Election: The Musical

By Tyler

I couldn't tell you what possessed me to do it, but now that I've created it I've decided to do one of these a week with different candidates in a series I'm calling, "Election: The Musical".

I'm looking forward to your comments.

Annley's 1/2 Birthday

By Carmen

Tyler and I decided to celebrate Annley's 1/2 birthday since its the only time in her life she will only be 1/2 a year old.

Lori and I found out that Cold Stone was having a fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation and would be giving away free 3oz servings of ice cream Friday, September 26.  I was pretty excited about this, how often does Cold Stone give away free ice cream? So I decided taking advantage of this would be a good way to celebrate.

Friday night came, Tyler's parents, Annley and I met Tyler at Cold Stone.  It was ridiculously busy but nonetheless we got our ice cream.  They were nice enough to give us a sample of vanilla ice cream for Annley. 

 

Annley wasn't a huge fan of the ice cream.  She tasted it and made funny faces and then would taste a little more but she never looked happy to be eating it.

After we had our ice cream we went into a store of lots of fun stuff for kids.  We played dress up with Annley well, actually we dressed her up.

      

We had a very fun evening. Annley was exhausted from her late night out and went right to sleep once we got home.

Family Time

By Carmen

Tyler and I are making it a point to go to the park on Saturdays.  We really enjoy going. The weather was perfect and the park was beautiful.  I've never lived anywhere that had such beautiful parks.

This weekend Annley got to not only stop and smell the flowers but touch them and pick them as well.  Tyler makes sure she gets to have all these little experiences.  I'm so grateful he enjoys introducing her to new things.

I think Annley was more interested in the flowers than Tyler was.

Annley is a lot like Tyler in a lot of ways.  They both have contagious laughs, both are very animated, and they both love technology.  Tyler loves his laptop and takes it everywhere with him, if Annley sees him with the lap top that is where she wants to be.  She loves typing (slapping) the keys. See for yourself.

               

Mail

By Carmen

Annley and Nana usually check the mail together.  I'm starting to think it may be one of Annley's favorite parts of the day.  Actually its not even the walk to the mailbox that is so exciting, its what happens after they get back.

Annley gets perched on the island (in the kitchen) and is given all the "junk" mail to play with.  She has learned that some of the junk mail crinkles which makes it even more fun.  Now she thinks all the mail is hers to crinkle and eat.

Annley's newest facial expressions

By Carmen

Annley and I have been having lots of fun the last few weeks.  Annley has the ability to make me laugh harder than just about anyone.  She is learning new facial expressions each day.  Here are just a few. We have shocked, pleased, curious, focused, confused and ecstasy.  

 

   

 

  

More Right Now

By Carmen

I thought it was time for a family update.  Tyler just got a new job down in Greer, SC at Digital Technology Products as a Sales Manager.  His first official day is tomorrow and he is very excited.

This weekend Tyler, Annley and I had some much needed family time. We went to the park and walked about 2 miles. It was so nice to just get out of the house for a little while.  She loved seeing all the dogs and was intrigued by bicycles. 

Annley is getting bigger everyday and we are also seeing more of her personality.  She has a ton of energy and loves to constantly be on the move.  Her latest accomplishments are; sitting up on her own, pushing up on her hands and knees, standing on up while holding on to something of course (we have to stand her up first) and always jumping as much as possible.

 

She loves to laugh and play with us as well as on her own, this gives me much more freedom.  Last week we started her on baby food; she loves it.  Her favorite foods so far are peaches, applesauce, butternut squash and peas.  She really really wants to try grown up food and tries to put everything in her mouth and makes eating movements with her mouth.

Annley has been working on teeth now for about 3 months and she is just about to get her first 2.  I'm pretty excited for this but it also seems too soon.

We love our little one and hope you enjoy the pictures.

Ike's Pets

By Tyler

So I checked the news this morning and apparently there's a hurricane.  They've named it Ike.

Now, this was obviously not news to me.  What was news to me was that, for a limited time only, you too can adopt an adorably water-damaged pet from the Humane Society that has been rescued from Ike's allegedly devastating path.  That must've been news worthy because it was in the news.

I say "allegedly devastating" because I'm not personally there and I can't possibly know for myself how bad it is, except as evidenced by what's in the media.

So here's what the media's told me:  It's a category 4 hurricane and the National Weather Service has proclaimed "Certain Death" on any person who doesn't evacuate.  Which is kind of a bum deal.

And yet, with all the doom-and-gloom reporting by all the news outlets, the only photos I can find aren't devastating at all.  They're all... well... pretty amusing.  Here's my favorite:

My prayers go out to her.