This crazy lady took me to Huey Lewis and the News the other night. This is my coworker, Patti. Or Pat Pat to Nora. Or Pootie to her elementary classmates.



Here's Huey on the jumbo screen. Cuter than ever. . .





We're preparing to go camping next weekend. We have zero camping gear, so it's taking ALOT of preparation. So- our weekend was busy, but not too busy to squeeze in a playdate with AJ. Here's Nora playing with her bestie.







Nora was in rare form dancing and singing and talking a blue streak. I guess that's not really rare- she's constantly talking. Constantly. Here she is yelling "AJ- look at my foot"! I'm still not sure what was on her foot, but she definitely wanted everyone to look.



I love when Nora asks me to draw something with chalk, like an elephant, or a snowcone machine, or something else I can't draw. Luckily she cornered Danielle this time. Of course, Danielle gets to draw an airplane. Easy.





I'm totally ok with this picture. Two friends, 2 years old, hugging.



Not okay with this picture. Totally not okay with this picture.

Listen here for a news story my cousin Grant reported from Sierra Leon, where he is teaching radio production skills at the Fatima Institute for development and Radio Maria through Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).

His blog is here.

This story is very hard to listen to- one that lots of people would rather ignore to keep from feeling anything- but I hope you take just a few minutes to listen and pray about this situation.

Nora has a dollhouse that she plays with occasionally. Since it entered our house, she has kept a picture of my grandmother (her grandma dada) in the dollhouse. It seriously never moves- Grandma dada has a role and everything.



This is grandma dada's best friend, I guess.



Here's Nora putting Dora in time out. Something she's been doing alot of herself these days. Someone tell me this gets better. I'm so over age 2!

Forrest Spence Run

Forrest Spence was a very precious baby who lost his life last year. I heard about him because his parents are friends with my friend, Danielle. This run was to raise money for a local Memphis Children's Hospital and we were happy to contribute! The Spence's have turned a very devastating event into such a positive experience. I only hope I would have their heart and vision when tragedy strikes my family.

Elmo was there, and much the opposite of AJ, Nora wouldn't go within 15 feet of him. Is Elmo a him or a her? Anyway.









Had I known this hat would clash this badly with the ugly colored shirt, I never would have worn it. Just so you'll know.

This is a whopper of an update. I figured I better make up for not blogging as often as I usually do. Who knows- maybe I'll hit you with two updates in one week.

We made a quick trip to Nashville last weekend for some family time. We had a great time. There was this alarm clock that was the most bomb of a clock I've seen at a hotel. It had a sound machine and everything. Maybe I never get out, but this was a great clock. Nora played with it forever turning the channel, getting on the bed and dancing/jumping to the music. Then she would switch to the sound machine and just sit in front of the clock and listen. It was great entertainment.



Lots of bed jumping fun



Loved waking up to this in the morning. So cute.



the view from our balcony (it pays to complain about all the hidden fees to the hotel staff- they'll upgrade your room to a balcony view!)



more alarm clock playing









cute little footsies



sweet girl



Our newest obsession is "Baby". What's baby's name, you ask? Baby. That's her name. What else would it be, really? She's so cute when playing with baby. Anytime she cries (in other words, anytime Nora pushes her chest and a fake cry erupts), Nora holds her close whispering in this high pitched voice "it's okay, I got you, you're fine". It's the cutest thing ever. When I say, "Nora, you're such a good mommy" she replies with "yeah".



Was anyone else Camper of the Day in 1987?




I didn't think so.

:)