what's in a wallet?

Riley found Aaron's wallet the other day.  He just let her have at it.  She was collecting all the credit cards into one hand, stacking them one on top of the other.  It was really fun to watch.  We were laughing.  By the time we thought of taking a picture she wasn't doing it anymore, but she was still checking it all out! 

In my opinion, you can never be too young to learn about money. 

And besides, what daughter has never asked their dad for money?  Speaking of which...Dad can I borrow $50? 

the joy of pasta

Riley already loves Italian food. 

Pasta plain?  Nah.  Pasta with sauce?  Yup!

Pasta is a great thing to love.  I mean, if you have to pick something it might as well be pasta right?!

I, on the other hand, do not love the mess!

I should mention that we have a special "pasta" bib.  It's so stained...

graduation time

School's out! 

Emillie's last day of school was yesterday (Hannah's is today) and last night was Emillie's 8th grade graduation!

Unfortunately, Aaron could not get out of his math class last night to attend the graduation.  Emillie understood why he couldn't make it.  There have been events in the past that I couldn't make, but Aaron could - so we just take turns sometimes.  That's the way it has to be. 

I was able to scoot out while my neighbor kept an eye on Riley (she was in bed for the night, sleeping).  I am so glad that I could make it!

It was sweet, Emillie's mom asked me to walk up with her to congratulate Emillie after she received her diploma (typically it's the parents that go up together).  We both got to hug and kiss her during the ceremony.  I thanked her mom for allowing me to do that with her.  She easily could've gone up herself, or took her husband (Emillie's step dad).  But she asked me.  I really felt honored and was appreciative.  It's a moment I'll never forget.  It was really a reality check for me.  Standing there as her step mom, next to her mom made me feel so special, so influential.  I was reminded at what a huge role I hold as the girls' step mom and I absolutely love it.

I know Aaron was sad he couldn't go.  If he could've, it most certainly would've been him up there, kissing and hugging Emillie after she got her diploma.  But as selfish as it may be, I needed to be that person last night.  I really needed that.  I'm very thankful to have been there on behalf of Aaron.

The ceremony was so short - only 30 minutes, if that.  It's a very small school, only 14 graduates!  The heat was ridiculous yesterday and there was no air conditioning in the school.  That auditorium was hotter than outside.  So we all were actually glad it was short, so we could get somewhere else to cool off.  My camera took lousy pictures indoors, and they came out dark.  Afterwards, we just took a couple before I headed off home to Riley, and Emillie and her family headed out to celebrate.

Congratulations, Emillie!

Emillie is the 3rd girl (in yellow) from left.

Emillie during the procession

Me and Emillie after the ceremony

Hannah and Emillie

Emillie and I

Can you believe Emillie will be in High School soon!?!

trip to Ohio

Riley and I were lucky enough we could tag along with my parents to visit some family in Ohio this past week.  We just got back last night and were gone five days (two of them being travel days).  Aaron had to stay home and work away, and he's happy now that we're home!

The day we got there, we visited with some of my mom's side of the family.  It was so great to see everyone!  I felt really bad though because I truly didn't feel like I got to catch up with anyone very much, and I really wanted to.  Having Riley around really makes it hard to focus on long conversations - my attention is always on her and my mind is never still.  I can't say it only affected me...my parents (and probably others...) were also busy watching and playing with her at times too!  Anyway, Riley was all wired from lack of sleep and a screwed up schedule from traveling all day.  She pulled a table cloth down with food spilling everywhere, she tripped out onto the balcony and hit her head, and fell down a stair.  Ugh.  We all were ready to get a good night sleep that night, after all that!  Not to mention, we took off in a frenzy during a thunderstorm - our goodbye was so fast.  Regardless, we all had a wonderful time visiting with family.  Thank you Aunt Terry and Uncle John for hosting!

(Oh, and yeah...I didn't take one picture that night either.  So upsetting!)

On to the next day...we enjoyed a lovely baby shower honoring my cousin, Jessica.  Her baby girl will be born next month!  Riley was walking up and down the hallway most of the shower, but I did get to enjoy some food (including cake and cookies, of course) and I did get to talk briefly to Jess.  I also happened to step back into the room while she was opening my gift and my mom's, glad I saw that part.  We are very excited for you and your family, Jessica!

Riley laughing while sitting on Grandma Pat's lap

More laughs...

Jessica, near all her presents!

We took more photos of us before and after the shower!

Riley with her Grandma Pat and Great Grandma (my dad's mom)

Riley & I

Riley

We stayed with my Aunt Heidi and Uncle Rob.  They have a beautiful home and garden!  Riley had lots of fun during our stay wondering around and pulling petals off flowers, etc.  She was a riot (and a handful at times) but we're glad she had fun exploring!

Here are some pictures taken during the rest of our trip.

Riley going down the slide, with help from Uncle Rob

Riley loved this bouncy thing!
(see video above)

Standing at the slide

Love this!
Riley reading in the little chair.

Riley's first experience with sand...oh she had a blast!

It got everywhere!

Time to get hosed off by Grandma

Me and Jessica

Riley and her Great Grandma, reading a cat book

Riley feeling Great Grandpa's mustache!

Grandma (aka my mom), me, Riley and Great Grandma

Riley got us all cracking up!

Riley swinging with Grandma

Grandpa, me and Riley

Riley and her Great Grandpa!

Uncle Rob, Aunt Heidi and Riley!

Uncle Rob flying Riley around

I didn't get pictures of many family members, as mentioned above...so sorry!  (I'm sure you all are not sorry...if you're like me, you hate having your picture taken!  Ha Ha)  And I didn't even get one of my dad!  What's up with that?!  Anyway, we enjoyed our visit very much.  Thank you to everyone and thank you Mom and Dad for taking us!

first week in June

Just a few photos I wanted to share with you all of Riley in her cute swimsuit, playing in her pool and eating watermelon...mmm!

quack, quack!

Riley received a special, surprise package in the mail today from my dear college friend, Andrea! 

It was a handmade, quilted "duck" blanket! 

We love it, Andrea!  You did a beautiful job on it!

Riley enjoyed opening her gift, playing with the box, card and blanket!

Riley is already dragging it around the house too...I think it's a hit!

The gift arrived just in time.  We've been teaching Riley animal sounds and just the other day she learned to quack like a duck! 

I wanted to get Riley on video "quacking" but she wasn't really in the mood.  It didn't turn out like I was hoping, since she "quacked" softly and you can barely hear it.  Regardless, I'm posting the video since it's fun to see Riley in action! 

(The video quality is terrible, sorry...it was just taken from my little digital camera.)

Thank you so much, Andrea, for the awesome blanket!!

cute

This post is especially for Mom F...

I put Riley in one of the dresses you sent her awhile back.  Its been warm enough for her to wear it, finally.  She looked so cute!  It fits her perfectly now so we'll get good use out of it this month (and hopefully all summer). 

I wanted to take some pictures of her in it, just in case she outgrows it before our July vaca!  She's so tall, so I never know if something will fit her or be too short on her already.

She's a cutie pie. 

Thanks again for the cute clothes!