Laughing

I kept Vivian last week while her mom was otherwise occupied giving life. The girls had one of those days where they are so sweet and adorable you can hardly stand it. They could not stop laughing at everything.

The strongest bond I have with my friends is our sense of humor and the way we love to laugh. I can already tell these two are going to be funny and I hope they get to laugh together for years to come. They might as well, they don't really have a choice.

Vacation Part 2: Land of Enchantment

Every time we go to New Mexico I fall more in love with the beautiful, and dramatic scenery.  We spent more time in Taos this year and it's my new favorite place. It is so funky and laid back and  art and flowers are everywhere. 

Shopping in the plaza.  I bought this shirt at the Wal-Mart, which was also made of adobe.  Or at least painted adobe.

My favorite part of the plaza.  So many cool stores, especially if you love jewelry.  

Outdoor metal art installations.  They turn in the wind. 

Doesn't this look like every Southwest calendar you've ever seen? All I need is a dreamcatcher and a howling coyote.

The amazingly cool free hippie playground in Taos.  I don't think we could have made it through the day without this. 

I love her little legs. 

Eating at the Alley Cantina, the oldest restaurant in Taos.  So maybe we caved in a little bit on the old pacifier. Only for vacation!

The beautiful valley surrounding Eagle Crest as we were leaving.  This water is so still and blue.

Vacation Part 1: Fun times with Mimi and Doodad

After our 4th of July in Ft. Worth we made our way to Red River, New Mexico. This was my 3rd time to go with Ben. The weather and scenery in Red River are so perfect. At night it got down to 40 degrees and it never got over 80. So you can imagine how I am not loving the triple digits we have now even more than usual. I spent 5 years growing up in Colorado so I have never learned to accept the heat and I still miss the mountains every day.

This picture cracks Ben and I up. It's such a perfect action shot that it looks totally posed. Like a little running mannequin.

Watching the hummingbirds with Mimi

Snuggling with the bear footstool. The rule in Red River is that everything must be decorated in a bear or moose motif. The last time Ben and I went to Red River we actually saw 3 bears by the garbage cans. This time we just saw their paw prints on the bins.

The wildflowers in New Mexico are gorgeous. They're in every yard and windowsill.

Trying on DooDad's glasses. She's very Urkelesque in this pic.

Swim Lessons and 4th of July

It's really convenient to have a swim instructor in the family. It's not as convenient when your swim instructor lives 3 hrs away. We made good use of being in Ft. Worth and enlisted Anna to help Aidan in the pool.  Aidan's greatest joy in life besides flushing entire rolls of toilet paper is making me out to be a big fat liar.  So of course I had made a big deal about how badly she had done the last time we had been at the pool (Mandy you can vouch for me). Which means that she was of course pretty perfect for everyone else.

Oooo Swim Instructor face.

First jump into the pool

Mom, I'm getting really sick of all the lies you tell about me. I have always had perfect pool etiquette. You're just jealous. 

After we got little Michael Phelps out of the pool we headed out to Ben's grandparents in Granbury, TX.  This has kind of become our annual 4th of July spot.  I think Texas has good 4th of July celebrations because they don't really have to decorate. The state is pretty much draped in red, white, and blue at all times. 

Exbibit A: Texas Sports teams are already the necessary 4th of July colors. 

Our little firecracker

Going for a ride in her Papa's walker. 

I have no idea if the fireworks were good, I was passed out in bed dehydrated from the scalding heat. But judging from the sounds I vaguely remember hearing  in the neighborhood, either I was dreaming about Beirut or Granbury did it up right. 

Newsflash

We'll be out of town for almost 2 weeks but I would be remiss if I didn't break the news that Aidan peed in her potty for the first time on Tuesday night at her Mimi's house. We plan on being pretty laid back about potty training but this is a fun first step. She was so proud!