Goodbye

  Audrey brought me my shoes this morning and waved goodbye.  Either she wants to get rid of me or she wants to go somewhere.  I put my shoes on and started toward the door.  She was right at my feet with arms stretched upward still waving goodbye.  I guess it's time to get out of the house today.  Everyday I am amazed at how well she communicates without words.  

One of my new loves is the splash pad.  We go almost every week with a few friends.  Audrey loves to splash around and I love to spend a little bit of time with some of the Moms in the neighborhood.  

 Drinking the water seems to be standard among the kids that come here.  I suppose whatever makes them happy.... This our friend Garrett.  One of the two boys Audrey likes to follow around.  I think she has a crush, and he doesn't seem to mind.  I didn't get any pictures of Audrey in the water because she wouldn't let me leave her side.
 She's walking well enough now that I don't think she'll care where I am the next time we go.

Walking video coming soon....

Something New

Paul and I may have bought a new car.  I feel very spoiled.  I've fallen in love.  You may wonder why we bought such a large vehicle.  The answer is simple.  Our car doesn't hold a second car seat (no this is not an announcement) and I plan on having more than one child.  Paul often gives rides to new converts and investigators. The best reason of all....when my family or Paul's family comes to visit it will be nice to be able to carry more bodies.  Beach trips will be a lot more comfortable!  I thought I wanted an SUV, but the SUV I wanted was way less bang for my buck.
I have found a whole new life in owning a second car.  Where I stayed in the house all day...which can get very very boring and sometimes depressing.  Now I have a lot more freedom to go to the library, grocery shopping, to the splash pad and all other sorts of activities.
Some of you have requested to see her....here she is

   So for those of you itching to get away...we are only a plane ride away!

Sick....and Tired

What do you do when you're sick?  Last weekend is when it started.  I got sick first.  For some reason the dreaded sick always seems to come for me first.  Then yesterday it came for Audrey too.  We've spent a lot of hours laying on the couch together with tissues near by watching old movies.  I had no idea there was such a selection on Netflix.  I've watched a few terrible ones but mostly good ones.  When the dreaded sick comes to you, you might want to consider: Sabrina (with Audrey Hepburn), How to Steal a Million, Arsenic and Old Lace (a Halloween party must!), and Top o' the Morning.  When Audrey gets sick of watching old shows we switch to Sesame Street.  I don't know why but she loves it.  Unfortunately watching movies can get boring really fast, so we've read a lot of books.

I guess Heavenly Father knew I would be lonely, and the only way I could live away from my family was to have good friends. He has blessed me with the greatest friends in the world.  Merian (my Mom away from home) brought me some Chicken Noodle Soup.  It was perfect...Paul and I kept looking at each other saying, "this is SO GOOD!".  It disappeared so fast that I'm thinking about making another pot today for Audrey.  Then a couple of days ago one of my new friends brought me a potted flower.  It was a beautiful sight after being cooped up in the house for several days.

I hope Paul escapes the grasp of the dreaded sick this season.  He's worried about work enough without adding a couple days of absence.
Well I'm off to make soup. Looking at this picture is making me want a bowl for lunch.

Audrey's Birthday

Audrey, 

It's hard to believe that this was a year ago...

Now you are so big.  

I am so glad that I get to be your Mommy!  I'm pretty sure that you're my favorite little girl in the whole world. 

Here are a few things about you (just so I don't forget).   You love to read books as long as you get to turn the pages and I do crazy voices.  You love baths and singing primary songs.  You love to give kisses and hugs, but only to me and your daddy.  You love dropping things just to say "Uh Oh!".  You stack blocks like a champ.  You love to carry the biggest thing you can find even though it throws you off balance.  You're so proud of yourself when you "help" me unload the dishwasher, and when throw away your own diapers.  Your favorite part of the day is when your Daddy comes home from work.  It makes him so happy that you're always there waiting with a big smile and a hug.  

Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us!  Audrey loved all the attention.            

I guess you had to be there to truly appreciate the cake experience...I was cleaning cake out of her nose with a bulb syringe afterward because she was sniffing it up her nose as she was eating.  

                         The Birthday video is below for your viewing pleasure.

Audrey's Birthday Cake

The video is a little long, but if your going to watch any of it you should watch the middle to end.

Hi!

Until a couple of days ago I didn't even know she knew what a phone was.  Now she walks around say "Hi!"  Audrey and her cousin Clara could carry on a very short conversation.

Big birthday post coming soon!  You won't want to miss this one.