A couple of weekends ago we went out of town to visit with some family and had a wonderful time! 

We arrived at my Aunt Gladys and Uncle Dave’s house on Friday evening.  Beka, Bill and Anika were there too and we had a yummy dinner.  Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Anika and Hailey played “Ring Around the Rosie” over and over again!

And their favorite part, “we all fall down.”

On Saturday we went to a baby shower for my cousin Brad and his wife Melissa.  It was the first time I had ever gone to a baby shower with both men and women there.  It was sooooo much fun!  I think all showers should have the guys too- we had a blast. 

I didn’t get a whole lot of pictures because it is a little hard to keep track of  a 2 year old and take pictures at the same time.  And when Rich had the camera he took pictures of things like people’s noses, ears and feet.  So I’ll spare you from seeing those pictures and share the few that I did get.  If you are a family member and want to see more pictures (or a regular reader who just wants to see some more pictures of the fun)- check out my cousin Aimee’s blog- she got some great pictures!  Anyhoo- here’s my pictures:

Hailey and Anika (the 2 on the right) enjoying some lunch with 2 other friends.

While we were waiting for the gift opening to start Hailey enjoyed being in the center of the room bouncing a balloon up in the air.  Brad (the daddy-t0 be) and Melissa (the mommy-to-be) helped her keep her balloon in the air.

Brad and Melissa opening a present from us while Hailey watched.

Anika and Hailey checking out one of the presents- probably discussing how they would like to sneak the present out of the room so they could get a chance to open something.

We had fun playing some games outside.  Hailey and Anika inspected the dirt.

Aunt Ruth (Grandma-to-be) and Brad posing for a picture.

We had such a wonderful time at the shower!!  We don’t get to see all of this side of the family very often so I had so much fun spending time with everyone.  It went by way too quickly.

On Sunday we got to spend a little time with Beka, Bill and Anika again before we had to get on the road.

Anika and Hailey enjoyed dancing together.

Then they took a quick “nap” together before we had to leave.

The entire way home Hailey kept asking, “Are we back on Anika’s road yet?”  It was a wonderful weekend!  We can’t wait to see everyone again.

A couple of weeks ago my cousin Beka, her husband Bill and their daughter Anika were coming through town on their way to visit Beka’s sister Vicki who had just had a baby.  So, they stopped here and we were able to spend some time together- which was way too short but tons of fun.

Hailey waited all day for their arrival- she could not stop checking the window to see if Anika was here yet.  She was beside herself with excitement!  Here are a few pictures of the cousins together:

And just for fun, here’s Hailey and Anika in August 2008:

*Sniff*  Where does the time go??

Last weekend some friends of ours got married, so of course- we went to the wedding.  And of course, I took some pictures.  Here are some pictures from the reception.

While we waited for the bride and groom to arrive at the reception my dad, my brother and Rich made themselves comfortable.  They sat like this right outside the door of the room the reception was in so everyone saw them on their way in.  It was probably not the greeting that most were expecting to find.

While they were busy relaxing and talking I was trying to keep track of Hailey.  She found some new friends and was being really good.  She took one little girl by the hand and led her around as if to show her new friend where everything was.  It was cute.  Then I saw them heading for the cake.  I was on my way to get Hailey before she got too close and the other girl’s father was on his way to get her.  I was not in time.

See that little whole in the cake?  Hailey stuck her finger right in the cake.  It could have been much worse, so I am thankful that is all she did.  Now, if you know Rich- you know that at every event we go to that involves a cake of any kind, he leaves a little finger print.  So, clearly Hailey inherited this from Rich.

The bride and groom arrived- so it was time to get the party started.

Rich kept himself entertained while we waited for our food.

Hailey thought it was funny and tried to get the creamer off of Rich’s eyes.  In a few years she will probably be very embarrassed by such nonsense.

The guys wanted a picture together- Rich, Matt (my brother) and my dad.

And here is another pose.  And I won’t show you the other 20 or so poses they made me take.

Then the dancing started and Hailey was on the dance floor for the rest of the reception.  She absolutely loved it.  She wouldn’t even stop dancing for her cake.  (And she loves cake.)  We didn’t even try to leave until the last song had been played.  I prefer to stay on the sidelines, talk to people I haven’t seen in a while and do lots of people watching at weddings.  That is fun for me.  Apparently Hailey likes to be right in the middle of it all.  She danced with anyone who would dance with her.

And she even had her first dance with a boy.  Rich didn’t think it was as cute as I did

Today I am thinking of those who were effected on April 16th 2007.  I am thankful that my family was safe that day.  I pray for those families who lost a loved one and for those whose lives were forever changed.