Picture a Day

So our cousin Laura did a picture a day in May. I know it doesn't rhyme but I'm going to try a picture a day in June. I might have to have catch up days (like today) but I'm going to try it.

I don't have a fancy camera and I'm not very creative in my picture taking, but I take my camera with me everywhere. It's the size of my wallet so it's always in my diaper bag. We shall see if I can keep up. I promise every day won't just be of my girls.

June 8th - Got Milk? Lucy's ever present milk beard while she learns the ways of the sippy cup

June 7th - Family at McCormick Farm

June 6th - Leland listening to the music at the free Friday night summer concerts.

June 1st - Taken by Leland of her silly daddy

Raphine adventures

Today, we spent the day near Raphine in the northern reaches of our county.

We started by going to Orchardside Farm flower and produce market. While it was a beautiful setting, there was not much to buy. (They say that the produce vendors come along in mid-June.) There is a great creek flowing through the farm. Leland made friends with a little girl and they stuck their toes in the water while we looked at the vendors.

After that, we went to Wade's Mill, a working flour mill built in 1750 by one of the earlier settlers in the Shenandoah Valley. The mill is powered by a 21-foot water wheel that is fed by a nearby stream. It is one of the few remaining flour mills that still produces a wide variety of flours exclusively on mill stones. We bought a bread mix to have later today. We also walked around and took some beautiful pictures.

After Wade's Mill, we made a quick stop at Rockbridge Vineyard to see the beautiful barn and grape vines, but also to let Chuck ask them some questions for his The Roaming Roan travel column.

After stopping at a fast food place, we went and had a picnic at the Cyrus McCormick Farm, the birthplace of mechanized farm harvesting. It was in this location, that McCormick designed, built, and tested the first mechanical reaper which spurned the industrialization of agriculture. Prior to inventing the reaper, farmers could only harvest 1/2 an acre a day; after the reaper was invented, farmers could harvest 12 acres a day. His efforts made harvesting grain easier and allowed farmers across the globe to harvest grain faster and cheaper then ever before.

In all, we visited four great tourist stops in the span of a few hours. We saw beautiful farms and toured two historical landmarks. It was a very fun day.

Saying Goodbye

Being in school stinks for many reasons, but especially at the end of the school year when we have to say goodbye to great friends. Last week we had to say goodbye to the Barrett family. Even though we have only known them for one year we have loved all the time we have known each other. It's rare to find friends as a family: Jason and Chuck get along great, Sunshine and I are, in her words, the "same flavor", and Leland adores their boys Koa and Kai, and they love baby Lucy too.

Last week as they were packing their moving truck for the trek up north to Maine, Koa and Kai spent the day with us. We had a blast, playing at the park, playing hide-n-seek, and giggling under the covers. It was bitter sweet for me. The kids all played so nicely for the 8 hours together even with no naps, I couldn't bear to think that it might be the last time they could play. I would love for Leland to meet one of the boys one day at BYU-Hawaii and realize they were best buddies at 3 years old.

I heard giggling from Leland's room and when I went to check on them they were all cuddled under the covers. It was adorable.

Now we have even more reason to visit the Northeast. We will miss you Barretts.

Lucy's 1st party

We had a nice little party for Lucy's birthday. My aunt Barbara, uncle Rick, and cousin Adam came over for dinner and cake & ice cream. It was nice to celebrate with family. Lucy had a fun time and Leland enjoyed showing Lucy what to do. How to open presents, blow out her candles, and of course eat cake. As you can tell from the cheesy picture Lucy is finally getting more teeth as her top 2 come in together.

Lucy got a new baby doll which she immediately gave a big hug and kiss, a new phone so she doesn't have to slobber all over mine anymore, and some puzzles.
Leland made her the cutest card that she was very proud of and enjoyed wrapping her presents.

Lucy was a little skeptical of the candle on her piece of cake and all the singing. I think she enjoyed playing with the cake more than actually eating it. She ate a few big bites and then started throwing it off the side of the high chair.

It was a nice evening with family. I'm so grateful to live close to the Babarsky's and that they came to celebrate with us.

Happy Birthday Lucy

I can't believe my baby is 1 year old. She brings so much happiness into our lives. I am so grateful everyday that Heavenly Father sent her to our house to live. She used to be a very quiet child and now she has become a screamer. It's a happy loud squeal most of time. I'm not sure if she is learning to be loud from her sister or if screaming is the only way to be heard over her sister.

Last Sunday she was so frustrated trying to crawl in a dress that she picked up the edge of her skirt, put it right in front of her face, and grunted in anger. I had several people from church come up to me in the hall afterward and tell me how funny it was to watch her get so mad at her dress.

Her personality is coming out more and more each day. She is pretty patient with her older sister smothering her with love and trying to wrestle with her. Leland's usual response is "She told me she wants to wrestle." (I am so sure when she learns to talk that is definitely what she is NOT saying.)

She says "Mama" all the time and gets very excited when her Daddy comes home from work.
Lucy loves to crawl onto things to sit: foot stools, LJs little chair, the low bench in our kitchen area. She gets so proud of herself when she accomplishes her goal. If there are pillows on the floor she will lay her head down on them and "cuddle".

Her newest past time is looking at books. I will go in the girl's room and she will have books all around her and will be flipping the pages of one.

Happy Birthday Lulu! We love you!!!