Good bye bottle...

Jessi has now given up her bottle. She doesn't even miss it. I think I needed it more than she did! I love that time with her! Where did the time go? I get sad just thinking about this milestone. It is a transition into being a big girl. She is walking more and more now. She stands up in the middle of the room and just takes off. Jessi and Laney love to race through the house pushing the shopping cart and the entertainment walker. They giggle like crazy! There will be a lot of squealing in this house over the next few years. It seems like yesterday that we brought each of them home from the hospital. Sometimes I wish I could just freeze time. Today Laney told me, "I am going to be a princess when I grow up. Actually, I can be a lot of things...like a princess, princess, princess, and a princess." I asked her what Jessi was going to be when she grows up. She quickly replied, "The Easter Bunny, of course."

Yee haw...

Laney is very much about getting herself dressed. Of course, she battles the clothes. Her frustration just explodes. I do not know where she gets that from. ;-) Right now, she has decided that pink cowboy boots go with everything! It is 100 degrees here and she has to wear the boots! As we speak, she is wearing a wedding dress with her pink cowboy boots! Yeehaw!

Words with more than one meaning...

Another funny moment by Laney: Daddy and Jessi were playing on the floor. He was tickling her. Jessi's giggling turned to fussing. The protective big sister says, "Daddy, let her a be." Then she proceeds to say, "You know, she might buzz." She just tickles me!

A surprise visit from Uncle Adam...

We were very excited to see our Uncle Adam today! He was in town briefly! The girls were very happy to play with him. Jessi showed off her new walking skills. Laney told him all about her princesses and how to dress up like a princess. Adam has been touring a lot with his band so, we haven't seen him in a while! We miss you, Adam! So glad you came by!

Two silly girls...

I see you! The girls had the best time playing with this mirror. You never know what will be fun around this house! Our other big hit is the mesh laundry basket. Hours of fun!

Laney goes to Ramer...

Laney went to Ramer with her GiGi! She stayed with Aunt Ern! She had the best time! She shared her princess dresses and dolls with Ern. The wedding dress was a big hit! Laney went to Uncle Bob's garden! She helped pick a bunch of vegetables. She was very proud! She also visited Aunt Von. Von also has a garden that she enjoyed! She proudly shared all the vegetables when she got home; however, she did say that she would not be eating them. AHHH!

Catch me if you can...

Jessica just cracks me up. She is just the happiest baby. There is nothing like her greeting when you walk in her room first thing in the morning. She squeals with delight and throws herself down on her mattress. She loves to play in her bed! Most mornings you have to play the "catch me if you can" game. She stands up to lure you in and then throws herself down to get away. Giggling like crazy the whole time, of course! She flounders any way she can to get away. You also have to tickle her when she is laying down. If you do not tickle, she looks at you like...come on, you know how this works...get me now!

Just a funny...

Yesterday, Laney was watching Super Why. The Dish was losing it's signal from time to time. The third time it happened Laney was beside herself with frustration. She sat on the couch, squeezed her fists, and closed her eyes with a look of total determination. Super Why magically appeared on the TV! She said, "Well, look at that, I did it with my mind." You have to love those moments!

Grandkids can make you do anything...

I thought some of the Montana folks would enjoy this picture of my Dad! Hear ye! Hear ye! King Papa Shake and Princess Laney will be attending the ball this evening. I get the biggest kick out of seeing my Dad play with Laney and Jessi. Laney can get him to do anything! Papa dresses up, runs around the house like a crazy man, and even plays in the teepee in the middle of the living room. God bless you, Papa! I love you so much!

O' to be a kid again...

We ventured to the zoo this past week. Can you believe that they have a gigantic play area of bubbles? Laney thought she had died and gone to heaven. What more can you ask for? She had a blast covering her friend from head-to-toe and running through the suds. As the bubbles filled the play area, she kept running for a clear area while yelling "Yikes!" I was secretly giggling to myself at the thought of her reaction when the bubbles took over. Jessi launched a huge protest since you have to be two to enter. She informed them in so many words that it was age discrimination. Of course, her inflection got her point across since her words could not completely be understood at this point.

Jessica's photo shoot...

Keith and I took Jessica to Aldridge Gardens today to take some big girl pictures. She has changed so much since 3 months, 6 months, and then 9 months. Her GiGi bought her the sweetest white smocked dress. She wore it proudly. She even tasted it several times to be sure it was the best dress to wear. She loved being at the garden. She talked to the geese, eyed several ladies, tried to swim with the turtles, and even told us what to do next. She definitely loves to talk and can be quite persuasive. Her Daddy strongly encouraged her to walk; however, it really wasn't part of her agenda today. She is just such a beautiful little lady inside and out!

Daddy's drama...

Well, I guess that we needed a little more excitement since we had Jessi's party. Keith had major pain in the middle of the night Sunday. We had to go to the ER. After testing, we found out he had a kidney stone. They sent us home. The Doctor called later and told me to keep on eye out for fever and/or an increase in pain. They wanted to be sure that he did not also have appendicitis. Of course, around lunch time, the pain increased and we ventured back to the ER. After more testing, they decided that he just had the kidney stone that was causing havoc on his body. How in the world can something so small cause so much pain? Luckily, it passed Tuesday. Keith was doing a dance. Literally! Laney, Jessi, and Tucker were great nurses! Laney offered to give him shots! We are so glad you are better now Daddy! We love our Daddy!