAY faster than we thought, she was a trooper though and didn't cry, but she was a tad scared! She also rode a pony, the fun slide and the apple turner kiddie ride (with mommy because daddy doesn't like spinning rides).



Here we are as a family...



And here we are last year - she was just 3 months old!



The carnival has left town but we look forward to its arrival again next year. It really kicks off the summer season right!

Pink Geranium

Playing outside on the deck this week. How fun that she matched my planter!

Mille Grazie, Kim & Pete!

"A thousand thanks" for my adorable new Italian leather ballet flats, I totally am in love with them and the metallic plum color is gorgeous! And Chris loves his wine (which we will open soon) and the other funny gift as well. We love you guys!

Shot taken below with the flash you let me borrow - guess I should return that, huh? ;)




And BIG thanks to Kim as well for designing my chic new blog header - magnifico! xoxo

Carnival

The carnival is in town this week and we enjoyed our first evening there last night. Hopefully the weather will stay clear for the Firemen's Parade tonight.

I shot several pictures, Charlotte was in awe the whole evening. She especially liked the tank of ping pong balls that flew all over the place! To see the pictures close up just click the slideshow for the album.

Hammock

Relaxing with my sweet girl!

Explore & More

While Kim & Pete were in Italy we decided to take the boys and Charlotte to a hands-on children's museum and play place in Gettysburg - it was awesome! Caden got to stand inside a massive bubble, Ryder and Charlotte played with a life-size Lite Brite and the three of them enjoyed a tea party in the garden - such a fabulous place, you have to go!



For more from our exploration click below:

Explore Museum

Caden Turns Three!

Caden's birthday was May 26th, but since Kim & Pete were in Italy shooting a wedding we waited to celebrate as a family until they got home. Mimi's dinosaur gift was the hit of the party! Happy Birthday, little man!

Kittens

After lunch this past Sunday at one of our favorite little pizzerias, Charlotte got to meet four tiny kittens. They were one week old and the waitress was kind enough to bring them over from the apartment next door. They were precious! Luckily we had the place to ourselves (and yes that is my kid on the floor with no shoes!!).

Note the last picture of Charlotte doing one of her signature moves (with ankles and wrists rotating). She kept calling them all "Belba" which is what she calls our cat, Bella. Too cute!