Summer's here and the time is right!

Out in the yard in the early morning is the way to play in the summer!

Grandpa Brent found us in the playhouse!

This summer we have been lucky to see lots of butterflies in the yard, Hank was so lucky he got one for lunch. 



Hank had a butterfly for lunch!

Summer is a great time to take up new hobbies- like photography.

Hank's getting pretty good at taking photos! 

The next few photos are pictures Hank took...

dinosaurs,

 my buns,

 and my face, which I prefer to my buns.  :)

Saturday at the Faire!

So I entered lots of items in the faire this year.  Four to be exact.  I entered the Mystery Cookie Contest, The Ghiradelli Chocolate Championship, a Pirate framed mirror (Craft) and a Table Setting.  It was so fun, super busy, but so fun! 

So I placed in two of my entires, the Ghiradellis championship I recieved Judges Favorite (so like 4th place) and I got third place for my Pirate mirror.  Wahoo!

Here are my photos of the day!

 So I won an apron and a basket full of Ghiradelli chocolates for baking.  I really wanted the apron, wahoo!  I was going for first place of course, so I missed out on the $150 prize money. 

 Here is my mirror.  It really is fantastic.  The notes from the judges were fun to read.  They siad- "Love it!"  Which made me feel so good, because I love it!!

Mine is the one with the yellow flowers.  If you look around in this photo, you can see some of the other Table Settings, they are fabulous.  My was themed after the musical Oaklahoma.  I am totally going to enter next year, but really go nut with the decor and put lots more time into it.  :)  Wish me luck!

 This was a super fancy Merry-go-round.

 I had them pose randomly, the quilts people make are amazing.

I love you so much!

So I am a lucky momma.  Hank tells me once or twice sometimes several times a day, "Mom, I love you so much."  Sometimes it's "Momma, I love you so so so so so  much."   He is a great boy.  I love him so so so so so so so so so so much!

She is getting better!

We are having Fun!

Shapes and Colors are fun!  We love Barney! 

 Ellie wants to stand most of the time.

But I make her be safe.

Crawling like Crazy!

She has new tricks!

 Ta DA!

"Ma ma"

"I am coming!"

I showed Hank how to take a picture.

 Then he wanted to take another.

 And another.

OK, so here is a very sad Ellie.  We hardly capture pictures of this girl with a sad face, but despite what some may think, she isn't always smiling.  But, she is a really happy kid!

So sweet!

Look at our Baby girl taking some steps!!

Ellie can walk!

OK, I tried and tried to upload a video of Ellie walking, but it must be too long.  I will try to video her again soon, and then share her skills!

She can take up to 4 maybe 6 steps.  She is doing so good.  This all started Monday night!!!  Memorial day is memoriable for more than the people we have lost.  Ellie's life and her remarkable abilities and strengths are a special memory for us and a great blessing!

Thanks to all of you and your prayers!!!  We can never repay all of you for the miracle girl we have! We are so indebt to our Eternal Father (God).  I need to also thank all those nurses, midwives, Doctors (of all kinds) Therapists, and social workers and Kaiser Permanente staff that help us.  Ellie's core temperature being cooled right after birth for three days is also why she is doing so well, and ending up pretty normal!  Her brain swelling calmed down quickly and didn't have the ability to cause more damage, after the initial shock of the lack of oxygen.  OK, happy Thursday everyone!  Say a prayer and thank our Heavenly Father for all we have.  :)