Erin's first haircut!

Erin made it almost 3 years without a haircut, but we decided that her hair was hanging in her face too much and we were tired of clipping it back. So, for $12 and a trip to Fantastic Sams, we got a new kid who looks about 12! She says she likes it, so we are relieved.

Decorating

I am finally able, after 8 months, to attack the decorating situation in the house. Bella has had it with the kitty cat window treatments and has demanded a change. Here are my first 2 valances, only 10 more to go!

Dining Room Furniture!

Well, I have been saying that getting Bob a desk was a higher priority than dining room furniture. Turns out, I can only be so patient, because the desk ain't happening. So, Friday afternoon, I happened upon a set on craigslist, and by 6pm we were in Clayton/Cleveland with a Uhaul, making the deal. Coincidentally, we had already arranged to try out a babysitter that evening, so instead of a quiet dinner together, we had Bojangles in a Uhaul! The babysitter said the kids did great, so maybe we can have that real dinner sometime when our bank account recovers from this super-expensive date.

It is a very gently used (never used, the guy said) 3 year old set by Kincaid that coordinates really well with all of our other furniture in the house. We both liked it a lot, and it was a great deal for being basically new. It's definitely more contemporary and less formal than your typical dining room set, but we are less formal than your typical people, so it was a good match.

So, we got it home and unloaded on Friday night, and today I finally was able to finish cleaning and stocking it. Bob has been a very good sport about the money and effort involved. Isn't it worth it, Bob?!? (Don't answer that.) Now we can display Gramma and Grandad's china (that was her mother's), and maybe even use it someday!


In related news, does anyone want this lovely item that I got at a yard sale for $25? Free to family and friends, or else we'll try to sell it at our yard sale this fall.

Look who's walking!

Anna has been busy practicing her stepping and now we've decided to declare her as "walking"!

Here's the proof:

From Summer 2011

4th of July Party!

We pulled off our first ever (that I can remember) party last night. Only 8 months after moving in! It was lots of fun, and we had a great turnout, even for the holiday weekend. We had some assorted dips and appetizers, burgers, hot dogs, and 2 small desserts. Nothing fancy, but I think everybody found something they liked.

The kids definitely found something they liked in the bouncy house that our friends brought. Thanks, guys!
Rio made herself at home:

They managed to take a break for dinner, though...even though they didn't want to! We didn't get any pictures of the adults, but they aren't as cute anyway.

Happy 4th of July! Thanks to everybody who came!