Playing with the Cousins

Last night Mommy took me over to Ethan and Aerials to play. We had a great time and us kids, ate pizza for dinner. Mommy and Jackie made chicken salad sandwiches, guess they are to good for pizza :) Aerial's trying to hide in the background.

Aerial is also a big girl now in her big girl bed. Isn't the zebra print pretty? We both LOVE our red/black/white rooms. Granny made Aerials sheets and pillow case, great job Granny.

Smiling for the camera :)

Watch out Aerial, your mom might take over your bed.

My Daddy's Helment

Daddy let me try on his dirt bike helment. One day I might pick up that hobby, but will follow ALL of the safety rules. Daddy will make sure of that one. Maybe Mommy will learn how to ride one day and we can take family riding trips. Never know :) It almost fits!

I am starting to become a Daddy's girl. Mommy LOVES this picture!

More Zoo pictures

Mommy couldn't put all the pictures under one blog so here are a few more. We can't wait to go back when the weather is a little nicer. And by then I will be able to learn more of all the animals in the zoo.

My favorite part of the whole day. We had to come back to this spot 3 more times :)

Zoo

We went today to the zoo with Ricci, Leksi, and Garrett. Even though it was HOT and HUMID, we had a great time. There was so much to see and lots of walking. My tiny legs are so tired b/c I walked almost the whole time. Bet you, I sleep very well tonight.

Who (or should I say "what") farted?

Wanted the Mountain Goat to come closer

Toddler bed

Daddy fixed my bed into a toddler bed Saturday while Mommy was at a Pampered Chef show. Mommy wasn't to thrilled when she got back home. I did great my first night and didn't get out of my bed once. Last night was also a good night. When I wake in the mornings I still cry for Mommy to come get me. There's no way I am going to walk down that long dark hallway by myself :)

Picking up speed to be able to get onto my bed
"One little Ladybug jumping on the bed....."

I'm getting to be a big girl!

I helped herself to some chips last night even though Mommy said no. Guess she wasn't to mad since she took a picture of it.

Sandy, I LOVE you!

Sunday night cookout

My Uncle Scott was in town so we decided to have a cookout for him. We had HUGE hamburgers, devil eggs, bacon wrapped jalapenos, pasta salad and beer. Mommy and Daddy wouldn't let me try that nasty stuff though :) We had a great time and of course I showed off a little.

Me and Aunt Cindi

I was showing Uncle Scott how to turn off his laptop. (even though he was in the middle of a game) My bad :)

Daddy and Aunt Cindi playing Guitar Hero

Mommy and Me

The two best Uncles EVER!

What a weekend

Gramma and Grampa came down for Grampa's 35th high school reunion. They stayed with us and got to spend some time with Lyra. She had a great time, but wish she had more time with them. They kept having to leave to go do things for the reunion and to see some family/friends. But we will see them soon, Lyra and I are heading up there the middle of August for 5 days.

I can't believe these are the only three pictures we took the whole weekend. I know Gramma took tons, so maybe she will pass some this way.

Are those panties?

This morning I put panties on Lyra to see what she would do. She LOVED them! We did good for about 2 hours then she peed. Even though her panties were soaked she didn't act like it bothered her. I am going to start potty training her after we get back from our trip to Kansas in Aug. Hopefully she will be ready to train by then.

She's giving Sandy kisses. All morning long she was hugging on Sandy and brushing her hair. Lyra had 3 brushes out :) Sandy just sat there, what a good puppy.


I finally have a picture of both of them looking. I love my girls!!!!

Home Sweet Home

It's good to be home! My morning started this morning at 6:30 when we had to catch a taxi to take us to the L train. We then took the train to the airport where our flight left at 10:10. The flight was nice and Tonya, Chris and I studied our notes. We landed around 12:45 and got our luggage around 1:00. Thanks Granny and PawPaw for picking us up. Ricci brought Lyra home around 2:30 and I was welcomed with a BIG wet kiss. I miss her kisses dearly. I had a GREAT trip but it was so nice to be back home.

Look out family and friends, I will be calling soon to get a couple more shows :) Can't wait to share with everyone about my trip and everything that I learned. I am ready to get my Pampered Chef business a BIG jump start. My goal is to be a Director by the end of the year. With all of your love and support I CAN DO IT!!!!!!

This is at Bubba Gumps on Wednesday afternoon. We walked down to the Navy Pier to do some shopping. I would've had more pictures, but my camera ran out a batteries AGAIN.

Monday afternoon at the first General Session for National Conference 2009.

View from our room at the Sheraton Hotel. We were on the 15th floor in one of the suites.

Don't know the name of this building but thought it was cool. I took this picture on Sunday evening.

Chicago!

What a beautiful city! I would love to come back here for a vacation one day with Jason and Lyra. The weather is AWESOME!
My conference is going good and I am learning so much stuff. I have be challenged to advance to Director by Dec 1st, and everyone knows how I am when it comes to challenges. I am so ready to get back home to start putting my new techniques to work. My goal is to get a new recruit by the end of July. Anyone interested! If you don't come to me I WILL find you :)
This trip has been so worth the $$$ and I have met LOTS of new friends and extended Pampered Chef "family". But it has also been really hard too. I miss Jason and Lyra so much it's keeping me from sleeping peacefully at night. In all of my spare time I am thinking of what they are doing and wishing I was there with them. I saw the pictures Ricci posted on her website and almost lost it. Lyra looked so cute and I am sad that I am missing all of this time with her. I will never get these 5 days back, so that's the other reason and I going to make this conference worth it. I have to make it worth being away from my family. That's the motivation I needed to get a new jump start :)
I also wish I was home to be with my daddy. Or at least to help my mom out. Daddy I am praying for you and hope you get feeling better soon. Take it easy and I will be out there sometime this weekend. If you need a butt message, just say the words.
Well, I have to get going.....

Love everyone and if you see my precious little girl PLEASE give her hugs and kisses from me. If you want to do the same to Jason feel free too :)

Pampered Chef Conference, Here I come!

Well, I am up already this morning packing my last minute items and heading to the airport in about 40 minutes. I know I am going to have a BLAST at conference, but I'm not ready to leave Jason and Lyra behind. You to Sandy! But I do believe this is a great experience and will be great for my Pampered Chef business and I am looking forward to being ME for the next couple of days and not Mommy or Wife. It will be nice to do my own thing without changing diapers, doing laundry and cooking dinner. I know I will be looking forward to doing those things when I return.

I will try to post pictures every evening in Chicago.

New Camera

Jason bought me a new camera for my trip. Tonight I was playing around with it and took these pictures.Lyra LOVES being on the back of Daddy's chair. She would stay there all day if he would let her.

Both of my babies :)

Now they're just being silly!

Look at those eyes. Everyone loves a blue eyed girl.

A new week

It's a start to a new week and Lyra is doing so much better. We ate with Papa yesterday at his work. Lyra just loves all the trains and attention from the guys (wonder who she gets that from :) ) Today we went shopping for clothes for my trip and then met Granny at Costco's. We ate lunch and walked around. Boy Lyra didn't wont her Granny to leave. She kept telling her to "set" next to her in the truck. When Granny closed the door she SCREAMED. Poor Granny she felt so bad. But Lyra was asleep before we even got out of the parking lot.

These are just pictures I took this morning before we headed to the gym. She looks so cute in brown.

Our Pink Ladies

The guys had a great time shooting Leksi's new 22 rifle. Everyone has a little bit a feminine side to them :)

Miss American Cuties