Mackenzie is growing HAIR!!

Check out these super cute pig tails!! Her hair may be awfully fine and light blond - but there is now enough to do some some pig tails!! Getting her to leave them in is a whole other issue!

Vacation at Lake of the Ozarks

Once again this year, we were incredibly fortunate to be invited to join our good friends Mat & Sarah at the family cabin on the Lake of the Ozarks in MO. As always, we had an amazing time together - playing, relaxing, boating, swimming and hanging out. I am always surprised at how happy and blissful it is to be there and disconnected from the rest of the world - no internet, cell phone service or other obligations. This year, the area was baking in 100+ temperatures with incredibly high heat indexes - which did limit our outdoor activities but not our fun! Even the dogs tired quickly when playing out in the sweltering heat - and they LOVE to swim! Mackenzie loves the water too - she likes to kick her legs as she floats along, but is not too fond of her life jacket (not that I can blame her - I wouldn't want to be packed into it either but it is a necessary evil.) While we were there - she also cut TWO teeth (probably because Jamey was teasing that she would fit right in with the locals and their tooth counts!) She also worked very hard to pull herself up on anything and everything around. I think she really likes this new elevated perspective on everything, even if she is a little unsure how to get herself out of it! We are now home and quickly came back to reality - as school starts for me tommorrow. However, we have fond memories and pictures to rely upon until next time!

Summer Fun

Playing around at the zoo on John Deere day.

How can you resist this little leopard lady? Daddy was helping her do the Macarena dance at the Shipp wedding.

"Daddy - Stop spraying me with the hose!" Time to trade the swim for a nap.

Our bathing beauty
Working away at the Uhaul store on my 8 month bday!
YUMMY - I love my cereal!

Aren't I cute - do you see my two teeth?
Foster and I go swimming to prepare for the trip to the Lake.
Happy 4th of July!
Dancing with the new Mrs. Shipp.
My first trip to the pool - and I LOVED it!

What a wonderful summer for our family!! Our days were filled with lots of firsts and fun, such as trips to the zoo and pool along with play visits with good friends Gracie and Elisabeth. Mackenzie has been growing some teeth and likes to chew on everything in sight and reach - dog toys being a particular favorite! We were lucky to be able to see Aunt Jennifer and Aunt Myra and cousins Sadie and Siena this summer. It will be a tough change for all of us when school starts back up and Mackenzie and I can't spend the days together doing what we please.

We have joined the blog madness!!

So I finally have given in to the pressure to be trendy and started a blog for our family. As one of Jamey's cousins told me @ Christmas - it really makes for a quick and easy way to stay connected and share pictures. And as we all well know - we have LOTS of pictures! And I thought this might be easier for sharing pics, rather then trying to remember to send a photo email every once in a while. So we are giving it a whirl. Stay tuned as I try to figure it all out!