Bye-Bye Blog World :)

I have come to the decision that I am going to discontinue blogging indefinitely.  My main purpose for this blog was to document our families lives, my pregnancy and Finley's life for family and friends that live far away.  Most of those family and friends have since joined Facebook and are able to access our pictures via that outlet.  As I embark on my 10th year of teaching, Finley is becoming more active, and I have such limited time with my husband during the school year, I just feel like I have to cut something out of my life and this is what it is going to be.  I have SO enjoyed sharing our lives with you and thank you for reading/visiting our little corner of the world.  So for now... Ciao!

14 Months Old!

This little monkey is getting more and more fun each day.  She is pretty much walking all of the time now....except when she wants to get somewhere FAST, she crawls.  She is talking up a storm and starting to recognize and correctly identify things she sees.  She knows where her nose is some of the time, can tell us what a cow and dog says, says about 15-20 words and is just a happy go-lucky little peanut.  I am DREADING sending her back to daycare at the end of the month. :(

State Fair Fun!

 The first delicacy we tried was a cheeseburger with chocolate covered bacon and Krispy Kreme donuts as the bun.  It was actually quite delicious.

 

 Love this monkey!

 

 She was playing with the Bud Light sign while I was ordering her dinner.

 Don't worry, he shared with Finley :)

 She liked her hot dog...

 ...and Daddy's lemonade.

They are like 2 peas in a pod.

 Until next year!

We had a blast!

Finley's First Trip to the Dentist

 When I called to make an appointment for my 6-month cleaning, I asked about when Finley should go in for the first time.  They said they now recommend coming in when they are 1....SO, she got to go so the dentist for the first time before my appointment.  

 She got to sit in the exam chair for a little bit and thought she was pretty cool.  We thought it was a fun place to take her 14 month picture.

 She got to meet daddy's and my dentist Dr. Braden. 

 He looked in her mouth, counted her teeth and then she as all done.  She did a great job.  They said to start brushing her teeth and bring her back when she is 2.

 For the last few weeks I have given Finley a toothbrush to play with.  She is always carrying it around and chewing on it.  It has really helped her get used to what it feels and looks like.

 She got a new kid-sized brush from the dentist and we got her some non-flouride toothpaste.  This is her checking out her new stuff.

 Showing off those pearly whites.  We hope her mouth health takes after mine and not daddy's. :)

Trying out the new toothbrush.  She let me brush all of her teeth with toothpaste during her bath.  She sat awesome, didn't bite the brush, and opened her mouth for me.  :)

Swimming with Daddy!

We were invited to Cory's grandpa and grandpa's hotel they were staying at to go swimming in the pool.  Cory hasn't been swimming with Finley in a while, so he was excited to bring her in to experience the water.  She had such a blast and cried every time we took her out of the water.  She tried to crawl back in multiple times!

Zoo Day

 We were invited to come to the zoo with Tiffany, Ava, and Gianna this week.  It was a chilly July day (who knew there was such a thing), but we actually enjoyed the weather and had a lovely time.  Auntie Lauren got to join us too!

 Ava and Tiffany are checking out the elephant eating his breakfast.

 Finley loves her Auntie!

 The badger was out today!

So was the prairie dog!

McDaniel family visit

 Cory's Grandpa and step-grandma were in town from Ohio and we were able to meet them and Cory's aunt, uncle and cousin for dinner this past weekend.  It was nice that we were able to get together.  Cory couldn't make it because he was working....

They thought Finley hamming it up for the camera was pretty funny :)

Finley-The Artiste!

 We bought Finley some finger paints and went over to Aunt Terrie and Uncle Barry's house to try them out (Godmother and Godfather were there and we wanted to see them!).

 We quickly realized that it was going to be a diaper only painting session!

 Aunt Terrie explaining what to do.

 Being modest! :o)

 

 As you can see she got a bit more on herself and the deck than the actual poster board ;)

 Daddy drew this lovely portrait on her tummy.

Her finished masterpiece!

Beachin' it up!

 My friend Andrea (I teach with her) invited us to the beach with our other friends we teach with.  We had so much fun at the beach.  It is near her house, there is never anyone else there, and it was in the shade for the most part.  Had a blast on a hot morning!

 Gianna got to dip her little toes in the water.  She loved it!

 Jayda said 'CHEEEEEESE' when I snapped this photo.  What a cutie!

 Finley is her momma's daughter.  She has loved being in water from day one.  I like swimming more than just about anything in the world, so she can be my swimming buddy.

 I love these girls.  They are all polite, have sweet personalities, get along well, and are a joy to be around.  I am so lucky to have such great friends in their mommies and Finley has such awesome kids to be friends with and look up to.  BLESSED!

Cooking Out in UG

 Our friends the Garcias invited us over for a cookout last weekend.  I have had 4 of their 7 kids in class (I will have another one in the fall) and we have grown close over the years.  Our friends the Luburichs were there too! We had a blast!

 Look at those lips!

 Elijah liked to push Finley in the swing.

 Having a deep conversation!

 Sadie's butt is every color of the rainbow :)

 This is Andrea and Brian's daughter, Sadie.  She is such a happy and carefree girl.  Love her!

 6 of the Garcias (Esme was napping), Finley, and Sadie

 She thinks everything is a phone, puts it to her ear and says 'hello'.

 mmmmmm.  Chalk!

 These two played together the whole night!

 Now you see her...

....now you don't!   Silly girl!