For Daddy

We love you!


(pics taken by Aunt Meg, March 2009, Ellie 3 years, Saedi 14 months)

The Deck...Continued

If I'm ever stranded on a deserted island and can't be with Riley and kids, I would choose to be stranded with my sister, Megan. She's probably the hardest worker I know and she manages to stay patient and positive through my indecisiveness. For three days we worked diligently on this deck. We spread 1 1/3 tons of limestone under the deck and then put up 5 4x8 sheets of lattice. She measured and I sawed. I held and she hammered. We got our system down pat and are pretty darn proud of our work. I also need to give a special shoutout to CrossFit Rick for table saw lesson 101 and for the use of the mighty truck. Couldn't have done it without either. Next step...a retaining wall to cover the gaps between the lattice and ground. Any takers?

Meg's Visit

I don't get to see my sister Megan that often so it was a treat that she could come visit us for 5 days. Meg's probably the hardest worker I know and my endurance level is sluggish next to hers. Not only did she take care of the girls so I could run everyday, but she did all my laundry, cleaned and defragged my computer, put together my new bookshelf, cleaned my house (including garage), helped me organize and clean all the bedrooms, painted two wicker chairs of mine, and was excited to tackle my "Deck Project," which became a back-breaking 3-day endeavor (more info and pics on this later). The girls took to Aunt Meg immediately and we were sad to see her head to Ohio today.

Crazy Weather

On Tuesday it was 80 degrees and Ellie enjoyed a snack out on the deck in shorts and a tank top. On Thursday it was 40 degrees when we planted the dafodil bulbs Jodi gave us. On Friday morning there was SNOW so Ellie and I built a snowman before the afternoon melt.

Ellie and Bella (Mimi's house rabbit)

Our Saed-Saed

I've had an enjoyable week with Saedi all to myself. From birth she's been a sweet baby with gentle spirit & an easy personality to connect with. Having this quality time to connect with her one-on-one was a special blessing. She's becoming very verbal. Her latest works are: snack-snack, juice, no-no, peeease, yeah-yeah, shoe-shoes, dance (no one else would recognize this is what she's saying)& she's fiddling with the concept of "mine." Some of my favorite moments with Saedi this week were hiking together at Dunbar Cave, going on a long run together (she sat content for an entire 1 1/2 hrs), watching her say hi to people at the playground, having her reach up to hold my mind because she wants to walk everywhere, & her singing with me before bed. She's been walking around the house this week saying "Ay-eee" (Ellie) so she's going to be thrilled to re-unite with Big Sis tomorrow. I'm ready to see my Big Girl as well.

Mimi & Papa

Mimi & Papa stopped through for a quick 24-hr visit to pick up Miss Ellie and take her to Michigan for a week. She was thrilled to be going & I've been thankful for the break. Here are a few pictures of their time in Clarksville: