The Summer in Retrospect!

We have had a wonderful and happy summer. It's been great spending time with our families. Eliza has a fantastic memory and really warmed up to everyone. She was free with hugs and kisses for the grandparents and aunts and uncles.

She has taught us lots about fashion. Pink boots go with everything...so do purple flower headbands. Bows, however, must be removed promptly and without argument.

Eliza learned all about the wonders of the great outdoors. She spent hours in her car, sandbox, pool, dumping sand into the car and pool, leaving piles of sand all over the back yard, hauling little cups and water pails from the pool to the flower pots and tomato plants, picking red tomatoes and green cucumbers (with absolute glee)...the list goes on and on. A highlight of her outdoor experience was hiking in the mountains with her grandparents.

She clearly understands the importance of the telephone. She calls her dad every morning (using a meat thermometer) and tells him all about the plans for the day.

Belated Birthday!

Since our last entry Eliza celebrated her second birthday, grew two new teeth, traveled to Texas twice and the mountains once, learned to run, started Mandarin class, and grew another inch. There is so much more, but I realize it is much less interesting to you all than it is to Kyle and myself...we are slightly over the moon, you know.

Eliza's birthday outfit was hand crafted by her late great-grandmother, "Nana". What a wonderful way to celebrate Nana's gifts as a seamstress and Eliza's bug themed birthday.

The guests sported antennae, ate ladybug and bumblebee cake, and helped us release 1750 live ladybugs.

The highlight of the event was releasing the lady bugs into the yard. Everyone seemed to be pretty thrilled by all the orange critters.


Eliza seemed to enjoy the party, but the truth was expressed quite clearly during the night when we heard her cry from her slumber "NO BUGS!" I guess we'll have to rethink recycling birthday party themes.