Day 18

Today we went swimsuit shopping for Brooklin! First we went to the mall and found a totally cute one at Macy's! We went back home and hung out and were in the middle of looking at myspace layouts when the power went out. So, we decided to make a trip to the Navy Exchange. (It's just no fun sitting at home with no power!) We found another cute swimsuit there. Mikaela was helping out in the dressing room and even modeled one of the swimsuit tops for us! haha We had fun. Haley wore her Peace, Love & Chocolate tank top - so befitting for a little girl who loves chocolate SOOOOO much - and looked totally cute today!



Beautiful Brooklin on the phone with her boyfriend, Ryan! (Whom she spends a lot of time on the phone with!!)

Day 17

Today we hung around the house, played with Mikaela and the dog and watched a movie, P.S. I Love You. It was so good, sad but good! Haley got this month's issue of National Geographic Kids and there were some butterflies in it. While we were watching the movie, she drew a picture of the butterfly and it turned out really good! Check it out:



Mikaela had a blast getting spun around (and drug around!) in her laundry basket by Brooklin!





Izzy was still very rambunctious this morning. I took her out and threw the ball right after our morning walk, but that didn't seem to cure her. So, I was trying everything I could, and I found out what to do to make an energetic 8 month old lab calm down! Give it a raw hide bone! :)



I took Izzie out a few more times to throw the ball and finally wore her out! Then she wanted to lay with me on the couch while we watched the movie, which I was COMPLETELY ok with since it meant she wasn't buggin anyone to play and annoying us! haha Her mommy and daddy are probably going to kill me when they return from Seattle because she will want to lay on the couch with them too! ha But who could say no to such a cute (and persistent) face?



We are going to figure out what to eat for dinner and then watch the movie Mad Money tonight! It's a chick Flick marathon!! I never get to watch chick flicks! I needed a day of rest and relaxation at home. (Even though I'm not really sure it was all that relaxing between Mikaela and Izzie!)

Mikaela and Brooklin after dinner

Day 16

Today was the best day of the summer so far because we picked Brooklin up from the airport in DC!! We hit some bad traffic on the way up to get her, which meant we made it there just in time! I was so happy to see her smiling face when we met in baggage claim!!! :) I have missed her soooooo much and always look forward to the time we spend together every summer. We never have more fun than than when she is here! Haley adores her, I just love her to pieces and Mikaela is just happy to have another person to hold her! (She likes to be held a lot!) The ride home was good, no traffic this time! YAY! We stopped and ate at Fuddruckers for dinner. I love Fuddruckers because they have yummy burgers with lots of fun toppings, and, yes, because I just love the name! haha It makes me laugh every time I see it. Brooklin found it to be quite funny as well - apparently she has never heard of Fuddruckers! Mikaela enjoyed some chicken and vegetables baby food, french fries, pickles, some banana and some sugar cookie while we were there! Again I say, such a piggy! We are home now (obviously) and being as silly as ever. I haven't laughed this much since Brooklin left last summer! Izzie is driving us bonkers because she has been locked up in the kennel all day (aside from being let out graciously by Melissa!) so she is FULL of energy - even more so than usual! But, it's almost bed time (which means back to the kennel) and I will take her out and play with her hard core in the morning. :)



Brooklin and I cannot look at this picture without cracking up! It looks like Mikaela is saying, "Come to the dark side! We have cookies ... and juice!" hahahaha








A pickle for the Pickle Princess!

Day 15

Happy 4th of July!! We spent the day with our neighbors and had a good time. We went to the YMCA this morning and did some swimming and other fun stuff they had set up there. Then we went to their house for dinner and headed to downtown Portstmouth to watch the fireworks. Well, it turned out to be not so happy by the end of the night after we drove down there, parked and walked to the water, waited for 2 hours to watch the fireworks only for them to be cancelled!! I guess it was because there was some thunder and lightning, or maybe it was the smoke from the fire in the Dismal Swamp? I'm really not sure, but I'm thinking it was the weather. No sooner than we got back in the car did it start pouring rain! But, if the fireworks had started on time they would have been over before the rain! But, whatever - either way, we didn't see any fireworks this 4th of July! I saw on the news channel website that they have only been postponed until tomorrow evening. I wouldn't even want to go and sit in all that traffic again, but aside from that, we are headed to DC tomorrow to pick up my neice, Brooklin, from the airport! YAY! It was a big bummer not to see the fireworks and the kids were so bored (and Haley was hungry - guess she should have eaten her dinner - and Kelly was thirsty, each of which made sure we knew a hundred times or more!) waiting all that time so it was even more of a let down! Mikaela was over sitting in her stroller or on someone's lap and we were on a little hill that headed straight down to a concrete barrier and some really nasty water. It was interesting. I guess every holiday can't be the picture of perfection!

