Surprise Baby Shower...

Okay, they got me... I mean they REALLY GOT ME!!! Saturday afternoon, I walked into Amber's home thinking we were headed to lunch and to see a movie, but the "A Team" (Amber, Alli & Amy) had other plans. I was absolutely moved to tears when I realized that the kitchen was full of some of my favorite ladies gathered to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Little Man Eli. They hosted a surprise baseball themed luncheon and put so much time and effort into every detail... If you haven't caught on from other blog posts (There's only hundreds of them!) I L-O-V-E each of these ladies more than I will ever be able to show them or tell them!

Needless to say I was pretty emotional the entire afternoon. Not only do all of these gals shower my life with laughter, love and friendship, but today they showered me with gifts for little man. I have prayed and prayed for our family to be blessed with a baby for so many years, that I think actually celebrating the upcoming arrival of our baby, was just beyond what my heart could handle wrapped up into one afternoon. "Water Works" is the nickname I'm giving myself... Really, it was a little embarrassing how much I teared up throughout the afternoon. Thank goodness for waterproof mascara. It is such a blessing to have so many supportive and caring people to help our family celebrate Eli's life. I can't wait for each of them to meet him!

Addie the Tattooed Lady...

This is the state I picked my four year old up in from school today..."Tattoos" up and down her arms! When I asked her if stamps were for skin or for paper, she replied, "For skin of course Mom. Just like Olivia." I couldn't help but laugh at my little "Olivia."

This would be the Olivia book she was referencing...

Olivia Saves the Circus

After school, tattoos and all, we went to Yo-Gi, our favorite little treat on Tuesday afternoons. Addie always opts for frozen yogurt with sprinkles and jelly beans. My personal favorite is piled high with fresh fruit and granola... yum! We had the opportunity to meet up with twin boys in Addie's class. One of them I have heard a lot about, because his name is Eli. As we were leaving and saying our goodbyes, Eli told his mom that he was pretty sure he loved Addie. Sooo cute!

Brooks School Elementary or BUST!!!

To use the opening line from Finding Nemo...

"First Day of School! First Day of School!"

Man alive was this girl fired up for her first day of preschool. Addie thinks it's pretty cool that she gets to use a backpack and be in a real classroom in the same school where all of the big kids go. She has been so excited to start her "learning" as she refers to it, that she has been counting down the days for the past week. She has also reminded us each day that it's only for kids... no mommies, no daddies, no nanas and no grampies are allowed to go to her school. I'm able to post this update this afternoon simply because she has crashed in the middle of the floor surrounded by her Barbies. God, I love that kid!!!

Perfect Ending To A Great Summer...

Addie vs. Cheetah

We decided to head downtown to the Indianapolis Zoo the last Friday of our summer vacation. Addie was excited to see the Cheetahs and put her track and field talents to the test... needless to say we have A LOT of work coming off the gun before we can begin dreaming of a gold medal!

Our Tiny Dancer Turns 4...

Doug & I have been fans of the song "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John for years. Little did we know that one day our lives would be blessed with our very own tiny dancer. Addie has danced through four years filling our hearts with music and our lives with rhythm.

Addie's 4th Birthday Party...

Sunday we celebrated Addie's 4th birthday with friends and family. The above montage is my first attempt using I-video on on my new IMac... be kind when scrutinizing the art form of movie production. I now know why big time Hollywood directors get paid big bucks and also hire teams of experts for editing, lighting, sound, etc... it's all a little much for this woman to take in. Any who, it was the year of the Barbie in terms of gifts and excitement! One of Addie's favorite songs to jam to right now is featured in the video... ENJOY!!!

Final Goodbyes...

We meet Mandy & Co Monday afternoon at the airport for lunch and to say our final goodbyes before they loaded the plane, headed for their big move to Qatar (Saudi Arabia). I really enjoyed loving and kissing on the kids. We feel really lucky to have spent so much time with them this summer while they visited Indiana.