Me and my girls


Brownies - yum!






Someone is over this!


Bored children (and hungry, thirsty and tired!)


Haley trying to entertain Mikaela and keep her from going near the water!

Day 14

Today was acclomate Izzy to being out and about in our house without tearing up our house or getting eaten by Cappy! :) She did awesome! We loved on her a lot (and yelled at her a lot!) We took her out 3 times to throw the ball in the backyard because she is just full of energy! Cappy still growls at her every time she comes anywhere near him, and he has snapped at her a few times, but he is actually doing so much better than I expected! They have both been out and about in the house today and it is fine. I can even walk them at the same time! (Less work for me, yay!) Haley loves to play with Izzy and pet her. Mikaela has warmed up to her quite nicely and thinks it is just too funny that she has so much energy. It has been a fun, though busy, day!

Haley and Izzy playing fetch






Mikaela wondering what the heck sissy is doing with that crazy dog!




Izzy is officially pooped out!


Haley givin Izzy some love

Day 13

Today we hung around the house in the morning while mommy tried to get some things done, Haley played with Kelly and Mikaela played with her toys and drove mommy nuts, and then we ran errands. Fun, fun! Mikaela's new trick for today is drinking from a straw!! Haley had Wendy's for lunch in the mall food court and she had a chocolate Frosty which Mikaela loved as well since sissy is always nice enough to share! Once it gets melted down a bit, Haley always puts a straw in it to drink the rest. Well, Mikaela wanted some really bad, so she figured that straw out and got some more Frosty!!! She really is learning something new every day. Once we got back home, I had to get the kitchen all claned up and prepare a spot for our houseguest for the next 3 weeks, Izzy! She is Carrie's 8 month old Black Lab and is staying with us while they are away in Seattle. She is so cute and very energetic!! Cappy wasn't too sure about our new houseguest and wanted to get her when she first arrived. He still isn't too sure about her and I'm still not comfortable letting him free around her, but he is actually doing a lot better then I thought he would!. He is very territorial and has attacked other dogs before so I just don't trust him. But my hope is that he will get used to her being here after a few days. Mikaela is a bit afraid of Izzy, especially when she barks! It's going to take some getting used to around here, that's for sure! But, we have 3 weeks so I think all will be well soon enough.

Mikaela being cute this morning in the beautiful dress bought by Mom Mom for her birthday!






Mikaela scared because Izzy is barking!


Haley calming Izzy in her kennel


Cappy wondering just why the HELL this dog is in his house!


Carrie and crew - hope you guys have a blast on your vacation. I know you will! You will be missed around here, but I will take good care of your "baby!"

Day 12

Today we went to Carrie's house and Haley hung out with Joey and Adam while Mikaela and I went shopping with Miss Carrie and Noah. Mikaela and I went to Tropical Smoothie Cafe for lunch where Mikaela thoroughly enjoyed the banana mommy got with her lunch! Then, we spent 3 hours walking around Kohl's, trying on clothes and finding all kinds of fun things to obsess over that we couldn't afford to buy! :) Then we headed over to the mall where we did more of the same at a few more stores. We shut down the mall and then headed to Kroger to get a few much needed grocery items. Then we headed home and both the kiddos fell asleep in the car on the way home. Mommy is ready to hit the sack too, but couldn't neglect to post the blog first! Here is Mikaela enjoying her banana at Tropical Smoothie Cafe:









Oh yes, I have to also add Mikaela's new trick for today! She was spinning in circles in the kitchen this morning. She thought that was great fun so we did it together before breakfast this morning. She's so cute! :)